Competition for midfield / attack

[West end Saints]

I'm not convinced Martin will be worrying about who his first choice team is, as with amount of games, injuries and dips in form it will continually change, plus with subs not many midfield / forwards will play the full game .

However, I wondered who people would choose, for a big game.

Downes

Brookes / Rothwell

Edozie / A Armstrong/ Fraser

 

Maybe but I know he prefers Fraser and Edozie same side.

I'm struggling though as hard to leave out Stu, Aribo, Smallbone,Adams, Mara.

I see Sulemana more as sub currently.

Thought both Armstrong's were way off their recent game today, and sure others will drop.

[S-Clarke]

For me, assuming everyone is fit, the midfield two picks it's self - Downes and Smallbone.

In front of those guys it's a bit up for grabs, but I'd go with...

Downes

              Smallbone

Brooks - Stu - Fraser

            A. Armstrong

[coalman]

Midfield three has to be Downes - Smallbone - Stu

Front three is harder. AdamA hasn't played well through the middle and Che is Che. So I'd go Mara at CF currently.

Right wing looks like Brooks right now though maybe a bit harsh on AdamA.

Left wing really nothing to choose between Fraser and Edozie. Fraser is more direct. Edozie really cruises past his man. I'd go with our earlier setup of start Edozie then punish with Fraser towards the end.

[verlaine1979]

Stu was useless today. Wouldn't call him an automatic pick.

[Harry_SFC]

51 minutes ago, coalman said:

Midfield three has to be Downes - Smallbone - Stu

Front three is harder. AdamA hasn't played well through the middle and Che is Che. So I'd go Mara at CF currently.

Right wing looks like Brooks right now though maybe a bit harsh on AdamA.

Left wing really nothing to choose between Fraser and Edozie. Fraser is more direct. Edozie really cruises past his man. I'd go with our earlier setup of start Edozie then punish with Fraser towards the end.

Edozie has been very impressive in the couple of cameos since his injury. 

[JRM]

39 minutes ago, verlaine1979 said:

Stu was useless today. Wouldn't call him an automatic pick.

He didn't look right at all and seemed to be signalling to the bench a few times, if he was carrying a knock then he should have been rested on bench at least. 

We should have Aribo back as an option this week as well. 

[West end Saints]

Russell Martin, after West Brom, picking out Smallbone and Aribo as doing great, and Mara being brilliant. 

Brook and Fraser scoring.

Stu MOM.

I also thought Rothwell and Edozie looked good 

 

Tough choice, guess will also be influenced by who we are playing

[The Cat]

Interesting comparing his comments on Smallbone and Mara compared to those on the match thread where there were plenty of posts moaning about them both.

We do have an abundance of top quality players in attacking mid and barring a raft of injuries we will have a crazily strong bench for the rest of the season.

Feel a bit sorry for Dibling as he's unlikely to get much more game time now everyone is fit, just hope for his sake we can be comfortable enough in some games to bring him on.

[CamSaint]

53 minutes ago, The Cat said:

Feel a bit sorry for Dibling as he's unlikely to get much more game time now everyone is fit, just hope for his sake we can be comfortable enough in some games to bring him on.

Unfortunately for Dibling and the other youngsters, I can't see any of them even making the bench if everyone stays fit and we have no suspensions. Perhaps they might for the Liverpool game if RM decides he doesn't want to really go for it

[The Cat]

43 minutes ago, CamSaint said:

Unfortunately for Dibling and the other youngsters, I can't see any of them even making the bench if everyone stays fit and we have no suspensions. Perhaps they might for the Liverpool game if RM decides he doesn't want to really go for it

He was on the bench yesterday, but presumably won't be when Adams is back.

In a way I'd rather keep him on the bench in place of Sulemana who is the most frustrating player we have. 

[SaintsFan86]

6 minutes ago, The Cat said:

He was on the bench yesterday, but presumably won't be when Adams is back.

In a way I'd rather keep him on the bench in place of Sulemana who is the most frustrating player we have. 

Sulemana can be sold, Has about as much intellect on the pitch as my right sided nut sack.

[The Cat]

Just now, SaintsFan86 said:

Sulemana can be sold, Has about as much intellect on the pitch as my right sided nut sack.

Interesting that you have one nut sack which is more intelligent than the other.

[trousers]

1 hour ago, The Cat said:

Interesting comparing his comments on Smallbone and Mara compared to those on the match thread where there were plenty of posts moaning about them both.

I wonder how much of that was "man management"...? i.e. he knows there's a chance he might have to drop them for the next game due to the wealth of options he's got, so praise them to the hilt beforehand so that they don't get too demoralised. Given how good Russell is at the man management side of things, it wouldn't surprise me if they don't make the starting 11 next week, despite how much praise he's given them.

Edited 17 February, 2024 by trousers

[pimpin4rizeal]

21 minutes ago, SaintsFan86 said:

Sulemana can be sold, Has about as much intellect on the pitch as my right sided nut sack.

Bemuses me why everyone is so harsh and quick to judge .. according to the experts Arribo was the most lazy shit player ever AA total rubbish .. same for Mara,Fraser rubbish with a attitude problem. How about give the players a chance ? 

 

[West end Saints]

36 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Bemuses me why everyone is so harsh and quick to judge .. according to the experts Arribo was the most lazy shit player ever AA total rubbish .. same for Mara,Fraser rubbish with a attitude problem. How about give the players a chance ? 

 

The last player we signed with his raw speed and style of play was Mane.

When Mane was signed he was absolutely slated by several on here and described as a waste of money.

In August 2024 Sulemana will be the same age that Mane was when we signed him.

Far too early to write him off.

 

Edited 17 February, 2024 by West end Saints

[kitch]

6 hours ago, trousers said:

I wonder how much of that was "man management"...? i.e. he knows there's a chance he might have to drop them for the next game due to the wealth of options he's got, so praise them to the hilt beforehand so that they don't get too demoralised. Given how good Russell is at the man management side of things, it wouldn't surprise me if they don't make the starting 11 next week, despite how much praise he's given them.

I thought Mara played pretty well, to be fair. Some good hold-up play, and got into some good positions, it's just Arma never passed to him and chose to shoot himself. Smallbone is limited at DM  I admit, but he broke up play quite a lot and was mostly in the right place at the right time. Neither had an 8/10, or even a 7/10, but neither were terrible IMO. Arma and Charles were the two that concerned me a bit.

[verlaine1979]

Mara was much better against WBA than Adam A.

Front three of Brooks, Mara and Fraser and the only person who could complain would be Edozie, who has also looked sharp and played with real awareness in his last couple of cameos.