jasonbenali

Bit of a sweaty second half but you can't fault the classy 1st. I think it was a mix of some complacency, trying to over manage the game and Swansea's press was very effective even if their shooting was poor - can't remember the last time I saw us unable to pass the ball around in the way we usually like to end games. I do feel we had another gear or two in the locker though. 21 unbeaten and 2nd - that's a good day whichever way you look at it!

Alcaraz looking up for this - tackles, runs and what should have been an assist for Mara if he could shoot properly

Also interesting that Saints are bottom of the league for aerial duels won which helps explain some of the long ball tactics we face

Was a bit worried when we scored so early but turned out to be the winner...

Dominant win despite KWP gifting them a goal to even up our offside one - Birmingham were pretty poor bar a 5 minute spell after the goal when we lost our shape. Pleasantly surprised by Aribo's impact as a sub - won the ball back several times and really looked up for it. I continue to be baffled by how calm Arma looks in front of goal, just can't believe it's the same player that panicked in front of goal in the Prem, but long may it continue. Maybe it's just the extra time you get at this level? Good choice of MOTM in Downes who looked class - has really come on since he's been able to hold his food down. Fraser also looked lively with some excellent runs and half an assist, but really should have got that chip on target.

Fair play to Martin for playing a more pragmatic style that better suits the limitations and strengths of the team - we seem to have lost the ability to outpass teams since JWP left. Both sides gave the ball away repeatedly and got away with it when they would have got destroyed in the Prem, but hopefully I can worry about that next season! Multiple times Sully made a good run and we couldn't pick him out with the right pass which was a waste of his ability. One moment of real quality won it from Stu although he messed up the other one with Arma's perfect cross. Great to see Smallbone getting stuck in more and making some important interceptions covering back and likewise Bednarek was up for the challenge and won a lot of headers when Stoke reverted to type and went route one. Downes also looked better, although Xavi he is not. Not a great game, but I'll take a win all day long, particularly on a (dry) Tuesday night in Stoke!

Takes a brave person to pick this result with our form, could be just about anything. That said, given we don't do draws and have goals guaranteed in every game, it's a nailed on 0-0. I can't see him keeping the same 11 given the short gap between games and would expect to see Charles in to strengthen midfield and maybe Adams up front.

That just about gets the 3-4 v Leeds out of my system... Saints almost unrecognisable from the first game where it was all about possession - we could have done with some of that towards the end to see out time but Leeds are better at pressing than Sheff Weds and we don't seem to have been able to play that way since Ward-Prowse left. Much more akin to 'Championship' football with more directness, some decent quality up front and clinical finishing - just baffled at how bad A Armstrong was in the Prem when he looks so calm in front of goal at this level. It seems he needs the extra time you get at this level. Harwood-Bellis looks a decent signing alongside Bednarek although I still think we're too passive at the back particularly on crosses and second balls. Sulemana is going to frustrate a lot when he gives the ball away so regularly, but he has something special and is only going to improve. After 4 losses on the bounce I'll take that incredible start and win, just so Saintsy!

Phew. After all the losses it’s just great to get a win even against such limited opposition. Much bigger tests ahead but a win’s a win. Being able to bring on Che and Stu says it all. Just hope we can hang onto most of them. That last 9 mins was like watching Man City.

The one that really irritates me is "We're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen". I mean, obviously we're not and neither is any other team bar the actual greatest team and who are they - Brazil 70? Every club seems to sing it as well. No one bar arguably Oil City should be singing this and even then they should add "arguably/perhaps" 😂

Saints defenders putting themselves in the shop window there. Unfortunately the shop in question is Poundland.

Well, Bednarek's attempted own goal went in the wrong net this week. And Theo's finish was lovely. The sight of us passing it around the back to play out time when 3-1 down was beyond belief - I can't think of a team in the history of football that have done that. So there's that as well.

You'll need to be more specific...

We've been treated to some awful displays this season but the lack of fight and urgency was almost unbelievable. I don't think I've ever seen a team relegated with so little fuss - truly, truly embarrassing. It was like a pre-season friendly. I've no idea what tactics we were supposed to be playing nor did the players it seemed. The most half-hearted press I've ever seen. Honestly, what do they do all week in training? We used to have a real identity with peak-Ralfball, that crazy high press that sometimes worked, sometimes didn't, but you couldn't question the effort or commitment. As for today, just wow.

Crazy number of goals in the Prem today - we score 3 and get nothing after being so short of goals. At least played with some more urgency today in attack but did leave us open. AMN absolutely shocking - why on earth can’t Selles see it and fix it by switching him or taking him off? He seems to manage the team by asking ChatGPT what Pep would do - first that false nine bollocks, then getting the non-left back to drift into midfield leaving our left-hand side exposed as some crazy idea when you’re short that side. You can do that if you have Trent or John Stones with superstars to cover but not with AMN.

Can’t really argue with that line-up. Was expecting a wild card plucked from obscurity but it’s sensible given what’s available.

Haven't seen that one - what a class act

Where’s this Stuart Armstrong been all season? One of the many disappointments of this limp season.

The wife just walked in and said ‘why are you watching that, you know it will just upset you’ 😂

I know Selles says he doesn’t look at the table, but that lineup is like it’s the last game of the season and we need a point to stay up. What did AA do to stay in that team? Why no Tall Paul at all against their set piece weakness? Why Ely when we must win?

I bet they weren't saying that when they were pushing for top 4! They are short of cash and the squad has slowly weakened as a result along with Vardy getting old.

There’s this guy Romeu playing in Spain who would be ideal

Solid point away from home 😂 That performance couldn’t have been any more Saintsy.

1. Worst Player of the Season. In the Oscars tradition I'd like to say that this was such a tough one to call and all the candidates deserved to win in their own way, but the award goes to... Adam Armstrong. Special mentions to Ely, the guy in the S Armstrong costume and a late entry from Tall Paul. 2. Worst Manager. More great candidates here but it just has to be Jones 3. Worst Team Performance of the Season. I feel this is too early to call and that there is a 10-0 still in the tank. Forest for now. 4. Most Embarrassing Moment. Jones infamous press conference with Bednarek's own goal a close second. 5. Biggest Player Disappointment. Joe Aribo after his Messi-like goal in pre-season. Orsic a very close second - WTF happened there, I'm still baffled? 6. Who is responsible for this shit show. Whoever's idea it was that playing youngsters who aren't ready for the Premier League in the Premier League would result in anything else than a team exiting the Premier League. I'm still not sure if that's Semmens or Rasmus but it was a crap idea and then the panic experienced signings have been a disaster - Orsic, Tall Paul...

Still fuming about this one although I shouldn’t be surprised. That first goal, if AMN puts in a proper challenge with the two opportunities it blocks the cross, if Bazunu doesn’t punch it into danger (basic, basic keeping), if we pick up men in the box (basic defending). FFS. Fair play on the 2nd goal, real quality. And we missed some golden chances even amid the mediocrity. Theo may have lost a few yards but with 47 England caps how can you not score from there, let alone hit the target. Really winds me up when he laughs off a bad miss, symptomatic of the whole team. And Selles, Aribo is not a striker. He’s just not.