TotalSaintsPod

New TSP is out after what felt like Saints’ most complete performance of the season so far. Southampton made it three wins from three Championship home games with a 3-1 win over Swansea, who came into the match unbeaten and having conceded just once in their previous five. We spend quite a bit of this one discussing whether we're beginning to see the makings of a genuinely strong Southampton side rather than simply a decent run of results. Plenty on Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza’s best performance of the season, Cyle Larin's form and the developing Flynn Downes/James Ward-Prowse midfield partnership. We also talk Nathan Wood and Keven Schlotterbeck, whether Downes should be wearing the armband more regularly and some of the nervousness around St Mary’s when Saints continued playing out from the back at 2-1. There’s also a good discussion prompted by Nick in our Patreon WhatsApp group about the Northam Wall. Has giving Saints fans the entire end now started to make a tangible difference? Then we preview Bristol City on Saturday — another side coming into St Mary’s in good form, three consecutive wins, 11 summer signings and, of course, Dom Ballard returning. The wider question we ended up asking was probably the most interesting one: Are we starting to see the version of this Southampton team that can challenge for promotion? 🎥 Watch: https://youtube.com/live/lPTm0KlhF9I 🎧 Listen: https://pod.fo/e/5f4378

TSP 391 – Lincoln 1-1 Southampton: did Eckert’s changes cost Saints? The latest Total Saints Podcast is out now. We spend the first part of the episode discussing another frustrating away draw after Saints conceded an 87th-minute equaliser at Lincoln. There was plenty of disagreement over Tonda Eckert’s decisions. Should Leo Scienza and Cyle Larin have been taken off after 62 minutes? Did switching to a back three invite Lincoln onto Saints? And, after the transfer window, does the squad have enough quality coming off the bench? We also discuss Welington’s spectacular goal, James Ward-Prowse’s return, another strong performance from Keven Schlotterbeck and the uncertainty around Saints’ best defensive partnership. George Rees-Julian then joins us to preview Tuesday’s game against unbeaten Swansea, including their excellent defensive start, how Saints could hurt them and whether Eckert should change the midfield. What would you have changed at Lincoln, and what team would you start on Tuesday? Watch: https://youtube.com/live/adLeO6cl2BE Listen: https://pod.fo/e/5e0fe0

TSP 390: Did Saints Do Enough in the Transfer Window? The summer transfer window is over, so this week’s podcast takes a proper look at Southampton’s squad and whether the owners delivered on their promise to build a team as good as last season. Martin is joined by Steve, Alfie and Tom to rate the window and discuss whether Saints have enough quality and depth to challenge for automatic promotion. Aaron Ramsdale’s situation, the returns at centre-back, James Ward-Prowse, Sam Edozie and the lack of experienced cover up front are all on the agenda. We also look back at the 1–1 draw with Birmingham City, including Schlotterbeck’s header, the defending for the equaliser and which players made a case to start this weekend. Kyle from the Stacey West Podcast then joins us to preview Saturday’s trip to Lincoln City, their approach under the new management team and the changes Saints might make. We’d be interested to know what everyone thinks: how would you rate the transfer window out of 10, and is this squad good enough for the top two? Listen: https://pod.fo/e/5c1d8a Watch: https://youtube.com/live/3gJV_enDd8E

TSP 389 – Saints 5–1 Millwall, Schlotterbeck and JWP debuts, plus deadline day The latest episode of the Total Saints Podcast is available now. Neil is in the chair alongside Steve, Glen and Alfie, looking back at a much-needed—and eventually emphatic—5–1 win over Millwall. There’s plenty on the slow opening, the tactical change that helped turn the game around and the much-improved intensity after Saints went behind. The panel also discusses Schlotterbeck’s excellent debut after only one training session, Nathan Wood’s performance alongside him, James Ward-Prowse’s return, Matsuki offering a more natural threat out wide and Tom Fellows finally getting his first goal for the club. Attention then turns to the final days of the transfer window: possible departures, where the squad might still need strengthening and whether Ward-Prowse is enough to cover the loss of Shea Charles. There’s also a full preview of Tuesday night’s game at Birmingham, including the likely line-up and score predictions. Listen here: https://pod.fo/e/5a2d64 Watch here: https://youtube.com/live/TOooQkGNO-c A quick note that this was recorded on Sunday morning, so anything that happened later in the day won’t be covered. The team will be live again on Wednesday at 7pm to react to Birmingham and the final transfer business. What did everyone make of the two debuts—and would you keep the same starting XI at Birmingham if Flynn Downes is available?

Morning all, The latest Total Saints Podcast is out now after Saints got their first league win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Stoke at St Mary’s. Plenty discussed this week: Cyle Larin making it three goals in three Divin Mubama’s first Saints goal and the impact from the bench Flynn Downes’ performance and those two superb through balls The defending for Stoke’s equaliser Taylor Harwood-Bellis being left out amid interest from Aston Villa What sort of fee Saints should demand for THB Whether we can adequately replace him this late in the window Finn Azaz’s importance to the side The slightly chaotic rock-paper-scissors penalty situation! West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with Russ from the West Ham Network joining us to preview it We also announced Flynn Downes as our Player of the Week after more than 200 votes across the different TSP platforms. 🎧 Listen: https://pod.fo/e/56dbfc 📺 Watch: https://youtube.com/live/qaWLhCIpv7o Interested to know where everyone stands on Harwood-Bellis. If Villa come back in, what number makes you reluctantly say yes? £25m? £30m? More? We’ll be back again on Wednesday night at 7pm to react to West Ham and look ahead to Millwall.

Ah yes absolutely, and true that the Patreon support keeps the lights on and the show on air each week; we also get money from ad revenue and our commercial partners. We all do take a bit from the pod every season, but it's certainly not a profit-making business. The more support we get for the pod, the more we're able to do with it and to help it get to more fans. Appreciate the feedback! I'd say the 'straightness' of it is largely down to the live stream setting, as you might've heard, it's incredibly hard to interject or have any banter, as it scuppers the signal of the other person talking and creates a bit of an awkward 'what did you say' moment when someone tries it. That's generally why we stick to a simpler Q&A format on the Sunday pod. Hopefully the live/in-person shows we do have a bit more humour and back and forth.

Oh yeah you're right, that is longer than usual. That's part of our relationship with talkSport I'm afraid, so we've got no control over the pre-recorded ads in the podcast.

Should be the same amount as usual, 1 minute at the start and end, with 2 minutes in the middle in two 1 minute chunks. Did you get something different?

TSP 386 – Watford reaction, Stoke preview + transfer discussion Morning all – last night’s TSP is now available if anyone fancies some Monday morning listening/watching. Unsurprisingly, we spent a fair bit of time picking apart the Watford defeat. The big discussion was around the manner of the two goals, Jack Stephens and whether Nathan Wood should be getting more minutes, plus the midfield balance and how much better things looked once Fin Azaz came on. We also looked ahead to Stoke with Robin Evans, who gave us the view from their side after a pretty miserable start of their own. Then there’s the transfer stuff – the rejected Benfica offer for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and the slightly strange Aaron Ramsdale situation. 📺 Video: https://youtube.com/live/1-T_kCAIVHE 🎧 Audio: https://pod.fo/e/550287 Interested to know what everyone would actually change for Stoke...

took a cut of what sorry?

TSP 385: Shea Charles, Colchester & Watford Preview Morning all. If you missed last night’s podcast, Episode 385 is now available on both YouTube and podcast platforms. This week we discuss: • Fulham’s £30m move for Shea Charles — good business or a big loss? • Saints’ 2-0 win at Colchester and the standout performers. • The latest transfer news, including Divin Mubama. • A full preview of Sunday’s Championship opener at Watford with Peter from Do Not Scratch Your Eyes. Interested to hear what everyone thinks on the Charles deal in particular. Is £30m the right time to cash in, or will Saints struggle to replace him? 🎧 Audio: https://pod.fo/e/529e5b 📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/ciJTCjUAQk0

TSP 384: Tonda’s fate, pre-season verdict, transfers & Colchester preview We’re back for Season 10 of Total Saints Podcast! Plenty to get through on the first proper show back. We start with the situation surrounding Tonda Eckert and the continued wait for the FA’s sanction. How severe could the punishment be, and at what point would a lengthy ban leave Saints having to make a decision over the manager? Steve has also just returned from Germany, so we look back over pre-season and some of the players who have stood out — particularly Lewis Dobbin. There’s plenty of squad discussion too: could Ross Stewart actually return? Should Saints entertain offers for Cameron Archer? What happens with Shea Charles? And how different might the squad look by the end of the transfer window? We then preview Saturday’s Carabao Cup First Round trip to Colchester and discuss how strong a side Tonda might select ahead of the Championship opener. Finally, we remember Kevin Keegan and reflect on just how extraordinary his arrival at Southampton was. Martin is joined by Steve, Glen and Tom Prentki this week. 🎧 Audio: https://pod.fo/e/4ea8c1 📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/NIED2AYHadw Good to be back. Interested to know what everyone thinks about the Tonda situation in particular — how long would a ban have to be before Saints realistically needed someone else in charge?

Episode 383 of Total Saints Podcast is out now. The summer break lasted about five minutes, so Martin, Steve, Glen and Alfie are back to react to another ridiculous week at Southampton Football Club. Since the League Arbitration Panel’s written reasons were released, we’ve had the club statement, Dragan Solak’s video and Tonda Eckert’s own message to supporters. The end result appears to be pretty clear: Tonda is staying, nobody publicly loses their job, and Saints are trying to move forward as if it’s business as usual. On this week’s episode, we talk through whether that is the right call, whether Dragan has chosen pragmatism over a clean slate, and whether this is now the start of a proper siege mentality heading into next season. There’s also plenty on the parts that still feel unresolved: the pressure placed on junior staff, the lack of obvious accountability, the damage done to the club’s reputation, and the FA investigation that could still change the picture again. We also look ahead to what comes next, including the retained list, season tickets, possible new contracts and the kind of summer Saints now need if they are serious about going straight back up. Later in the episode, we discuss the Saints Women departures, including Atlanta Primus, Aimee Palmer and Tara Bourne, and look ahead to Ryan Garner’s world title fight at St Mary’s. Interested to hear where people are now with Tonda staying. Are you behind it, still angry about it, or just at the point where results next season will decide everything? 🎧 Listen Here 📺 Watch Here

TSP 382: Saints Appeal Fails, Spygate Fallout & Summer Rebuild The final Total Saints Podcast of the season is now live. This week Martin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and George Rees-Julian to discuss the aftermath of Southampton’s failed appeal against the EFL sanctions, the publication of the written reasons, the club’s response so far, the ongoing FA investigation and whether there is any way back for Tonda Eckert. We also get into what Saints need to do next to start rebuilding trust, the lack of communication from the club, and what supporters may need to hear before season tickets, shirts and the summer rebuild properly begin. There’s also a look ahead to the Championship squad situation, including the goalkeeper position, likely departures, sellable assets in midfield, James Bree, Ross Stewart and the scale of the work now facing the club. Plus, we discuss Hull beating Middlesbrough in the play-off final, announce the TSP Prediction League winners, update on Patreon merch and say farewell to George as he leaves The Echo. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/41e1ac Video: https://youtube.com/live/ZAk6nc9Azrk As always, interested to hear what people think. Is there any way back for Tonda, or does the club need a clean break before it can properly move on?

Last night we recorded an emergency episode of the Total Saints Podcast following the breaking news that Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying breaches involving three clubs this season. Martin Starke is joined by Glen de la Cour, Martin Sanders and Alfie House from the Daily Echo to react to the EFL decision, the club’s appeal, the four-point deduction for next season and the wider fallout for supporters. It’s obviously a pretty grim one, but we tried to work through what we know so far, whether the punishment is fair, what happens next, who at the club may now be under pressure, and how Saints even begin to rebuild trust after this. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/419d16 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR5h3lUjiZo Interested to hear everyone’s thoughts. Is the punishment too harsh, or have Saints only got themselves to blame?

TSP 380: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough! Saints Are Going To Wembley Episode 380 of the Total Saints Podcast is out now, as Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to look back on a dramatic night at St Mary’s. Saints beat Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time to reach the Championship play-off final against Hull City at Wembley, with Ross Stewart’s first-half header cancelling out Boro’s early opener before Shea Charles’ late cross-shot sent St Mary’s into chaos. On this week’s episode, we discuss: The extra-time winner and the scenes at St Mary’s Ross Stewart’s important equaliser Flynn Downes being left out of the starting XI Saints looking the fitter side as the tie went on Andy Madley’s refereeing performance and the penalty claims Taylor Harwood-Bellis/Luke Ayling, the ball boy incident and other flashpoints The latest around the Southampton/Middlesbrough spying controversy The slightly strange feeling of heading to Wembley with all this still hanging over the club Hull City in the play-off final Audio: https://pod.fo/e/4152d1 Video: https://youtube.com/live/AT4kMTPYqic As always, interested to hear everyone’s thoughts. Are you managing to enjoy the Wembley build-up, or has the Spygate stuff taken the edge off it?

TSP 379: Middlesbrough 0-0 Saints, Spygate and the second leg This week Martin is joined by Steve, Glen and Alfie to discuss a fairly quiet, uneventful week in the world of Southampton Football Club… We start with the Spygate fallout, Middlesbrough’s accusation, the EFL charge, what we know so far, and what kind of punishment Saints could be facing. Then we get into the game itself, as Saints somehow came away from the Riverside with a 0-0 draw after a first half where Boro had 17 shots and Saints had none. We talk through the defensive efforts, THB’s captain’s performance, James Bree’s block, Peretz’s mixed afternoon, the struggles in midfield, and the improvement after the substitutions. We also look ahead to Tuesday night at St Mary’s, possible team changes, whether Boro can hit those levels again, and how big the atmosphere needs to be. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/41277d Video: https://youtube.com/live/RLSpNsz4Kug As always, cheers to anyone who gives it a watch/listen.

TSP 378: Preston 1-3 Saints, Benali on Tour and Middlesbrough play-off preview This week’s Total Saints Podcast is now live. Saints finished the regular season with a 3-1 win at Preston, securing 4th place and setting up a play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough. On this week’s episode, Martin is joined by Steve, Glen, Alfie and Alex to discuss the win at Deepdale, the importance of finishing fourth, and the big selection questions ahead of Saturday’s first leg at the Riverside. We cover: Preston 1-3 Southampton Fourth place secured Harwood-Bellis, Stewart and Larin on the scoresheet Peretz’s mistake Tom Fellows’ performance Shea Charles at right-back Caspar Jander’s form Larin or Stewart up front? Matsuki or Fellows? Middlesbrough away in the play-off semi-final We also start by reflecting on Benali on Tour, after Martin, Alfie and Alex took part in the 10 Lake District Peaks challenge for Saints Foundation. Thanks to everyone who has supported the fundraiser so far — the TSP team have raised over £3,000. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/40ce51 Video: https://youtube.com/live/OJQTTixLUGk How confident are we feeling going into Saturday?

Episode 376 of Total Saints Podcast is out now. This week we look back on Saints’ FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley. Plenty of disappointment in the result, but also a lot of pride in the performance, the support and the way Saints pushed City right to the end. We discuss Finn Azaz’s goal, the atmosphere in the Saints end, standout performances from Caspar Jander, Cam Bragg, Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, plus whether that performance can help galvanise the squad for the final push in the Championship. We also preview Tuesday night’s huge rearranged game against Ipswich at St Mary’s, with the automatic promotion race still just about alive. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/4074b5 Video: https://youtube.com/live/abjJAbJgEfg

We’ve got a special Total Saints Podcast episode out now with Southampton FC’s Marieanne Spacey-Cale. Martin and Glen spoke to Marieanne about Southampton Women’s season, the progress made this year, the ambitions going forward, and the pathway for young players coming through. There’s also discussion around supporter growth, the women’s game more broadly, and questions from the Patreon community. Thought it might be of interest to some on here. Watch: https://youtu.be/MADnT4-p_mw Listen: https://pod.fo/e/4058d0

Episode 375 of the Total Saints Podcast is out now. This week, Martin is joined by Steve, Glen and Alfie to look back on the 2-2 draw with Bristol City, discuss what it means for the top two race, and preview Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley. We get into the performance at St Mary’s, the unbeaten run, the state of the promotion picture, and whether Saints can produce something special at Wembley. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/404bc7 Video: https://youtube.com/live/X5oWs-OCvaE

New Total Saints Podcast episode is out now. Episode 374 looks back on Saints’ dramatic 2-1 win at Swansea, where they came from behind, rode out the Flynn Downes flashpoint, and found another late winner through Cameron Archer. Neil is joined by Steve, Glen and Alfie to discuss the performance, the impact of the bench, what the latest results mean in the automatic promotion race, and Tuesday night’s game against Bristol City. Audio: https://pod.fo/e/401fcf Video: https://youtube.com/live/pDrffK70vAo

This week we look back on the 3-0 win over Blackburn, another really solid night at St Mary’s and a result that keeps Saints right in the mix at the top end of the table. Neil is in for Martin this week alongside Steve, Glen and Alfie, and the main talking points are: - Another comfortable win - Cameron Archer’s best performance in a Saints shirt - 18 unbeaten in all competitions - Ipswich dropping points and whether the conversation has now changed from play-offs to automatics - Thoughts ahead of Swansea away Audio: https://pod.fo/e/3ff4fe Video: https://youtube.com/live/LG_ex6SCIXI Who thinks it might actually be on...?

TSP 372: Saints come from behind to beat Derby + Blackburn preview Episode 372 of the Total Saints Podcast is out now. Martin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to reflect on Southampton’s 2-1 win over Derby at St Mary’s, a result that makes it 6 wins on the bounce and keeps the play-off push heading firmly in the right direction. In this episode, we get into the scrappy first half, Saints’ much better response after the break, key contributions from the likes of Leo Scienza, Casper Jander and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and what the table now says about what’s still possible from here. We also look ahead to Tuesday night’s rearranged home game with Blackburn and discuss whether a top-four finish is now the real target. 🎧 Audio: https://pod.fo/e/3fc922 📺 Video: https://youtube.com/live/nuxSXOINXJ

New Total Saints Podcast is out now. Saints are back in the play-off places after a superb 5-1 win away at Wrexham, and this midweek episode looks back on one of the most complete performances of the season. Martin, Steve, Glen and Alfie talk through the fast start, the key moments, the standout performances and whether Saints are now hitting form at exactly the right time. There’s also a preview of Saturday’s home game against Derby, with another big three points on the line. Listen: https://pod.fo/e/3f99f4 Watch: https://youtube.com/live/4BP1