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SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s Profile
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SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumours posts with other poster's replies to SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumours posts
26 Apr 2024 18:36:02
The spirit the team need now
Gents, it's been a shocking week. Automatic promotion is gone, key players are down and we just took a battering. The pundits have written you off, the fans have written you off and some of you have given up.
You now have two choices. Wallow in misery like boys or fight like men.
Winning at Wembley is every footballers dream and you have that golden opportunity. Who has what it takes? Who is willing to chase, to get stuck in, to be bold for this team. Do it for you, do it for Stu, do it for the fans.
We have spent a season playing sideways, now we need to go forwards. This is your chance to step up and be a hero. Fight for your place in the team. Do not look back and regret what could have been. Give it all you've got.
1.) 26 Apr 2024 22:42:36
I feel at this point I’d love to hear from an Ed (or 2408 who I’ve been trying to guess who you are) .
I’ve played various sports at a reasonable level, but I've never encountered a situation where the coach wanted us to do ‘plan A’ when clearly it was plan B or C or D that was needed .
How do the players get RM to change his ways, admit defeat, listen to the players .
why don’t the players on the pitch say f**k with this nonsense and unleash themselves ….
This is where my understanding ends.
Imagine being an attacking midfielder or an attacker, Waiting for that one defence splitting pass, That defence splitting run.
But all you get is sitting back and watching huge amounts of possession, but not where you want it to be.
So in reality, can the players just do it their way?
{Ed001's Note - it is quite common, you usually know it as 'losing the dressing room'. That is characterised by players ignoring instructions and doing what they think is right. Which is strange to me as I grew up with Liverpool dominating everything and that was the secret of their success. They put players together who knew how to play and just let them play. In fact there are a number of the players who tell stories about how they would ask for tactical instructions and be told that they should figure it out for themselves (well not in so many words, usually it involved them being told to go forth and multiply). Nowadays coaches want robots who just do as they are told, rather than thinking for themselves.}
2.) 27 Apr 2024 08:13:24
Complerely agree South_Hants_Rich and Ed001. Our flair players are being suffocated and they need the freedom to play. Stoke is a free pass. We should experiment and I hope the players push for that, if RM doesn't.
Give Lumley and Stephens a half and McCarthy and Bree a half. See who deserves their starting spot.
Give Sulemana and Fraser a real shot. We may need that pace against a high press and that tenacity in a cup final.
Take players on, put some crosses in the box. We are going to have an aerial threat with Ross Stewart coming back soon.
Go 4 2 3 1, put Sulemana up top, AA as CAM, put Jack Stephens in goal! Shave JWPs hair and pretends he's Will Smallbone. Anything!
Lets try something new. Give the players a free reign, show some fighting spirit, get the fans on the edge of their seat. At least for 30 minutes!
3.) 27 Apr 2024 17:59:29
Thank you Ed001 for that great reply …
I can understand that a coach may spot a shortcoming in someone’s game. but as you say, the modern coach, especially RM, are telling the players what they need to do!
Love the Liverpool story . cheers again
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
01 Jan 2024 10:32:29
Happy New Year everybody! It has been a pleasure posting with you. As an expat that does not get to see many games, it is great to hear what is going on from those closer to the action.
Reading some rumours about strikers and wingers coming in.
@Eds, any rumours with substance?
{Ed002's Note - Fabio Carvalho (AM/LW) He has no clear future at Liverpool, certainly in the short-term so a loan to perhaps Southampton or Leicester would be best for all. Liverpool would also consider him as a player they could let go in any part exchange transaction.}
1.) 02 Jan 2024 09:17:28
Thank you Ed002.
Hearing we are in the market for at least 1 striker e.g. Ings and/or Biovski and an AM or winger e.g Carvalho or Diallo. Is this abou right?
{Ed002's Note - Yes but much will depend on the summer and if promotion is achieved.}
19 Dec 2023 10:48:55
Jan rumours suggesting we could see
KWP out and Ben Johnson in
Che out and Ings in?
Would you take that scenario?
14 Aug 2023 15:26:17
Curious on who people think we should sell or keep out of Mara, Aribo, Lyanco, Bree, Perraud and Sulemana?
Hearing rumours that Onuachu may be off back to Genk with a swap deal for a right winger (think we are already strong here with Tella and Ameyaw).
Plus ABK going back to Germany. Then Holgate coming in on loan as a replacement (plus Downes for JWP). Maybe even Mccarthy to Everton.
50m spent on a quality GK, CB and Striker is what I think we all want now, with no more out the door. Then I think playoffs is achievable.
1.) 14 Aug 2023 18:24:01
I would keep sulemena if he is willing to fight and perraud is a good player and should be strong at this level. The others could go and I wouldn't be too upset although lyanco will give you passion, although I would play him as a dm not a cb
31 Mar 2023 17:57:59
If you are curious what Saints need to stay up, it is probably 36 points, which is 13 from our last 10 or 3 wins and 4 draws.
This is based on an analysis of the min needed to survive over the last 10 seasons and final table projections based on the avg. points this seasons and the last 6 and 10 games.
Can we do it? If we avg. the same points per game over the season or last 10 games then no. If we maintain our form in the Selles era, then potentially yes.
This would give us 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses in our next 9 and needing a point on the last day to make it.
Saints are top of the bottom 9 clubs over the last 6 games. The other teams hit 13% fewer points than their season average, whereas we hit +62%. We will need that trend to continue, to have a chance.
Going to be a thrilling finale, either way and hope the stats are useful.
Here is a reasonable best case scenario:
Wins: Palace, Fulham and Bournemouth
Draws: West Ham, Forest, Newcastle and Liverpool
Losses: Man City, Arsenal and Brighton
1.) 06 Apr 2023 16:05:31
If you're really curious as to what Saints need to stay up I think we can say an absolute miracle
2.) 08 Apr 2023 19:56:45
At this point, I agree with you!
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter posts with other poster's replies to SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter posts
25 Jul 2024 11:41:17
Which formation should we go with?
I used Chat GPT to see the survival rates of promoted teams.
In summary, 3 5 2 is the best of the common formations. Though Luton and Sheffield United got relegated in these. Won us the playoffs but may be less effective if lose KWP.
Interestingly, a 100% survival rate with rare formations (3 4 3, 3 4 2 1, 4 1 4 1). Maybe the element of surprise helps. 3 4 3 keeps a familiar front 3 year on year and 3 4 2 1 gives 2 of O'Riley, Lallana, Alcaraz, Dibling and Aribo in the 11.
Could start 3 5 2 and switch to 3 4 3/3 4 2 1 when chasing a game.
What do you think?
Last 10 Seasons (2014/15 to 2023/24)
• 4-2-3-1: Usage Percentage: 40.0%, Survival : 35%
• 4-4-2: Usage Percentage: 22.5%, Survival Rate: 33%
• 3-5-2: Usage Percentage: 17.5%, Survival Rate: 40%
• 4-3-3: Usage Percentage: 7.5%, Survival Rate: 33%
• 3-4-3: Usage Percentage: 2.5%, Survival Rate: 100%
• 4-1-4-1: Usage Percentage: 2.5%, Survival Rate: 100%
• 3-4-1-2: Usage Percentage: 5.0%, Survival Rate: 100%
1.) 26 Jul 2024 21:26:36
I personally enjoy a back three, however that means having very very good wing backs who make or break the formation. We don’t have one on the left and it also encourages the thought that you need three CBs as two isn’t solid enough.
If we did go back 3, it’d have to be a 3-4-1-2 with KWP on the left, Charly at 10 and a very very solid pair of CMs. I don’t think we’re brave enough to do that.
Back four, Taylor/KWP - THB - Bednarek - Sugarawa
3 in midfield, probbaly two sat back - Downes and Smallbone, Alcaraz in front, with Arma and Diaz either side of Stewart up top I think gives us some dynamism.
Obviously relying on Stewart is a risk and Arma could go into ST with JRS, Sulemana or SAA on the left, but none of that fills me with much confidence.
GK, CM, ST and AM needed for me - Ramsdale loan, O’Riley, Rak-Sakyi if he is as good as we’re making him out, and Diaz seem to be the route currently, totalling £60m or so. Sell the deadwood of Mara (£3m), Onuachu (£6m), Manning (£3m), Lis (didn’t inspire me with confidence, £1.5m) and ABK if he doesn’t want to stay - hopefully £12m+, recoups £25m or so and hopefully keeps us within budget.
That to me is sensible and realistic. But I’d like us to end up nicking a bit of a marquee signing to really galvanise the support for what will be a tough season, especially if none of these points deductions seem to be happening any time soon.
16 Jul 2024 08:19:38
I asked Chat GPT to pick our new team, based on our squad and transfer rumours.
What do you think?
ChatGPT
Goalkeeper:
Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders (3):
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Jan Bednarek
Jack Stephens
Midfielders (5):
Yukinari Sugawara (Right Wing-Back)
Flynn Downes (Defensive Midfield)
Matt O'Riley (Central Midfield)
Carlos Alcaraz (Central Midfield)
Ryan Manning (Left Wing-Back)
Forwards (2):
Ben Brereton Díaz
Adam Armstrong
Key Bench Options:
Gavin Bazunu (GK)
Charlie Taylor (Defender)
Nathan Wood. (Defender)
Ronnie Edwards (Defender)
Adam Lallana (Midfielder)
Joe Aribo (Midfielder)
Ryan Fraser (Winger)
Kamaldeen Sulemana (Forward)
Jack Clarke (Winger/Forward)
1.) 18 Jul 2024 00:15:23
Not bad, but i'd sack off Manning, just not good enough and stick Fraser in there, replace Stephens with Wood and not sure on Brereton Diaz fitting into RMs system, but decent enough. Maybe we should try and poach Mikhautadze or Schranz, both had good Euros for lesser teams. Downes.signing of the season and for £18m bargain mush!
2.) 18 Jul 2024 07:21:47
Completely agree. I don't think AI will replace us just yet with a couple of those suggestions but it's interest to use it.
Ramsdale would be a top addition
Need a finisher like you mentioned
DM cover (unless Wood can do a job)
A good Winger to bring on
Would like to keep KWP, ABK, Alcaraz and Sulemana, though unlikely
Mara, Charles, Manning, Bree, Edozie and Larios for a championship loan
Then AA and Bednarek on new deals.
Let's see
3.) 18 Jul 2024 09:27:06
Getting Ramsdale would be a big upgrade. I agree that neither Jack Stephens nor Ryan Manning are Premier League standard. The signing of Wellington should sort out replacing Manning but I'd like to see the club hierarchy target a quality CB. The addition of a top striker to accompany AA is also a must if we are going to target at least a mid table finish. The addition of an attacking midfielder would be the icing on the cake but all in all, I feel the club have been proactive early in the window this year which is encouraging.
01 Jul 2024 07:04:35
With the FFP situation, does anybody know how much Saints are actually able to pay on transfers this season?
1.) 01 Jul 2024 13:52:04
I read somewhere that it’s 83m
2.) 02 Jul 2024 06:41:14
Thanks for the Intel Sainty76.
So that leaves us about 50m after THB, Downes and Perrraud transfers.
Would hope to spend that between a top GK, Right Winger, ST and RB Backup
Then like for like replacements if Onuachu (Ings? ), KWP (Aarons? ), Alcaraz (O'Riley? ), Mara (Delap), Sulemana (Clarke), ABK (van den Berg) CC (Wood? ) go (based on rumours) .
13 Jun 2024 21:35:56
How would you spend 70m to 80m to secure survival?
Read an excellent article on GiveMeSport that found promoted clubs, who stayed up, spent a net avg. of 87m on transfer fees (or 101m excl. Brentford) over the last 6 seasons vs relegated sides at 46m
Given we have already spent 20m on THB, how would you spend roughly 70m to 80m?
1.) 17 Jun 2024 19:42:54
Downes 20m Abraham 20m rodon or another delay with option to buy. Plus we sell tall Paul sullemana or play him abk dcc rp lyanco
10 Jun 2024 07:42:44
Pleasantly surprised that the bookies are giving us a 64% chance of staying up!
With sides around us facing manager losses and points deductions, we real, ly need to seize the moment.
1.) 10 Jun 2024 09:12:09
It will be interesting to see if the premier league actually implement their rules correctly. If they do you could well see Everton Forest Leicester, to name a few, receive significant points deductions. Everton have got to sell players, they have an ageing squad and no money. Pickford has literally kept them up for the past 3 years with outstanding performances.
{Ed001's Note - Pickford? When has he done that? He is awful. Most of his saves look flashy, but that is a result of poor positioning and then you have to factor in that he almost always pushes it straight back into danger. He is not the reason they have stayed up, not even close. If anything he is a hindrance to them. If he learnt how to position himself properly, most of his saves would look easy and he would just gather up the ball cleanly. Though to be fair, I suppose compared to the keepers Saints have had in recent years he is fairly decent. I think you have had probably the worst set of Premier League keepers of all time. If you had a decent one last time around you probably wouldn't have gone down.}
2.) 10 Jun 2024 20:12:15
The wonderful thing about football is that differing opinions are thought provoking.
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumour replies
24 Jul 2024 09:35:22
Thanks for the superb info @2408.
Any news on whether ABK, Sulemana, Mara and Manning are likely to stay?
Cannot begrudge Bree a move. Is the Edozie interest a loan or transfer?
I think Brereton Diaz could replace Che and being a spanksh speaker, he could help Alcaraz too.
Hopefully some big signings soon.
12 Jul 2024 15:36:48
Anybody know if he is any good?
29 Jun 2024 08:27:55
I fear it could be.
KWP has 1 year left on his contract and Saints may be wanting to avoid another Adams situation. I really hoped KWP would stay. He is a great player and has been very loyal.
We urgently need some wing backs and disappointed to see Ben Johnson go to Ipswich.
23 Jun 2024 08:58:07
I agree with you Millertime that Redmond is a very mixed bag.
That said, I think I would rather fill a position with an exciting 20m signing, an experienced low/free off the bench and send a young player on loan for a year than a 12m and 8m that might not either be at prem level or will take a year to adjust
So if that is the grand strategy, I am cautiously behind it and seems we are just replacing Stu, Brooks, Rothwell with these. Hopefully some good names to come.
21 Jun 2024 13:39:09
40 is the new 30. Bring back Lambert and Fonte too!
As long as the fees and added wages do not exceed 10% of our budget, I am not against the better players returning for a swan song to add experience and mentorship, while our younger players adjust and develop.
But we do need solid starters at GK, DT, LB, RM and ST at least. Plus a sustainable plan for wherever we end up the year after (e.g. if AA, KWP and THB go)
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter replies
24 Jul 2024 12:02:31
That's interesting. I have always had a soft spot for Sulemana. His pace and trickery can get you up on the edge of your seat. But he did not step up last season and stake his claim as hoped. Useful on the break but probably not suited to possession football.
A front 3 of Clarke, Brereton Diaz and Armstrong on the cards? With O'Riley, Lallana, Alcaraz or Dibling as CAM? Depends if go 3 5 2 or 3 4 3
23 Jul 2024 22:41:17
It is great to hear the positivity back and everyone behind the team.
Ramsdale, O'Riley and a top striker would give us a real chance for survival, I agree.
Good to hear you think our style could be more suited to the prem. Have even been mulling over a 3 4 3 to keep that consistency with the forward three year on year.
Hopefully Lallana can develop Alcaraz and Dibling. Taylor mentors Larios and if the Ox comes back, he can get Sulemana to his potential
COYR!
23 Jul 2024 11:46:37
Good one!
Perhaps we should repeat the same line over and over again and go back a few verses too for full effect!
Agree with the suggestion saint_ben. We need to create an atmosphere or fortress at home.
That or sing a lullaby and hope the other team falls asleep, after being hypnotised with our slow passing!
18 Jul 2024 07:21:47
Completely agree. I don't think AI will replace us just yet with a couple of those suggestions but it's interest to use it.
Ramsdale would be a top addition
Need a finisher like you mentioned
DM cover (unless Wood can do a job)
A good Winger to bring on
Would like to keep KWP, ABK, Alcaraz and Sulemana, though unlikely
Mara, Charles, Manning, Bree, Edozie and Larios for a championship loan
Then AA and Bednarek on new deals.
Let's see
08 Jul 2024 06:42:00
Glad Rupert Lowe isn't our Chairman now! His hard immigration policy would severely limit our transfer window options!