If you don't like Still you'd not like Rosenior either, you guys today were like us 2 seasons ago when you went up, loads of possession but create sod all, struggle Vs teams that sit deep and hit you on the break.
Yes, but it probably wouldn't fit in with the signings we've made. 4-2-2-2, or a diamond midfield 4-4-2, would be one option, but that likely wouldn't involve Fellows. 4-4-2, or 4-2-4, would be another option, but that probably doesn't involve Azaz. If you're willing to push Archer slightly wide, then a narrow-ish 4-3-3 could be an option which does involve both Azaz and Fellows. But I don't think that really suits Archer. Armstrong would probably be the better option.
This is it, unless you play the 3 at the back then one person has got to budge really to make something work in an attacking sense, we’re almost spoilt with too much choice I feel. All the signs just still point to that age old observation of “if only we had 1 top quality striker” then it would just click around them & you’ll fit others to come off the bench and hopefully make an impact. Let’s hope the Loch Ness Drogba’s packed his shooting boots on Tuesday & can stake his claim!!
I’ve been out all day, didn’t watch or listen to the match. Seen the brief highlights, read the match report and heard the post match interviews. Thought I’d pop on here and see how bad the meltdown on the match thread was to gauge quite how bad it was as a performance. And before I even get there I see this thread, created before the match even finished! And hidden within it, the single most ridiculous post I have ever seen on however many years I’ve used this forum. On a forum where discussion and debate is encouraged, where differences of opinion should be not only tolerated but also welcomed, we have the forum moderator openly telling another poster that their opinion is less valid. It sounds like I am fortunate to have missed a fairly dismal showing, nonetheless without the context of following the match live this single post is both one of the most appalling and at the same time hilarious things I’ve read on this forum. Message to all, please never feel you have to change how you follow or support your club, or that the way you do makes you inferior as a supporter in any way. Please also never feel you have to change your opinions to suit others. This forum will be over the moment everyone feels they aren’t allowed to share an opposing viewpoint.
I'm not sure what people are seeing with Stewart that I'm missing. He doesn't seem to offer an awful lot more than Downs at the moment.
has anyone seen enough of either of them to have any informed opinions? Both barely put the shirts on but at least Downs hasn’t been injured for 2 years and actually plays.
How about a draw to stoke? No good, let them win and have the points to be in second. Doesn't seem to matter about the other team gaining two points in you......
Ings, our best striker from the last eight or so seasons, was also out injured for two years before he had his best season for us. Stewart just started to get match fit towards the end of last season, and he was Lambert-esque for Sunderland before we signed him. Plus he’s older, bigger and stronger. I don’t want a team of sheepish 21 year olds any more.
I usually find Tom's posts to be sensible and was surprised to see his new thread. The appointment was never a quick fix solution and there was a lot to put right. We were never going to get the squad working as a team before the close of October and I just do not think anyone would have been been able to address the issues in a 2 month period which included an international break. I have two criticisms. Firstly, the statement this week about rebuilding from rubble should not have gone public and I winder how much damage Still had done to his standing with his squad with this statement. Secondly, I feel the front line is dreadful and needed to be replaced. Cannot understand why Jay is not an automatic selection. I feel Archer and Stewart are very poor and Downs is inept. He makes you think fondly of Mara. In my opinion Still needs a season to instill a personality on the team. I expect a 10 to 16th place finish for us. If we stay up.and finish above Portsmouth that will be a massive positive. The current team had a losing mentality it will fund hard to shift. I do not think we can expect anymore with the current team and it's toothless front line.
Personally, I believe it to be far too soon to want him out. 6 games is **** all in the grand scheme of things and we brought him in to change style/culture and that doesn't tend to happen as quickly as this. That said, I've not been particularly impressed so far and have seen little sign of the flexibility and high pressing we were promised and I do think he's under a bit of pressure now to show a big improvement in both performances and results. While it takes a while for a manager to put his stamp on things there's quite a few concerns showing imo and the lack of good performances is worrying. I can't quite shake the feeling that this is another 'clever' appointment which isn't what we needed and will backfire on us. But there's probably some inherent bias there due to recent history. Ultimately though, I think it's a bit daft to want him out this soon and he deserves a proper crack at it. Say we do does the new mush only get 6 games also? Seems a bit mental to me. So he retains my support for now. As I say though a big improvement required in the coming weeks.
In defence of Tom's post about travelling half the country, whilst it did come across as rather crass and elitist I don't think that was his intention. I read it as him saying that when you're there you're reactions are likely to be a lot more emotional/unfiltered and perhaps even irrational (and you could perhaps say the post in question hit some of those themes). As someone who goes to most games now but did hardly any just a few years ago, I completely agree with the responses that attendance or not doesn't make any person's opinion worth more of less, but I personally don't think that was what he was saying. Maybe I'm wrong and he was in which case just tell me to stfu Tom I do think when you're there you're more prone to being influenced by the general mood of the crowd though. That was a very angry away end today and we're an extremely broken fanbase currently sadly.
As others have said - on a football forum anyone has the right to say what they want regardless of how many games they have attended or if they went to the match in question - ****, half the people chatting on here wouldn't post anything if they only felt comfortable posting about matches they have been to! You have a right to post a thread titled Will Still Out and I have a right to say I find it pathetic! Maybe it's time for some self moderating Tom, is there a sin bin?? If not might be a good idea! I know the glory is being in the Premier League but seriously it's not even that good mate. A year or 2 or 3 outside the top division is probably what we need at the moment. Let Still have a proper crack at it and see what he can do as he builds and crafts his team. I get that losses are bad and apparently draws are the same as losses() but we will win games this season and players will improve and click. What is the point of Sacking Still and getting someone else in, when they will have players signed for Still, it's just rinse and repeat of Jones/Martin etc, players signed by one who then are no good for the next guy. I would much rather keep faith(by all accounts we had a good to great window) and watch the evolution, when it clicks it could be something good. Just my opinion, feel free to disagree PS sorry you got soaked Tom, would've been worth it if we had won!
Yeah I like 2 up top, always have, probably always will. Maybe Stewart needs a run of games, probably with Archer or Adarma as Downs is not ready. The big man/little man combo, mix it up with some whipped in high balls and low balls and there will always be someone to pounce on a keeper party, defence mistake or a knockdown. Fraser is decent enough but need to have someone more brave and willing to try something, Robinson has looked good, so id get him back in. I think Charles has generally looked good this season but Downes less so, I think he should be phased out and probably sold in January. Change is probably needed at the back and I'm not talking about Baz. Not sure if 4 or 5 is best.....this is a job for a manager and I'm sure Still knows what he's doing, it's just not working yet. Knowing football, maybe we can kick off our season by beating Boro in the next league game!
Appreciate it Paddy!! Many times I feel the usual voices get the monopoly on this board and other posters who don't post as often get shut down or ignored. Everyone deserves a voice regardless of how many matches they get to, and how much money they spend supporting the club. Debate is a good thing.
I'm going to that one, so if we win, I'll need to make sure I go to a load more. First time in the Itchen stand next week too. For some reason I've never bought tickets there previously.
I think he also started the Koeman out thread the week before we beat Arsenal 4-0, so I’m taking this as a good omen
Now, if you have posted this last night instead of just "it's pathetic" I wouldn't have posted what I did. I apologise for my comment but I was soaking wet and not in a good mood!
