Merrick's Marvels

I think the ref's line of vision was obscured by Williams(?) at just the crucial second. So, in fact, he was guessing and booked Vyner for something he didn't actually see. He'll be embarrassed if he bothers to watch it back because Vyner was nowhere near making contact. We could actually have done with VAR it was such a "clear and obvious error" but as no such thing exists (I think) are we able to appeal a booking like that?

Rob Dickie foot perfect. Again. What an absolute steal he is.

And back in the top half. The table always looks so much better that way.

Top notch from everyone in centre mid tonight. Controlled the game in and out of possession. Bravo.

Hey! Dan. Or Don.

Excellent cameo from Mebude too. Got a good head on his young shoulders. Well played son!

**** off mate I'll post what I want

Chicken

I believe so with boys and brother. I offered a beer but heard nowt. Wont be hearing much now neither! Not sure he's ever seen Saints win at The Gate. Not in recent times anyway.

A relief to see the real Haydon Roberts step forward. Well played fella. Hope he kicks on now.

Good effort that. Saints not at their best but who cares. Well played City!

That's more like it!

Manningball. v. Martinball innit.

Our lack of conviction in and around their area is tragic.

Yes you're probably right. Saw the story about Dike today - certainly opens the door for Weimann. He might just make himself a hero up there if WBA go up.

Very good.

So, as per Fevs, couldn't be further from the truth then. I'm asking a question but thanks.

Thanks. So something there's no real data for, by the sound of it. HALLELUJAH!

Have we opted for a pitch at Ashton Gate that doesn't need renewing every summer because we want to maximise concert revenues during those months? If this extremely firm surface - replicated as it is at the training ground - is contributing towards our endless injuries, have we prioritised non-matchday revenue streams above player fitness? Cart before horse, if so. Although how our injury list compares to other clubs would be good to know. There must be data for it somewhere, there's data for everything these days - let's call it xi, expected injuries. What's our xi compared to others?

It's a stupid question. The sort only a juvenile intern who isn't really a fan could ask - posting clickbait shite, with no genuine interest in the answer so long as there's social media traction. So **** off non-fan whoever you are. It's impossible to say one is better than the rest. Hereford 86. Donovan 91. Pompey 76. The first ever game under lights against Wolves. The list is endless. Stupid bloody question The night Gordon Owen tore Swindon a new one. Liverpool 77. On it goes. Anybody who's actually been there as a fan for even 5 minutes wouldn't ask such a dumb ass question. How about the night the Saints didn't go marching in 2024? I somehow doubt it but we live in hope.

"And now you're gonna believe us, the Welsh are f00kin shit". "Yorath is back, Yorath is back, hellooo, hellooo..." Still makes me laugh like a drain every time I think of it, even after all these years.

The council have very little sadly. A lot lost during the WW2 bombings I believe.

Pitiful, deluded sad-sacks. Every. Single. One of them. They stink of desperation. And long may they stink.

It’s not all about wages though is it? The club might think his performances are degrading / will degrade or that he’s not suited to how we want to play. Personally, his performance levels are still absolutely fine, but when do they start to drop off? I dunno, but that will be part of the equation. "Degrade"? You make him sound like he's 103 He can't run anyway and his touch, passing, nouse and experience won't degrade. And the leadership qualities he brings to a naive, green, wet behind the ears squad are invaluable. Much like King. All of which you know! Doesn’t mean worse though does it? Knight, Sykes, Atkinson, etc were all younger. Dickie wasn’t. So I’m not sure I agree tbh. Recruitment has improved. Don’t judge on Stokes and Murphy, those are different profile signings to Bird for example, and Twine (or whoever we go for if we don’t get him). You've moved the goalposts! I'm not talking about Knight, Sykes, Atkinson, Dickie - they're already here. I specifically said - replacing midfielders King, James and Williams with TGH, Bird and Murphy which is what is likely to happen, is unlikely to improve our quality next season. Unless, of course, we're being asked to wait and see what happens in 2,3,4 years... jam tomorrow.... blah, blah, blah You, like me, will have to wait and see how next season’s midfield functions. Who knows if it will be better or not? We will and my opinion is - replacing King, James and Williams with TGH, Bird and Murphy puts the emphasis too much on tippy tappy technical ability and not enough on the harsh realities of Sat-Tues-Sat football which requires, above all, physicality. Without physicality - all over the pitch - we won't be better. That's a dead cert, in this division Then don’t rely on “bad feelings”, judge on what happens. Not everyone relies on data and graphs to form an opinion I'm happy with my "feelings" on this one - i.e. I'm not betting on Brian Tinnion - a failed manager and someone who since then has been employed by no-one except Steve Lansdown (again!) - to know what a promotion winning Championship team looks like. Rather, I'll bet he talks a good game but he won't deliver. Fancy a wager?

I don't doubt you're right. But this assumes James wants to sign on again for the same wage. Have "the club" bothered to find out if there's a reduced wage he'd be prepared to sign on again for? I'd bet not. I'm not sure the criteria for new signings is "can we get someone in as good / better". It seems to be younger / cheaper! If our midfield loses King / James / Williams at the end of the season and we've replaced them for next season with TGH / Bird / Murphy then, imo, that's not increasing our quality but it has reduced age profile / wages. My worry, going forward, is too much emphasis is put on signing young technical players and the team will lack both experience and a physical edge. For that reason, I'd be tempted to make Williams a good offer to stay, although in the back of our minds I'm sure we'd all worry about giving a new contract to a bloke who's suddenly found some form in the last few months of his contract. Tinnion made a mess of his first opportunity to shape our squad to his liking, in the summer of 2005. I've a bad feeling he hasn't learnt much in the meantime.