Hopper Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 It might be the same players but I don’t think we will be set up the same way. Russ conceded he had the attacker too wide against Forrest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Really fucking pissed off with that lineup. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint NL Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 If I remember correctly, last season we seemed to lose three in a row and then win the next few. So Russ is chucking this one, so he gets the "I beat Man United" badge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmonton Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Martin talks a lot about wanting his players to be brave and take risks, yet his team selections are anything but brave . He should practice what he preaches. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said: It's true that THB didn't have the best of games last week. But did you not see how badly Stephens was getting rinsed when he moved to LB? It was painful to watch and RM rightly put him out of his misery and made another change. So the fault lies with RM for thinking that was a good idea in the first place. He put in some OK performances at LB last season when needed, but at PL level it's a disaster waiting to happen. Sure, Stephens was crap at LB but he ain't a LB. He was decent as a CB and is playing there today. Based on their respective performances at CB last week, I can't understand how anyone watching would call for Stephens to be dropped. And for who, assuming we stay with a 3 - neither Edwards or Wood looked anywhere near good enough in the week. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice29 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 4 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said: Can we just for once have a manager that just picks the best players and a formation that suits their strengths? It's maddening! I really wish I had such a simple outlook on stuff as this 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Who's on the bench? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewYorkSaint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Helluva bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloucester Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) 7 minutes ago, sfc4prem said: Not sure about sticking with the same team or formation. Russ literally said it was his fault and that against Nottingham Forest it led to the whole game 'passing us by'... What is the definition of insanity? Leaving Downes and Aribo to do all of the work in the middle is insanity. Because Brentford away is not the game for Will Smallbone until he’s hit the gym, he will bullied out of it within the first 25 minutes and the game could be gone. Only hope is that Brentford struggle to take their chances, and/or Ramsdale has a stormer, and we can bring our new signings on in the last 30 to move their midfield around (which is what we should be doing from the outset) and nick it. Did the club actually scout Brentford? Edited August 31 by Gloucester Saint 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint NL Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 1 minute ago, spyinthesky said: Who's on the bench? You'll find out on 65 mins during the triple change™ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Not at all surprised with that line up. I reckon Lallana gets half an hour today, Archer maybe the same. Fernandes likely too. Gives those on the pitch a nod to up their game. More hoping that BBD actually plays as a striker today. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, egg said: Sure, Stephens was crap at LB but he ain't a LB. He was decent as a CB and is playing there today. Based on their respective performances at CB last week, I can't understand how anyone watching would call for Stephens to be dropped. And for who, assuming we stay with a 3 - neither Edwards or Wood looked anywhere near good enough in the week. Stephen's is a broadly competent CB, third best at the club IMO, or maybe 4th best if ABK is back in the fold. However Stephens is NOT a competent midfielder or LB at this level. He should be the one we take off to bring on subs. He should not be moved to other positions while we take off others. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, The Kraken said: Not at all surprised with that line up. I reckon Lallana gets half an hour today, Archer maybe the same. Fernandes likely too. Gives those on the pitch a nod to up their game. More hoping that BBD actually plays as a striker today. Yep. I reckon BBD and AA will play closer together today and the 3 midfielders will be more compact, joining the front 2 when we can. Played differently, the team ain't a bad one. Agreed re the subs. I can see Dibling getting decent minutes too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobsmith Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Poor selection. Prepare to be bored until 70th minute, when we're 1-0 behind and he reacts with the inevitable subs. Lets hope Sugawara isn't sacrificed to keep an out of position Stephens on this week. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 What’s the fucking point spending all that money and getting all those players in when you still start Stephens, Smallbone, Aribo and Armstrong. It’s like the Tyro League manager picking his shit son and his mate’s shit son every fucking week. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 1 minute ago, Ken Tone said: Stephen's is a broadly competent CB, third best at the club IMO, or maybe 4th best if ABK is back in the fold. However Stephens is NOT a competent midfielder or LB at this level. He should be the one we take off to bring on subs. He should not be moved to other positions while we take off others. I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee On Solent Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 1 minute ago, egg said: I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?! I wouldn't be playing a back three against Brentford. Its obvious we are going three at the back to accommodate a starting place for Stephens. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobsmith Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 1 minute ago, egg said: I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?! We should play 2 at the back. Either THB or ABK would be better. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjurwi Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Don't like the back 5, but i get why. Hopefully we get ArmA and BBD close together up top not out wide. And hopefully Aribo plays further up than against Nottingham. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaSaint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 11 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said: I really wish I had such a simple outlook on stuff as this Football is a simple game. Doesn't need to be complicated. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaSaint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 9 minutes ago, Saint NL said: You'll find out on 65 mins during the triple change™ Right after their 64th minute goal... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1ex2001 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 3 minutes ago, egg said: I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?! They are saying we shouldn’t be playing a back 3 it never works! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, kjurwi said: Don't like the back 5, but i get why. Hopefully we get ArmA and BBD close together up top not out wide. And hopefully Aribo plays further up than against Nottingham. Do you get why? Because I don't. It doesn't work in the prem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said: I wouldn't be playing a back three against Brentford. Its obvious we are going three at the back to accommodate a starting place for Stephens. What a ridiculous comment. Tactics aren't dictated by Stephens. A back is being played cos he feels we need a back 3 Edited August 31 by egg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 I wouldn't wish ill on anyone, but when Stephens got injured last season we brought THB in and we never looked back. Maybe just a little niggle for Jack where he has to sit out for a week or two, is that too much to ask? Maybe a bit of flu? 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Ciervo Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 6 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said: What’s the fucking point spending all that money and getting all those players in when you still start Stephens, Smallbone, Aribo and Armstrong. It’s like the Tyro League manager picking his shit son and his mate’s shit son every fucking week. We dont see what is happening behind the scenes. Perhaps they are not ready. I recall us rushing Mason Holgate into the lineup when he came here... that went "so well." 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 1 minute ago, hypochondriac said: Do you get why? Because I don't. It doesn't work in the prem. It only works if the fullbacks are essentially playing in line with the centre midfield and not the defence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 10 minutes ago, egg said: Sure, Stephens was crap at LB but he ain't a LB. He was decent as a CB and is playing there today. Based on their respective performances at CB last week, I can't understand how anyone watching would call for Stephens to be dropped. And for who, assuming we stay with a 3 - neither Edwards or Wood looked anywhere near good enough in the week. This is the crux of it though. Why do we need to stay with a 3? It might make us tighter at the back, but so far it's made us very weak in midfield and toothless up front. Stephens might have had a better game at CB last week than THB did, but Taylor is overall the better player and the better option to partner Bednarek if/when we revert to a back 4. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee On Solent Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Just now, egg said: What a ridiculous comment. Tactics aren't dictated by Stephens. A back is being painted cos he feels we need a back 3 You think? What's RM's obession about playing him at all costs then? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Just now, egg said: What a ridiculous comment. Tactics aren't dictated by Stephens. A back is being painted cos he feels we need a back 3 I beg to differ. I think it is to accommodate Stephens. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 7 minutes ago, egg said: I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?! Probably the only game he has been better than THB. He is such a poor defender. No awareness of who is around him and too slow with the ball at his feet. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 3 minutes ago, Gingeletiss said: I beg to differ. I think it is to accommodate Stephens. I’m bloody sure it is 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice29 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 8 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said: Football is a simple game. Doesn't need to be complicated. So simple. Just pick the specific 11 you are thinking of in the pattern you are thinking of and you've cracked it. EVERYTHING ELSE IS WRONG OBVIOUSLY OMG WHY CANT EVERYONE ELSE SEE IT LIKE YOU. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 43 minutes ago, Baird of the land said: Find the Stephens hate bizarre. It’s not as if he’s even been our worst cb so far this season. Worst in what sense? He’s just too slow. His dallying kills our game of any pace or urgency that it might have had. He gets skinned regularly by any competent opposition forward. He’s just not a very good defender and certainly not good enough for the Premier League. Has he been better than Bednarek, for example? THB had a disappointing game last week but in view of his previous performances I will cut him some slack. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 4 minutes ago, Gingeletiss said: I beg to differ. I think it is to accommodate Stephens. I think we’re playing 5 at the back because we haven’t worked out how to avoid conceding for fun with 4 at the back. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, Baird of the land said: I think we’re playing 5 at the back because we haven’t worked out how to avoid conceding for fun with 4 at the back. We need to actually score some goals to breed confidence and win games. Playing ultra defensive and losing by one goal every week is not it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, Baird of the land said: I think we’re playing 5 at the back because we haven’t worked out how to avoid conceding for fun with 4 at the back. This, got nothing to do with accommodating Stephens FFS. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWLondon Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Account approved just in time to join in the pile on! 😝 Watched all of the Forest game and the Cardiff game, honestly have no idea what Smallbone has on the manager. He was dreadful against Forest, no ability (or confidence, which is nearly the same thing at this level) to take the ball on the turn under pressure. Les or Fernandes obviously a class above. We'll see what happens early doors, but the problem so far has been that PL managers know how to stop this setup dead, just like Spain did in the Euros against England. It's not rocket science. You just put heavy pressure on 6, 8, 10 and if they're not good enough technically, which Smallbone and Aribo aren't (not sure about Downes), you simply can't progress the ball unless one of your CBs is good enough to advance into the space and use the ball productively. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice29 Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 2 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said: Worst in what sense? He’s just too slow. His dallying kills our game of any pace or urgency that it might have had. He gets skinned regularly by any competent opposition forward. He’s just not a very good defender and certainly not good enough for the Premier League. Has he been better than Bednarek, for example? THB had a disappointing game last week but in view of his previous performances I will cut him some slack. Why don't you cut Stephens slack based on his previous performances out of interest? I don't rate him much but his performances last season and this have been absolutely fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 36 minutes ago, egg said: Agreed. I genuinely wonder how many of the people whining that he's playing today actually watched the Forest game. Anyone who watched the game and wants him to be dropped after that performance, and THB's in comparison, needs to give their head a wobble. Stephens was poor last week. Offered nothing positive. THB had an off day. Stephens should have been dropped ages ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Colin Calderwood should be looking for a new job then as our defensive guru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 That starting lineup has really pissed me off. Stephens again FFS. Archer should be starting as should Fernandes and Ugo. This team looked poor last week against Forest so why pick the same line up again? We'll go a goal or two behind and then RM will look to change things. Idiot. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsaint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Really surprised Fernandes isn’t starting today after how he played midweek. Smallbone and Aribo are a waste of a shirt at this level. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 3 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said: Why don't you cut Stephens slack based on his previous performances out of interest? I don't rate him much but his performances last season and this have been absolutely fine. He was poor last season too. And the seasons before that. He’s just not good enough. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Feel like we really need a win today for points, confidence and to generate some momentum. I expect archer, Fernandes and big Les to make the difference in 2nd half. First game this season I can watch live so expect a easy 2-0 win for us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 5 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said: This, got nothing to do with accommodating Stephens FFS. Eh? If playing five at the back means that we have to play Stephens then it’s de facto a wrong decision. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 16 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said: This is the crux of it though. Why do we need to stay with a 3? It might make us tighter at the back, but so far it's made us very weak in midfield and toothless up front. Stephens might have had a better game at CB last week than THB did, but Taylor is overall the better player and the better option to partner Bednarek if/when we revert to a back 4. I think Wednesday night answers the question. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry_SFC Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 Really need to get something from this game. Brentford and Forest are two teams who you'd expect to struggle this season, if we lose both then that's two winnable games wasted already. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 4 minutes ago, egg said: I think Wednesday night answers the question. When we played a completely changed starting 11 featuring two young, newly signed CBs with a very inexperienced midfield in front of them and a suspect keeper behind them? I don't think that's the gotcha you think it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaSaint Posted August 31 Share Posted August 31 On Fubo we just had RussCam following him to wave to the away support and then go and get a drink from the cooler. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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