I think in honesty that is a perception rather than reality, you may be right but if their heads are scrambled by the instructions they're receiving then I can see why there's a slowness in the play. I'm finding it difficult to believe that KWP and Smallbone and others, are throwing in the towel during a game. What is clear to me is that there needs to be a more defined reason for the next starting XI and how they're set up. If we're all confused, again, then the result may not be such a surprise if another defeat. Downes return might eventually restore the flow of our impressive form seen earlier (ie 25 games!). It might take more than one game though. I still believe Leeds will have a downturn before long. Ipswich may have had theirs, let's see.
Eeesh, yeah that’s not a good look. No need for that kinda stuff in my opinion. It’s a bit of a Catch 22. On the one hand it must be frustrating being a manager and having, on the whole, a very very good season yet after a slight dip the fans are just on you. As a fan base we ****ing love to say when we’re **** but we’re often very quiet when we’re winning. That must be very frustrating as a manager, I often sit in StMarys baffled by how quiet it is when we were second place and winning games. You get about one good round of oh when the saints after a goal and then back to silence. But if we have a bad half we love to be miserable and shout. It’s disappointing at times. However, it’s also kinda undeniable that the large majority of issues seem to be stemming directly from RMs decisions.
Big problems yesterday were; - No match winner in the team without Fraser - No holding midfielder - Bad ref - Bad luck - Dodgy goalkeeper Some of these are fixable. Some of it goes our way on another day. Basically our season now hinges completely on Downes being fit for the playoffs.
I just think it's incredibly poor sportsmanship to be like that with the opposition. They won and deserved to win, absolutely no need to act in that way and perhaps shows the pressure is starting to get to him.
I agree… but equally I don’t hate the fact he’s a sore loser. I want a manager that hates it when we lose
Yep all the best managers are terrible losers. Look how bad Fergie was for it. That doesn't have to equate to poor sportsmanship though.
We've lost 3 out of 4 games after an unbelievable 25 match unbeaten record breaking run, Leicester have lost their last 2, it can happen even in a successful season. These runs are from our best ever finishes in the PL, 7th and 6th, remember the Koeman out thread?...
RM QUOTE - “I know everyone will go there frustrated (Liverpool) We need to use that in the right way. I had an interesting conversation with the supporter behind the dugout. He started screaming at me that it was on me". “Of course it was on me, I am the manager. I am going to take responsibility but support the team. “Support the team when it is going a little bit wrong on the pitch. Come and hammer me after the game, no problem. We had a conversation. It is what it is. The support has been amazing. "We need to regroup. We have 12 games left of what can be a really exciting and incredible season. We need to dust ourselves down and bounce back quickly.”
It's not only Downes who is incredibly vital to our promotion chances (almost certainly via the play-offs). So is Che (when his head is in the right place - the Che who existed in Sep/Oct/Nov was no use to anyone). I appreciate that there's a chance that Stewart might return before the season finishes (whenever that might be). But we can't rely on that. So putting him aside - and now that we don't have Charly at play the false no.9 which he did so well vs Leeds - our alternatives to Che are basically Adam and Mara. And neither are them can lead the line in the way that Che can. Both are better at shooting than Che (by no means are either clinical, but they're better than Che). But Che's more-rounded game just seems to help bring Martin's style together better (as indeed does Downes). We looked so much better against Hull when he came on. We looked so much worse against Millwall after he went off. We were awful for the whole game against Bristol City, which he was injured for. I don't want to go into the play-offs without Downes. But the same applies to Che too.
A quick breeze through this thread, would appear to blame the performance of a few individuals (Person to Blame syndrome), the Referee comes in for some intense criticism, the Millwall players were accused of dubious challenges which damaged our best player, and were allowed to get away with a lot of unfair tactics, and RM getting it totally wrong, plus a lack of any good luck. That's a lot of complex issues, not all could be compensated for and it is little wonder that there were some angry responses. Time for another blue line and move on to the next step in the journey of the Saints roller coaster, hold tight, it could be a perilious ride.
Man just remember only 5 points from any of those draws/losses and we would have been in the CL. So close!
I think save loading for the play offs personally. Let's not tarnish his excellence with a humping at Anfield.
I am quietly confident. With their injuries, 120 minutes on Sunday and the distraction of a cup win I reckon we will be in with a game up against their kids.
I think these 2 make such a difference because they are not just better at their job than anyone else, but there are certain aspects of their role that only they can do. Aside from Che we don't have anyone capable of holding the ball up at all. Mara and Arma will make runs in behind rather than come short and hold it up. If they did come short they would get bullied by any CB. As for Downes, only he can has that power and aggression to break up play and win the ball back before it poses a threat to the defence.
