Midfield_General Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 As it stands, with the players we currently have I’d go 3-5-2: GK: Macca CBs: Bednarek, THB, Edwards LWB: Taylor RWB: Sugawara Mids: Downes, Aribo, Smallbone LF: BBD RF: Armstrong Ideally you’d have KWP at LWB but it seems pretty clear the club need him sold so won’t risk injuring him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 Interesting the KWP featured quite heavily in the media day behind the scenes thing on the club website. I wonder if we will play him in the friendly today with a view to playing him next Saturday, assuming he is still here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAlehouseBrawlers Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 31 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said: Interesting the KWP featured quite heavily in the media day behind the scenes thing on the club website. I wonder if we will play him in the friendly today with a view to playing him next Saturday, assuming he is still here. We did start last season with JWP, Tella and Lavia all involved up until they were sold, unfortunately I don't think playing KWP will make too much difference to the outcome next Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Hill Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 Where are our goals going to come from ?? Not looking good for next week. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 6 hours ago, Midfield_General said: As it stands, with the players we currently have I’d go 3-5-2: GK: Macca CBs: Bednarek, THB, Edwards LWB: Taylor RWB: Sugawara Mids: Downes, Aribo, Smallbone LF: BBD RF: Armstrong Ideally you’d have KWP at LWB but it seems pretty clear the club need him sold so won’t risk injuring him. It seemed, based on today, that BBD and Armstrong were almost playing as wingers and we had nobody in the middle as a focal point. Occassionally, Stephens would leave defense and be the player furthest forward for us. Strange role for him. Whatever we were doing, it wasn't working. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Kent Saint Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 2 hours ago, Disco Stu said: It seemed, based on today, that BBD and Armstrong were almost playing as wingers and we had nobody in the middle as a focal point. Occassionally, Stephens would leave defense and be the player furthest forward for us. Strange role for him. Whatever we were doing, it wasn't working. When I suggested Stephens would be wedged in up front it was supposed to be a joke ie so unlikely it would amusing 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 3 hours ago, Disco Stu said: It seemed, based on today, that BBD and Armstrong were almost playing as wingers and we had nobody in the middle as a focal point. Occassionally, Stephens would leave defense and be the player furthest forward for us. Strange role for him. Whatever we were doing, it wasn't working. If only we had a tall CF in our squad who play that role. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 If I were picking the team it would be something like McCarthy Sugawara THB bednarek Stephens kwp Downes Smallbone Aribo Armstrong BBD Which may well be the starting 11 but I'd also be tempted to get Dibling involved and maybe even Onuachu. If we played that team with o'riley for Aribo and Onuachu or a new striker instead of Stephens, I think we would stay up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 Ah we're fucked aren't we? Narrow defeat up there but big wins against Forest and Brentford. Mark my words. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 (edited) Bound to concede by giving away the ball fannying around at the back. Edited August 11 by AlexLaw76 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 We've had seasons in the Prem where we fail to get many points for ages, the Souness season springs to mind, and it's possible that could happen to us again, but bar Newcastle the first 6 games are largely favourable - coming out of them with 6-8 points would be ideal but I'm not holding my breath. Already the Forest game looks like a 6 pointer. I think the squad is in a reasonable place to start the season - it's not near the finished article but we should have enough about us to compete. Newcastle away though - that's not a nice start! I think the starting line up is the one we saw start yesterday. I don't want to predict a defeat in our first game so I'm going for a cagey 1-1. I do think we'll win the possession stats though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 Not expecting Tyler Dibling to start, but he's worth a place on the bench at St. James Park as it is a lucky ground for him. It was there that he scored his " identical hat-trick " for the U21s a season ago. there is a Video clip somewhere in You Tube....or "X". He certainly looks to be a more mature player now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsFan86 Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 We never win at SJP, so anything other than a loss is a big bonus. I'm provably more optimistic than most fans, blindly or not.. Our 1st 11 if you include Kyle isn't amazing but it is solid. Who knows, anything can happen in football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvictaSaint Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 (edited) Have a spare adult ticket as can no longer go. Block L7K Row P. Text me on 07515008001 if interested. Face value - £30. Edited August 11 by InvictaSaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 7 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said: Bound to concede by giving away the ball fannying around at the back. I'd that an option on a bet builder ? It's a banker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 2 hours ago, SaintsFan86 said: We never win at SJP, so anything other than a loss is a big bonus. I'm provably more optimistic than most fans, blindly or not.. Our 1st 11 if you include Kyle isn't amazing but it is solid. Who knows, anything can happen in football. There are usually a few surprises on the opening day, can only hope we can overturn the formbook and expectations to be one of them to sneak something. Winning at St James' P[ark, and then losing at home to Forest (or for the next five for that matter) probably isn't beyond us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 21 hours ago, hypochondriac said: If I were picking the team it would be something like McCarthy Sugawara THB bednarek Stephens kwp Downes Smallbone Aribo Armstrong BBD Which may well be the starting 11 but I'd also be tempted to get Dibling involved and maybe even Onuachu. If we played that team with o'riley for Aribo and Onuachu or a new striker instead of Stephens, I think we would stay up. Think that’ll be the lineup. I’d prefer to see Alcaraz for airborne personally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 On 10/08/2024 at 22:35, hypochondriac said: If I were picking the team it would be something like McCarthy Sugawara THB bednarek Stephens kwp Downes Smallbone Aribo Armstrong BBD Which may well be the starting 11 but I'd also be tempted to get Dibling involved and maybe even Onuachu. If we played that team with o'riley for Aribo and Onuachu or a new striker instead of Stephens, I think we would stay up. That’s likely, but I’d rather it was Tyler D instead of Aribo - much more chance of feeding AA or BBD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 Keep Dibling as an impact player. We saw it last season with SAA, when he started he just wasn't involved at all. It's a lot of pressure for him as well. Yes he's a very talented player but still young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAlehouseBrawlers Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 I can’t read the DE article as not subscribed but the headline is MANAGER Russell Martin said Saints have not "wanted to show all our cards in pre-season" and insisted he has a plan in mind for Newcastle United. So I guess something only tried on the training ground in pre-season, this will be interesting…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 25 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said: I can’t read the DE article as not subscribed but the headline is MANAGER Russell Martin said Saints have not "wanted to show all our cards in pre-season" and insisted he has a plan in mind for Newcastle United. So I guess something only tried on the training ground in pre-season, this will be interesting…. So that's Stephens up front then. 😉 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 1 hour ago, Pamplemousse said: Keep Dibling as an impact player. We saw it last season with SAA, when he started he just wasn't involved at all. It's a lot of pressure for him as well. Yes he's a very talented player but still young. Yep he definitely isn't going to start unless there is an injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 Draw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintoaks Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 On 11/08/2024 at 07:11, AlexLaw76 said: Bound to concede by giving away the ball fannying around at the back. This needs to be bookmarked. Problem is it's so unnecessary, bloody hard enough as it is !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 5 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said: I can’t read the DE article as not subscribed but the headline is MANAGER Russell Martin said Saints have not "wanted to show all our cards in pre-season" and insisted he has a plan in mind for Newcastle United. So I guess something only tried on the training ground in pre-season, this will be interesting…. Tall Paul up front and get it in the mixer from every part of the field 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsFan86 Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 1 minute ago, saintant said: Tall Paul up front and get it in the mixer from every part of the field 🙂 Let's just reappoint Nathan Jones too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 5 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said: I can’t read the DE article as not subscribed but the headline is MANAGER Russell Martin said Saints have not "wanted to show all our cards in pre-season" and insisted he has a plan in mind for Newcastle United. So I guess something only tried on the training ground in pre-season, this will be interesting…. We have got Newcastle United right where we want them. Brilliant Russell 👏 👏 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 40 minutes ago, CB Fry said: We have got Newcastle United right where we want them. Brilliant Russell 👏 👏 👏 That's a very cunning plan Baldrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 6 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said: I can’t read the DE article as not subscribed but the headline is MANAGER Russell Martin said Saints have not "wanted to show all our cards in pre-season" and insisted he has a plan in mind for Newcastle United. So I guess something only tried on the training ground in pre-season, this will be interesting…. That’s Ross Stewart starting up top then I assume 🤣 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 (edited) 31 minutes ago, James said: That’s Ross Stewart starting up top then I assume 🤣 Lallana to play a full 90, Larios back from the dead and Dom Ballard to partner Stewart. Newcastle won't know what hit them Edited August 12 by hypochondriac 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 19 minutes ago, hypochondriac said: Lallana to play a full 90, Larios back from the dead and Dom Ballard to partner Stewart. Newcastle won't know what hit them That's the spirit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Saint Posted August 12 Share Posted August 12 12 hours ago, VectisSaint said: So that's Stephens up front then. 😉 Or in goal..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Lets face it, we have far too many players not of premier league standard. This game is done, and unless we sign some players for the "spine" of the tm the same may may be said for this season. I Hope I`m wrong, but take a look, GK, someone to play alongside FD in def mid, an attack mid, and another striker....maybe another CD, all in all not looking too good, as it stands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Craig Pawson is the referee. Chris Kavanagh is the VAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 2 hours ago, steveo said: Lets face it, we have far too many players not of premier league standard. This game is done, and unless we sign some players for the "spine" of the tm the same may may be said for this season. I Hope I`m wrong, but take a look, GK, someone to play alongside FD in def mid, an attack mid, and another striker....maybe another CD, all in all not looking too good, as it stands. You make good points about the spine of the team - ours is extremely weak and that can only spell problems unless it is fixed pretty quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midfield_General Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 On 12/08/2024 at 09:48, TheAlehouseBrawlers said: I can’t read the DE article as not subscribed but the headline is MANAGER Russell Martin said Saints have not "wanted to show all our cards in pre-season" and insisted he has a plan in mind for Newcastle United. That plan in full: Stephens Taylor - Manning - Bednarek - Edwards - Woods - THB - KWP - Sugawara Lumley - McCarthy 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 3 hours ago, Midfield_General said: That plan in full: Stephens Taylor - Manning - Bednarek - Edwards - Woods - THB - KWP - Sugawara Lumley - McCarthy Would be about as much attacking threat as we had when we lost to their 9 men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmes_and_Watson Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 5 hours ago, Midfield_General said: That plan in full: Stephens Taylor - Manning - Bednarek - Edwards - Woods - THB - KWP - Sugawara Lumley - McCarthy Martin plays a much more fluid system than this though. Stephens will move through all positions, during the game. It would be madness to just keep him in goal and deprive us of his striking ability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midfield_General Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 8 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said: Martin plays a much more fluid system than this though. Stephens will move through all positions, during the game. It would be madness to just keep him in goal and deprive us of his striking ability. I had the formation the other way up actually, keeping it tight with two keepers, eight at the back and Stephens as the false nine, but this way works too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmes_and_Watson Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 1 hour ago, Midfield_General said: I had the formation the other way up actually, keeping it tight with two keepers, eight at the back and Stephens as the false nine, but this way works too I thought after Baz's striker exploits, a Lumley McCarthy front 2, was the way forward. The true evolution of total football. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsaint Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 Scares me how under prepared we are for the start of the season. I feel poor Russ is about to get a harsh lesson in being too friendly and loyal with certain members of the squad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 6 minutes ago, bpsaint said: Scares me how under prepared we are for the start of the season. I feel poor Russ is about to get a harsh lesson in being too friendly and loyal with certain members of the squad. I don't think the squad is that bad, the first team just lacks some quality here and there. And put it this way, if we get spanked to Newcastle, it might make the owners act a bit quicker in bringing players in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 32 minutes ago, SNSUN said: I don't think the squad is that bad, the first team just lacks some quality here and there. And put it this way, if we get spanked to Newcastle, it might make the owners act a bit quicker in bringing players in. The current squad is not even close to being strong enough to survive the Premier league. We'll be leaking lots of goals at one end and not creating chances or scoring many goals at the other end. We are weak all over the pitch and need a minimum of 4 quality signings/loans which must include a goalkeeper and a striker. plus two midfielders 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 37 minutes ago, SNSUN said: I don't think the squad is that bad, the first team just lacks some quality here and there. And put it this way, if we get spanked to Newcastle, it might make the owners act a bit quicker in bringing players in. Probably the worst in the league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midfield_General Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 14 minutes ago, saintant said: The current squad is not even close to being strong enough to survive the Premier league. We'll be leaking lots of goals at one end and not creating chances or scoring many goals at the other end. We are weak all over the pitch and need a minimum of 4 quality signings/loans which must include a goalkeeper and a striker. plus two midfielders Still, good news about the chocolate oranges 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 56 minutes ago, SNSUN said: I don't think the squad is that bad, the first team just lacks some quality here and there. And put it this way, if we get spanked to Newcastle, it might make the owners act a bit quicker in bringing players in. It is relatively weak, however is it right to almost completely change out the team that earnt promotion? Team spirit is very important part of the overall dynamic and it seems that’s the one area that Russ has improved over the tired dross of a team we went down with. It could be argued that more money would have bought better quality in key positions, however if the big moneys not there…well it’s not there and that’s the end of it. SR are gambling that there’s enough there to get us through - team spirit could make all the difference and with that in mind my view is if we sign one more player it has to be O’Riley (if that’s still possible) as he loves Russ and should prove decisive in getting and assisting goals. I’m not however holding my breath and anyway, whoever comes in this week will not make the Newcastle team sheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 3 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said: It is relatively weak, however is it right to almost completely change out the team that earnt promotion? Team spirit is very important part of the overall dynamic and it seems that’s the one area that Russ has improved over the tired dross of a team we went down with. It could be argued that more money would have bought better quality in key positions, however if the big moneys not there…well it’s not there and that’s the end of it. SR are gambling that there’s enough there to get us through - team spirit could make all the difference and with that in mind my view is if we sign one more player it has to be O’Riley (if that’s still possible) as he loves Russ and should prove decisive in getting and assisting goals. I’m not however holding my breath and anyway, whoever comes in this week will not make the Newcastle team sheet. Team spirit certainly builds when the side is winning most weeks but can soon fade if the opposite happens. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 Just now, saintant said: Team spirit certainly builds when the side is winning most weeks but can soon fade if the opposite happens. Yeah true - I’ve been wondering what the seemingly inevitable defeat on Saturday will do to squad mentality and if that continues for the majority of EPL matches, will it be to the detriment also of cup games and even next season in the Championship if we’re relegated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 1 hour ago, saintant said: The current squad is not even close to being strong enough to survive the Premier league. We'll be leaking lots of goals at one end and not creating chances or scoring many goals at the other end. We are weak all over the pitch and need a minimum of 4 quality signings/loans which must include a goalkeeper and a striker. plus two midfielders I'm talking about the squad - the first team does need more quality and remember: With, say, 4 more first team signings (GK, DM, AM and Striker are what we need) that makes the squad stronger too as current first teamers drop down the pecking order (if we get them). Add in SAA and Dibling which I really hope we keep (certainly Dibling) and I really don't think we're in bad shape squad wise. The first team quality is my issue, not the squad - but anyway we'll see in the next two and a half weeks. We probably have the weakest first team on paper (bar perhaps Ipswich) but I do think we plan to be loyal to players that got us up. I think Smallbone plays the majority of League games, whether that's a good thing or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintstowin Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 I can see a loss on Saturday, and like many of us feel we're a bit off being totally prepared for the season ahead. I'm going to (attempt to) see Saints this season similar to perhaps how Luton saw their team last season, or I imagine Ipswich will see theirs this season. These two came to mind anyway. By that I mean, we've had so much time in the top flight and our deterioration was one the club should have avoided, it's hard not to feel we should be better than those types of teams. And that can affect levels of patience, such as how long before there is a collective upset at possibly regular defeats. But that is where we are really. We will need that kind of underdog spirit, not accepting or expecting a bad season, but shifting the levels of those two things compared to our most recent premier league experience. And most importantly retaining the feeling from last season, not forgetting how great it was. And then we'll qualify for Europe and it'll all be lovely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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