santolijador

I wouldn't be surprised if last seasons absolute shit show burnt Matty out. More managers than wins. Then he went to U21 Euros, and I recall him giving an interview saying that he was so done with football in general. Fwiw, he has only showed touches of class this season and he has played a bit like his head had been turned. Wasn't involved in our best half of the season against Norwich reserves and the funds will hopefully allow us to reinvest. I quite like the look of this Jander kid, comabatative high press tackling midfielder. For the avoidance of doubt, this is very much a 'cope' post and I love the guy, but this is what relegation brings unfortunately.

I’m trying to work out when this will be scheduled for. Assuming it will be week commencing 22nd, as if I’m not mistaken, there is a UCL fixture the week before? By complete chance, I am in England for the first time in a long time and I happen to be up North, flying in on the Tuesday night. Fingers crossed for a 23rd Wednesday fixture, shouldn’t have trouble getting tickets…

Would probably signify a return to 4 at the back. Taylor can play there if needed too though it seems.

On current form Charles - Fernandes Azaz with Downes providing excellent back-up. Im not convinced we've heard the end of Fernandes leaving yet though

Alfie confirming it here;

If nothing else, this is a man who has not been poisoned by Martinball. I quite like this personally (providing he isn't our only attacking signing). Physical player who St Pauli fans like (and wanted to keep) - if i'm not mistaken, he was amongst their top scorers in the Bundesliga. Contributed goals to a team tasked with staying in the top division in Germany. International experience, top flight experience both in Germany and this season he has some, albeit very few, minutes in Ligue 1. Him + Rak-Sakyi would be some nice depth on the right, allow Fraser to continue his utility player role, and likely doesn't cost much either. That, plus he likely knows how WS wants to play. I'm all for scrutiny, but we have very little to go on, other than this, a goal every 4 games in his career, and soem versatility across the front 3. Obvs, if we were prem, I'd perhaps be less positive, but I don't think this is as disappointing as some are making out. And, as ever, he might be inspired in a Saints shirt. Or not. We will find out I guess.

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/bella-kotchap-heads-to-hellas-verona?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=armel-bella-kotchap-verona-loan&utm_term=news&utm_content=link

Everyone who has been paired up with Roerslev on the right has been decent. Good sign that.

Matsuki, pronounced the Japanese way

We are such a confidence team

If nothing else, this hopefully convinces Still that 3 centre backs increases the chances of a horrendous individual error by at least 50%. TBH and Stephens in a pair for the forseeable please. Send Edwards on loan, he's not ready yet.

Lot's of first choice absences and new signings. 3-4-3 formation. Kivstgaarden hyped and making his full debut, was potentially a Sargent replacement, but Sargent turned down a move to Wolfsburg I think so not sure whats going on there.

Funnily enough, plenty of Norwich fans aren't too happy with them moving to a 3-4-3 under the new boss Manning either. I think Still is matching up with them in terms of shape. No Sargent for them (also not on the bench) either. I'm not reading into Fernandes not being there, if Stephens isn't even in the squad then I think they are saving them the journey more than anything.

I can't speak for having watched Rak-Sakyi play live much, but if you are a numbers person, there are some notable differences; - much better end product in terms of G/A - appears to be more physically able, or at least contributes a bit more defensively - better in the air Should be noted that Rak-Sakyi has a much larger sample size in the last 365 days, and obviously this is all dependent on the system they play in. https://fbref.com/en/players/45685411/Jesurun-Rak-Sakyi https://fbref.com/en/players/007414dd/Samuel-Edozie

It is worth mentioning, it's being reported by Norwich media as a loan. not permanent.

Oh my god he is awful

West Ham looking at Hackney. Implications for us, both with Matty, but also Azaz, Middlesborough surely won't want to let 2 important midfielders go within a week

If Spors has any balls, we ship 1/2 of Archer, Arma or Stewart and go and get another striker in, alongside a couple of wingers and a 10. Minimal chance of it happening alas.

Clearly lacking quality going forward in general

Good thing we are only 3 games in then

Who are you getting in right now then? Fuck me, he's barely been backed by the board and the transfer window hasn't even shut. That, and our squad is absolute gash and has been for over a year, arguably many more than that. In before 'ooh 5 at the back and all that' take a step back - he clearly sees the game different to you and is clearly taking an approach to reduce the stupid goal against, but he clearly wasn't aware that this is Southampton and it's in our DNA. Until today, he could probably argue that things worked in terms of avoiding defeat. The problem is the players and has been for too long. 0 quality across the line up, Downes and Charles didn't show up, we missed too many sitters and our striking options have been genuinely awful since Ings left. Recruitment has been progressively worse since the black box days and we are just getting worse, all compounded by some seriously questionable managerial appointments. We have plenty of problems, but Will Still is not top of that list.

Didn't Thomas have a great game for Huddersfield against us a couple of years ago?

He needs his Russ

Johansson loves playing against us

Burnley managed it