I think you are overestimating the power of the fans. Unlike most businesses, the fans aren't the only customers....a large part of the income (the TV deal) depends on staying in the EPL. If I was running a business I would think long term....fans tend to think short term....scarcely longer than the match they have just watched. Some people believe that it was the fans that got Puel sacked....unlikely, but if it was, the fans' judgement should come under question. MP2 may well lose his job, but that will be down to performance and the board's opinion of his future performance....not what we think.
We're really not. But we are a) goal shy, and b) prone to at least one carastrophic defensive blunder per game. Two fairly significant weaknesses, I'll grant you. No pressure Les, but we need someone in January who can score 12 goals between now and May
The problem is they sacked a manager they should not have done and now they will not sack a manager they should.
I don't disagree with any of that, but what I would say is that the fans are the public image of the club to the outside, and when they seem disgruntled, and the atmosphere on matchday is toxic, then the Club's image would be affected. But I agree that the role of the supporter has diminished somewhat in recent years.
They will park the bus and stifle us by closing us down in packs. No place for Redmond or Long as we will not have the opportunities to catch them on the break. We need a creative forward line and that has to be Tadic, Boufal and Gabbiadini supported by a tough midfield of JWP, Emile and Romeu. Injuries mean that the defence is a little more difficult but I would probably play Bertie, Yoshida, Stephens and McQueen with McCarthy in goal. I therefore do not expect to see a line up resembling that in any way whatsoever this evening. Having tossed coins, shuffled his cards and withdrawn counters from a bag our manager will probably play Pied, Lemina, Foster, Redmond, Davis and anyone else he thinks will get up my nose as he makes changes to what is shaping up to be his best side.
Totally agree - Lemina has not be good lately, and is not justified in starting tonight ahead of PEH and Romeu. Davis I wouldn't mind playing, but he has to be further forward. Unfortunately, this manager only seems to put him in as a holding midfield player.
PEH is the first name on the team sheet at the moment for me. I'd start JWP again tonight to I thought he was pretty good against united.
This is the problem - · Lemina – Cost Saints £18m · Gabbiadini – Cost Saints £14m · Redmond – Costs Saints £11m · Boufal - Costs Saints £20m!!!! feckinghell!!!! · Hojberg – Costs Saints £12.8m
Just before kick off google "reddit football streams" and that link usually has a few that are reliable.
Looking at the weather and the very wet conditions, is it too much to ask that our players go out with the correct studs? Considering it is our own pitch I am always amazed at how often our players lose their footing, gifting space and or possession in, quite often, dangerous positions. I think the conditions will best suit players like Boufal, Zaha and Townsend, all of whom like to run at players and get them twisting and turning. Note to defence. When the ball is wide left, look out for the runs across the box, right to left, by Townsend, looking to get on the end of crosses, pull backs etc. He will make them.
Also note to defence. When Townsend cuts in from his wing onto his stronger left foot to have a shot from 35 yards out like he does 10 times a game, don't let him. He must have the best feet in the world seeing as that is all he ever does and defenders never stop him. That or they realise that about 1 in 100 of these attempts go in so just let him get on with it.
Not sure of your message Saintmagic. You want the players to not let him do it and then go on to say only 1 in 100 go in? Hope you’re not coaching the full backs for tonight, too much of a mixed message
Very hard to defend against someone like Townsend - get too tight and you risk getting turned, stand off and you risk a free shot on target. He's like a slightly more crap, English version of Coutinho. I would happily have taken him at Saints
