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Tottenham 4-1 Saints - Match Thread

Bad Wolf

By Bad Wolf,
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Teddeer

Teddeer

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Very torn between 3-1/4-1 to Spurs. Probably a Son or Kane hat-trick too.

Absolute domination, an eye opener, and a huge plummet back down to earth for everyone after signing all these future wonderkids and realising “they’re probably not good enough yet”.

 

Most of them will probably be on the bench. Think Ralph being Ralph will opt for experience.

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Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

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Posted
28 minutes ago, Teddeer said:

Most of them will probably be on the bench. Think Ralph being Ralph will opt for experience.

Why did Bella-Kotchap, Bazunu and Lavia get so much gametime in pre-season?  They've joined us due to the sales pitch being... you will play in the PL. Not sit on our bench.

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Diabolus Ex Machina

Diabolus Ex Machina

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33 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why did Bella-Kotchap, Bazunu and Lavia get so much gametime in pre-season?  They've joined us due to the sales pitch being... you will play in the PL. Not sit on our bench.

Same reason everyone else did? Fitness and getting used to tactics/formations in a real game setting. The pitch may have been that they'll get game time but unless there's something in their contracts stating they must play you'd hope they'd have to show they are worth playing in training/pre-season just like any other player would. Whether they've done that only Ralph would know but I could see squad harmony being affected if they were all given starting opportunities off the bat if other players had trained better for example. We can offer a greater chance at PL football as there isn't as much squad competition in terms of both quality and quantity but that shouldn't be a guarantee of playing time.

As for the game itself, am assuming we will try the 5 at the back (or 5 in midfield depending on where you want to classify the wing-backs playing I suppose). I'll go for 3-1 to Spurs - they are the home team and I think it's fair to say have a higher quality squad but it won't be a complete pushover for them. Perhaps if we keep it tight at the back we might come away with something. I just hope he doesn't try playing a high line in defense which will get us torn apart like it did a couple of seasons ago when we lost 5-2 in the second game of the season.

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Sheaf Saint

Sheaf Saint

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Posted
32 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

You said they've been told "you will play in the PL". 

"Will" is an absolute. That would make it a guarantee. 

Not really. Telling a new player they will play in the PL, with the new 5 sub rule this season, does not mean guaranteed starts.

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Teddeer

Teddeer

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why did Bella-Kotchap, Bazunu and Lavia get so much gametime in pre-season?  They've joined us due to the sales pitch being... you will play in the PL. Not sit on our bench.

Let's wait and see how many of them start on Saturday against Spurs which is the game I was talking about. Things will likely change as the season evolves but I think Ralph will opt for experience in this first fixture.

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austsaint

austsaint

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1 hour ago, The Left Back said:

I’m expecting Bazunu, Bella-Kotchap and Aribo to start and will be surprised if they don’t. Romeu not Romeo to accompany JWP and Mara is clearly not ready. 

Probably right.  My preference would be to play both Romeu and Romeo in midfield with JWP and trust Bella-Kotchap and Salisu to manage central defence.   Bazunu has to start.

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Bailey

Bailey

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I know it’s a game of opinions, but I’m amazed people can’t see these new signings are here to play from the off. Bazunu, ABK, Lavia and Aribo will all start vs Spurs - Lavia in particular will be central/key to any success we have this season. Suspect Mara will be on the bench while Lis, who has been signed to add depth to the goalkeeping department (and may yet leave on loan), won’t make the match day squad.

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wild-saint

wild-saint

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Posted
On 01/08/2022 at 04:02, Saint_clark said:

One thing that is kind of amusing to me is all the ridiculous "White will overtake Rooney as top scorer" nonsense has backfired, as she didn't score another goal once that started, will probably retire after this tournament and therefore can never be described as England's top goalscorer again.

 

9 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

You said they've been told "you will play in the PL". 

"Will" is an absolute. That would make it a guarantee. 

As much as I want you to be right, unfortunately the actual definition of the term “will” leaves you exposed to be MLGed for a technical inaccuracy. 

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Hodgey

Hodgey

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Posted

It’s an interesting debate as either side could be right. We might have signed superstars who quickly adapt to the Prem and have us flying up the table. Or we might have signed players with a load of potential who will take a year or two to start fulfilling it at this level. Or we may have signed players who will always be found wanting at this level and unable to live up to the early potential. 
Probability suggests we’ll have one of the former, a couple of the middle and a couple of the latter. That’s my expectation - anything more a bonus and anything less and I’d ask questions of our recruitment.

With this transfer policy, the expectation should surely be to avoid a relegation dogfight and progress the youngsters to be Prem ready players for next year. I’m loving the optimists looking for more, but for me it’s easy to underestimate how tough this league has become, it’s a mammoth jump up from playing in smaller leagues, and an even bigger jump for those with little professional experience.

we do need a ready now striker though - even if on loan. I can’t see many goals currently in this squad. So I’m going for a 2-0 defeat, and looking for an improvement in tactics to make the most of what looks like an inexperienced/lack of clear Prem level playing squad.

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macca155

macca155

Posted
Posted (edited)

Goodness knows what will happen Saturday. I've got to get back into a match day routine, definitely not match fit yet and it's Spurs, fabulous stadium but nightmare to get away from.

It is a free hit as we'll all be expecting a defeat but we thought that last season, what a night, won't forget that for a long time. Problem is Saints are notorious bad starters and Spurs will be keen to lay down a marker as they've top 3 illusions to match this year.

This game won't really impact on the season, most bottom 10 teams will lose at Spurs so anything is a bonus. The issue will be that most teams will probably get 6 points out of Bournemouth. That's where the pressure will be. Last season Saints were going fine until losing to Norwich, then it all spiraled a bit.

I expect Ralph will play it relatively safe and hope for a draw. I reckon he'll start with

Big Baz

KWP  Bendarek Lyanco Salisu Peraud

Aribo JWP Romeu S Armstrong

Adams

No idea on formation ... fluid is my guess. Everybody run around a lot.

That pretty much guarantees a different team then

Could see Bella-Kotchap in for Bendarek but Kane and Son are probably not the best pair to debut against. Djneppo may get the nod over Peraud but equally reckless against their frontline.

What will be more interesting will be how Ralph uses the 5 subs. That will be a big thing this year in the PL, it may allow Ralph to sustain a high energy press for 90 minutes if he has the squad. I think we'll see Lavia, Valery, Redmond, A Armstrong on to maintain the press.

Anyway here we go again.

COYS

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Tank

Tank

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On 30/07/2022 at 18:08, spyinthesky said:

I think it is very difficult to predict next week's team

Foe my sins I am going with
                                           Bazuma.
Valery      Bednerak                               Salisu     Peraud.

      KWP            JWP            Romeu         Armstrong S
 
                  Aribo                               Adams   

This is on the basis of Valery doing better than expected in pre season and when KWP has moved forward he has the skills and pace to suit the role
Bednerak only for his experience at the moment and having played with Salisu before.
Not too sure about Stu Armstrong on the left but Djenepo is too much hit and miss for me and there could be a case made for Redmond but he has not shown up too well so far in pre season.
Up front there is a  case for Adam Armstrong but in my opinion Che Adams just shades it.
However with 5 subs there is quite a few changes that could be made as the game evolves.
The squad itself is relatively string in depth but to my mind only JWP and KWP are certain starters.

 

Not sure about Valery but that looks good. I'm looking for 0 - 3

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Highfield Saint

Highfield Saint

Posted
Posted

Bazanu

Kotchap Bednarek Salisu

KWP Lavia Djenepo

JWP Romeu Aribo

Adams

KWP and Djenepo as wide overlapping wing backs and Lavia sat in front of or dropping into the back three to balance wing backs being forward when we have lost the ball high up and there is a spurs break. Romeu to drop in when Lavia forays forward

Adams to hold up etc 

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SNSUN

SNSUN

Posted
Posted

I personally think the team will be 

 

McCarthy

ABK Bednarek Salisu

KWP JWP Romeu Djenepo

SA Aribo 

Adams

 

It’s not what I’d choose but I think it’s what Ralph will go with.

 

Either way despite predicting a Saints defeat I am excited for the new season. I can’t wait to see what our squad will look like come September.

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moonraker

moonraker

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Posted
4 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Historically, that should be the game you're most pessimistic about - we've only won once on day one in about a decade. 

Expectation and hope are two different things,  i expect us to lose I hope we win

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Saint Garrett

Saint Garrett

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2 minutes ago, whelk said:

Just listening to Football Weekly podcast and all three pundits predict relegation. Twats. Although did come out with fact that we took lead in 21 games last season but won just 9

Yeah but we took the lead in games we “shouldn’t” have done. We did well to get in the lead in the first place. But some games I agree with that we didn’t capitalise against lesser teams and let them back in it. 

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coalman

coalman

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The area Spurs usually rinse us is when we play high press but don't mark Kane and he has time to release Son through on goal. With 3-5-2 and more pace at centre back I see us less susceptible to this.

That's not to say they won't cut us open or that we'll have any cutting edge but at least is might be different from our usual pattern against them. Cut out the Kane-Son through ball supply and there's a 0-0 bore draw awaiting us.

Throw in a midfield that can be pressed into a mistake and fullbacks that can be got at and it may not be hopeless.

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Holmes_and_Watson

Holmes_and_Watson

Posted
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8 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Historically, that should be the game you're most pessimistic about - we've only won once on day one in about a decade. 

A trend that will have to change to twice in [insert time period based on optimism] at some point. Why not this season? 🙂

sorry, what... Young players to settle in... hopeless form for closing period of last season... No goals in that there team...sorry...my wifi must be on the blink...   can't read your posts...🙂

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qwertyell

qwertyell

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Posted
13 hours ago, Saint Garrett said:

Bazanu 

Valery Bednarek Salisu

KWP JWP Lavia Djenepo

Elyounoussi Armstrong 

Aribo

Starting the season with Valery, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, and no recognised striker wouldn't be a great endorsement of our transfer window. 

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CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
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19 hours ago, Saint Garrett said:

Bazanu 

Valery Bednarek Salisu

KWP JWP Lavia Djenepo

Elyounoussi Armstrong 

Aribo

Which away days are people looking forward to most next season?

QPR? Preston? Hull is always a good night out.

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notnowcato

notnowcato

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

NO striker, valery, djenepo and Mo......yes, awful

Valery, who I doubt will start, and Djenepo are covering injuries right? With Tino and / or Perraud available we play a back 4.

Mo ain’t the best but certainly not the worst. We do need 2 strikers if Che departs. 
 

 

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AlexLaw76

AlexLaw76

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Posted
2 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Valery, who I doubt will start, and Djenepo are covering injuries right? With Tino and / or Perraud available we play a back 4.

Mo ain’t the best but certainly not the worst. We do need 2 strikers if Che departs. 
 

 

We have had a all summer and we are in a position where Djenepo is starting.  Throw in the awful Valery too

That is pish poor if you ask me

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CB Fry

CB Fry

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24 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Apart from the 3 changes to the spine of the squad??

A young kid keeper from League One, a kid in midfield from, er, no appearances anywhere ever and a player from a league where Elyounoussi looked a world beater.

What a spine improvement. Baz is probably going to be better than shit McCarthy. But that's hardly an accolade.

Let's hope they come good but let's not pretend we are significantly better than last season.

If that really is tomorrow's line up then we are in serious trouble.

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