St Louis

Agreed, last night was a mess and down to Martin. The thread I was replying to was looking at the bigger picture (not just last night) and someone suggesting we might not have the right manager in place for promotion, and I was just pointing out that he has done a brilliant job IMHO taking us on the best run in our history, and to me has a lot of indicators that he will be a success with us. Personally I look at the huge number of positives since September, rather than just the last week (which hasnt been so good).

I know we were poor last night (but Hull are a very decent side, so no disgrace and needs perspective.... we cant win every week, etc), but Martin has just taken us on a record unbeaten run with some superb football and results along the way. Are you still not convinced by him? A couple of recent results aside, I havent enjoyed watching a Saints team as much as this for a LONG time, and surely the manager deserves the credit for that.

Gutted if we are leaving Hummel, I've really liked our kits with them (especially the Home and the White one), but maybe thats because I'm an 80's/90's kid.

Do you think Martin or any other staff member could stop Alcaraz wanting to leave Championship Southampton for 36 x Serie A Champions and Italian giants, Juventus? Even if they wanted to. This decision would have had nothing to do with Martin, of course he would want to keep our young gifted players. Plus, its a loan, which if successful will bring us a much needed £35m. If it doesn't work out for him in the 6 months there (and we get promotion), he may well be back with us next season anyway. The money, plus the players (understandable) desire to want the move, means we dont have much choice (especially Martin!)

He's OK at this level, and is decent enough backup, especially if Holgate leaves. But he is clearly behind Bednarek (50+ International Caps) and Harwood-Bellis (England U21 Captain, clearly a star of the future), so I hope he doesnt end up with more game time than he merits. I do agree that by giving him the captaincy and convincing him to stay, it's left a slightly annoying/unexpected dilemma for Martin to deal with.

You’ve probably answered your own question there. Rarely works out between colleagues, and will often cause an awkwardness around the workplace.

I think you might be over thinking it. I think Adams probably is trying his best, he just isn't very good. He has only hit double figures twice in his league career, one of those was 8 years ago in League One (he only got 11) and the other was a seemingly one-off 22 goals the season before we bought him. He averages 5.5 goals a season over the other seasons of his professional career. I personally reckon Ings on a 6-month loan (see how it goes) would be a big upgrade on Adams.

So if we avoid defeat this weekend, does that mean it will be a new League record for us, which had lasted over 100 years?

I just went down a Wikipedia rabbit hole (no I wasnt trying to find out more about his Mum), and see that he won the Golden Boot at last years' Maurice Revello Tournament with 5 goals (Man Utd's Garnacho got 4). It used to be known as the Toulon Tournament and was viewed as a decent tournament for the best young International players, so there must be a player in there if he is excelling at that level. He was also voted the 2nd Best Player in the tournament: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Maurice_Revello_Tournament Sorry if common knowledge, and I just missed it!?

Yeah, because that’s how it works

Personally I prefer having a manager who shows emotion and passion, rather than a lot of the robotic cliche managers who are out there.

What am I missing, is he a skate? He's from north of Newcastle! Or is it his son Adam Armstrong you choose to switch off when he's on TV?

Interesting that 5 of the Top 10 passers have all either played for us, or play for us now... Jannik Vestergaard - 1531 Harry Winks - 1467 Wesley Hoedt - 1350 Alfie Jones - 1320 Pascal Struijk - 1207 Matt Grimes - 1206 Jan Bednarek - 1151 Luke O'Nien - 1144 Hayden Hackney - 1135 Kyle Walker-Peters - 1074 The Southampton Way 😉

I understand what you are saying, but that isnt enjoying or missing the Premier League more. Its just worrying that we are missing out on revenues, and thats about it. The actual competitive football part of the game for me (and the matchday experiences) are way more enjoyable in the EFL. I went to the Tottenham Stadium last season (yes I know we lost 1-4) but it was the worst experience of attending football for me, it was just dreadful. Beautiful to look at, but so clinical, fake and 'perfect' (like the Premier League I guess), it was just so soulless (like Wembley). Give me The Den, Elland Road or Hillsborough any day of the week.

I honestly prefer everything about this league than the Premier League. It's such a strange paradox as we feel we need to get back to the Premier League to play the biggest teams and earn the biggest money, but its a league that is no way as enjoyable to be a part of as the one we are in. There’s literally nothing I miss about the Premier League… VAR, the non-competitiveness, the media love-in/obsession with the ‘Big 6’, plastic fans supporting teams the other end of the country, over-saturation on the TV/Radio, etc? I definitely needed a break, and am loving a little optimism every weekend. Surely Burnley, Bournemouth and others aren’t enjoying it so much this season. Yes, I enjoyed the Pochettino and Koeman years as we were Top 5-8 for 5 years or so, but always knew we weren’t big/rich enough to sustain it, as the vultures then took our managers and players. The same happened to Leicester, and will also to Brighton. I think part of why I am loving this season is it brings back the nostalgia of 80's/90's football for me which I absolutely loved, where the league back then was way more even/competitive. And we are again playing some proper clubs with proper fans (Leeds, Coventry, Sunderland, QPR, Ipswich, Blackburn, Norwich, Sheffield Weds, etc) with all of us on a more even keel, with similar budgets and loyal/local fanbases, I love it. Ive had enough of Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and now Newcastle, they bore me so much and the media make it worse. Part of me hopes the European Super League does happen one day (and their fans can all enjoy it on the telly) and leave the rest of us to it.

I cant remember the last time he had a decent game either. A very dislikable player who whinges and throws his arms around all game blaming others, certainly not a captain who would inspire me. I think he is one of their biggest problems. As for Livramento... wow, what a player he will be. Really pleased for him, I just wish we could have enjoyed him for another year.

He's basically the top scorer in the league, and is playing really well in his current role. His workrate, pace and finishing have been superb and scare the sh*t out of opposition defenders. Why would we move him back into midfield? And back onto the bench?? Why are we always so critical of our own players (I'm not saying you are being here @east-stand-nic) but if he was scoring these goals for someone else, we would be crying out for us to sign him in Jan! AA can (and does) play wide of a Front 3 anyway, so I think he could fit really nicely alongside Stewart. And I have a feeling we wont see much of RS for a while yet anyway, he's missed a lot of football and has one of those injuries that can recur if not looked after. I think its exciting to have options and a player in AA who is looking confident, lets not dent it again.

Absolutely no idea at this point. Its been so up and down, and I dont know which direction we will go next. But personally I cant find too much to complain about (with the results) in the last 5 games, and if we win this Saturday (which I think we will) then 4 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 games is more than decent. I'm not overly happy with how its gone so far, and I did expect us to be doing better, but I've felt a lot more optimistic over the last 5 games than I did the previous 5! This is such a tough league (I know Leicester are an anomaly right now). Even last night you had Rotherham (apparently dreadful) beating last years Playoff Finalists 2-0, and Leeds losing to Stoke (who we beat 3 weeks ago). I just dont feel the doom and gloom right now that many others do. I was happy to take a point last night before it started (and even more happy with the point given the way the game went), and get to rest a few for Saturday, and I'd still take that.

Who knows... but if we carried on at that rate we would have 93 points, so you would think so.

Nah, I genuinely thinks hes just sh*t, but occasionally looks a little less sh*t.

Surely Alcraz has only been picked on reputation (very promising youngster, etc) as it can't be on his performances (so far this season)? I personally really rate him, and thought he actually looked a better player in the Premier League. I hope its just a dip in form, and maybe this call up will bring his confidence back.

Do you mean Eddie Howe?

Good evening Russell... Welcome to the forum...

He literally said "Janny B"

You do know AArmstrong scored today, and as the only player who even looked like scoring for us? 🤔