Man City 5-2 Saints - Match Thread

[Medrurkin]

  On 09/03/2021 at 12:47, waylander said:

What have you been smoking?

There's a far better chance of beating a Brighton side who are struggling to score than a Man City side that have lost 3 games all season.

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Especially with our weak record for conceding goals.

[trousers]

------------------------------------ Forster ------------------------------------

----------- Bednarek ------------ Vestergaard ------------- Salisu -------------

Djenepo -------------------------------------------------------------- Bertrand

-------------------------- JWP ---------------- Diallo --------------------------

----------- Minamino ------------------------------------- Redmond -----------

-------------------------- Adams -------------- Tella ---------------------------

Subs: McCarthy, KWP, Stephens, Ramsey, Jankewitz, Armstrong, Chauke, Watts, N'Lundulu 

 

[Teddeer]

  On 09/03/2021 at 13:14, trousers said:

------------------------------------ Forster ------------------------------------

----------- Bednarek ------------ Vestergaard ------------- Salisu -------------

Djenepo -------------------------------------------------------------- Bertrand

-------------------------- JWP ---------------- Diallo --------------------------

----------- Minamino ------------------------------------- Redmond -----------

-------------------------- Adams -------------- Tella ---------------------------

Subs: McCarthy, KWP, Stephens, Ramsey, Jankewitz, Armstrong, Chauke, Watts, N'Lundulu 

 

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Wouldn't bother playing 2 up front for this game. Let Tella be the lone front man. We'll need all the bodies we can muster in midfield and defence. There will be little or no supply to our attack so no point playing two up top.

[captainchris]

We have far too many defeatist fans..

We play every game to win. It’s a professional sporting competition not a picnic by a pond on a Sunday afternoon. We put our best team out we can and fight to win. 
 

[Teddeer]

  On 09/03/2021 at 13:23, captainchris said:

We have far too many defeatist fans..

We play every game to win. It’s a professional sporting competition not a picnic by a pond on a Sunday afternoon. We put our best team out we can and fight to win. 
 

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Looking at this fixture as a realist, let's be honest, their entire bench would probably walk straight into our strongest eleven.

[redkeith]

  On 09/03/2021 at 13:14, trousers said:

------------------------------------ Forster ------------------------------------

----------- Bednarek ------------ Vestergaard ------------- Salisu -------------

Djenepo -------------------------------------------------------------- Bertrand

-------------------------- JWP ---------------- Diallo --------------------------

----------- Minamino ------------------------------------- Redmond -----------

-------------------------- Adams -------------- Tella ---------------------------

Subs: McCarthy, KWP, Stephens, Ramsey, Jankewitz, Armstrong, Chauke, Watts, N'Lundulu 

 

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That team looks good, but I think Pep is a bit too clever to fall for the old 12 players trick ! 

[captainchris]

  On 09/03/2021 at 13:28, Teddeer said:

Looking at this fixture as a realist, let's be honest, their entire bench would probably walk straight into our strongest eleven.

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Hi Teddeer

Certainly right there but it the defeatist attitude which many fans are guilty of and often this leaches into the team attitude and the whole club which does us no favours.

I like your idea on the tactics for this game (one up top) we have a tendency to throw too many forward to far up the pitch in the press which is why I believe Ralph plays two up top and we have seen how dangerous that can be for us in this league.

The press must be deeper, a loose two up front could possibly be ok then ?.... 

 

[Uncle Albert]

Play an attacking team and ruffle a few feathers. Far too many teams have been beaten easily by trying to defend against city so you might as well attack.

[Saint_lambden]

  On 09/03/2021 at 13:17, Teddeer said:

Wouldn't bother playing 2 up front for this game. Let Tella be the lone front man. We'll need all the bodies we can muster in midfield and defence. There will be little or no supply to our attack so no point playing two up top.

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If we just played Tella up front on his own the ball's going to keep coming back at us again as he's not going to hold it up against a combination of Stones/Dias/Laporte. 

[Whitey Grandad]

  On 09/03/2021 at 14:23, Saint_lambden said:

If we just played Tella up front on his own the ball's going to keep coming back at us again as he's not going to hold it up against a combination of Stones/Dias/Laporte. 

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Probably, but with his speed he should draw a few fouls and buy us time and opportunity.

[Scallysaint]

Why wouldn’t we just play Adams and Tella upfront and give them time together.

[Baird of the land]

  On 09/03/2021 at 14:23, Saint_lambden said:

If we just played Tella up front on his own the ball's going to keep coming back at us again as he's not going to hold it up against a combination of Stones/Dias/Laporte. 

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Yeah exactly sitting back and letting them come on to us would be a disaster. We gave them a good game in the earlier narrow loss. See no reason we shouldn't aim to do the same.

[trousers]

  On 09/03/2021 at 13:32, redkeith said:

That team looks good, but I think Pep is a bit too clever to fall for the old 12 players trick ! 

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FFS... We'd have got away with it if it wasn't for those meddling Saintsweb Forum kids...

 

 

[Teddeer]

  On 09/03/2021 at 14:23, Saint_lambden said:

If we just played Tella up front on his own the ball's going to keep coming back at us again as he's not going to hold it up against a combination of Stones/Dias/Laporte. 

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The idea is not for him to hold it up it's to bang it over their defenders' heads and let him chase it and get them turned. If you try playing tippy-tappy possession football against these they'll murder you. Keep Tella up top permanently, don't ask him to chase back and their defenders will be less inclined to leave their posts and go strolling into our half whenever they feel like it.

[fez]

Not only torrential rain all day tomorrow in Manchester but a gusty gale too. The rain will not help us but the wind might. It'll help Adams score again like at St Mary's with 40-50 metre kick over their goalkeeper

[Totton Saint]

  On 09/03/2021 at 12:47, waylander said:

What have you been smoking?

There's a far better chance of beating a Brighton side who are struggling to score than a Man City side that have lost 3 games all season.

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Time will tell.

[Teddeer]

  On 09/03/2021 at 15:53, fez said:

Not only torrential rain all day tomorrow in Manchester but a gusty gale too. The rain will not help us but the wind might. It'll help Adams score again like at St Mary's with 40-50 metre kick over their goalkeeper

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Aren't those the perfect conditions for our 9-0 defeats 🤣

[Verbal]

  On 09/03/2021 at 15:53, fez said:

Not only torrential rain all day tomorrow in Manchester but a gusty gale too. The rain will not help us but the wind might. It'll help Adams score again like at St Mary's with 40-50 metre kick over their goalkeeper

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If Ederson sees Adams 50 meters out he'll be back on his line in a heartbeat.

[saintwbu]

  On 09/03/2021 at 15:53, fez said:

Not only torrential rain all day tomorrow in Manchester but a gusty gale too. The rain will not help us but the wind might. It'll help Adams score again like at St Mary's with 40-50 metre kick over their goalkeeper

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That sounds like 9-0 to me 

[Toussaint]

  On 09/03/2021 at 14:15, Uncle Albert said:

Play an attacking team and ruffle a few feathers. Far too many teams have been beaten easily by trying to defend against city so you might as well attack.

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It’s true, “they didn’t like it up’em”!  It’s as good a strategy as any. Saints of old always took that approach 

[Jeremy]

Even if Saints play really well do people realistically still think they can win against such formidable opposition?  There are really good odds for a Saints win that could be worth a $10 bet.

[Turkish]

  On 09/03/2021 at 21:59, Jeremy said:

Even if Saints play really well do people realistically still think they can win against such formidable opposition?  There are really good odds for a Saints win that could be worth a $10 bet.

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What some might call an insurance bet, perhaps?

[Jeremy]

It's my way of taking a vicarious personal interest in the club's fortunes. They beat Liverpool I suppose. Will put a Hail Mary $10 bet for a draw at lunchtime.

[Turkish]

  On 09/03/2021 at 22:52, Jeremy said:

It's my way of taking a vicarious personal interest in the club's fortunes. They beat Liverpool I suppose. Will put a Hail Mary $10 bet for a draw at lunchtime.

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Agreed and who could blame you sir!
 

just out of interest have you ever happened to come across such a thing as a momentum curve? With saints win on Saturday it certainly feels that our momentum is on an upward curve, so perhaps we have cause for more optimism tomorrow?

[OttawaSaint]

  On 09/03/2021 at 22:58, Turkish said:

Agreed and who could blame you sir!
 

just out of interest have you ever happened to come across such a thing as a momentum curve? With saints win on Saturday it certainly feels that our momentum is on an upward curve, so perhaps we have cause for more optimism tomorrow?

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Ohhh it’s like a 3-2-1 clue.

Jeremy

See you Jeremy

See you Jimmy

Scottish

Glasgow!

[Jeremy]

@  OS:  Was that a bloke who was or is a heavy punter?  I definitely don't have a Glaswegian (?) accent.  Pure New Zild. Also, I only bet $10 and only on Saints. BTW, I read Shuggy Bain towards the end of last year about growing up poor in Glasgow (last year's Man Brooker prize winner).  Bloody grim childhood.

@  Turkish:  One swallow doesn't make a summer (horrible cliche) but, also, you're only as good as your last game (equally squalid cliche). So that would be a Saints win and a Citeh (to quote other posters) loss. If Saints win I will go on the betting wagon for the rest of the season because, perhaps like Che Guevara and his dodgy left foot,  I can't hit a barn door with my picks. 

Edited 10 March, 2021 by Jeremy

[trousers]

Textbook

[CB Fry]

[Turkish]

  On 10/03/2021 at 02:17, Jeremy said:

@  OS:  Was that a bloke who was or is a heavy punter?  I definitely don't have a Glaswegian (?) accent.  Pure New Zild. Also, I only bet $10 and only on Saints. BTW, I read Shuggy Bain towards the end of last year about growing up poor in Glasgow (last year's Man Brooker prize winner).  Bloody grim childhood.

@  Turkish:  One swallow doesn't make a summer (horrible cliche) but, also, you're only as good as your last game (equally squalid cliche). So that would be a Saints win and a Citeh (to quote other posters) loss. If Saints win I will go on the betting wagon for the rest of the season because, perhaps like Che Gueverra and his dodgy left foot,  I can't hit a barn door with my picks. 

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Can you give us an indication as to win percentage with bets also how many days is it since you won a bet against a top six team?

[david in sweden]

I've never been one to blame goalkeepers for alone for  defeats, as our strike rate has been nothing short of pitiful

since the Liverpool win in January.   BUT Alex had to pick the ball out of the net  24 times in his last 8 games.

Regardless of "blame"  it must has been a real knock to his confidence..... just waiting for the next one to go in.

 

Since his return Fraser Forster looks like a man re-born, and exudes self-confidence, and the defenders seem more relaxed.

Ralph has always said he rates both of them and  it's up to them to earn their place, and so now it's Fraser's chance.

The short answer is ..If FF can keep a clean sheet v. City, we come away with one point - and if we can score - even better.

Looking back to December, City won by a single goal at SMS  and we deserved a penalty for Sterling's handball in the first half.

( Although after recent events,  I'd like someone to say exactly what constitutes " handball " nowadays. )

[eelpie]

  On 10/03/2021 at 07:42, CB Fry said:

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No,.too excessive. Saints play on the ground..

[Pamplemousse]

We'll get a surprising draw tonight.

[Convict Colony]

Given Pep's playful 18-0 comment I would play 1 keeper and 10 defenders

[saintjimbo83]

As long as we don't get battered, get injuries or suspensions and have some confidence going into the Brighton game, I think that is all we can hope for.

With Ralph saying he will rotate, City losing Sunday and having a fully fit squad to choose from, I can't see us getting anything at all. 

If only Puel was back for this game only to bore the opposition out of trying and scraping a 1-1 or 0-0.

[aintforever]

Gonna be watching this one from behind a cushion, would take a 0-3 now if offered. 

[jamesfp1]

In typical Saints fashion, we'll win tonight. For the same reason we'd lose to someone sh!t to end a good run of form. It's what we do. 

[Jeremy Corbyn]

  On 10/03/2021 at 09:33, david in sweden said:

I've never been one to blame goalkeepers for alone for  defeats, as our strike rate has been nothing short of pitiful

since the Liverpool win in January.   BUT Alex had to pick the ball out of the net  24 times in his last 8 games.

Regardless of "blame"  it must has been a real knock to his confidence..... just waiting for the next one to go in.

 

Since his return Fraser Forster looks like a man re-born, and exudes self-confidence, and the defenders seem more relaxed.

Ralph has always said he rates both of them and  it's up to them to earn their place, and so now it's Fraser's chance.

The short answer is ..If FF can keep a clean sheet v. City, we come away with one point - and if we can score - even better.

Looking back to December, City won by a single goal at SMS  and we deserved a penalty for Sterling's handball in the first half.

( Although after recent events,  I'd like someone to say exactly what constitutes " handball " nowadays. )

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Part of me thinks we should play AM for that reason.  If we're going to get thrashed, lets do it without damaging FF's confidence.

[NorthLondonSFC]

JWP to win it in the 90th Beckham style with a 35 yard free kick. Big Fras to also complete his season 7 redemption arc making 22 saves and instantly earning himself another 6 year contract.

Edited 10 March, 2021 by NorthLondonSFC

[eelpie]

  On 10/03/2021 at 13:19, Jeremy Corbyn said:

Part of me thinks we should play AM for that reason.  If we're going to get thrashed, lets do it without damaging FF's confidence.

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How about doing an 'arry and playing only academy players so as not to damage the first team's confidence?

[Toadhall Saint]

  On 10/03/2021 at 11:47, Convict Colony said:

Given Pep's playful 18-0 comment I would play 1 keeper and 10 defenders

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Pity we can only play one keeper! 😂

[fanimal]

Any chance of it being called off due to the weather tonight?

really liked United’s 4231 line up against them we could replicate that 

[igsey]

What time does Appy get here?

No chance we see anything other than 4-2-2-2, expecting Bednarek or Djenepo at RB again.

[Matthew Le God]

  On 10/03/2021 at 14:47, fanimal said:

Any chance of it being called off due to the weather tonight?

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What about today's weather would lead to a postponement of a Premier League game?

11C with 14 mph winds and light rain... https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2643123

Edited 10 March, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[davefizzy14]

I think there will be several changes tonight as Ralph hinted in his press conference on Monday. Possibly KWP, Minamino, Diallo and Armstrong as we need them fresh for the weekend hoping both Ramsay and Jankewitz play a part tonight. Hoping we can get at least a point - COYR

[Totton Saint]

  On 10/03/2021 at 16:46, davefizzy14 said:

I think there will be several changes tonight as Ralph hinted in his press conference on Monday. Possibly KWP, Minamino, Diallo and Armstrong as we need them fresh for the weekend hoping both Ramsay and Jankewitz play a part tonight. Hoping we can get at least a point - COYR

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In that case we will, as predicted by the doomsters, loose.  3 minutes time we will know the selection.

[Lighthouse]

Haha, so basically every defender we’ve got and hope for the best. 🤣

[Appy]

Stephens in midfield, hopefully time to get proven wrong about that 

[Mr Brightside]

Have we ever played 4 CBs before? 🙄

[Saint Garrett]

Looks like Stephens in DM to me...?

Macca

Bednarek Vestergaard Salisu Bertrand

Armstrong Stephens JWP Moussa

Adams Redmond

[davefizzy14]

  On 10/03/2021 at 17:03, Appy said:

Stephens in midfield, hopefully time to get proven wrong about that 

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That sounds very interesting as Jack is good on the ball