benjii

If Downes is out then it's time to hand the prestigious Front Sweeper role to Manning. I'm serious. Meghoma at left back for Friday and Manning and Charles in midfield with Stuey in front of them. I think Smallbone looked tired on Tuesday. Charles looked positively asleep, but that would have been ring rust (oooohhh Mrs) rather than fatigue. More like a 4231 than the usual set up. Adam A wide right and Fraser or Edozie left with Mara or Adams up top. We will have, as ever, a pretty nuts bench so let's keep it solid and win it in the last half an hour. Up the Saints inshallah!

No need for a massive inquest, we have just executed too many passes badly. That said, the amount of space they are getting in wide areas is worrying. Charles is having a 'mare. Doesn't seem to be up to speed mentally.

Pitch is a fucking cabbage patch.

Shame that Brooks is unavailable after his performance last night.

FFS, Brooks injured already.

Normally, I'd want to put out a strong enough team but knowing the draw already makes it all a bit moot. Shame Bree isn't fit yet as we're now looking a bit light for cover at the back without Holgate. Similar in CM without Alcaraz and Aribo at the moment I'm sure Lumley, Stephens, Meghoma, Charles and Rothwell will start. So two of Janny B, THB, Manning and KWP will probably need to play, plus Downes or Smallbone. I'd be tempted to keep Adams up top, with Edozie and SAA on the wings.

Seems like a great signing. Locally based, point to prove to himself, good enough for a higher level, left footed. If he ends up playing the right forward role then Adam Armstrong will need to deliver at CF. The only concern is whether that's a change we really need to make to the team, but overall this looks like a no-brainer signing if he's fit and affordable.

THB about the only player who wouldn't normally be in line to be hooked off. Feel a bit sorry for Adams though, as the ref hasn't got a clue when he's being fouled. Despite everyone being quite shite, it's only a bit of ladies' goalkeeping separating the sides. KWP for Holgate, Smallbone for Alacaraz (appalling today!), Fraser for Dibbling (why is he picked ahead of SAA?).

We would struggle massively as it stands but probably only need three or so quality signings to change that, assuming THB, Downes and Fraser sign. We have very few players that could excel at PL level (prob just KWP and potentially THB and Downes, but we have plenty that are good enough as part of a good team set up: Janny B, Stuey, Alcaraz, Fraser, Edozie etc.) We would need to sign a good left back. We would need to sign a CB as well as THB, or I guess we could bring Bella Kotchap back. We would need to sign a combative centre mid. We would need to sign a striker. If being greedy, a GK too. If we got those signings right, I think we would have a fair chance of staying up. Baz KWP - THB - New - New New - Downes - Smallbone/Stu/Alcaraz Arma/Amo/Dibbles - New - Fraser/Edozie That leaves Stephens, Bree, Manning, Charles, that other striker we signed as options. Sell Sulemana and I assume Adams will have left.

We have made clear tactical changes, it's not just a case of players getting better at doing the same thing. Changes include: - the main one and the cause of a lot of our fuck ups previously: full backs maintaining more width and playing the "traditional" full back role (albeit with licence to move into space infield if it makes sense to do so) - more coordinated pressing off the ball - midfielders adopting higher positions in sustained periods of possession and running beyond the defensive line, plus willingness to look for the ball over the top - more variation in forward passes from the centre backs; although there is still a methodical build up, they will look to break the midfield lines if there is an open channel

Anyone seen that Command and Control centre that's definitely under the hospital, yet?

We'll get twatted if they take it seriously, unless the PL team is Sheffield United or Burnley.

An unconvincing 4-0 win but Lumley and Meghoma looked very capable and Fraser was class. Front three of Fraser, Adams, Armstrong for next weekend please.

They also had the ball in the net which was wrongfully flagged for an offside.

Yeah, but so did all their other players.

This is crap. Stephens shouldn't be at right back. Manning is shite. Should have started with Alcaraz and Adams today. Sort it out, Russ.

I'd be tempted to start him up top in a match soon to surprise the oppo, inshallah. Perhaps a tricky away match.

Trigger happy lino.

Seems like Russ takes my advice (apart from the KWP rest).

I agree. If Fraser is getting goals and assists off the bench for the last 30 mins and Edozie is getting them for the first 60 then no need to change. Fraser isn't going to start getting 4 goals and two assists every match if he starts and Edozie isn't going to get too fatigued. Output is currently great the way it is.

I'd be tempted to make a few changes with the long away trip a few days later and, at least on paper, being a more challenging fixture. KWP must have played virtually every minute so far? Also, Downes seems to be struggling a little for full fitness and Stuey has been running all over the place. Probably best not to start Stephens again soon after an injury. I'd go something like: -----------Bazzer---------- Holgate--THB--Bedz---Manning ----------Smallbone--------- ---Charles---------Alcaraz---- Adam Arm---Adams---Edozie Aiming to give Adam Arm and Edozie a good subbing around the 55 or 60 mins.

Stephens RB, KWP LB and Manning in midfield? Either way, it seems a bit weird to be farting around when we've got the likes of Alcaraz and Smallbone on the bench.

I think they will just sack him and leave it at that.

Bonjour. Ben's brother, Richard, is a legend amongst Saints fans.

Smack heeed?