Match Day Thread Saints vs Stoke City - Saturday, August 23 - 15:00 KO

Deeply disappointing start to the season.

Still only in 1st gear.

Rather our weaknesses be identified now when we can change things up.

A wake up call so that no-one connected to the club are under any illusions.

 

I think we will get better but we need more urgency I think WS knows this.

 

My point is that relegated teams always take a while to get going. Teams that have been here an extra season don’t (Leeds last year). I’ll repeat it, the relegated teams are 7th, 10th and the big title favourites are 18th. People really need to chill.

 

Yeah mini Lincoln said exactly the same thing. Problem is with the skates up next, we don't have time. I think we've possibly the most patient and passive fan base in existence (apart from me obviously) and surely by now it's starting to click for people just how ****ing incompetent those at the top are. Its all well and good saying wait a couple of months, but why should we? They've already had tonnes of chances and more than enough opportunity to have sorted it.

 

For the last two summers I have wanted us to bring in strong, quick and athletic players but we haven’t got there yet.
Quarshie is quick but not quite ready to play every week. Mads looks the part, but overall we are still a long way from having the type of player I want.
Our lack of pace at the back will always be a concern, especially if Still wants us to play a high line.
Another thing that frustrated me today was the decision making and risk taking in dangerous areas, with players trying to dribble past the press instead of passing the ball. That happened too often today, sometimes very high up the pitch.
Oh, and taking two passes to get the ball to the man in space, when one direct pass was on. That just allowed Stoke to shuffle across and block avenues.

 

Was very impressed with Stoke to be honest. Must admit I didn't realise Robins was their manager and you'd think they'd be in the top half with possibly a play off push.

They strike me as a team who have a good chance of beating anyone but who'll also take a couple of hammerings.

 

Well thank **** I don’t have to write another poem at least

Help yourselves to the next match thread

 

Yep and that’s why I’m pissed about a poor start, we’ve had so long to be ready for this season and we aren’t. This place feels like RMs press conferences last year, we’re almost there, just gotta wait.

 

Apologies, got the goals mixed up. Stokes first goal deflected off of Woods foot which is why Bazunu appeared to dive too early.

 

Well, Keats and Shelley can rest easily up there tonight.

 

Second one was Stewart but it was offside anyway.

 

Yeah I was on about the second one. The first was pretty unlucky tbh with the deflection.

 

Oh! Yeah the second was a good finish. Felt like Stephens could have done more to show him towards the by-line.

 

They’d been sweating of late

 

If I were prone to worrying needlessly about things that I can't possibly change myself, then I would be worrying about the fact that we have an entire squad that can't play quickly, forward or both. That's been true for years now despite multiple managerial changes. Even the passing in our pedestrian approach is lackadaisical. The ball never seems to be played into the path of a team mate, rather directly at them or even behind. And when we do find someone advanced, invariably touches are taken instead of immediately pressing an advatage. It's quite an excruciating watch, especially as it, to me at least, seems to be something that could be trained into kids on a playground, let alone adults who are deemed elite in their field. We simply carry no threat and that isn't just down to personnel, it's about attitude, approach and instruction

 

Can we please at least wait until the window is closed?

 

Wow, that was dreadful. So one paced it’s unreal.
We have no players who can beat a man except Robinson, and we are seriously lacking pace in the team.
Don’t think Flynn Downes really is a Still kind of player, and as I said last year, most of this lot just aren’t good enough.
Massive week for Spors now.
We need 2-3 wingers at least 1 number 10. Someone who can actually play a ball into and through for our strikers to feed of.
Pace and power massively needed.
We need to use the loan market wisely.

 

Why should we they’ve had months to sort this out ffs! They’ve obviously just been sat around doing nothing the whole time and we should’ve signed everyone by now and the squad should be completely in sync with each other and the manager.

 

Missed our chances.

Stoke took theirs.

Our play went to **** after their 2nd.