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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
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!
31 Jul 2025 17:46:08
Given the chat about our squad now compared to our last championship season, thought I'd have a look at the actual differences in senior players;
Regular players from 2023/24 who we've lost;
Def: KWP, Bednarek
Mid: S Armstrong, Rothwell, Alcaraz, Brooks
Fwd: Adams, Sulemana, Edozie
In since then;
Def: Sugawara, Welington, Edwards, Quarshie
Mid: Fernandes
Fwd: Downs, Archer, Stewart, BBD
So the forward line is ok, maybe a winger light.
Defence is fine, we've bought young and replaced older players.
Midfield is the issue. Currently it's ok, but we will sell Fernandes, and probably Dibling, and will need to get two midfielders, a winger and a GK with the money.
Given we've bought in a fair bit of crap, trimming the squad is fine. I have more faith in Still than Jones or Martin, but the main issue is repairing the mentality of a squad who have gotten so used to losing - hence a higher player turnover may not be a bad thing.
To be competitive in the top six we need a lineup of something like;
New GK
New RB, THB, Quarshie, Welington
Charles, Downes, New CM
Armstrong, Archer, New LW
Subs: Bazunu, Stephens, Edwards, Bree, Taylor, Aribo, BBD, Stewart, Downs
Plenty we can still sell and use to invest, and that side is a good championship side and should be near the top end. I doubt it will be the case though.
1.) 31 Jul 2025 22:31:57
Good analysis SaintGGsy but I cannot see the team you’ve picked being anywhere near good enough. You have referenced needing a new GK, new RB, new CM and new LW - expressed differently, what you’re saying is we need a whole new core to the team. And you’re absolutely right.
So how does that translate into a good promotion chasing team - that’s the problem SaintGGsy.
And to cap it all, we have a novice manager.
I just don’t see how we can honestly see anything other than a mediocre season. And as I keep on saying, I would just love to be proved wrong!
2.) 01 Aug 2025 22:35:06
Fair points but the one counter argument I’d have to that is the manager and spine of the team last season were utterly pathetic so a total reset can’t be a bad thing.
If we were keeping that same spine and same manager heading in to this season we’d be saying how they’re useless and we need better people in, so a greener blueprint can’t be a bad thing.
Still don’t see us being near the top two come the business end, maybe play-offs - but Leicester don’t look great, people are touting the promoted L1 teams which I don’t see as being that realistic, so maybe we’ll sneak up there after all.
25 Mar 2025 21:30:44
Looking to the future, I kind of hope we don't get to 11 points. The club need to accept how bad this is and not be able to hide from it. I can see us doing a Luton and really struggling next year if we get the next choice wrong, but if we get a name currently being touted, there's hope.
We're still a desirable prospect with a good youth set up, recent European history and a place young players know they can showcase their skills. Hopefully that gives us some credit.
Looking to the squad;
GK: Ramsdale goes, probably for 70% of what we paid for him if we're lucky. We likely keep the other three.
FB: Sounds like Sugawara may join KWP in leaving. That leaves Welington, Manning and Bree as full backs. Probably need another in there.
CB: can see a clean out here. THB will probably want to stay in the PL after two consecutive promotions and clubs will likely be interested even if he hasn't been great this year. ABK looks disinterested, Taylor will want playing time guarantees, Bednarek and Stephens may well stay, but at least we have Wood and Edwards for our future who I'd hope would start to fill the shoes of starting CBs next season.
MID: Downes has been appalling this season and already hinted he wants out. Gronbaek I doubt we make permanent, Fernandes is too good for us and likely leaves, we look very light here. If Charles brings Rohl back with him, that'd be nice.
AM: Dibling will hopefully get us a good chunk, Sulemana will go, I think Lallana will retire and become an assistant manager if he doesn't give it one more season to help us get back on our feet. Brereton can go, Edozie I can't really comment on.
ST: Tall Paul will probably go but I'd love him to have a crack. Stewart needs to leave. Archer with Armstrong back will be good enough for our new level. Juan and Ballard in reserve should be sufficient if they get chances.
If we sell Ramsdale, Dibling, THB and Fernandes, I think we might get approaching £100m when accounting for the scraps. (Hoping for a Dibling bidding war to get £40m+).
We would then have a strong youthful homegrown core, needing a full back, a few midfielders and maybe a winger. Our forwards actually look like a good attack for the championship, the defence can grow into a good unit, we just need some guts in midfield.
Back to now, all eyes on el crapico at Leicester in a few weeks! Can we reach double figures? I doubt it!
1.) 27 Mar 2025 21:18:51
Southampton demanding in excess of £100M for Dibling according to the Telegraph
2.) 28 Mar 2025 07:45:53
Great post @SaintGgsy
I think we will pull in 150m in sales. Hope we make 4x statement signings at GK, AM, ST and winger, plus DM and CB, RB cover
Side looks good enough for championship but not many are prem level yet, so finally need to recruit and develop well.
Would love to keep Sulemana and Fernandes. Perhaps some are kept or loaned to get back if promoted.
New GK/Bazunu
Bree Wood. Edwards. Manning/Welling
Charles. Aribo/Downes
Armstrong New AM. Sulemana/Edozie
Archer/Onuachu
SUBS
McCarthy
Sanda
Stephens/Bednarek
New RB
Wellington/Manning
New DM Loan
Smallbone
Fraser
Edozie
New RW
Stewart (hard to sell)
Juan
Ballard
If get Rohl and 3x marquee signings, I will predict a positive 5th place.
Leicester
Ipswich
Sunderland
Birmingham
Southampton
Coventry
3.) 30 Mar 2025 00:56:24
With Albert Gronbaek unjustly given only a few minutes to prove his ability (by a Coach with very little ability) maybe it would be far more prudent to let the new Manager (in obeyance) assess him before making a life-changing decision on Albert’s future (retaining the option to sign him) .We have reported two brilliant young Managers under consideration (and as previously stated would be very happy with either but my ultimate choice (all things considered would be LIAM.ROSENIOR from STRASBOURG FC. As a clean slate is now required here are some of the high earners and dead wood to go : Bednarek, McCarthy, Stephens.Lumley, Fraser, Armstrong, Diaz, Onuachu Stewart Lallana (possible Coaching position) ALL GONE plus the anticipated transfers.
4.) 30 Mar 2025 16:07:20
I’m intrigued by all three expected to be relegated sides next year. McKenna may well leave, Leicester have recruited quite poorly and I imagine their wage bill will be inflated and need cutting down.
Neither team really has a great deal to be made through selling off players (Buonanotte and Delap aside) so if we actually get it right this time we may be able to pull back the gap, provided we are decisive, get the right man and then actively buy.
If we can keep the young stars, there’s a chance we can go for autos. Otherwise I’d just enjoy watching games and hoping we might be able to win a few. A team going down as horrendously as we are are likely to struggle, I’d take a play-off battle at this point and if we only win two games next season, a Pompey double will do.
5.) 02 Apr 2025 07:15:38
I remember having a dilemma last time about whether going up too soon would actually be a poisoned chalice and it turned out to be.
I would take a respectful performance too with a squad showing sings of growth and a playing style to survive in the Premier League.
Last time our squad strength gave us a predicted 2nd pand we finished 4th. This time it may be predicted 4th and we finish 5th to 7th.
Forgot to factor in Wrexham, I could see them attracting some good players and winning a playoff final, in a Hollywood script.
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
23 Sep 2025 23:39:41
It is a dilemma - play Bazunu and risk a shot going in that shouldn’t, or play McCarthy knowing he’ll pass it to their striker in his own six yard box.
But I will say we did give them a run for their money. Once again they needed a late goal to beat a not-first choice Saints team having been gifted a goal. We were decent. They still had >£250m on the pitch and brought on another £80m.
However, Armstrong should be scoring, and when it then fell to Scienza who in fairness is a winger, you can see what he was trying to do. He just got too cute with it. And we were rightly punished. We don’t score the goals we should be scoring and that’s been the case since Pelle/Gabbiadini who were proper finishers.
But our three young CBs looked good, Robinson lively, we just have to take our chances. Playing a bit more on the counter seemed to work better. We might be able to do that on Saturday, but still predicting 1-2.
23 Sep 2025 19:18:25
I actually think tonight might suit us better. If crossing is the plan, then crossing in to a 5’6” striker in a packed box with steady build up play will do nothing as we’ve seen. It needs to be more incisive and quick.
We will be more likely on the counter attack, so get the wingers forward with balls over the top and get flat crosses in behind the defence across goal to run on to. That might work. I’ll see you in three hours when we lose 5-0 ?
20 Sep 2025 18:20:01
I just don’t know what the current game plan is. We’ve failed to beat Watford, Hull, Stoke or Portsmouth and our one winner was in the 96th minute. Worrying times, but under Martin I’m sure we’d currently be bottom.
14 Sep 2025 13:58:39
First half was appalling. Don’t know what we were doing, just seemed to want to play keep ball and nothing else. Second half was better but it shouldn’t have taken that long to work it out. Was all just sloppy, disjointed, and I don’t recall us having one decent chance given Archer chose not to shoot into an open goal.
New signings looked composed and will help us improve, Fellows decent, Scienza clearly has a spark, Azaz anonymous, Roerslev looked to be the only one wanting to pass forward all game. Otherwise we just didn’t want to look forward at any point in the first 75 minutes other than hoofing it and hoping it would create something.
At least he went to a back four. Hopefully with time they’ll start to gel. And at least we didn’t lose.
10 Sep 2025 18:33:31
I think Still will stick with a back three. Don’t think he’s right to, but can’t see him changing it for this game.
Bazunu - Quarshie - Stephens - THB - Roerslev - Charles - Downes - Manning - Fraser - Robinson - Archer I think he’ll go for. Then hope for some of the new lads to come off the bench and tear it up in the final 35.
Personally I’d like to see Scienza, Azaz, Fellows, Jander from the off, but that’s a lot of new blood in one game and they’ll need time to gel. I think Scienza and Fellows fresh for the final 20 could cause chaos.
I’ll go for a stressy 2-1 come from behind win but any sort of win will do ?