That sounds like positive news then. I don't blame anyone for not posting stuff like that and I'm not going to ask. I have contacts through which I sometimes hear interesting stuff about the professional game (rarely about SAFC) but I'd never post it because it would be betraying a confidence.
My only info comes from a journo who only entertains me because I was once very helpful to them, the obligation is gradually dissolving. I also get quite a bit from a lawyer but 99% about Newcastle. I've just messaged a bit of interesting info to two people I trust on here ... ... neither of them are you
Thing is people are complaining we have Dodds in charge, they are the same people complaining we only sign out of work managers, they are the same people complaining we are not signing a new head coach now. What do they want the club to do pay **** loads of compo to bring the new coach in for the last 9 games of the season that is already dead. Then complain we haven't got the cash for a new striker because we spent it on the head coaches compo. Don't get me wrong the club have gotten a few things wrong this season. There are enough things for us to have a moan about without coming out with some of the contradictory comments we hear daily
Which is probably one of the reasons we lost our last 6 games, when your 2 best players in 1 game only 1 will be selected for the next
It feels like we're in an incredibly difficult moment but it will turn and we will get out the other side. I'm convinced by it and it will be best thing that will happen. I feel for Dodds, he's inherited a difficult situation and a tough run of fixtures without key men. He's not had Clarke, Roberts, ballard, o9 and is trying to bed in new players too. Morale and confidence is on floor and it's just a perfect storm. We all know the lack of striker is killing us and has to be addressed this summer. No ****ing about. Hopefully this run of form is a massive wake up call for everyone
We're making mistakes, in every game, but the players aren't letting their heads drop and giving up ... .... the last two Southampton goals were both dubious imo, VAR would've ruled them both out. Shame but we just need to keep digging in and hope we get that bit of luck we've not had in the last few games. Southampton were nothing special and needed two crazy mistakes for the first two goals, we missed O'Nien yesterday imo. I'm sure the crowd will get behind these young lads on Saturday which we need, whichever side takes the pitch.
Speakman is sleepwalking in a dream where everything is fine and dandy. He is going to be rudely awakened shortly to find he is is pissing in the wardrobe. 9 games to play and teams only need to win 3 games to match our points. Frankly I cannot see us winning another game this season as we can't score goals and can't keep a clean sheet either.
The two teams below us haven't won in four games, just one win. One of them, Watford, play at Birmingham next, any result is good for us ... ... and there are loads more like that, Huddersfield v Birmingham coming soon, someone's dropping points.
Assuming Ballard is out, the defence v QPR is going to be interesting to say the least Hume-Seelt-Hjelde-Styles? Minging
First time we have scored more than 1 goal in 6 games. We are hardly prolific, especially without Jack Clarke now.
I would be really worried if Ballard is out for any period of time now. Dodds didnt fill me with confidence at the end. He so much better than any other defender we have it would be a blow similar to Clarke. If he is missing I would switch Hume into centre half alongside ONien. And probably play Seelt full back with Hjelde on the other side. It is not ideal but I do not fancy Seelt as a CB to be honest, not yet anway.
I never did despite the constant calls to drop O'Nien. I think the club see Seelt as playing higher up the pitch. Whatever happens we should keep Rigg and Jobe out of our penalty area
O9 is still suspended on Sat Suppose there is the option to go Hume-Seelt-Hjelde as a back 3 then use Pembele and Styles as wing backs? Not a fan of this as it means we end up with full backs, rather than wingers in crossing positions
I'd go with Hume Seelt Hjelde Styles and tell them to only play it out from the back when it's safe to do so, otherwise just boot it up the pitch for Rusyn etc to chase. I'd put Neil in at DM for a bit extra protection. It's not a defence that would fill me with confidence but at least there's no round pegs.
Personally I don’t think we have enough fit defenders to play a back 3, not without playing people out of position in the full back roles. We are much better playing attacking football, and it’s QPR not Leicester or Southampton this time. Id go something like this with Jobe dropping deeper to cover in front of the defence.
With O'Nien still out next week he will have to find a makeshift defender - or maybe use a back 3 of Seelt - Hume - Hjelde We don't really have anyone in the U23s either - Zak Johnson is on loan at Dundalk. Not sure about Fieldson, Bainbridge or Bell. Tom Lavery has been on the bench lately.
