There were wingers who we were linked with on deadline day in the summer, so there is presumably still some room to maneuver. And in any event, it doesn't have to a permanent transfer. Nothing wrong with utilising the loan market. I think leaving Che on the bench today was quite a big signal. Him leaving next month would free up funds. And there's talk of Everton recalling Holgate. I also live in hope that someone will take McCarthy.
Those KWP rumours all have him as having only 6 months left on his contract, when really he has 18 months left. Hardly well informed.
We're on 42 points/+7 through 22 matches. In previous years, that would be good for: 2022-23: 2nd place, 2 points off 1st. 2021-22: 3rd place, 1 point off 2nd, 3 points off 1st. 2020-21: 2nd place, 1 point off 1st. 2019:20: 3rd place, 5 points off 2nd, 7 points off 1st. 2018-19: 3rd place, 2 points off 2nd, 3 points off 1st. 2017-18: 4th place, 5 points off 2nd, 9 points off 1st. 2016-17: 3rd place, 6 points off 2nd, 7 points off 1st. 2015-16: 4th place, 2 points off 2nd, 4 points off 1st. 2014-15: 2nd place, goal diff off 1st. 2013-14: 3rd place, goal diff off 2nd, 2 points off 1st. We're currently 4th, 10 points off 2nd, 10 points off 1st. We could probably be better, but the fact that we're this far afield owes entirely to this being a totally unusual season. Since the Championship became the Championship, there has never been a year where two teams had 50+ points at this time in the season...just need to keep putting points on the board and hope that Leicester/Ipswich can't keep up this ridiculous pace.
Just watched the highlights - love how Charly nearly took the net off with his strike from two yards; you could see the thought process of 'this one is definitely going in'. Good stuff. Such a great feeling to dish out a tonking - feels like an age since we had such a convincing result. What a Christmas treat.
Loved that Mara came on, made some great runs and deserved his goal. Baz is the best keeper Saints have had in a long while. Haven’t been this comfortable with a keeper since Fraser pre bad injury
Love the fact they open the doors in the chapel concourse now with food n drink outlets outside. Makes the queues actually possible to navigate within HT and allows more space on concourse too. Nice for the smokers too, always used to be a complaint of mine!
I thought that the score line flattered Blackburn ! Saints had total control over yesterday's match and I think the only criticism would have been the penaly miss. Bednarek looked awesome but everyone contributed to what was probably the best team performance at St Mary's for about three years. KWP looked pure class and I thibk Stuart Armstrong was deserved Man of the Match. A controversial thought..... I wonder if we could end up in a situation where Stewart's injury keeps him out of the squad for the whoke of this season and Mara ends up becoming a goal machine. He struck me as looking a bit more physically threatening yesterday . That is two games on the bounce where he has shown up and produced the goods.
End result was fantastic but before Edozie’s rather fortunate HT goal, for all our possession, we hadn’t troubled their keeper too much. There definitely seemed to be a bit more urgency after HT which was great to see & was being effective before the sending off. We mentioned that “Wolves” game at 1-0 but Rovers never looked up for it. Rather surprising. Shame Charley missed the pen but great he got his goal. Thought Baz had a brilliant game - he’s really developing well. Heard Spurs were sniffing - I hope we don’t lose any players in Jan & upset, what is looking very settled. Up the Saints. Well done RM!
Not sure if yesterday was first day or not as I only bother going down when I've got nipper with me but it was noticeable that when I walked into the concourse the queues were only 4/5 people deep. Made a huge difference.
Just watched the highlights, there was some real venom in Charly’s goal! I loved the way he apologised to the Chapel fans as part of the celebration though.
Yesterday really was full of positives. We've got fringe players like Mara and Aribo suddenly contributing and making us stronger. And a much better blend of youth and experience through the team. Although there were pivotal moments where it could have followed the standard pattern of a narrow win, this was a game where it all 'clicked' as we on here have been waiting for.
