gio1saints

What’s confused you Charlie? You think we can start sloppy like we have last two and get away with it tonight?

Massive doses of humility required all around. It concerns me the number of puff pieces Russ is getting in the press atm and the nominations for manager of the month etc. it’s a good thing but also it can backfire. Im hoping him and team start this match better than the last two- and that’s by EARNING the right to be regarded as the better team in the pitch - not by “ reputation” or fancy names on the team sheet. With captains like JS around I’m confident that’s going to be the case - but the minute we start believing “ we are better than these” , expect to just turn up to win we will get battered. This team were not beaten by Nottn forest over two matches so they are no mugs. And at home especially. We only beat them with a wonder goal last time. Make no mistake - very tough match. Sleeves up and work your bollix off time you want to get anything out of this one.

Might get a start tonite for Juve or at least get on. Think I might watch that. Discovery+ have it.

It’s not often Managers are “surprised” at how the opposition initially set up. A surprising amount of work goes on behind the scenes before matches and indeed all season analysing other teams matches so that Manager can be as best prepared as possible. It’s a guess but that’s why he’s the manager and not you or I - he will get that guess right more often.

It would be very hard / almost unthinkable NOT To start Joe Rothwell after his match winning performance Saturday. If so then that conveniently allows time for Flynns injury to repair itself- hopefully in time for WBA. IF Flynn is fit he must always start, he’s that important to how we play. I would also, more controversially, rest Stu for this one and put Shea in but as the DM. Stu has been ok - but not quite at his top level recently. Time for a breather imo. I would also, consider resting Che and playing either Sekou central or more preferably Brooks RW with AA going central. I say more preferably because I loved that pass Brooks made to Joe for second goal and I’d like to think they got an instant understanding already PLUS Sekou has showed he comes on as a sub- he scores. Much dependent on how Bristol set up. It should be there expected sitting back with a low block but maybe Huddersfield has given them ideas in which case Russ may adapt accordingly. NB if it IS a low block then expect Che to start as his hold up play will be at a premium when there’s not much space in behind.

Very true. Im just one of those many people seen suffering and am grateful for the absence of it - when I can remember to be grateful that is. Usually I’m just as peed off at something or other like everyone else. A cynic might say that supporting Saints IS suffering. A Buddhist believes life = suffering so maybe we are onto something being Saints fans! When Saints were rubbish ( that’s a controversial trivia comment/question!) I did not feel personally more rubbish- or less- so frankly there’s no reason I should feel better- or worse now they are doing really good. EXCEPT it seems to me that’s there is a shedload of reasons out there for every single one of us to be unhappy. Life is tough for a lot of people in a lot of ways. Reasons to be happy are sometimes few and far between. Saints unbeaten run is one of those few and far between things…so……celebrate good times come on, we gonna have a party….😂😇

I hear you but that way thinking is shortening peoples lives. If one cannot celebrate the good then will not ever be happy. There will always be something bigger and better. It’s not cause to defer enjoying what we do have, and be grateful for it. Saints unbeaten run is a perfect opportunity to show gratitude in the present. Forget that we are usually not good for just a moment and will get beat Tuesday or lose 9-0 if we go up again. It’s quite literally a once in a lifetime thing.

Just a gentle nudge to Saints fans out there who have been known to associate the fortunes of the club with their own lives sometimes : cherish these moments. Live in the present and enjoy the NOW. Because- If history is anything to go by you will never be able to say your team is 25 matches unbeaten again in your lifetime. Mention it at work, mention it to your family, mention it to your friends, most of all enjoy it in your head. Walk with a spring in your stride breathe deeper smile wider because your team are unbeatable. YOU are unbeatable. Supporting saints is NOT always like this. It may end Tuesday night but today - 25,undefeated…25 undefeated. Sing it, enjoy it, live it and love it. 😇

Was there. Mental scenes. I think. I cannot remember far back much anymore but I remember going mental for a ruddock goal. It was a bit of a wtf is he taking a penalty moment and now of all times. One of a kind I guess

I’m not sure my heart could cope with giving sides a 2 nil lead at half time or letting them back into it at 2-3 with ten to go. How often do you think we can score five in a second half then? I’ve only ever seen it done once live in over fifty years following saints!

I suspect most teams will now play like Huddersfield against us - home or away, with exception of LCFC, LUFC and ITFC. Oh, and Liverpool. Which means we better get better at playing v this high and intense press because Huddersfield are not the best attacking team in the league and despite that they caused us a lot of problems- and scored three goals. Shea if Flynn unfit is the proper decision for that if RM wishes the team structure to remain as usual. He has defensive DNA. And it’s our defending thats been a bit hairy recently not our goalscoring. NB it’s been noted elsewhere that Burnley have struggled this EPL season with the intense press as they attempt to play out from the back. I think we got a glimpse of what it might be like next season if we go up yesterday… except EPL players are better - so it’s lessons that need learning fast.

I do not feel Gav nor Manning were at conspicuous fault for any of the goals. I think much of the finding-a -player-to-blame thing is simply reactionary emotion talking - and in the rush to pin blame ignores the fact that all the goals were communal - not individual - error failures. Manning got criticised in the DE for the goals - which I thought was poor “journalism”. I don’t have a prejudicial grudge against the bloke (unlike a lot of people slagging him off do seem to have- his name was even booed in Northam when came up in starting line up😟 - talk about disgraceful support!!! ) so Ryan is on a hiding to nothing each time he enters the field of play. Anyone there and who was bothered to watch the goals highlights several times like me cannot come to the conclusion he alone was at fault for any of the goals. Nor that he was our “ weak link”. The whole effing not-a-team was the weak link first half ffs! That he and Gav are being singled out - shows how strongly emotion can sometimes override objective reality. The facts are that team failures led to all three goals. But team success led to five goals scored.

I hate those people one minute love the saints love our team the next he’s a see you next Tuesday eff off you useless so and so. He’s so shite etc etc etc. When the going gets tough what do these heroes do? They turn on the team. Pathetic Wastes of space. This thing about shouting out loud how shit your own player/ team is and indeed it’s an art form on this forum slagging off RM and team early season I’d never at experienced much before. Sign of the times I guess. People gettin angry. Societal frustration finds its flashpoint on match days I guess.

Russ says hi. IMG_7441.MOV

Advance notice to Northam 41 : if David Brooks starts or gets on and does something good then I’m singing his song. At least two choruses worth. Feel free to look at me all strange like.Because I don’t GAF. I may even put it out on Insta lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😁 Nb if I’m not mistaken the second line is up for debate but the one I saw about he beat Cancer and hates Pompey ticks boxes for me so I may try to integrate that in. Certainly the Northam do like a nice Pompey ballad 😎.

Yup that’s true and something RM and team say repeatedly. Sounds like they use that thought as a spur and constant reminder - especially matches like today. My appreciation for RM is actually twofold- first & foremost it’s the football and the points - but in addition I appreciates the ephemeral side of things that he’s brought to our club, city amd fans worldwide. You never stop supporting the team you love - but the team you love can sometimes be a source of upset anger and frustration when things go wrong. Conversely the opposite can also be true. I think RM and team have done a lot to enhance the “happiness quotient” for want of a better phrase, for Southampton supporters and it’s diaspora. I know many on here will heap scorn on me for saying so but sometimes it’s not all about the result - it’s how you play, the spirit in which you play, the attitude towards competing. And on all those counts Saints under RM get a ✅ from me. 😇

Wether we go up or not I feel I’ve more than had my moneys worth from my ST- already.And a large part if that is down to RM. I find it genuinely refreshing in an age of tricksters charlatans and general bullshitters to have a Manager with his emotional intelligence, self-belief and strength of character. His ability to articulate those beliefs into a football philosophy is excellent. The PB game he espouses is not new but he intelligently borrows from the best of the best out there in it whilst retaining all the traditional traits that we care about and insist upon. The result is possibly an historic undefeated run and certainly kudos and people taking notice - for the right reasons- of what’s happening here in sunny Soton. If it does not end in promotion many will write it off as failure. As would he. I, regretfully, have to concur with that but, to paraphrase one of the Romantics - it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. And Russell has given us a reason to love Saints and our football once more, so for that alone if nothing else, I’m grateful.

Juventus have not got the money. I’m hoping that stays the case as I really rate him and having him back in the Premiership a little older a little wiser- who knows- has great potential imo. But it’s useful to watch Charlie in a team playing a different style anyways They have a match Monday and I’m hoping he gets minutes in that one- or a start even. Just imagine he starts scoring regular out there- each goal is one giant kerching of millions on a transfer - i reckon IF he scores 7+ in last 16 games ( he won’t I don’t think but here’s hoping) he’s going to be in demand everywhere even at €49m..saints can keep him or cash in. Worst case is he has a mare.

Scores a cracker in a Juve training vid online. Have to say the Juve 26 Alcaraz shirt looks pretty. #wantit

Thank you @suewhistle. I’d private message my thanks but this will have to do. Being “put down” by that chap for essentially being a positive enthusiastic saints fan who made a silly mad prediction that has still got life in it so far is at least tolerable when we are doing well. If we lose before 30 unbeaten I’m sure someone ( guess who?) will bring it up to “ taunt” me when it’s just harmless fun we should all be laughing about! I will of course apologise for making that mad prediction if so. 😂😇

I know who I am - it’s a positive saints fan who crazily predicted a thirty match unbeaten run back in October - over three months ago. Know anyone else who did that and got this close? Ever?? In our entire history as club? Do you? Well now you do. Thats who I am Mr. Fry 😂 Incidentally and it really should go without saying but if that crazy prediction ( or was it a prophecy of divine origin?🤣) is close to coming true it is exciting and could be mildly interesting to saints fans - and even to someone with your lack of grace don’t you think? 😁.

We are STILL getting there. Thirty is still on. Five games later. Five to go. All winnable matches. Please continue to laugh at my insanity. It’s working. 🤭😇

He has a deceptive / languid looking change of pace that deceives defenders but more importantly he uses his body intelligently to get in front of players who have no choice but to let him go- or foul him- very MLT style- and he also seems physically strong.

Full view of that sekou wonder goal starting with lumleys passing…https://x.com/saintssocialite/status/1755211491970515232?s=46&t=l5Q4mkKSxz5qdVtggXqogw with credit to @saintssocialite and @southamptonfc

So it’s not the concept of having a much improved home end atmosphere you are against but rather the possibility that some existing Northam fans might relocate to be closer to away fans - and that might be near you? It’s a fair point if that’s your concern. The issue of existing ST’s elsewhere in ground not wanting away fans being relocated near them - or being moved to accommodate them- or having undesirable fans moving from Northam to be close to them ( and you) is an entirely understandable concern for some supporters. You sit where you sit for a reason and for some a big part of that is not to be near any idiots. FWIW : I’m a Northam ST and there’s no chance I’m not being a part of the new Northam next season ( if it happens). At some point Saints are going to have to decide wether the ( many) projected benefits of the project outweigh the legitimate concerns of supporters such as yourself.