Dusic

Not sure its trying to be clever. They have seen him working at close quarters for the last month, largely achieving very good results. Not often a club gets the chance to see how a manager fits before committing. The way in such a short time the players have really taken to him and in some games the performances have been unrecognisable is a very promising sign IMO. And now he has extra authority.

Sensible, low risk appointment IMO as those making the decision have had the rare chance to actually judge the quality of his work in the actual setting he is being placed in. They have not rushed and have taken their time and clearly the players respect and have built a rapport with Eckert which has lead to by far the most cohesive performances for many months where players look motivated and seem to actually enjoy it again. Good to get it sorted and to just focus on the games. Kudos to @OrnelasGladis who called it initially.

In the end it came down to Strobl or Eckert and seems sensible to go with the gyy who is already here and has developed a strong rapport with the squad and wouldn't require compensation.

Any managerial appointment is a gamble. At the very least we have seen us put in our best performance in a hell of a long time vs Charlton (who prior to the game many on here were saying was a proper test vs experienced manager etc). Also the players clearly like, respect and want to play for him. Just get it done and focus on the games, we have better players than most teams at this level so set up in a logical way and with a bit of positivity from the bench and in the stands we still have a good chance of a decent season.

On Still, it was clesr he wasn't doing a good job and we were getting worse. They obviously felt before the QPR game that we had a better chance of picking up points in that game and Sheff Weds without Still in charge - and were proved right. I don't dislike Still as he seemed a nice enough guy but pretty clear looking back now that he got muddled and didn't do a very good job. Initially I kept thinking we would click in the next game but then we started getting worse and he got nothing out of our new signings. Fair play to @benjii who called it early on - he was right.

Probably not a position we need nunbers wise but would be all over trying to get Harry Amass if its possible - really good young player and would suit us well. Seems his loan at Sheff Wed is only until January. Even aside from his goal was impressive against us I thought.

@sockeye fair enough. Just trying to tempt back some of the good posters who haven't posted since 2009 (and you can see why!)

Goztepe currently riding high in 4th having been promoted and stabilised during his tenure as Chairman. Was talking with @Gozzer recently and they speak very highly of him in Izmir and are aiming for Europe this season. Seems we got a raw end of the deal with first Kraft and then Solak in official roles at Saints because Rasmus is the proven football person within SR and no suprise has used that acumen to good effect whilst we have largely floundered. Spors seems a good hire, but Spors plus Rasmus in a more official partnership would surely cook?

Verl are absolutely flying under Tobi Strobl, another big win at the weekend 4-1 - the 4th time in 6 games they have scored 4 or more! Would be amazing to have a forum lurker become gaffer! @TobiasTheTactician

I wouldn't take too much notice of it. He has been very non controversial in his media duties so far and clearly was being asked in the hope he might provide some kind of story but instead just gave a stock response. With Aribo we don't really know the full story, I think the club probably wanted him out as he had a year left so are also responsible if he isn't sharp because they seemingly didnt have him training with the team all summer. So I take his comment as his way of making it a non story, especially as the last thing they would want before a transfer window is to question his professionaliam. The time to worry would be when he picls Aribo over Scienza, Fellows, Azaz etc and so far there is no sign of that, he has been used off the bench when we have been lacking options of late.

Well the most pressured games in the Championship last time we executed brilliantly so I'm not really having all this cliched stuff about wilting under pressure regarding Millwall. If you do want to dig out individuals then rather than Jack Stephens it was Oriol Romeu who was absolutely awful for their winning goal - but that doesn't suit the narrative. Millwall played well, scored an absolutely worldie, and got a late winner when it looked like we had earned a hard fought point when not playing well. Frustrating? Absolutely. Some kind of sign of an inherent ability to wilt, despite having how a totally different team to previous years? Not for me. On Birmingham - will be a very tough game so could do with a few more players being available, certainly to beef up the bench.

Remember reading this stating he already had his WP amended to enable him to do the interim role so probably some truth that it would need further amendment/approval for a full time appointment: https://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-given-permission-for-coach-to-continue-complex-situation-dealt-with/ Hopefully its confirmed soon and we can get on with it. Personal view is the same as stated before, he has shown he get the team playing winning, attacking football with players bought in and some individuals either returning to their best form or showing why we bought them when we didnt get a tune out of them before. We lost on Sat and didnt play as well which happens, but if Romeu deals with a duel, Manning or Bazunu makea a block or THB a clearance then its a well earned point instead. I don't think that 30 sec sequence changes my view of what I have seen before. Also don't think there is much value in keeping the interim thing going for ages - they either think he is the right guy or they don't so should now make the decision either way, especially when they are probably speaking with players about possible January moves, both in and out. We could pay and try to get someone "experienced" but IMO why risk it when the signs are good? There doesn't seem to be anyone suggested here who is available and almost certainly a better option and the idea of just waiting for someone to be fired and then instantly turning up here is stupid. All IMHO of course, @Morph

Yeah, if we clear the cross, or Romeu makes a tackle then we get a point from a tough game that we didn't play well in. Point being, I'm not sure it suddenly means that Tonda isn't the right guy at full time if he was at kick off? Is that nonsense?

To save the first would be a worldy as it was hard and right in the corner. No chance with the 2nd and for the winner the biggest error by a mile is Romeu who shouldn't be letting the guy past.

And probably needs a break rather than just instantly ending up somewhere else with probably no energy. We were a clearance away from a decent point today considering we didnt really get going and had quite a few players missing.

FAO @Jilted John - see what this guy did here? Definitely one to follow IMO.

Nice read on Tobi Strobl via @sloppy-giuseppe: https://www.sport1.de/news/fussball/3-liga/2025/11/das-unterscheidet-ihn-von-vielen-eine-stille-erfolgsgeschichte

Just be wary, @ClampCarmen went there on our last trip to Millwall and has never been the same since!

Was talking about this with @QuintanaPhilip the other day. Think the attacking/ wide areas would be a slight concern. We havent really had any injuries there and Scienza, Azaz and Fellows are shaping up to be massively key for different reasons. Personally think Fraser is wing back or not at all now as he doesn't beat a player anymore and isn't a goalthreat. Once fit, Edozie would be a great sub to have in this kind of system - even if he then goes in January. Fellows seems like a chalk on his boots wide player so not sure how he would go playing inside where Azaz does - its only really Robinson in our squad who seems like he could slot in there. Downs seemed to pick up an injury on Tues and we can discount Stewart so definitely could use another striker option but think that was obvious. Midfield and defensive depth is very strong but expect Edwards will be pushing to leave in Jan.

His best defensive attributes are clever ability to win cheap free kicks and also when under the cosh to generally be relied upon to play a decent ball out of defence. Certainly this season his contributions going forward have far outweighed any defensive issues so for me he is a nailed starter and his brother @Manningo can sometimes be spotted amongst the travelling fans!

Seeing as most contracts have clauses which mean the manager isn't paid in full if fired, there seems little benefit to anyone to give a contract just until the end of the season which just promotes more uncertainty. A 2.5yr deal til end of 27/28 season seems sensible to me. I am more interested in make up of his backroom team, as @Neil Pearts Drumstick mentioned to me on Saturday. Would we stick with essentially the academy staff he has now or look to enhance that with more pro level experience? Usually best when the manager picks who he wants IMO.

You aren't wrong, he ended up out in Bulgaria for a few years working in a slaughterhouse and it didn't treat him especially well. He is doing much better now though, mostly based in Dubai and off the booze. He mentioned you actually and the trip to Dagenham with @PoacherJake and @joe botyov

@davefizzy14 who originally broke the D O'L interest has gone quiet on it so imagine its still bubbling away in the background. Last night bumped into @Slugger O'Toole who confirmed Strobl has been interviewed as recently as last week so I don't think its quite a done deal. Frandsen now out the frame which is good IMO as his record isnt up to much.

Worth trying to add a year to his contract already.

Downes and THB one yellow away from a ban. Resets after the Birmingham game I think. Pretty sure 3 of the 4 Downes has got have been dissent!