gio1saints

Fernandes is worth it. He was obviously much better than all his teammates last year but he could not carry the whole team. Put him in any EPL squad even top six and he adds value. Irs simple a shame we get one like that but Saints were not good enough for him to truly shine.

Last time we went down a LOT of people here were expecting an immediate return to EPL-indeed as automatic. The reason given was largely our squad quality vs the rest and basically our ability to pay much higher wages because of parachute ££ etc. The more ££ a club has usually they win, that’s morally wrong but too often true. The balancing factor to that optimism was we had a new & controversial manager playing an ambitious but dangerous way and essentially he had inherited a bunch of losers - indeed the whole club was in doldrums. Im not sure so much is really thematically different from last time around overall - so I’m kind of surprised - but actually happy there’s this growing realisation that yes, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to get out this league. Everyone needs to perform at their very best if they are to get into top six. IF we start this campaign with some humility there’s a chance thousands of supporters will fall in love with their club once again. There’s a chance the players left may rediscover that Saints underdogs never say die spirit. And that, instead of arrogantly expecting to win every game “ because” - they go out and prove why they deserve to win. And we get genuinely happy each time we do. Good Time for a mental reset for everyone.

Good to see Saints using me as the poster boy for the Brighton Game in their latest online advertising. Might have to ask Matt to send me a copy if the positive comments I’ve had from those seen it are true. If anyone wants a signed copy from the official Saints poster boy for the Brighton match I’m happy to oblige. Be available to sign them in the concourse near the best beer place…🤣

I agree that club feel Baz and McCarthy are considered good enough to start season with. Whether that is correct t another matter. I do think we will see an incoming goalie though and my hope it’s for a #1 challenger -not a third or second choice - but maybe the ££ wages and fee will determine that as much as anything.

Agree that we will start with Gav and Alex. I think that’s it for Aaron at Saints. Good guy and good goalie, he will do well at Newcastle. The prospect of Dubravka in return does not worry me but it’s v unlikely given his wages. We had Willy Cabellero do a similar “ older, experienced gk” job for us and I’m still expecting that type of goalie to be brought in even if Alex may consider that his domain even now. The timing of the Moody contract suggests we have hopes for him so it is rather interesting. The type of goalie Saints pick up will give us further clues about their general strategy for the season. Picking up a no mark kid prospect, hiring an old done it all pro, raiding stoke for their goalie or trying to get Sunderland’s etc etc.

Nice @trousers- If it’s not what you say ( if you negatively criticise a player the club a tactic that’s generally all lovely on here as lots of people love to get in a crying gaggle ( whats the collective term for a group of moaners ? A “Wail” seems as good a term as any….) but just try personally defending anything on here that anyone else has determined is received wisdom and oh dear just bought yourself a ticket to Wail heaven. But that’s old news. Today’s Wailing novelty is HOW you say it THATS THE PROBLEM. ho ho. No initials for players names - half the posters here don’t even know who is in the squad so I appreciate use of their initials is actually a waste of time, others, realising that being offended nay even outraged and angry is the latest and best thing to be- about anything- but most of all about Saints can now take umbrage at initials. If you like this content please like and consider subscribing to SAINTSWAIL@SFC.com.

I’d be v happy with the fc koln keeper ex DD teammate but it’s v unlikely. Failing that £5-£7m will get Viktir Johannssen from Stoke, who we should have bought off Rotherham. The latter reputedly on £15k pw.

https://x.com/armeniefootball/status/1949886180142510141?s=46 Looks like Girona were interested but no offer. Surely we can outbid and outpay girona? Or are we being used to flush out Forest or Brentford for example?

Thanks for the service Jan. Good move for you, good move for Saints. JQ will be the new starting Centre Back for Southampton this season to replace him as my first choice. I think the lad has got a great career ahead of him carries on like he’s started.

Totally yes please from me too. Why this guy is not being picked up by an EPL team at the reputed likely fee is a mystery to me - but let’s hope we get this over the line. I will allow myself a few unrealistic fantasy team moments of imagining a Saints team with MF, this guy, Shea Charles, Tyler, Big DD up front, JR wizardry on one wing and JQ behind them all defending like his life depended upon it 🤣. NB. Might need another defender or two plus a good goalie not called Ramsdale and that wins the league for me!

Loan or sale Rambo won’t be back. GB is now nailed-on as a starter for Wrexham. And that in turn gives strong indication, for me anyway, that the starting CB’s will be the outstanding from pre season Quarshie plus….somebody who knows GB knows his game from playing together previously and who trusts him and vice versa and all that gooey stuff - Jack. BUT it’s a calculated gamble and any goalkeeping errors first few matches I reckon Saints / WS will not hesitate to pull the trigger fast before end of window and replace him as first choice. If on other hand he does ok - ie some worldly saves keeps clean sheets no fucking passing to their CF nonsense we will still bring in an adult experienced GK but maybe not in the AR category as competition rather than as auto starter. Like the Cabellero geezer remember? Essentially the Will Still narrative is : you got injured, went away on loan it did not really work all that well, injured again yeah thats unlucky - BUT your keeping stats are not good Gavin. Not all your fault I get it with the style of football you were forced to plays But Let’s not delude ourselves. They gotta improve. I believe in you. You are gonna be my starting keeper - but you know Alex can come straight in and do a good job - so produce your best form. No need to say “or else”. These guys are pros and should know the score. Meanwhile 100% line up a replacement / alternative to Aaron in case good Gav reverts to bad Gav form cos he’s not getting a whole season to work on finding it…he’s got a handful Of matches tops and if he fucks up v pompey even fewer..

Agree about BBD. Whenever ball goes to him it’s like we’ve passed to a very large sandbag. It means death to the move. He kind of has the ball close by and then - nothing happens. Others have to do stuff for him. The moment, if there was a moment or half chance closes and some of our players are out of position through trying to help him. So he’s actually a liability. He cannot run fast or even cleverly nor dribble and his tackle is poor & turning circle is tanker-like in addition he’s aerially uncompetitive and usually silent , his first few yards are in the head they say - his are in the changing room. We need a better wide player urgently. This player roast was brought to you by Gazprom, CL sponsors. 😁

Jack Stephens is usually available about the 70th minute onwards after his early bath. Im here all week btw. 😁

Because the ones we have not been good enough. Quarshie is an upgrade and having RE and SC return is strengthening us. In any case I don’t think we will be keeping all the CB’s we have by end of window BK and JB will go and some will sell or be loaned out. THB reputedly when he recovers may be a target ditto Taylor.

I love he’s got a smile on him. Some personality. And that, year we went up, he was prepared to do exactly what he was told by RM to make it happen. And he seemed to be a team player that contributed to the whole and club success rather than his own ( admittedly damaged) image from previous clubs.

I thought he was ok + the first year in the Championship. But his extension was a mistake. He may have been in “decline” but he was plenty good enough for us in the Championship certainly compared to SE and any other s who had a go too left upfront as he was more effective defensively AND offensively than others. Agree we needed better for EPL but I cannot say I think his character sucked for Saints. If anything in a squad quiet as a mouse at least he played a team role supporting whatever asked to do ( mainly track back and tackle!) He was no Gordon Strachan but he’s did/does have a little bit of devilment about him. Some personality. Sam could do with some of that but I guess being so young don’t help.

That DD goal was first goal I’ve seen one of our forwards make recently that had a touch of FU class about it- Tyler’s aside. He’d had NO Passes NO touches for 30 minutes from our clueless team yet it only took one young creative player ( JR) not infected with don’t know how to score or even go about it itis to pass it to him and bang it’s a goal. Start him immediately. No bedding in watching the non scorers not score first. DD to start and bench the rest of them. They can score with their first proper touch next time, if they get another chance that is, if they have the talent and ability.

He may well be but I’d prefer we did buy a #10 AND have MF in the team. This lot take too long to look dangerous. You put a player like DD on and he does not get a pass on debut fir 30 mins until JR shows how it’s done tells you a lot. RS not getting the ball when he is on either same story. Our nominated Goal scorers not getting service is a big problem needs solving. I’ve also avoided putting in players that I don’t think are up to it. The ten saints players I put on the pitch above are arguably the top ten players we have. changing it around to slot in a not as good player may work but I’d rather add a new player who is obviously a #10. MF can be - but with our lack of attacking guile I want another one on the pitch to solve that service to glaciers issue - ideally can run fast as well.

My “in with the new, out with the old “ aggressive starting 11 v Wrexham : Downs Robinson Dibling new #10 Charles Downes Fernandes Wood Smashie Edwards Ramsdale

A chaotic yell caused unlimited tremors possibly accelerating new panics?

Just my pennies worth : I think the reason RE was played essentially at RB was (1) Will needs all our players to get minutes in their legs and RE not played much. (2) Any team with Quarshie, Wood, Stevens, Edwards, THB, Taylor, Charles possibly Sanda and even BK is well populated by players who can “do” CB. They cannot all be vying for 2 slots in a back four system - which is what WS allegedly prefers. So just imagine if he discovers his FB’s are comparatively weaker defensively than his CB’s? If WS is as pragmatic as the reputation says then a back 3 becomes a legitimate option. Back to RE : if he does not 100 guarantee to start at central CB but he’s technically potentially better than our current FB’s ( who conceded a shed load of goals last year) then isn’t it reasonable fir WS have a look at the permutations to see if it can work with him maybe on the right? In a preseason friendly perhaps? RE. JQ. NW. is looking a viable back three to me given the apparent lack of faith in the FB’s so I can see WS loading the team up pitch with the attacking talents of TD &MF& JR all on at same time surrounded by hardworking ex FBs wide of them. And I would love to say DD as well in that elite group to finish off the play - but it’s early days! Here’s hoping though! Oh - and the elephant in the room : the three I mentioned above at three CB’s are starters for me not because JS is something of a pariah atm but rather because they all have pace - which JS does not have- to cover into those wide gaps if need be.

Crucial preseason for RF. His non season for us in the EPL hangs over him like a cloud. I don’t think it’s working myself. He’s trying but not seen one devastating pass or move created out of nothing by him-yet. He is decent at running harrying and keep possession - but I’m not sure those are the ideal prime characteristic for a creative risk-taking Saints #10. WS has played him several times now-and starting- as a mobile #10 - and not even once as a winger, which was his career long position. My personal view is that as a wide player his best characteristic is his defensive workrate - better than our other wide players - and his experience - but as a #10- no. He is third choice behind MF and TD imo for that. Those are the only two players with the technique and vision for the role in current squad * awaits incoming new signing lol. Love his character but I feel he needs get that “scared to score Fraser “ tag that I mentally envisage whenever I see him, off his back. Get more ruthless more devastating a lot less jovial “ wee man”. Get angry get goals get assists get greedy - and forget your squad popularity.

Overall this looked better than our other performances. Some attempts at a more direct game evident. Ramsdale, Quarshie, Shea and DD look a super strong spine for the Championship. IF they are allowed to play every week I think we go up irrespective of who plays either side of them. Add quality like JR /TD and MF plus some guys who are super fit and will run their arses off then give it to the aforementioned and we maybe got ourselves a team.

Ladies and Gentlemen, We have ourselves a new star CB. I give you, Joshua Quarsie. The outstanding player on the park.

It looks like a back four but you get the impression that with 3 centre backs amongst them it’s going to be a three that tucks in when we are attacking on flanks. Meaning wellington in this case may have more freedoms to attack. On the rh side I’d say that’s to allow MF more freedoms to attack know g he has RE covering perhaps?