SW11_Saint

Well, as Spors clearly pointed out it’s not all about what happens in games, it’s about his presence/leadership in training, supporting young players and generally around the club.

I rest my case…

Really, what interesting revealing answers do you think you get to those three? I suspect you’d get three bland, corporate responses…

I’ve been a fan for well over 50 years and have been aall over the country. My point is the fixation (and fury) some of our fans seem to have with Stephens & Bazunu - despite Still & Spors clearly having faith in them both. I they think they are worthy of inclusion I’m happy to see how things go. I’m never going to be proud of fans being vindictive toward our own players. You seem fairly comfortable with it being the norm though. Each to his own…

Exactly. Supposition…

It’s all relative…

Not on here where those two are concerned! Thankfully at SMS the fans are more supportive to whoever is turning out.

Guess they’re not signing Danny Ings then. Not sure he has a new club yet? Surprised Burnley haven’t gone back for him…

Still more than capable of doing damage to us!

I often wonder if other clubs spew such bile & hatred upon their own players, or is it just a ‘Southampton thing’?

“He has zero knowledge outside his position and even then has no idea what that is or any tactical awareness.” Right - so from sitting in the stands, you know exactly what coaching acumen Stephens has? What he does/observes in training? What he’s learnt an out tactics working under about half a dozen managers? Worth noting this is a guy who has been asked to move out of his comfort zone and play fullback and even midfield on occasion too. To say he had ‘zero knowledge’ is just ludicrous.

Because we knew we were going down, and Ramsdale would be off. Bazunu is the obvious choice to be #1.

You know this how?

No. Honestly, people just need to get over this obsession with Bazunu & Stephens. It’s getting ridiculous.

Someone give me an *incoming* rumour. Come on, anything… I need something to fixate on until Saturday…

No, but his Chairman was… (Re contract negotiations) I recall Lowe saying something like “what he needs to understand is that in his country what we’re offering would be an absolute fortune”. Hints of Lowe’s imperialist world view that we know all too well now.

But we’ll never know that will we? I do agree though, McCarthy was great in the semis & final. Godawful in the PL.

So he can’t improve? How poor did you think he was against Brighton?

But goals conceded aren’t always the sole responsibility of goalies. I know it comes with the territory somewhat, but it feels like people can’t wait to blame him for all our defensive ills - when in reality conceded goals might be a result of MF not tracking back, defenders not reading the game etc. (or a combo thereof). Not saying this is your view btw, just making a general point. Does feel though that many are so set against him already that any goal will automatically be deemed ‘his fault’. He’s young, and goalies often take a while to mature. He can improve.. I’m more than happy for him to start the season with a clean slate.

Final Position: 2nd Top Scorer (goals): Downs (18) Player of the Season: Charles Young Player of the Season: Robinson

Pedestrian until the late subs. Switched from 4-2-3-1 which just doesn’t work with our personnel. Looked much better with 5-3-2 and with Robinson’s energy on the pitch. He’s a must start. Bazunu made a couple of decent saves, Charles looks composed and authoritative. Would much prefer Edwards in a 3 with JS & Quarshie too.

It is now!

Not over yet!

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