NewYorkSaint

My main takeaway. We deserve to stay in the Premier League. And we will.

So... here's the case for Russball. We have 45% possession at half-time, vs 30% typical of away teams here. If Man C had that extra 15% possession, it would increase their overall possession from 55% to 70%, implying that instead of 10 attempts on goal, they'd have 13. One of those could easily be the second goal. I think our style of play is terrifying but also exhilarating. If we can do this well against ManC, we can absolutely use this style to do well in the premier league. I'm proud of the boys. If we can now score before they do... this will be a great game, no matter the final result. Wd love to see tall Paul w 20-30 mins. He offers a great outlet if things get tougher. C'mon Saints!!!

Incredible reading some of these comments. Has everyone forgotten how amazing last season's unbeaten run felt? sure that was championship... but it also felt like we had something no other team had. I agree Russball can be scary. But it's also exhilarating when it works. So long as he has the support of the playing room, I think we should stick. You have to remember we've been seriously unlucky so far on this run, including the horrific refereeing of the last game. When things turn, the exact same playing style is going to feel v v different. Saturday second half was agony. But our day will come, and maybe sooner than the gloomy gang here imagines.

Personally, I've been happy that SR have stuck w Russell and that Russell has basically stuck w his strategy (albeit, giving a little more leeway for clearance under pressure). When it works, Russ-ball is simply wonderful to watch. Today, it's mostly working. If we had a slightly fairer ref could easily be 3-0. Dibbling, Downes, KWP, Ramsdale, Fernandes, Aribo, ... and I'll add Bednarek, Harwood-bellis and Sugawara - we have real quality. I'd love to see tall Paul come on and head us home 3-0. Need to focus and fight this second half. No lapses!! If we can, we'll go out out of this with a massive surge of confidence and I could see us going on a mini-run... not quite like last year, but enough to dispel any thoughts we don't belong in the premier league.

Well... at least we had three minutes of total bliss. AND I think we discovered that tall Paul is an essential part of our future. I love watching him. With him, Fernandes, Dibling, Ramsay... I don't think we'll be relegated. I think we'll figure this out. Next month will be epic.

There's so much luck in football. We are unlucky to be only on one point. Arsenal are unlucky not to be ahead given their dominance. But this could yet be our day. if Dibling and Fernandes combine for a wonder goal and the heroic defending continues... well, that would just be another instance of 'funny old game'.

What a half ! A symmetry to way both sides playing. High press, aggressive midfield war... we've taken turns to dominate. I see plenty of signs that Martin is allowing more variety. There have been plenty of longer balls when the pressure tightens. Beautiful to see Lallana showing his worth for us once again. Worldie pass for the goal. If we can pull this off, it's going to be a much happier week ahead. And I think we can pull this off. Archer to score our second, from a Fernandez pass. Their pace is exciting....

I think it's way too soon to be thinking of dropping Martin. Have you already forgotten how amazing the run was last year. His style of play def is high-risk. But it's capable of being both effective and extremely exciting. We've already seen it working beautifully IN SPELLS in the premier league... first half Newcastle, first 30 mins Sat. I think he's already tweaked it a bit so that they don't HAVE to play out when it's super-risky. That looked different Saturday. We didn't lose Sat because of Russ-ball. We lost because a) we're up against a team that's paid 3x as much b) we were genuinely unlucky... could easily have gone in 1-0 up at half-time. If we're bottom of the league at end of November, I'll be persuaded... But please... let's not jump out of the frying pan into the fire. I predict we'll win Saturday and the feel here will be v v different.

It's really too bad.... But here are the straws I clutch. - The first 30 minutes showed how competitive we can be in the Premier League. We absolutely should have been 1-up. With that level of talent, I don't believe we're a relegation side - Dibling is incredible. - Martin and or Ramsdale seem to have adjusted the rules about playing out. We now have license to clear long when essential. - Finally, ironically, Stephens red card will force us a game or two w/o him. I think we'll be better for it. Huge game a-coming against Ipswich...

Based on Russell's comments today - implying that it's possible loyalty has contributed to non perfect decisions - I'm guessing we'll see a team w a new captain. Cd be wrong.

The thing is.... we have the players. Add me to those who think Russell has to find a new captain. I vote Bednarek. He's a fixture for us. A rock. And a fighter. Also, alas, Armstrong needs to be taken out. Then play 4-3-3. Include Dibbling and Fernandes in every start team. We'll start scoring a ton of goals.

Yes!! Love the subs..

I don't mind the Russball out of defense. I like excitement! Yes, there are disasters, but overall it gives our team something unique. When it works it's sublime. Against the chances it gives up, you have to stack up all the chances it avoids (by extra possession, and by avoid the long-ball likely giveaways). What I DO mind is Adam Armstrong. He's been really weak this year. Love his energy, but he gives away the ball so many times... and misses like the one we just had are infuriating. Sub him for Dibling. Or for anyone. (And I'd also prefer 4-3-3 w Fernandes on for Stephens...)

Helluva bench.

McCarthy has a lot of strengths. Good command of the area w incoming crosses, pretty good shot-stopping, good distribution. I feel like the occasional areas in passing out could be addressed by three things 1) given him encouragement to clear long when it's needed 2) lots of practice on the decision making for when that line has been crossed 3) agreement among defenders not to pass to him when its dangerously tight. Maybe we'll find a better keeper -- I'd be delighted if we can -- but I think a higher priority still is a lethal striker proven at premier league level.

Put aside the frustration. Everyone makes mistakes. Archer's misses were as bad as McCarthy's. The key question is this: Based on what you saw today are you somewhat more convinced that Saints will survive and thrive this year? I definitely am. And I will gladly take that.

The people dumping on Martin after one error ... gimme a break. If there was no risk to the strategy everyone would do it. It's his philosophy that have made the rest of the half look sensationally good. And... the game's only half-way done. Our strategy tires out opposition teams even when there's 11 men. With 10.. I think there's every chance we still win this. (cue three more giveaways and the most embarrassingly 4-0 loss of all time.) lol.

Really interesting strategy by Martin that half. KWP playing narrow... more midfield than wing-back. And incredibly effective in that position. Overall, we've really stepped up our passing game. Fast, bolder, a lot more long passes included in there. It looks incredibly good. Aribo playing better than I've ever seen him. We can't be scared out of this by the occasional mistake.

Sickening for McCarthy. I think Russell needs to give him permission to clear long for the second half. We can wear them down and still draw or win this.

Terrible things may happen. But for now... how great is this?!

I resolve to get huge pleasure each time we successfully pass the ball out of the back and break forward. There will, I predict, be at least three embarrassing losses of possession, one of which will lead to a goal, but if there's enough of the other kind (courage, be our friend!), I'll take it. I actually love the experience of seeing 21 triangles lead to a zip-zing and we're away. I like Russball. It's entertaining as hell. And the tension is part of that. Miss Bazunu, but still... we have to try to see if we can hold onto the system we've been practicing for a year. It served us pretty well last year. One key thing to look for. Can Smallbone cut it in the premier league playing the role he's embraced? He's looked v elegant as the escape ball master. Every time he does something impressive today I'll be cheering. (And of course counting on Downes for his brilliant break-up play.). Fantasy moment: we're trailing 1-0 in the 70th minute. Tall Paul comes on and scores a headed goal from a perfect Sugawara cross.... It can happen, friends. It can happen.

Tall Paul looking promising...!

Maybe it's just me, but I was impressed by the evidence of Russball in that half. A lot of our game super-crisp, exciting to watch. Diaz a charismatic add.

It's going to be worth a season ticket just for the heart palpitations of McCarthy. are you not entertained?!

The kids are looking pretty amazing. A-A > AA !