Match Day Thread Millwall vs Saints - Saturday, November 29 - 15:00 KO

Not what I am saying.

I am saying we get to see how he can pick up the squad after a defeat.

It is better we see his capability to do this before we offer him a permanent contract rather than after, so the loss actually may help us in the long run.

 

Well that’s a good thing isn’t it

 

I thought our play at the back today was mostly good. Better than under Martin ironically. My main criticism though is that certain players (I’m looking at you Manning) don’t just take the safe option when necessary, and kick the ball out of play. Instead they try to be clever, and inevitably lose the ball, immediately inviting pressure back on the defence. I don’t think this is a Saints-specific thing, but rather a modern football thing; players thinking they are better than they are.

Just lump it into row Z, Ryan, so that you get a chance to breathe and reorganise yourselves.

 

Embarrassing, that one of our marquee signings as a PL side is no longer seen as good enough for a championship bench.

 

That is mental that he didn’t have Cam on the bench. I know he’s hardly set the league on fire, but he’s also not had a run of games and has proven he can score goals at this level before. We had a clear lack of attacking options on the bench. I know I said I’d like to see Matsuki, Oyekunle earlier, but there is no reason Cam can’t be on the bench alongside them - I mean maybe drop Aribo? Surely Cam offers more than Aribo, even if from the wing? Or move Arma right & Cam central? Seems nuts to leave him out completely

 

Perhaps his work rate isn't up to what Tonda requires, he doesn't really put himself about like Adarma does.

 

Yeah that’s a shout, guess if he’s not training proper then fair enough to leave him out. I really would like to see Oyekunle more too. He’s been such a talent at U18/21 level

 

I thought he was injured? He’s never shown us much so if tonda wants to leave him out I have no real issue. I would expect him to be on the bench but don’t see him as a game changer.

Maybe SR will reach in their pockets and buy a suitable striker in January?

 

That was disappointing to lose momentum there, would have lifted us up in playoff land. Still we have the second best form in the league after Coventry so let’s hop it’s just a blip.

also, I said when Aribo was signed that he looked arse, ive said all along that he IS arse and I say it again,he is absolute ARSE. Want to teach a kid what a lack of commitment looks like, just show them Aribo.

 

The lack of a target man and alternative to Armstrong means there is no other way out when we are struggling and repeatedly losing the ball.

 

Agreed. It was pretty obvious from about 15 minutes in that this was the exact sort of game we need some big lump up top.

 

I wanted Tonda to have at least the next 3 games before any kind of decision was made and this at least eases the pressure on giving him the job and we get to see a little adversity.

Interesting on Archer, I’m not sure we could sell permanently, but a lot of clubs would take him on loan in January and will pave the way for a striker to come in

 

Not really. Did anyone think that signing a front team from Sheffield United that had just been relegated a really good idea

 

For a PL side at the time? No. But Archer is objectively a good Championship forward.

 

This is where my head went too. Best outcome for us I think is that he goes out on loan to another Champ goal and finds his scoring boots, getting his price back up a bit for the summer so that we can try to eliminate any loss and bring some funds into the coffers

We paid £15m in 2024 and he signed a contract until 2028, so by the summer of 2026 his book value is £7.5m. If he has a decent run in the Champ from January to May, that will tempt someone for the summer window and we might even turn a small profit...

Will also clear a squad space (and hopefully almost an entire salary) and we'll be able to bring in a new striker for the second half of this season who our coach(es) might actually want to use

 

Sorry everyone, my fault. First game I haven’t been able to watch..

 

There is the other option with Archer that being dropped for an 18 year old gives him a kick up the arse and he refocusses. It could even be what Tonda is hoping to achieve.

Although I think we need to sign a new striker in january regaedless. Someone with a physical presence that isnt made of glass.

 

Rinse and repeat for the past however many years

 

Just watched the highlights. Good save from Baz first half like I said but awful from him on the third. Dreadful from Romeu too it has to be said.

Their second goal was a hell of a strike but one of the worst bits of defending I've ever seen from Aribo.

Can't wait til we're rid of that useless ****, not many Saints players I've disliked more than him. Genuinely angers me when fans sing that stupid ****ing song when he comes on.

 

Also yesterday might partly be my fault. I forgot to place my insurance bets at QPR and Charlton but remembered yesterday