Patches O Houlihan

Maybe it was baby steps - he wasn't arrogant enough to try to hold back the real sea on his first go?

Is London on the coast? Most people would say no - and yet the Thames in central London is definitely influenced by the tides - that's why Teddington Lock was built, which marks the change between the tidal river and the freshwater upper sections. In fact by that Britannica definition the Oxford & Cambridge boat race would be a coastal event... I think we're both in agreement!

So you'd stick with 5 at the back?

Imagine if Ricky, Adam, Jose et al had been relegated immediately - it sounds like that doesn't it

It's worth clicking the link to have a read of Ipswich fan comments: "The ownership have had a smell of the Premier League and will replace anyone to get back there and stay there no matter how much we love the player, how much the player loves the club and no matter how much that player has done for the club. Different game now, sad to see" Chappers isn’t Premiership class that’s no doubt but if they want to get back there he’s just the sort of character we need at the club. 4 right backs no left back cover and no right sided CM cover is hugely concerning"It might turn out that we've played a blinder, but for a lot of us this was easily the best Town squad we've ever seen, and we've voluntarily torn it up in the space of three windows. Can only hope the newbies step up" "When Norwich yo-yo’ed in 20/21, we kept the vast majority of those who got us promoted two years before, and only improved in a couple positions. Beyond the emotional element, are you lot worried about the effects of losing this core?" "Some people say it’s progression, but unfortunately this isn’t we’ve got rid of a really good player fact we’ve got rid of lots of good players and not brought many better players in sad days"

😁 I'm sure he was given plenty of opportunities to sign a much more lucrative contract over the last 18 months

"Small pebbly beach located at the mouth of the River Itchen." [not English Channel 😜]

Someone did a search about Will Still's particular favoured style a few days back (sorry I forget who or where). Apparently besides through balls in behind he is a fan of crosses from traditional wingers - but cruicially played on the floor, not in the air - so either pull backs or played a little early and still with a little forward angle. This is why he wanted quick front men, and our box to box midfielders might fancy that too. Archer, Downs and Arma could all be classed as reasonably quick in this league, and Nessie is there to change up the style.

Not 'proper' Southampton either is it! (on dangerous ground here!)

I have a degree in Geography from the University of Southampton, and have worked as a professional seafarer for more than 20 years. You'd best bring your 'A' game to this discussion!

It's up an estuary (Southampton Water & the Solent) - just like Exeter is. That's why you have to drive a distance to have a nice walk on a proper beach or cliff

Strictly speaking Southampton isn't on the coast either

But did he look like that across multiple games played the month before we signed him?

Jander born 23/3/2003 so he's 22 Quashie has been with the German under 20s or on the bench for the German under 21s this year. Born 26/7/2004 so 21 currently. Quashie is in the U21s squad: The full squad: Keepers: Mio Backhaus, Dennis Seimen, Max Weiß Defenders: Elias Baum, Hendry Blank, Linus Gechter, Finn Jeltsch, Leandro Morgalla, Joshua Quarshie, Tom Rothe, Lukas Ullrich Midfielders: Noël Aséko Nkili, Muhammed Damar, Said El Mala, Brajan Gruda, Anton Kade, Aljoscha Kemlein, Mert Kömür, Umut Tohumcu Forwards: Ilyas Ansah, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Nicolo Tresoldi, Nelson Weiper

Well done for mopping up an AI mess. Very pleased to hear that the bulk of the group will be staying to work out a 4 at the back system and gain some familiarity.

I asked AI who would be available to train for an extended period prior to pompey. At the bottom I have highlighted players staying who could potentially form the basis of the starting 11 in a new formation. International Call-Ups Full Senior International Duty Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland) Joe Aribo (Nigeria) Elias Jelert (Denmark) Finn Azaz (Israel) Shea Charles (Northern Ireland) Age Group International Duty Taylor Harwood-Bellis (England U21) Nathan Wood (England U21) Kuryu Matsuki (Japan U20/U21) Sam Edozie (England U21) Moses Sesay (England U20/U21, likely on standby) Training Days with Will Still & Staff Key Facts International matches run until 10 September. Players involved return late 10th or 11th. Portsmouth game is 14 September, so internationals get only 1-2 training days with Will Still. Players not on international duty get the entire break—around 10-11 days of uninterrupted tactical work. Players Available for Extended Preparation vs Portsmouth Not On International Duty (Full Preparation: ~10 days) Alex McCarthy George Long Dylan Moody Mads Roerslev Jack Stephens Joshua Quarshie Ronnie Edwards Welington Flynn Downes Caspar Jander Tom Fellows Ryan Fraser Ross Stewart Damion Downs Adam Armstrong Jay Robinson Leo Scienza

Watching that I almost feel sorry for the rest of the division! I think we're going to be on tele plenty this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qIV9MH0BkA He's clearly in great form right now. There was that free kick in the Bundesliga (23/8/25) and then the two here and the Beckhamesque lob (admittedly this game is a cup game against lower opposition (16/8/25) (Link won't embed but worth watching)

Scienza delivering under massive pressure. I like this guy

Robinson is going to learn so much playing with Scienza, Azaz & Fellows.

His playing career has had an odd trajectory - there might be a Ricky Lambert-esque story to enjoy there. Lets hope he smashes it

You could argue the derby is a test of nerve and innate natural instinctive ability under pressure. There won't have been time for the players to have absorbed much - certainly in attacking areas. They'll be making it up as they go along and reacting instinctively. Let's hope the on paper quality shows up. Azaz was put in that position against Watford and certainly acquitted himself pretty well (despite the error). 🤞

Maybe the feeling is that you can train good positioning and agility in a goalkeeper easier than you can train good footballing skills. He has already played way more minutes than most young keepers his age. Goalies tend to improve with age, and so you could argue his keeping will mature earlier, giving him a longer career at the top level and saving Saints money in the long term if he stays. He wasn't ready in 22/23 or 23/24. He was rightfully not exposed in 24/25. So far he has been a little better than usual but I still have questions. McCarthy can clearly still make saves, so even though he appears to be the most relaxed reserve keeper I guess there has to still be a little competition there. It would be great if the club was proved right, but I'm not seeing it myself. Maybe Rambo will get recalled in January?

If I've got one criticism of the Saints media team it is the crazy banal questions new signings get asked. Would be lovely to hear something about what makes that player special or individual or different. But there's a difference between answering banal questions sensibly on the day you join a new club and being coached to do it.

I assume you'd be smashing it in your 3rd or 4th language?