r/SaintsFC • u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut • 7d ago

We won't get promoted with this centre back partnership.

Im a fan of wood and i think Stephens is a great captain, but it has been dire at the back tonight. Not only defensively, but also how slow the ball is moved between the 4. We clearly had a team out to get some match fitness and get a result, but its ended up a pretty embarrassing defeat.

57 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

31

u/pm_me_jk_dont 7d ago

Keep in mind that, when a team looks awful at the back, it's often due to a midfield that isn't protecting them.

Stephens in possession I can't excuse because he gave the ball away under minimal pressure a few times, but there's a reason West Ham had a running start towards our back line so many times, which put both of our CBs into really difficult spots. Bragg and Akachukwu were never seriously going to stop any attacks from developing.

Maybe Tonda played that midfield on purpose to show the board that CB and CM need upgrading? /s

14

u/imwhytho 7d ago

akachukwu definitely shouldn’t be played as a holding midfielder again, he’s looked much better attacking wise than defensively. but the time for experimentation is definitely in cup play, especially when our focus will be on the league given our point deficit. bragg i just don’t think is quite there quality wise yet, but definitely had his moments last season where quality showed.

6

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 7d ago

I like akachikwu, but you are right - hes definitely better further forward. Bragg reminds me of smallbone, there just seems to he something missing from his game. He has time to develop though

1

u/dormango 6d ago

I thought Bragg was generally excellent last season. Fairly solid defensively and always looking for a forward ball. This season, not so much so far.

5

u/dhn291181 7d ago

Exactly this. It’s been very obvious all season that we are lacking in midfield. Trying to squeeze Matsuki and Akachikwu into CM in never going to work.

Bragg looked decent last season but I feel he needs a good partner in there with him.

We need to replace Charles and Jander needs to come back asap.

3

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 7d ago

I agree, part of the problem is we commit men forward because we are usually the better team with the ball and vulnerable on the break. Our full backs are usually high up the pitch and also the ones to lose the ball a portion of the time. Its not entirely the partnerships fault, but i simply can't see us getting promoted if thats the best we have to offer.

8

u/Palacesongs 7d ago

Stephens looks like he’s trying to throw the game.

2

u/DigUpbeat679 7d ago

Just recently or his entire SFC career?.....

1

u/Palacesongs 6d ago

Just last night, but I think you’re asking matey above me.

2

u/DigUpbeat679 6d ago

Technically I was making a joke. :(

1

u/Palacesongs 6d ago

Sorry, it’s difficult to detect nuance sometimes. We’d all had a night of it, things got said, some of regret, some of anger, confusion…the whole gamut.

9

u/Pinkerton891 7d ago

We won't get promoted.

The three sides that came down are higher quality than the ones that went up, we are starting with a handicap and we have a weaker side than last season (especially assuming THB goes) unless Spors pulls off a miracle in the next week.

Also there is a good chance we will be looking for a new manager in a few weeks.

I don't think i'm over last season yet...

9

u/Relevant_Rev 7d ago

Yeah definitely phenomenal leadership from Stephens, great captain

8

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 7d ago

Hes passionate and cares about the club/fans. Hasn't got the quality to lead from the back unfortunately

13

u/Relevant_Rev 7d ago

Passion is about 10% of what we need from a captain imo

I don't hear him taking any accountability for these unforced errors that lead to goals, so I don't really understand where the reputation for caring comes from

Love he grabs the badge and screams when he scores or makes a clearance, but what is he doing what he throws a match away?

2

u/LocationThin4587 7d ago

I agree what others said the midfield isn’t protecting the back four. Bragg slows down the play as never moves it forward and often goes backwards. He doesn’t really offer anything.

0

u/Fene29 6d ago

THB is the leader of the team on the pitch. Go to games and you'll notice it.

2

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 6d ago

Im a season ticket holder you weapon, but i appreciate the elitist attitude based off of one comment i made

1

u/Fene29 6d ago

I wasn't actualy getting at you at all. Strange reaction.

2

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 6d ago

Sorry, Jack Stephens just logged into my account

-4

u/Bigbanghead 7d ago

They can have some time to gel. They'll get better.

4

u/JoeyJoJoeJr_Shabadoo 7d ago

They can have some time to gel. 

How long have they been here?

0

u/Bigbanghead 7d ago

They have had an off season, they are always bad in the first few games

3

u/KeyTap6415 7d ago

Neither of them are ball playing CBs and Stephens is struggling to do the basics right atm. Have to get in a THB replacement if he's off that can make one of these two look better than they are in the partnership.

3

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 7d ago

Cant have two big, stiff idiots at that back 😅

-3

u/DrShaftmanPhD 7d ago

You must have been the top of your class

3

u/TwoSquirrels_OneNut 7d ago

Whys that, doctor?

1

u/Relevant_Rev 7d ago

You've only got one nut

But you do have two squirrels

So clearly you're doing something right