People who leave early this season in close games are bloody stupid if you ask me. We're going to score a lot of late goals with the amount of time that gets added on now.
With that defence today anyone blaming Bazanu either didn't see it or is just speaking from pre conceived ideas.
Just got back, and just about got my energy back after what was an exhausting game to watch. Some brief thoughts to add to what has already been said - we got a bit bullied first half because our midfield was lightweight. Sargent and Barnes also gave the defence a hell of a battering. Norwich were big and physical, a real Championship style team. We need to sort that out, and when Che and Charles came on, we suddenly had some of that physicality ourselves, which was so desperately needed. Charley Alcaraz runs and runs like mad. Too much in a way, because he tires himself out. For the first 20 in the second half, he looked busted, and I had a horrible feeling Aribo was going to replace him. Glad he didn't, because he got a second wind. He's been a bit off for the first couple of games, but the boy is class and we must keep him. Edozie is still all fart and no ****. It was actually good for us when he got injured, because it forced Russell to make the switch that I thought he should have at half time, which was to put Adarma on the left and Che up top. Really, really like the look of Charles. If Smallbone isn't hurt, we need him in a more traditional 8 position, and slot Charles in at 6, as he gives us that physical presence and calmness. Unlike Ian, I thought Manning was poor today. Not just his error for the fourth goal (which was horrible, as he could have just left it), but his all round play was nowhere near progressive enough. I feared the half-witted "get it forwards" cries from our fans, but it wasn't quite as bad as I'd thought it might be, bar one bloke a couple of rows back from me who kept shouting "THE GOAL IS THAT WAY" not realising that when you put a front three of Tella, Adarma and Edozie up against Shane Duffy, pumping long balls forward isn't going to get you much joy. Tella was a bit like a senior Edozie - still a little bit lightweight, but a better player for his season at Burnley. Still needs to improve in a Saints shirt though. Stu looked good in spells, but he's a 60 minute player, and shouldn't be a cog in CM. This season is going to be fun. I was closer to the pitch than I normally would be, but that gave me a great vantage point to admire Che's thighs. They really are quite something. The ref was a twit with all the yellows. The Lino missed the world's most obvious ball out of play right in front of me.
Thanks I won’t read back any further then That was entertainment! Great atmosphere No VAR! Looks promising, work in progress Adarma on the wing ok, not up front Smallbone, Manning, Amo, Charles, Alcaraz in 2nd half, all v good
Oh, one last thing. SAA looked great when he came on (though I will temper that by saying Norwich were knackered at that point. He'll be a really useful weapon coming on late).
JWP was due to come and do a goodbye at halftime but they obviously decided against it with us losing at that point.
Lol exactly what I just thought. Didn't read this thread from 12pm till now. Comedy gold again reading it back knowing the result.
He could have challenged for the cross for their opener. He was close to Sargent and just stood on his line.
For about an hour (particularly for the first part of the 2nd half), I didn't think Charly was having his best game. A few wrong decisions, maybe trying a little too hard. But at no point did I ever contemplate subbing him. Partly due to the awful options on our bench, and partly because I had hope that he would come good. And he most certainly did. His last 20 or 30 minutes alone made him a strong contender for my MOTM.
That was a fantastic game. Much more pleasing to watch, I quite like the possession football. We got forward quickly and attacked with intent. The defence is still a concern. I don’t really understand as stephens and jan are good CB’s, but that set piece goal reminded me of a lot Rickies goals in the championship and league one (far post set piece, easy pickings). So is Charles the new CDM if Lavia and JWP are off? Are we only having one in the squad? Alcaraz ran the show second half, Tella looked good and S Armstrong was excellent as usual. Not Edozies best game. Smallbone was excellent. Adam Armstrong is in the maybe pile (upgraded from definitely sell). Baz does not give me confidence, he may go on to be amazing but he will cost us points this season.
Russell Martin confirmed that Flynn Downes is coming in. So we have another DM. Buzzing for the rest of this season now
There was a young lad with, presumably Dad, holding a nice picture of JWP opposite the Saints shop, underneath printed, 'Thanks JWP'. Nice gesture.
Has Armstrong scored as many in the last 2 games as he has in the last 2 seasons? No he got 4 in the last 2 seasons, close
A couple of observations, in the first half Charly seemed to suffer a groin issue, but ran it off. Stu definitely was favouring a calf muscle issue. I got the impression that Baz was all over the place with his starting positions, which left him struggling to make the save on several occasions, his distribution although not great, is better than BigMacs.. If we are going to have to score four goals to secure a point, it is going to be a long hard struggle!
