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Reply | James Bree - Our man on the inside
at 17:47 17 Feb 2026
I'm guessing but perhaps by the end of the transfer window they'd already decided to go three at the back with wing backs and brought Jelert into that role alongside Frazer and Fellows. Roedslev was signed to replace Sugawara and was probably expected to be first choice as a more traditional right back. Seems a lot of decisions came from the desire to play Armstrong upfront given how ineffective Downs was and unreliable Stewart's fitness. One of the explanations for Armstrong's departure was that he didn't fit into Eckert's plans going forwards and Eckert' is clearly happier with the current structure and balance of the squad. |
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Reply | Archer
at 10:43 11 Feb 2026
Stewart was only meant to play 20-30 minutes according to the medical team. We all know what has happened before with his injuries so to start him again would have been irresponsible after Saturday when he looked off the pace. Larin is new and getting up to speed and if anything happens to either of them we are left with Archer. Given our failure to get another striker meant we stopped his loan to Rangers, he has to be reintegrated into the squad and his confidence re-built so it wasn't unreasonable to start him last night. Despite his initial miss - like so many championship strikers - he wasn't responsible for the first half performance which highlighted Peretz's limitations, overused youngsters like Jander and Fellows and a team that struggled after the Watford game. Given our general mental fragility our comeback was remarkable but owed much to a similar fragility in Leicester. |
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Reply | New Players : Dont knock him until he has had a go
at 09:48 5 Feb 2026
A reasonable expectation for Larin is that:
Stays fit
Puts himself about ( not endlessly looking for fouls instead of physically challenging for the ball).
Has a reasonable touch and can hold the ball up
Can head the ball
Doesn't miss too many sitters
I'd settle for that. |
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Reply | New Players : Dont knock him until he has had a go
at 11:17 3 Feb 2026
Any loan signing in January is likely to have issues. I hope he stays fit and proves a handful for Championship centre halves. He has clearly been around the block but maybe a new start is what he needs. Having Armstrong as the centre forward meant we had to play a certain way. This lad seems closer to Ross Stewart in terms of style. He won't be Pelle but then we aren't a top half Premier League club with Koeman as the manager. |
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Reply | Saints Announce Signing Of New Striker
at 09:41 3 Feb 2026
No mention of Edozie. I'd like to see him re integrated into the squad as offensive cover for Scienza. As Jelert is still here I think he can play further forward as cover for Fellows -- he is too small as a full back in a four. Sorry to see Armstrong g in some ways but maybe a change in style is finally arriving with Stewart and Larin. |
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Reply | Is that it ?
at 21:54 2 Feb 2026
Good assessment. This window is clearly financially driven presumably with the expectation that we will need to cut costs again in the summer. The data must be saying no promotion this year. |
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Reply | AA
at 16:50 27 Jan 2026
I'd be disappointed to see Armstrong go but if Wrexham stump up the 15 million ( or Burnley the 20 mill for THB) I think Saints will take it. Like most supporters I have an agenda for the window and hope Saints get close to it. I'd be happy to see Bree kept even if it means Jelert's loan is cut short. A new central defender to partner THB or Stephens with maybe Wood being sold or more likely Quarshie following Downs out on loan. Aribo, Edozie and Archer will hopefully go making space for our long awaited target man striker. Relying on Stewart's fitness would be madness. I hope Arma stays, his work rate and attitude is excellent bit like Shane Long and he can play across the front line. Let's hope something happens. In fairness, their are numerous options but please no more youngsters for the future. |
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Reply | Predictions for tonight
at 15:55 21 Jan 2026
Fear it could be same as WBA v Norwich. One team in chaos, the other finding form and feeling confident. 0-4 |
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Reply | My team to play at Fratton and beyond
at 17:33 18 Jan 2026
Whilst some things vary in terms of player preferences, the basic themes are the same again and again. Defenders that can stop crosses and centre backs that command their area. Leadership and a consistent baxk four... Not five or three. A first choice physical centre forward. This has to be the minimum in this window if we are to stay up. Bree back at RB, new physical Centre back to partner THB. Wellington, Stephens or Jelert at LB NOT Manning. Charles back holding in midfield and a new centre forward. Armstrong, Robinson, Azaz, Fellows, Scienza and Matzuki are fine as attacking midfielders/ wingers. Jelert and Bragg are ok to balance Charles but without those two additions I can't see us turning this around.. |
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Reply | Why I think we shouldn’t sack Tonda
at 20:45 17 Jan 2026
I don't think Tonda is either the problem or the solution. It's surely clear after four managers that RM Shadow still looms large. A complete clear out of THB, Wood, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Aribo, Archer, Fraser and Armstrong over this window and the next is needed. New players and new manager for next year. Hopefully we'll still be in the championship. |
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Reply | Quite Astonishing given our close season spending.
at 15:04 17 Jan 2026
I find it difficult to understand how anybody defends the players given our wage bill, second only to Leicester. Realistic expectations given their individual wages should be top four at least. They are consistently embarrassed by players earning a fraction but with much more commitment. |
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Reply | Saints v Hull City Match Thread...
at 14:51 17 Jan 2026
Isn't this the same team, apart from the goalkeeper, that, ompletely fell apart at Middlesbrough. Clearly no consequences for being hopeless and giving up |
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Reply | Saints' inability to defend crosses
at 16:09 15 Jan 2026
I'm left wondering whether a back four of Bree, Edwards, Wood and Taylor wouldn't have been more successful in the first half of the season. |
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Reply | 5 at the back
at 18:12 2 Jan 2026
I suspect the lack of height up front also impacts on the decision to play 3 centre backs. In theory they should win more defensive headers from set pieces, something not born out in reality! A new big centre forward plus a return of Shea Charles would increase our options significantly. If Shea played as one of three centre backs we could easily move from a 3 to a 2 as needed, especially if a target man replaced one of the small forwards when we were struggling to score. Part of the endless passing sideways across a packed defence is because there is nobody to cross to. |
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Reply | 5 Things About West Brom Game
at 19:19 10 Dec 2025
1. Eckert identified problems and had subs ready just before we conceded, just didn't manage to get them on the pitch.
2. System places a huge strain on the wingbacks. Both much better going forward but Fellows absolutely shattered by time he was substituted and unable to function defensively.
3. Despite three centre backs can't seem to win headers from set plays.
4. Eckert needs to change it up for Saturday or we will get a repeat of Millwall.
5. Speedy passing through lines requires constant movement. Second half movement slowed, passes slowed and became hopeful or predictable and West Brom got back in the game after a bollocking at half time. |
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Reply | Why we played so much better yesterday…
at 14:22 23 Nov 2025
Agree with a lot that has been said. We were able to play out from the back at space yesterday because the wing baxks and midfield found the space to receive the pass. Just like with RM it gets slow when no passes are to be found so the easy option is taken sideways across ythe back. Bragg was much better than Downes has been recently in finding space and receiving and moving the ball forwards. This hasn't always been the case with Downes, whether illness, injury or attitude has affected him but he's a shadow of the player that he was a couple of seasons ago. |
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Reply | Gary O Neil suddenly becomes favourite
at 13:55 8 Nov 2025
Given his links to Pompey, the general contempt for SR and the state of the current team there'll be chants for his removal after approximately 20 minutes of his opening game! |
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Reply | Still was the problem
at 10:01 6 Nov 2025
No sure quite what the improvement was last night apart from the result. I don't think that was Tonda's side, more Stephens, THB, Downes, Manning etc deciding to put a shift in to justify themselves for getting rid of Still. Scienza is a class apart,, Robinson has real potential but neither will dig us out every week. |
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