Well I thought that was a much improved performance. Still things to improve but going in the right direction. Fellows was class today. As was Leo
Much needed win, don't think we can take much away from it given the state Wednesday are in but those back to back wins were really important in putting to bed any talk about a relegation battle. 7 points off the play offs now, who says the season is a write off? Was surprised they didn't sell out the away end but thought their support was excellent. Which is interesting given I was reliably informed on here that you can't expect a decent away support when the team is rubbish Big 3 game week coming up after the international break with Leicester at home and trips to Charlton and Millwall, our return from those will tell us much more about whether we've turned a corner or not than the last two. UTFS
Whilst the win was great, the performance wasn’t. Even if it is better than under Still. I still fail to understand why we are continuing to play 3 CBs. I can’t see it is the way forward for us, without getting 2 very good wingbacks and a focal point upfront. Whilst I can’t see us getting in another striker, we won’t be buying 2 WBs, unless Jelert and Wellington are meant to be those players.
I know it was Sheff Weds and we should be winning that (although they have shown they are not pushovers in other fixtures), but that was just a breath of air. Not only because we actually scored more than we wasted, but because the game was actually entertaining in huge contrast the majority of games this season. Credit to Wednesday they were poor at the back but surprisingly sharp going forward, their fans are putting in a good effort for their present situation as well. Great for Jander and Azaz, that will hopefully do their confidence the world of good and a great goal from Armstrong. Despite some hiccups here and there, the speed of our defence to close any gaps and maintain shape at the back was night and day from what it was. Scienza looks a level above everyone else in our team and again we considerably fell off when he left the pitch, the difference his presence makes is huge which is both good and bad for us. Also I like that he goes around and gees up the other players, liked the way he celebrated with Jander, but also praised Armstrong in a seperate move. Looks like a leader. Bazunu unfortunately really stands out as being way off the level needed, there were a couple of saves in there but he probably should have stopped their goal? and one of his better saves only needed to be made because of a crap punch out straight to a Wednesday player. McCarthy is quite clearly the better keeper of the two, even if he has a mistake in him too he just has a better command of the penalty area and appears to have a better reach. Fair play to Eckhart for these couple of games, I still would rather he doesn't get the job permanently but we can't underestimate two wins considering the way this team were playing. Hopefully we can make use of this momentum.
Easily our best winning performance of the season. But that's not saying much, given the very low bar and the poor opposition. Fellows was easily my MOTM - but a distance. The difference between him and Manning as WBs was huge. Lots of contenders for my second best player, but I think I'll give it to THB. I still can't believe that some people wanted us to sell Armstrong in the summer. He even played well as a no.9 today; one of the best games there.
I did keep looking down at the touchline, and the similarities between Eckert & Selles is scary ... maybe Rasmus has a type he likes?
Im not sure, as you say impossible to say, but both the opposition were poor so possibly. I definitely think the players look more committed and happier, which I don’t think would’ve happened under Still for whatever reason. It’s not like Tonda has changed anything radically tactically. If I had to guess I reckon we would’ve got 4 points minimum under still
I thought this was our best home perfomance this season. We should have put this game to bed after 15 minutes but let Sheff Wed come into it more. Pleased qith Jander , Scienza , Fellows and Azaz. After Scienza came off , i felt Wednesday were better and we looked morw vulnerable. I did not think the subs improved us and a better team would gave punished us. Three , related points.... 1. Watching Wednesday play was a bit of a mirror image of Saints. Setting aside the points dwduction, they lool better than their league position suggested. 2. Don't think Portsmouth will move above us now for the rest of the season. 3. I concur with the old argument in the 'When Saturday comes' magazine. Time to do away with the minute's silence at football matches and the presence of the military services. I have been 100% behind this is the past but think the passing of 80 years since the end of WW2 and 107 since WW1 makes this a bit redundant. Pitical military conflict in the north of Ireland plus the 'war on terror' makes me a lot less comfortable celebrating this. People can commemorate tomorrow if they want but it should not happen football matches. Time to be more mature about this. I do think this reflects poorly overseas and should be quietly phased out. As WSC used to suggest, it makes us look a banana republic. We we wpuld stop this. Celebrate nurses and doctors during Covid instead.
Agree, the second half was a hard watch after the 3rd goal, Tbf I thought the SW midfield seemed way more together than ours but both teams didn’t look good in front of goal.
Sorry, apart from the usual spelling gaffs, I find your third point totally disrespectful and not what I would expect from any Saints supporter.
I find your 3rd point extremely disrespectful. It doesn't matter how long it's been since the end of WWII, it's extremely important to remember all those who sacrificed their lives fighting for this country. Why shouldn't the football community pay their respects?
Sorry Ian but have to disagree. I felt it was a solemn moment shared amongst thousands commemorating the sacrifice made by millions over all the conflicts we’ve been, sadly, a part of. I pay tribute to the trumpet player in particular, superb solo performance.
Why Barn Wiiliams I hear you say, well he has put in some tidy performances in the Under 21's since he arrived, dare I say it, that his performance was a bit like classic JWP, you don''t notice it, but he was in the right place at the right time too often to be coincidental? I thought today that the Referee's reputation for multiple yellows cards, may have influenced the lack of aggresive tackling, we were defending at a bit more distance perhaps. It still didn't stop the Owls clipping Leo's heels at every opportunity!
