gio1saints

On reflection Jack Stephens’ calm demeanour was giving me Gareth Southgate vibes. That appearance, with multiple - and considered- public speaking opportunities throughout was almost perfect from him. He gave the “right” response to every question, took his time to think about his response before answering. An example was explaining that ALL his teammates wanted to do their best not just him and that ALL the team not just him wanted to play the way they do- and were in sync with the Managers’ ( note calls him the manager not Russell or “the gaffer” vision of how to play. Yes it was arguably presenting a united front at all costs and yes it was what most would expect to hear In public BUT the calm, sincere way he spoke did not appear to me to be the words of a cowered yes-man for Russell nor of a Stepford-wives style employee spouting the party line. If it was it fooled me. My impression is Jack is genuine, capable of independent thought and opinion and both honest and brave enough to say them out loud - so if he says the team character is good, is solid, the wrong types been cast out - I believe him. He’s not an intellectual sort but he’s got football savvy and high EQ for sure. Im definitely attending his Testimonial - which after 13 years at Saints already is certainly going to happen - though not, as he implied, until he gets a bit older and maybe hangs up his boots.

No great revelations but enjoyed it all the same. Found Jack Stephens very personable and mild mannered. Not like the enforcer he sometimes comes across like on pitch. Glad I got the chance to thank him straight away@ 26.35 after telling us how it is with the team and if there’s any on pitch fights. He said he’d rather Charlie got involved and stood up for teammates than the opposite. And that was true of whole team. Basically they are all gonna pile in! My response/take on that was as Saints fans we are not expecting to win all the time but we do expect to see the players fight - so thank you for reassuring us the team are all up for fighting! At which point tongue in cheek I asked Russell if the players had practised playing 10 v 11 which raised a laugh from everyone. Except a couple of miserable fans on here but you can’t please everyone

I’m in and it’s a disreputable crowd. There’s going to be fireworks. Plenty grumpy old men. Guaranteed beer questions a plenty. ps yiu got a ticketing app. You announce it’s the bees knees and in use all season. You buy yer fans forum ticket and it appears on the app. You go to the door and show it except the bloke is there with a clipboard asking yer name. Very pleased with technology. 😁

Russell, Enjoyed the team aggression last few matches but also noted many of our team like pulling shirts when we lose possession. Which you’ve tacitly encouraged if it stops dangerous breaks. I’ve got a feeling that if the last two match trend and the crude shirt pulling extends into the premier league we will end up often playing with ten men. How much have you practised for 10 v 11?

Interesting.👍. I think they’d most likely say that the two matches results will not significantly affect transfer policy. Too small a sample size even if we get beat 5-0 both matches. But not including if key players get serious injuries of course. What that transfer policy IS - injuries aside - is another matter altogether. Are we fully committed to a new striker another winger and AMF and a keeper before Aug 31st? 1/4? 2/4? 3/4? All 4? Or will we hear on Sept 1st that they feel the squad is strong enough and potential targets were either too costly or not good enough to start…

And this is why SFC have and will have a transfer budget currently based upon the strong likelihood- not possibility of relegation to the ECL next season. The footballing actuaries (bookies) believe we are very likely to go down. Go down with sustainable debt and adequacy to fight for a quick return or go down with we arefucked debt are the two most realistic real life options available. How and what we spend now determines that. Oh, that and the 33% chance we finish above the bottom three. Then the odds are better next season. And the budgeting can adjust upwards accordingly- but not madly so.

I know. The idea is not to reveal anything that might give opposition a competitive edge. So they will try say nothing but platitudes. But he may give a ballpark answer? I’m there to read body language responses to questions in the main anyways. Any better suggestion?

Not expecting any revelations tonight, especially from RM, but considering asking the finance guy what is the wage cap for prospective new players at Southampton - and as a follow up how flexible will he be on that for free transfers and loans. It’s a pointer in how likely rumours pertinent to RF, possibly Ramsdale or Johnstone any new star CF or AMF are. I’ve read £60k pw? If it’s answered here then will come up with something else .

Any news on Shea Charles’ absence from the squad Saturday?

Che Adams on subs bench for Torino in Italia cup game v Cosenza.

Might go. Went to the last few. Might get to ask a question this time but needs to be a good un. Might use the best of what’s posted here.

Not quite. Under RM the goalkeeper position at Saints and the technical requirements associated with it have been transformed. Some might say not for the better but that’s not the point. It’s not like a “ conventional” gk position anymore. There are a multitude of new PBF positions to be learned and tactical responses to situations to be understood. Understanding what your defenders and midfielders are going to do in our system, where they are going to be, even your forwards who can receive who best not, when and how to go long, and at any given moment is not an overnight thing. Planning and playing of set pieces and the high level of communication required needs time and great concentration. Lastly being thrown in at the deep end is not usually our style for such a crucial position - any position in starting line up usually, Thats why any new keeper will take weeks before he’s ready to play. And if he does not speak English that could extend to months. HTH.

Adam Hlozek.

Alex will be in goal v Newcastle. It will take weeks to induct any new gk into RM play style. Months if they don’t speak or understand good English. Lumley getting a run out basically confirms he’s reserve keeper for the foreseeable also. More noteworthy was Shea Charles total absence, BBD starting and the 15 minutes given to TP. Also of note was Jacks role as the defence midfield pivot and the acknowledgement that KWP might reprise Tella and JWP’s roles playing early fixtures last season until sold.

Any news on Shea Charles?

Something different that most players will never have faced before. He is going to worry defenders every attack and every set piece. We have a very predictable attack otherwise. And at the highest level the managers and players are better at nullifying stuff like good possession. He might just be our joker in the pack. Except of course he was only put on to remind the world he is alive and available to buy.

Call me a silly billy but last five or so minutes when TP was on we had a couple of chances to put ball into the box. Both came to nothing . But both times I thought to myself “ if they get it to him he will win the ball or create such a fuss we will score. I also found myself glowing with pleasure at the thought that saints actually have someone who IS a #9 and physically owns that forward central space normally empty for saints.

TP was on six minutes and got fouled 3 times.

I just voted for Paul Onuachu in the poll 'Saints vs Getafe: Vote for your Player of the Match'. What's your vote?

TP skills!!!!

I’m voting TP as my MOTM whatever 😂

Play Tyler. 😁

Jack Stephens playing v well in his position in front the cb’s. Most players did ok - Joe Aribo very good, BBD held up ball well in a way we not seen a while on the left. AA is off it a bit today, looks sluggish.,Alex gave them his present as expected but we got away with it. Nice Smallbone header from a Yuki delivery ( he’s good at set pieces) brought out a good save and he had another good chance blocked by excellent defending. These are whinging about every challenge. Will needs be careful as he could easy see a red second half. KWP tidy with a few glimpses of his skills. Jan and THB co trolled as ever. Flynn just oiling everything as usual. Not bad not great not rubbish could easy be 2-0 at HT.

I’ve heard this walker Peters guy is quite good. Be like a new signing if he works out at wingback. 😁

Melier. What awally . Gives Pompey an equaliser with crisp packet hands.