spyinthesky Posted Sunday at 14:37 Posted Sunday at 14:37 As a card carrying Negative Nelly, I have tried to dredge up some positives from our recent forays in the Premier league 1. Saints supporters are still turning up in decent numbers both home and away....but for how long?. 2. Signing of Fernandes who is a bright spot in a desperately poor side.... enjoy him whilst you can. (Welington seems a reasonable signing too) 3. The commitment of the players. Collectively they are awful bit at least there is no sign of them giving up...yet!! 4. The improvements in/around the stadium. Think the club has made strides this year....but the major improvements need to be on the field of play. 5. Performances of the U18 & U21's. Watching clips of the games there seems to be one or two who could potentially make the grade. Like the look of Jay Robinson...but of course there is a big step up even to the Championship. 6. ????? That's it...............
Andy Hill Posted Sunday at 14:44 Posted Sunday at 14:44 Clutching at straws with this. Fernandes is the only positive. He is the only player that would get into any other Premiership side. MASSIVE clear out needed. 3
Whitey Grandad Posted Sunday at 14:55 Posted Sunday at 14:55 11 minutes ago, S-Clarke said: There are only 13 more games to play. That’s unlucky 🥺 1 1
OttawaSaint Posted Sunday at 15:03 Posted Sunday at 15:03 24 minutes ago, spyinthesky said: 3. The commitment of the players. Collectively they are awful bit at least there is no sign of them giving up...yet!! Disagree. Quite a few have thrown the towel in. They lose the ball and just stop. Bournemouth players made mistakes too but bust a gut to get the ball back or block a cross/pass. 9
Whitey Grandad Posted Sunday at 15:11 Posted Sunday at 15:11 5 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said: Disagree. Quite a few have thrown the towel in. They lose the ball and just stop. Bournemouth players made mistakes too but bust a gut to get the ball back or block a cross/pass. Agreed. The lack of quality in no way excuses the lack of commitment. 7
Raging Bull Posted Sunday at 16:10 Posted Sunday at 16:10 The light shows were decent. I enjoyed them. 1 2
East Kent Saint Posted Sunday at 16:15 Posted Sunday at 16:15 No , I can't think of any In the Saints world or the current political world. I've gone from news hound , wanting to know the true story behind the headlines to it's a joke , they just make things up or shout abuse or accuse other people of doing what they are doing. If Saints start to knock some goals in and get a few points then.all will be well , or much better 😄
Matthew Le God Posted Sunday at 16:32 Posted Sunday at 16:32 (edited) 2 hours ago, Andy Hill said: Clutching at straws with this. Fernandes is the only positive. He is the only player that would get into any other Premiership side. MASSIVE clear out needed. Walker-Peters, Ramsdale, Dibling, Sulemana would also all get in other PL teams. A massive clear out is not needed until we get promoted again. Most are good enough for what we need next season, so no need to get rid yet. The issue is they won't be good enough when back in the PL. Edited Sunday at 16:49 by Matthew Le God 11
AlexLaw76 Posted Sunday at 16:40 Posted Sunday at 16:40 There is little to be positive about. Not when SR are governing us 1
WALK DMC Posted Sunday at 16:40 Posted Sunday at 16:40 1 hour ago, spyinthesky said: As a card carrying Negative Nelly, I have tried to dredge up some positives from our recent forays in the Premier league 1. Saints supporters are still turning up in decent numbers both home and away....but for how long?. 2. Signing of Fernandes who is a bright spot in a desperately poor side.... enjoy him whilst you can. (Welington seems a reasonable signing too) 3. The commitment of the players. Collectively they are awful bit at least there is no sign of them giving up...yet!! 4. The improvements in/around the stadium. Think the club has made strides this year....but the major improvements need to be on the field of play. 5. Performances of the U18 & U21's. Watching clips of the games there seems to be one or two who could potentially make the grade. Like the look of Jay Robinson...but of course there is a big step up even to the Championship. 6. ????? That's it............... The other positive is the fact that we have 6 players returning to the squad with good experience of the Championship; Edwards, Charles, Brereton Dias, Adams, Bazunu & Edozie. Some may be sold, but will help to fund other reinforcements. 1
Matthew Le God Posted Sunday at 16:50 Posted Sunday at 16:50 (edited) 9 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said: There is little to be positive about. Not when SR are governing us New chairman, new sporting director. Give them a chance to make some changes before writing them off in those roles. Edited Sunday at 16:50 by Matthew Le God 3
ApprenticeBillionaire Posted Sunday at 17:02 Posted Sunday at 17:02 The only positive I can possibly think of is... This isn't as bad as it's going to get. It's about to get a lot worse.
richardc Posted Sunday at 17:04 Posted Sunday at 17:04 the nights are drawing out, bulbs popping through 1 1
Matthew Le God Posted Sunday at 17:06 Posted Sunday at 17:06 2 minutes ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said: The only positive I can possibly think of is... This isn't as bad as it's going to get. It's about to get a lot worse. Why do you think that? I think it is more likely we will have a season of winning most games we play. We'll have one of the top 3 budgets in the league and one of the best squads. It should be far more enjoyable than the 2 league wins we've had this season. 4
Lee On Solent Saint Posted Sunday at 17:12 Posted Sunday at 17:12 39 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said: Walker-Peters, Ramsdale, Dibling, Sulemana would also all get in other PL teams. A massive clear out is not needed until we get promoted again. Most are good enough for what we need next season, so no need to get rid yet. The issue is they won't be good enough when back in the PL. Sulemana? Nah. 3
badgerx16 Posted Sunday at 17:14 Posted Sunday at 17:14 2 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said: That’s unlucky 🥺 Not for the 13 teams yet to be gifted another 3 points by us.
badgerx16 Posted Sunday at 17:15 Posted Sunday at 17:15 8 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said: Why do you think that? I think it is more likely we will have a season of winning most games we play. We'll have one of the top 3 budgets in the league and one of the best squads. It should be far more enjoyable than the 2 league wins we've had this season. Rinse and repeat ?
Matthew Le God Posted Sunday at 17:16 Posted Sunday at 17:16 1 minute ago, Lee On Solent Saint said: Sulemana? Nah. The Juric version of Sulemana is a handful and nightmare for defenders. Sure the end product needs some more work, but he is PL level. 2 1 1
Matthew Le God Posted Sunday at 17:19 Posted Sunday at 17:19 1 minute ago, badgerx16 said: Rinse and repeat ? Hopefully not. What should gave happened in the summer of 2024 was the selling of all our Championship level players and looked to upgrade them. As we still have them, makes sense to use them to get another promotion, but then summer 2026 we need to be ruthless and get rid of them. 1
West end Saints Posted Sunday at 17:23 Posted Sunday at 17:23 47 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said: Walker-Peters, Ramsdale, Dibling, Sulemana would also all get in other PL teams. A massive clear out is not needed until we get promoted again. Most are good enough for what we need next season, so no need to get rid yet. The issue is they won't be good enough when back in the PL. Doubt any (many) of them would be genuine first 11 players at any other team at the moment. Dibling will be, but would be sub getting minutes for experience. Ramsdale's current performances wouldn't get him into many teams. KWP has now had two indifferent prem seasons, clearly has ability but wouldn't be regular starter based on this season for many teams. Sulemana wouldn't be regular starter anywhere else at the moment.
Appy Posted Sunday at 17:29 Posted Sunday at 17:29 12 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said: The Juric version of Sulemana is a handful and nightmare for defenders. Sure the end product needs some more work, but he is PL level. Which other premier league side does he get into? I’ll give you Leicester.
Convict Colony Posted Sunday at 17:51 Posted Sunday at 17:51 Am pretty positive that we are maintaining my life long trend of being shit, we did have a few years where people were trying to make us good but overall saints have had a better deal out of me supporting them than i have out of them being my football team. 2
spyinthesky Posted Sunday at 19:04 Author Posted Sunday at 19:04 3 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said: Agreed. The lack of quality in no way excuses the lack of commitment. I dont think we are fit enough and that may be because their RussBall training was focused on ball work rather than fitness. Also when you look at pre match preparations and half time routines, for most Prem sides, they are far more focussed than our efforts which seem Sunday League style in comparison. Similarly work on throw ins and corners seem to have a strategy to them where as ours dont. 1
Give it to Ron Posted Sunday at 19:53 Posted Sunday at 19:53 (edited) 2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said: Hopefully not. What should gave happened in the summer of 2024 was the selling of all our Championship level players and looked to upgrade them. As we still have them, makes sense to use them to get another promotion, but then summer 2026 we need to be ruthless and get rid of them. To get rid we need some fools to take them or offers that are very low it’s not ever that simple. You seem very taken in by the new Spors appointment what in the last 3 years gives you the confidence he is the answer to years of poor recruitment, players wanting out, a complete overhaul in summer getting us up and ready for 8th August after this devastating season? I applaud your optimism but I do not share this given SR record. Edited Sunday at 19:54 by Give it to Ron
OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint Posted Sunday at 20:11 Posted Sunday at 20:11 Two years ago when relegation was becoming obvious, I really despised quite a few of the players because you could see they were journeymen who didn't give a shit about our club. This time it's different. Apart from maybe Downes, we have players who are trying - they're just not very good. So there's more positivity and the starting point for a team rebuild is better this time. Plus we won't go back to possession football again! 2
Galway saint Posted Sunday at 20:14 Posted Sunday at 20:14 3 hours ago, WALK DMC said: The other positive is the fact that we have 6 players returning to the squad with good experience of the Championship; Edwards, Charles, Brereton Dias, Adams, Bazunu & Edozie. Some may be sold, but will help to fund other reinforcements. I don't see the return of Edozie or Bazanu as positives. How much did they cost £22million combined ? Laughable really that we got it so wrong. We would be lucky to get half of that back.
woodsaint1 Posted Sunday at 20:22 Posted Sunday at 20:22 3 hours ago, WALK DMC said: The other positive is the fact that we have 6 players returning to the squad with good experience of the Championship; Edwards, Charles, Brereton Dias, Adams, Bazunu & Edozie. Some may be sold, but will help to fund other reinforcements. Che Adams? I think you mean Adam Armstrong. On Che Adams though, as much as he was criticised by the fans at times, if he was still here he would be our best striking option. Emphasises how bad our recruitment has been in that position specifically 3
Charlie Wayman Posted Sunday at 20:52 Posted Sunday at 20:52 6 hours ago, Andy Hill said: Clutching at straws with this. Fernandes is the only positive. He is the only player that would get into any other Premiership side. MASSIVE clear out needed. Rediculous assertion
Holmes_and_Watson Posted Sunday at 21:11 Posted Sunday at 21:11 Reasons to be positive... We'll get more points in the Championship. um... Oh look, music! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CIMNXogXnvE
trousers Posted Sunday at 21:31 Posted Sunday at 21:31 4 hours ago, Matthew Le God said: Hopefully not. What should gave happened in the summer of 2024 was the selling of all our Championship level players and looked to upgrade them. As we still have them, makes sense to use them to get another promotion, but then summer 2026 we need to be ruthless and get rid of them. Well, at least that's the pre-match motivational speech pre-written for each game next season then... If that doesn't inspire our 'championship only' players to bust a gut for the club I don't know what will... 3
Badger Posted Sunday at 21:47 Posted Sunday at 21:47 33 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said: Reasons to be positive... We'll get more points in the Championship. um... Oh look, music! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CIMNXogXnvE Thought about this the other day whilst reading the ‘Uncomfortably Numb’ thread. There was reference to some tribute acts on there. SFC doing their best for a tribute act:Ivan Juric & The Blockheads. Blockheads? Not sure if that’s the players or Board. 1
badgerx16 Posted Sunday at 22:49 Posted Sunday at 22:49 We are only 5 places behind Manchester United. 1
Holmes_and_Watson Posted Monday at 00:05 Posted Monday at 00:05 9 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said: That’s unlucky 🥺 I hadn't thought of that. I hope nothing goes wrong. 🙂
Saint Fan CaM Posted Monday at 00:18 Posted Monday at 00:18 In short the only positive is that it’s a certainty that we’re going down and so there will be an opportunity to offload all the losers in the squad - i.e. that amounts to 10+ players. Let’s not forget the majority of this squad only just scraped into the playoffs and then only just beat Leeds, who could rightly feel hard done by given they were matching us at 90+ minutes. We were worse than Leicester and Ipswich in the Championship by some margin make no mistake and that gap grew in the Prem. So SR, Spors and whoever the Manager is, need to be planning NOW how to completely re-build the 1st team and start that process immediately the season ends. If that cull doesn’t happen then I fear the losing mentality will persist. If they get it right then things might start looking up.
S-Clarke Posted Monday at 00:24 Posted Monday at 00:24 1 minute ago, Saint Fan CaM said: In short the only positive is that it’s a certainty that we’re going down and so there will be an opportunity to offload all the losers in the squad - i.e. that amounts to 10+ players. Let’s not forget the majority of this squad only just scraped into the playoffs and then only just beat Leeds, who could rightly feel hard done by given they were matching us at 90+ minutes. We were worse than Leicester and Ipswich in the Championship by some margin make no mistake and that gap grew in the Prem. So SR, Spors and whoever the Manager is, need to be planning NOW how to completely re-build the 1st team and start that process immediately the season ends. If that cull doesn’t happen then I fear the losing mentality will persist. If they get it right then things might start looking up. I wouldn't say we just scraped into the playoffs, that's re-writing history a bit. It was a breakaway 4 really, Leicester, Ipswich ourselves and Leeds. There are players in amongst the group today who impacted at that level, some heavily. I do agree that there needs to be a bit of a clear-out though, as we've managed to accrue such a large squad of fundamentally lower league players. But I don't think it's fair to proclaim we only scraped the playoffs, I think we finished 17 points clear of 7th. 3
Saint Fan CaM Posted Monday at 00:34 Posted Monday at 00:34 5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said: I wouldn't say we just scraped into the playoffs, that's re-writing history a bit. It was a breakaway 4 really, Leicester, Ipswich ourselves and Leeds. There are players in amongst the group today who impacted at that level, some heavily. I do agree that there needs to be a bit of a clear-out though, as we've managed to accrue such a large squad of fundamentally lower league players. But I don't think it's fair to proclaim we only scraped the playoffs, I think we finished 17 points clear of 7th. I’m not sure I agree, but anyway the key issue was we were well short of competing with Leicester or Ipswich and not really significantly better than Leeds - why will that be any different next season? Unless Spors is the real deal and decisive when it comes to the cull, I can foresee SR making another almighty balls up of the summer window. 1
Give it to Ron Posted Monday at 05:29 Posted Monday at 05:29 (edited) 4 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said: I’m not sure I agree, but anyway the key issue was we were well short of competing with Leicester or Ipswich and not really significantly better than Leeds - why will that be any different next season? Unless Spors is the real deal and decisive when it comes to the cull, I can foresee SR making another almighty balls up of the summer window. We are more likely to do a Luton, how do SR all of a sudden get it right after 3 years of terrible recruitment? It’s not easy to cull players on contracts as we have seen. We flip flop between playing styles and weld ourselves to whatever the new manager wants yet can’t get someone that can look at a game and adapt just rotate players in that position never alter tactics. Ill use the Burnley game for what’s wrong under SR - no lessons learnt from less than half full Swansea game - rather close a stand than offer sensible prices. Flat fans flat team performance in soulless atmosphere. We play 1 centre half 2 right backs 2 left backs and no centre forward . We go a goal down and swap Smallbone for Big Les against a team playing 1 up front who is about 40 🙂 no pace we stick with 5 at back. On 82mins we swap 2 creative players for 2 no change in shape no extra forward and get piss taken out of us by JonJo Shelvey at our goal scoring attempts or lack of. Why does anyone think next season will be better? Why is Spors seen as a messiah just because he isn’t Ankersen? Edited Monday at 05:31 by Give it to Ron 3
spyinthesky Posted Monday at 09:47 Author Posted Monday at 09:47 Rosco and Larios will be back in the squad firing on all cylinders!!
trousers Posted Monday at 09:48 Posted Monday at 09:48 (edited) 9 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said: we were well short of competing with Leicester or Ipswich and not really significantly better than Leeds - why will that be any different next season? Playing a system that doesn't result in conceding a mere 2 goals fewer than one of the relegated teams (Birmingham City) might have a positive effect....? Edited Monday at 10:11 by trousers 1
Dman Posted Monday at 09:53 Posted Monday at 09:53 We've got some high value assets which should inject some much needed funds for a re-build. We have a plenty of good, top end, championship players so only really need to add a little bit of quality to have a really competitive side. That new DOF has an impressive CV, looks a really solid appointment. Russell Martin got us promoted, so its not as hard as it seems. 1
Bakovnetski Posted Monday at 09:57 Posted Monday at 09:57 Bree is a decent enough Championship RB who, although isnt up to PL standard (and maybe knows it), at least puts in 100% and gives a shit 3
trousers Posted Monday at 10:07 Posted Monday at 10:07 (edited) Bring back Victor Wanyama to bolster the midfield. At age 33 he should still have a decent engine in him (?). His contract at CF Montreal expired on 1st January 2025 so is a free agent. In fact, we might as well bring him in now given how poor our midfield is...! F*** it... While we're at it, let's also talk Schneiderlin out of retirement. He's 'only' 35 (5 years younger than Ronaldo) so could probably cope with a swansong season in the championship...! And loan in JWP for the full set?! Straightjacket for Trousers! P.s. forgot Romeu (age 33)! Let's do this 😄 💪 Edited Monday at 10:15 by trousers 1
Oldandtired Posted Monday at 10:20 Posted Monday at 10:20 (edited) 13 minutes ago, trousers said: Bring back Victor Wanyama to bolster the midfield. At age 33 he should still have a decent engine in him (?). His contract at CF Montreal expired on 1st January 2025 so is a free agent. In fact, we might as well bring him in now given how poor our midfield is...! F*** it... While we're at it, let's also talk Schneiderlin out of retirement. He's 'only' 35 (5 years younger than Ronaldo) so could probably cope with a swansong season in the championship...! And loan in JWP for the full set?! Straightjacket for Trousers! P.s. forgot Romeu! Let's do this 😄 💪 I’ve seen a lot worse shouts on here….😎 Edited Monday at 10:21 by Oldandtired 4
disconnect Posted Monday at 10:32 Posted Monday at 10:32 17 hours ago, WALK DMC said: The other positive is the fact that we have 6 players returning to the squad with good experience of the Championship; Edwards, Charles, Brereton Dias, Adams, Bazunu & Edozie. Some may be sold, but will help to fund other reinforcements. Hate to break it to you, but Adams joined Torino permanently on a free transfer. Never fear though, Victor Udoh is here! 1
leesaint88 Posted Monday at 11:11 Posted Monday at 11:11 Positives....We won't be in the top flight, but my biggest concern is the playing squad as it's arguably weaker than the relegated team of 2023. Will the board bring in a new manager early enough to make sure we're settled for the start of the season or will we be playing catch up and end up aimlessly bumbling around the mid to lower table in the Championship....for me it's the latter.
ally_uk Posted Monday at 12:54 Posted Monday at 12:54 ♦️Don't have to wear that abomination of a pink kit, next season. ♦️ Playing in a league without that VAR nonsense, biased commentators getting hard ons over the big boys..... " Ohhh City doing well ain't they Gaz " Considering they spent more on one player than the majority of teams total squad, I'm not surprised..... ♦️ We get to play in a more exciting league and may actually win a couple of games. ♦️ We get to play Portsmouth. ♦️ We have a opportunity to properly reset the club, clear the decks and buy a team that has a bit of grit, steel and bollocks about them. ♦️ Ross Stewart, evaporating into sawdust as soon as he touches a blade of grass.......
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now