If Christmas keeps on giving we have QPR away, then Swansea at home. Ipswich have Leeds away and Leicester at home. In the space of 2 games that 10 point gap could become 4. It might not also, but let's just enjoy the ride and back this group of boring fnckers
Very pleasing day all round. Blackburn offered virtually nothing going forwards all day, even before the red card. Constantly had 11 men behind the ball. I thought they may be a dangerous team on the break but they were awful and had no ambition. Only a matter of how many after the red card. Pleased for Mara to get a goal as he looked bright. Charly was far too good for a tiring Blackburn when he came on. Stuart deservedly got MOTM. he ran the show. And great to see Jack back on the pitch.
Yeah I definitely expected more from them tbh but you can only beat what's in front of you and it was nice to see us really punish them. Having a laugh thinking back to the Blackburn fan I spoke to before the game who told me they play the best football in the championship
What pleased me the most was the attitude right to the end. Absolutely great to see Saints not resting on a slender lead, and again even with the 2+ goal advantage still looking for more and getting them. What a difference a year makes at SMS. I'll go as far to say that even if we hadn't been relegated, I'm not sure we'd be enjoying watching Saints as much as I certainly am.
That was a really clinical performance, apart from spells in the first half when we reverted to Russ's tichy tacky we looked so good going forward. Although Stuey and Edozie were the standout players, I'd like to give a big shout out to Joe Aribo who gave us great outlets going forward and looked really 'on it' all game, I also thought James Bree made us look much tighter at the back and also looks excellent going forward. More of the same please Russ.
At 2-0 (and a man up) we finally started playing like we should whenever we go 1-0 up. Everyone was trying to thread a killer pass through the middle; Smallbone, Stephens, Charly all managed it. And credit to Mara for the runs he was making.
We were excellent all over the pitch. Helped a lot by the stupid sending off as the space really opened up as the game went on, but we made the most of it too with some sharp passing, touches and runs. We were largely very positive on the ball today. I was saying at the ground in the 92nd minute that you’ll always be happy with a 2-0 but it was another opportunity lost to score a few more and work on our GD so was so glad the two late late goals came!
Reading a Blackburn forum, they really don’t like Martin! I do find myself agreeing with a lot of what they have to say though
Just what a smug **** he is who thinks his way is the only way and he will be wrong again this season when we don’t go up playing like that. And that we have a very good side and get results in spite of him rather than because of him Basically what most fans of other Champ clubs think of him
They should worry about their own anti football team, that was a disgraceful negative performance from them today.
It’s time for me to admit that this style is ridiculously effective. 14 unbeaten is crazy. No doubt at all that he has changed the culture and the mentality of the club. A resounding win & performance like today makes it all worth while. Maybe you guys were right - I have been too harsh on him. He did have a big job to do. He does show that he is learning(dropping Manning etc) I still like him as bloke, too. Which helps.
Maybe a few things happened last season that we're unaware of, but he hasn't come across as smug at all since he's joined us.
Oh yeah there is definitely some previous from his time at Swansea. I think he has when we have lost and could see his comments and demeanour after the Sunderland, M’Boro and Ipswich games being a bit triggering to oppo teams. The whole “double down on the style because it is the bestest” mentality But whatever I just find that sort of thing amusing. Apparently one of our commentators kept calling them Bristol Rovers which ****ed them off aswell
Do I take it people are coming round to the idea that Mara has something a little more than ‘Sunday League’ about him too? We really do need to have patience with these very young players (Baz being a good example). They’re no idiots, they’re just young.
