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30 Sep 2024 21:57:06
No signs of improvement, if anything it's getting worse. We face Leicester, Wolves and Everton in our next five. Who says no to Potter joining by the end of the week except for the Board.
30 Aug 2024 18:51:23
SaintGGsy has written an article entitled, Southampton Players Overview
17 Aug 2024 09:20:49
SaintGGsy has written an article entitled, Good Transfer Window For Southampton FC
28 Apr 2024 21:45:13
I'd like to think I've not quite lost my mind with our manager to the extent that most of you have, but my birthday was ruined by our Leicester drubbing.
The best we've played this season was the first half vs Preston. Essentially the policy was make runs, create space, line breaking passes, shoot on sight. And we were awesome.
There was no pressure then. We'd been written off again, then the second hope is back on the table we lose three in a row. I can't think of the last time we were a side massively under pressure AND delivered.
I think it was our win at Swansea under Hughes to stay up, and that was six years ago. It looks like we'll have Norwich in the play-offs and we will go down 2-3 on agg I reckon.
But this isn't just an issue with our manager - yes he's stubborn beyond belief and an arrogant sod, but our squad doesn't have the mettle to handle pressure and imagine this lot in the PL next season.
I also don't see how the board sack him. He will say 'most years 84 points gets you promoted (I think the average before this year was 79?) and the play-offs is a lottery' and our board are renowned for being lenient - Pellegrino, Hughes and Jones all outstayed their welcomes. I hope it happens, but also who do we bring in? Potter? Cooper? I doubt it. Go cheap and hope it comes off has been the policy for a decade plus and that'll probably be the continued thinking.
I almost hope we don't go up because we will never ever stay up next year and at least this year we've won games.
And on the discussion around players listening to their manager - a bit different but I'm a cricket captain, and the main philosophy is 'have fun, go for it, back yourself'. If I told everyone to play one way we would never win, there needs to be flexibility and that is something we absolutely do not have.
Even when losing in the last minute we pass it round the back, and the players need to have some bravery and belief in themselves to do what they think. It isn't all on one man and in August I'd have taken the play-offs. But I fear stagnation and a Bristol City type season (boring mid table) next campaign.
1.) 30 Apr 2024 21:36:07
Preston was an interesting one. We were quite simply superb… as you say, we changed things. I honestly thought that was the start of changes.
I remember when we started to play balls over the top, H-B particularly good and clever at it . I worked … but we stopped it.
it is almost like RM had sleepless nights worrying that he had gone against his possession obsession.
Possession obsession to the extreme.
11 Feb 2024 20:56:16
It's been a long time since I've expected Saints to win. It's been even longer since I've been excited to watch them play good football. It's been even longer since I've ENJOYED IT!
Even at half time yesterday. And all that positivity from five months' effort was gone. But even then I thought we could still get something.
But 8 goal involvements from substitutes is utterly obscene and shows our depth now. EIGHT! Rothwell 2G 1A, Brooks 2A, Mara 1G 1A, Edozie 1G. We won the second half 5-1!
Our two Bournemouth loanees were excellent and the fact they've come from the same club seemed to do wonders yesterday.
And just following it online from the second half, even at 2-3, I was still expectant rather than hoping, and I think Huddersfield were too.
Not only will that energise the fans, the fringe players, and galvanise the first XI regulars to pick up the standards, that must be massively deflating for both Leeds and Ipswich.
We were dropping to third albeit with a game in hand but have kept up the relentlessness and with Leeds playing Leicester in a few weeks, we could be a couple of wins clear before our dicey run-in.
I think it's just between us and Leeds now. Ipswich have nine points in nine games, but the three former Prem teams are all just winning and winning.
How epic could that game be at Elland Road to finish the season? And what's more, I can't wait for the game on Tuesday! We could pick any 6 of 11 MID/FWD players, and I'd still expect us to score four. 0-0 incoming no doubt.
SaintGGsy's banter posts with other poster's replies to SaintGGsy's banter posts
02 Nov 2025 19:50:54
Welp he's gone. Had to happen. Owners will probably bring in someone else and try to correct their misgivings one more time. Who do we reckon? Who on earth would come here!
1.) 02 Nov 2025 23:05:42
We need an experienced tough character to install discipline and hard work ethos. Gary O’Neil, Periera, Ange, Rogers My choice, if you could get him would be Gary Rowett.
2.) 02 Nov 2025 23:33:06
That wasn’t RM I saw driving into St Mary’s was it?!
In any other world you might think a successor has been lined up, but our Board don’t think that far ahead.
So I await the next least worst choice to enter through the revolving doors.
3.) 03 Nov 2025 14:30:44
Don’t Miller time please - he is actually bookies favourite
4.) 03 Nov 2025 15:53:20
Seriously! OMG
18 Oct 2025 13:16:54
Well Scienza has been fantastic. Archer should have scored two, both CMs superb, this is a game we really have to put away in the second half.
Bar a goal, we've been excellent. The kind of performance I'd expect. And typically, nothing to show for it.
30 Sep 2025 21:10:14
Regardless of the result and performance, one thing matters this evening.
Get in there Ross Stewart. Tripled his tally for the club in seven minutes after over two years with us.
Stay fit and he could finally show us his value. Well done Ross!
1.) 30 Sep 2025 22:27:01
Happy for Ross and hope more to come
Has a good 7 minute spell and is our equal top scorer this season!
2.) 30 Sep 2025 22:29:49
Does anyone remember how to celebrate an away win in a game that matters?!
So good, so good and let’s go again on Saturday!
3.) 01 Oct 2025 00:55:22
Very good result against a revitalised Sheffield Utd. Stewart will score lots of goals if kept fit and in the team. My main concern is with the last 10 mins when we went so deep, go for the 3rd then game over please don’t sit back and absorb pressure when it isn’t necessary.
Try Aa Archer and Stewart up top, drop Azaz Downes Charles Centre mid with Fellows right and Manning left 3 centre backs.
4.) 01 Oct 2025 11:32:07
I would be very curious to see that 3 4 3 too @2408.
On paper with THB, Woods and Edwards at the back, that is a championship all-star team with Robinson, Fraser, Jander, Scienza as super subs.
Wish we had Alcaraz back not Azaz!
01 Sep 2025 13:24:04
I do believe this may be the best possible window we could have hoped for.
Out: Fernandes £40m, Dibling £35m, Sulemana £15m, Bednarek £7m, Amo-Ameyaw £6.5m, Onuachu £5m, Ramsdale £4m loan, plus Juan, ABK, KWP, Lumley, Sugawara, BBD, Larios, Lallana, Kayi, Bree, Taylor, maybe Edozie for £8m
Total in £120m or so
In: Azaz £12m, Jander £10.4m, Fellows £8m, Scienza £8m, Downs £7m, Roerslev £5m, Quarshie £3m, Jelert, Long
Total spent £55m roughly
Retained: Bazunu, McCarthy, THB, Edwards, Wood, Stephens, Manning, Welington, Downes, Charles, Aribo, Smallbone, Matsuki, Fraser, Robinson, Armstrong, Archer, Stewart
That's a senior squad of 27 players. I think in an absolute dream world, we also get Sargent and a GK, and sell Stewart, Smallbone, McCarthy and Aribo
I hope we go to a back four, with Charles and Jander at CM, Fellows Azaz Robinson and Archer up top, but we have serious competition for spots, and in particular attacking positions.
Beat Pompey, and hopefully that drives us to Christmas, because there aren't really excuses to not be top four by then.
28 Aug 2025 13:35:15
So suddenly everything has gone ballistic.
Dibling and Fernandes gone for £73m up front. It'll do.
Fellows, Azaz and Jander in for £28m or so. If we can also get rid of Smallbone, Edozie, Aribo and Diaz, that'll be pretty much all the deadwood gone and for about £150m in total.
£40m spent, so excellent profit being made off players who have had one good season with us. If they don't want to be here, good luck to them.
If the above all goes through, we would have 3 GKs, 5 CBs, 5 full backs, 3 CMs, 4 AMs and 4 STs.
Another centre mid to replace Aribo and Smallbone would be needed, but I like Matsuki, Azaz, Fellows and Robinson as our attacking mid options. There are goals and assists there in the championship and hopefully get chances in to Armstrong, Archer, Downs, Stewart.
I think our best side would become
Bazunu; THB, Wood, Quarshie; Welington, Charles, Downes, Roerslev; Azaz, Fellows, Archer
With depth of Stephens, Taylor, Bree, Manning, Jander, Robinson, Armstrong, Stewart, Downs, Fraser, Matsuki.
Not only is that a good young side, it also features only 3 players who played any great time in the season from hell. Fewer scars, more people for Still's system.
1.) 28 Aug 2025 16:48:02
Through a glass half full lens there are grounds for optimism. However, and this is a big ‘however’ we need a decent GK and Bazuna is not good enough. In time, maybe he will develop, but right now over 90 minutes he is far too inconsistent and his decision making in terms of distribution is poor.
2.) 28 Aug 2025 18:53:18
I agree I’m more optimistic with the want always gone and money in, I do have concern for our defence options, wellington out might mean we bring in another fullback which would be no bad thing. I’d like to see four at the back more than some holding onto forward progression. Maybe a 4-1-4-1 style to get creative. I like archer, I think he has bags of potential and he was broken by our last season. Fellows and Robinson on the wigs will cause problems with azaz through the middle. At present I would look baz manning, THB or Stephen’s, Quarahie, Wood, Charles, roerslev, azaz, Robinson, fellows, archer. Could be competitive…
3.) 29 Aug 2025 08:38:53
Azaz and Fellows will be great for assists and Jander looks good at progressing the ball forward.
I like the below with Fraser and Arma as subs. Downes, Quarshie and Downs need to fight for their place.
Bazunu
Mads. THB. Wood. Manning
Charles Jander
Fellows Azaz. Robinson
Stewart/Archer
4.) 29 Aug 2025 19:44:20
I agree with the posts above, and there will be concerns about certain positions and players, but overall, I'm thinking, what a positive window. Good money in for players that have hardly proved themselves and don't want to be here, clear indications that Spors and the rest of the board are 100% behind Will, and a real sense of purpose about recruitment. I have belief!
5.) 30 Aug 2025 15:53:51
I know he's old, but why not get Vardy for a season.experienced and still quicker there most if not all defenders in Championship (not sure if he gone anywhere yet! ) I think we still need a quality striker, Stewart just isn't up to it, not convinced by Downs yet, should have bagged a couple of goals already thus season. Armstrong needs to go, Diaz has no business wearing our shirt, he is pony! Signings all look good and Matsuki is going to be a top player!
6.) 30 Aug 2025 17:55:46
Above all else we need a proper goalkeeper!
28 Jul 2025 23:52:30
Given the absolute state of last season, anyone being sold wouldn’t upset me too much. If we get money in from them, it allows Still to build his own team. I imagine we are as always tight with the figures so need to sell to buy, but the more we get out of the door the more quality we can hopefully get in.
Dibling will go, so will Ramsdale - they’re too good not to. THB, Sugawara, ABK, Downes, Armstrong, Diaz and Archer aren’t as good as they think they are, but would all be handy in the Championship. Any of them going wouldn’t be a bad thing.
I still think we will get a lot of movement - the big clubs are sorting out their front lines, meaning the mid table clubs will then use the cash they have to sort theirs, and will look to find deals or spend big on quality - once that’s done, they’ll buy in other areas. As we don’t fall into the first category, it’s just a waiting game or seeing what interest we get overseas.
We need a GK, RB, CM, CAM. With Ramsdale and Dibling money, we should be able to do that. I don’t think they will go for CBs - we bought potential players two years ago in Edwards and Wood - and we have five strikers on the books all of similar quality. We won’t be able to afford to splash out for more.
Problem area for years has been in attacking midfield - we haven’t had a properly good winger since Mane left - but if still goes back 3 then it’ll be more on #10s hence the importance of Fernandes, though I think he may be off too, purely for the fact that we could double or triple our money in a year.
Two weeks to Wrexham, I think we’ll be unpleasantly surprised by a 1-2 loss!
22 Jul 2025 20:33:57
Matsuki is apparently going out on loan. Would not surprise me if the other four all go. THB thinks he’s better than he is, Downes isn’t great unless he’s playing for Martin, Bednarek is another year older, Dibling probably isn’t interested in playing championship. The fun is only just beginning!
11 Nov 2023 21:52:55
Came here to say a very similar thing. Our next ‘tough’ game is the reverse of this fixture in February. Till then I don’t think we play a team in the top half. In this league we will slip up somewhere along the line but what a month or so.
Reflecting now on our losing run, in perspective they don’t look so shocking. Boro hadn’t won a game but are now mid table, Leicester and Ipswich are first and second, and the only real shocker is the Sunderland game which I still can’t fathom, and maybe that took a few games to come back from.
Maybe we all overreacted a little. Some more clean sheets would be nice, but ultimately losing on two long away trips and at home to the top two aren’t anything to be too ashamed of, and we now seem to have a settled and organised lineup. Also excellent to see Stewart on the pitch. Way things are going we might be able to offload Adams to a struggling PL club in January for too much money and invest wisely.
I’d like to think we can now go on a 20+ game unbeaten run but the championship doesn’t work that way, though shoring up a top 6 spot whilst keeping the top 2 within arms reach would be a nice place to be come the new year.
Go the saints! I’m actually enjoying supporting this team for the first time in about 7 years ?
27 Sep 2023 18:45:44
Thanks all, and thanks Ed’s for making that into a special article thingy, looks very cool!
What a sad spot we’re in. No hope for Saturday either, but at least it’ll be available to see live for the country to witness our embarrassment!
{Ed033's Note - Thanks, terrible period for Southampton supporters.
25 Sep 2023 21:20:03
There is definitely something amiss with our club. It seems so rigid - we must play this way or else - why can’t we bomb down the wings, cross it, big Paul with headers or knockdowns. There are reasons Sulemana and Alcaraz aren’t playing, why our best players aren’t performing.
I don’t know what it is, and I don’t think it’s just down to Martin, but problems feel deeper than we are seeing on the field right now, and it’s worrying.
{Ed033's Note - Thanks for the long post, i'll put it up tomorrow morning as an article
06 Nov 2025 17:13:00
Right now I’d take Carsley in a heartbeat, had his teams playing superb football but he wouldn’t come to this clown show. I’d take Carrick, I’d take O’Neil, but the outsider coming in seems to be Carlos Corberan.
Given the perverse world of football management, he’s expected to soon be sacked by Valencia and has done well in the Champ before - his WBA side are who we beat in the play-offs and he did well getting them that far.
Honestly I don’t expect anything of the sort. It’ll be an obscure Swiss who managed Magdeburg and we’ll scrape survival. What I worry about with a win on Saturday is they appoint Eckert, and we get back on the Selles/Rusk ferris wheel which went horrendously.
01 Nov 2025 18:45:46
Has to at this point. It’s gotten too toxic and he clearly can’t do anything about it. Only problem is I have zero faith we’ll get someone in who will be any better (or less crap! )
28 Oct 2025 19:59:24
Whilst patience is something we could all do having more of, there are a few issues with this.
1- Still had an entire window to bring in the players he wanted, get rid of those he didn’t, and the side that started vs Swansea only had three regulars from last year. He had a full pre season and plenty of money to spend, more than Bristol City who also changed manager.
It seems he didn’t know what formation he wanted and went half and half, leaving a lot of players playing out of position on the regular. Fraser, Fellows, Azaz, Armstrong, Edwards, Stephens have all been played OOP.
2- We’ve won four league games in 50. The majority are sick of a side who were one of the great example of how to run a football club less than a decade ago. We’re now a laughing stock filled with losers. Still seems set on blaming the finishing, individual errors, nothing about rectifying things. It’s bizarre.
3- we’re 20th in the league. We’ve won twice, both times luckily. It might not be a simple case of seeing the season out - I’m seeing people saying ‘might have to settle for play offs at best’. I believe we are in a relegation battle.
Failed to beat Derby, Swansea, Hull, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Watford or Stoke. These were all sides touted as being bottom half in August.
Yes he’s only had 15 games, but we’ve only won 4. Pre-season, looking at it you’d have expected 8-10. I think our next two home games will decide the immediate future. If we don’t win either of Preston or Sheff Wed, Still has to go.
Who to get in? No idea. Genuinely wouldn’t say no to Warnock at this stage. No more young risks. Someone needs to get amongst these players and sort them out. No more ‘he’s my mate’ etc. Someone to manage this lot.
We’re below Wrexham, Derby, Oxford, Portsmouth. It isn’t good enough. Happy to turn it around, and I hope they do, but currently I’d take 21st in May because we can’t hit a barn door from a yard away.
22 Oct 2025 22:00:05
He’ll get most of the season I imagine. Until we are in the bottom three I don’t see the board putting him under much pressure, they tried so hard to show how they’re remediating their errors with new management, directors etc and splashed the cash, and would have to pay Still out of 2.5 years of a contract. Plus, who do we get in? Cooper, O’Neil, Ange? Back to Ralph?
22 Oct 2025 21:56:59
There’s no point trying to fit square pegs in round holes. Fellows is a winger, preferably on the right, Azaz a CAM, Scienza on the left. You can’t play a back five with that. I know we tried a back four and got lasted but we have with a back five as well. Our best players are our midfielders (theoretically) so 4-2-3-1 has to be the play.
Robinson can also be in the mix, Armstrong has to be the forward as we have no one else, Charles and someone alongside, then whatever we can make of a back four and keeper. We quite simply have to win three of our next four. If we lose at the weekend, we are in a relegation battle. It’s totally insane. Club is rotten to the core.