05 Jul 2020 20:06:24
Half Time: Saints 1-0 Man City

We have got our game plan exactly right so far. With a bit of luck, soak up the pressure, and use City's lax defence to pounce on any mistakes or counter with pace and try and catch the back four out.

McCarthy has been fantastic - positioning exactly right, some good stops but none he shouldn't be saving, good for his confidence after Arsenal.

Walker-Peters has been superb offensively, and has done well to tie up Sterling, though a few dodgy clearances when City have been pressing.

Bednarek superb in putting his body on the line. Stephens and Bertrand I haven't seen much from but that means they're doing their job.

Romeu has been solid albeit on a yellow, I fear he may be off unless subbed before the hour.

Armstrong, Redmond, Ings and Ward-Prowse have even dynamic, quick, and eager to pounce at the back, as shown by Armstrong on Zinchenko for the goal.

And Che, awesome. Having not score in 15 months to try that and to pull it off - the team looked so happy for him and a shame there were no fans there to see it.

9 Brits and an U23 international in the starting XI - great to see saints doing everything right on the pitch for once.

I still fear a sucker punch but if we can hang on for a point, considering the dismantling City handed out to Liverpool, what a great performance it would be.


1.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 21:06:43
Absolutely fantastic performance by the players, coaches, fake crowd, kit cleaners, everyone - awesome!

Had a bit of luck but with nothing riding on that game except mathematical safety (achieved! ) I’m so impressed with the passion and dedication of that team.

Awesome awesome awesome. To come from a 9-0 and do that later in the season.

WE MARCH ON.


2.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 21:15:49
In my opinion that was Stephens best defensive display ever. The whole team played well and a special mention to Che Adams. What a way to score your first Saints goal.


3.) 06 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 23:47:25
Stephens has certainly come a long way - didn’t think he had a place in the side earlier in the year but he was absolutely phenomenal tonight - every single shot or decisive pass he or Bednarek were there and putting their bodies on the line.

Outstanding and amazing to see when really a 0-3 reverse wouldn’t have batted many eyelids and nothing rode on it for us.

By no means is a back line of Bertrand, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters going to be watertight, but with Vokins and Klarer coming through, and Danso and Vestergaard in support we aren’t in a terrible place. I would like both Danso and KWP to be made permanent - I think Danso could be class but we haven’t seen enough of him yet.

RB, CB, CM, ATT on the Christmas list as always. Hopefully Ings and Adams can form a partnership and Ralph can utilise his 4-2-2-2 for the majority of the coming season.

Only five points off a potential European spot - were certainly looking up rather than over our shoulders now!