The no-DM thing was not exactly helped by having Mara as our centre forward. He can't hold up the ball like Adams can. With Che up front, our midfield would not have looked so wishy-washy. Also, Smallbone has played practically every minute of every game since Norwich, including Cup games. Needs a rest, as does Adarma.
Yeah he had an awful first half but I just think it's being overstated somewhat. I also disagree that he's not good enough yet as he showed on Friday night that he's got the tools to play at this level. Agree that he lacks physicality and reading of the game but the former should matter less depending on who he's playing with and the latter is something which will only improve with gametime. I think his positional discipline is pretty good though and that's what Smallbone lacks to play in that role imo and something we severely need for this style of play. As I say it was crazy seeing how far up the pitch he was at times tonight. Agree on Downes, the length of his injury may well make or break our season. Though we should still have enough for Millwall on Saturday.
Not so sure about that. They'll have seen us struggle against an aggressive press again and after our unbeaten run we have comfortably lost 2 of 3. I expect they will be looking at this game much more optimistically than a couple of weeks ago.
Southampton v Millwall (15:00) Referee:- THOMAS BRAMALL Assistants:- Matthew Wilkes and Akil Howson Fourth Official : John Busby
Spot on, as i've said before, he's a great 8 but a mixed 6 and i'm sure he would rather play in his preferred position. Saying that, it did work at WBA with Charles but Rothwell looked very uncomfortable with the role he had to play tonight, he is much more a Stuey replacement. We have been at our best this season when the engine room has been Downes at 6, Smallbone at 8 and Stuey with a free role ahead of them transitioning play forward.
Were we short changed on the extra time? Stadium clock showed 95:11 when he blew up and KWP was down for longer than 6 minutes.
I agree that Smallbone needs a rest, his position requires a lot of running and Russell has said his stats for that are the highest at the club. Agree about Adarma and Che too.
Didn't play the extra 30 seconds for their sub though. Not suggesting it mattered in any way but always been a bug bear of mine that the minimum isn't treated as a minimum.
lol the game is timed on the Referee's watch, not the Stadium Clock of course, just a bit of straw clutching on my behalf...
Tough to take tonight as we could have won with the right team out there. For all of martins brilliant work, he does make some basic errors sometimes. It was obvious this team would be overrun. Oh well. Lots of football to play. Need to get things moving in the right direction then. Got a bad feeling we won’t win the playoffs if we are dragged into them.
I think this is basically the Championship. Any of the top four play anyone in the bottom half, and they're likely winning those games, and so easy enough to go on a run with good fixtures. We did the same. It comes down to how we fare against those right around us, those are the only games that are going to shift anything in the table. I know that's obvious, but we're definitely not out of the autos. Something relentless about being in second and constantly having to win to stay there. Fourth with only a couple of points in it is good for now, as long as we can keep some form and then do the business when we play Ipswich at minimum. I'd say Leicester we don't need to worry about, although be nice to take 3 points there. Leeds last day doesn't bear thinking about.
Still so much football to play. We could easily go on another run. Maybe Leeds will buckle under the pressure too.
Agree - there's one guy in here talking about Hull making second, and no one's even questioned that, but two points off Leeds and we're dooming ourselves to the playoffs!
So... . Tough night to take but these results happen. You'll have to excuse the next self indulgent bit of the post but I'm proud fit to burst of our club. As some of you may know wonky Saint has her difficulties, She has a very rare genetic condition as well as physical difficulties and autism. As part of her Autism she tends to get obsessed with certain things, for the last 2 years that has been Saints and in particular Gavin Bazunu. As she shares a birthday with him, with the help of Mrs Lincoln she wrote a letter and a birthday card to Baz at the club. We didn't ask or want anything but we sent it off. Today we got an email from one of the player liaison officers saying how pleased Baz was with his card and that he'd like to meet her to wish her a happy birthday in person! So after a few emails back and forth it was arranged that we could stay after the game and Baz would come out of the dressing room to meet her pitch side. He did just that and she could barely contain herself. He signed a ball for the lad and gave her the biggest hug ever. I cannot believe how kind he was (some people can be awkward around the disabled, usually nothing in it but just the way it is) but he was just so calm and lovely to her. He then took his shirt off and signed the back of it with a personal message just for her. A few years ago we were worried she might never talk or be able to walk to school. Today she walked from Bedford place car park to the stadium, met her hero, wished him a happy birthday and is going to sleep with his matchday worn signed shirt laid out very carefully on the side next to her bed. I'm not too proud to admit that I've had a few private tears tonight.* A big, massive thank you to the stewards for their help today. I will now fight any man to the death who criticises Gavin Bazunu. Our wonderful, kind goalkeeper. I my club. *she is going to be a complete dickhead when we try and get her up for school tomorrow
0 goals conceded when Charles has played since Downes was injured, 8 conceded without, there is no ignoring that difference. He’s not on Downes level and may be a bit ropey, but we are better with Charles in the XI while Downes is away, rather than Smallbone played in a position that he is clearly very uncomfortable with.
Thanks for sharing that Lincoln. If I could do more than thumbs up, I would. Stoked that Baz and the club did that for you guys. No doubt you deserve it.
Thank you Lincoln Sant that story is simply beautiful . Thanks for restoring my faith in humanity , even if it’s just a little . Belated Birthday wishes for your Daughter , and a pat on the back to Mrs LS for helping draft the letter . All the best to all of you . # 1 Jasper
