gio1saints

IF a big money offer comes in for any of our players they are going to look at it. If we were offered £30m for KWP I think SR accepts myself. £20m or below I think they pass. Inbetween maybe a swop is included.

Not signing a RW would not be make or break for Saints this season, all things being equal. IMO. Any replacement for Che though cannot just be a “goal scorer”, that’s not enough. They need to be able to be effective in a team that plays PB football. That means possess high technical ability, high stamina, great humility & selflessness, plus high football intelligence in tactical and situational awareness to hit the ground running. That is why I think we may be a little surprised if/when Che goes at the type of replacement brought in. It won’t be a Tall Paul type put it that way!

The stats are from the season to date for Swansea. 27 matches. The new Swans manager is of the same mould as RM ie PB football. So i do not expect them to have big overlapping fb’s for instance and lobbing balls into the mixer. Though they may well do exactly that to catch us off guard. But I’m not paid a bazillion like RM to determine if that will or will not happen. 😁

It’s healthy to change your mind if the evidence suggests it to you. It’s usually a mark of high intelligence but also pretty courageous to do - so kudos. My view on Che is reluctantly on the side of sell - I have same reservations as yourself BUT if we get a l4l replacement that balances out. My analysis of Che ( Ive posted this somewhere) suggests he is statistically speaking, good for around another 6 goals this season if he stays. Any replacement scores less than that ( or with added assists ) then it’s been a mistake- even with £6m banked. Replacement scores and assists more- it was the right call.

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/everto-wolves-and-crystal-palace-discover-price-they-must-pay-for-southampton-player-this-month/

Yup I agree. I think that the times of one player one club are behind us so it’s especially a good milestone. Players are bought and sold- and managers- like new mobiles. Basically they’re replaced or “upgraded” regularly and their useful lifespan is countable in much shorter timescales than say twenty years ago. Which directly impacts upon the nature of the typical supporter with their club. If it’s a revolving door of new players and new managers owned by new owners what’s to love? And why? Pretty soon 200 matches one team will be regarded as extraordinary rather than ah is that so kind of response. Bit sad hence why I’m trying to resist , futilely, the tide. 😇

Checked out the opta stats on Swansea and they seem to be weak on the flanks at rb and lb in terms of their opponents having possession there. Suggests they defend narrow. Bit like us really. Also Suggests to me that Ryan will be able to get a lot of the ball. He’s 9/1 first goalscorer, 9/1 last and 10/3 anytime if anyone’s interested. I’m on. Certainly looking good for assisting also. Plus he’s on fire. If he’s fit then he is gonna have fun… Can also see Amo getting a chance late on to play down the flanks if we are comfortable ( or even if not).

Thanks. I’ve subscribed to opta analyst on back of that article.

Great point! All the saints fans who are in smaller but noisy support groups around the ground can now potentially coalesce into the Northam. They should probably be offered priority to the newly available Northam seats/stand. One great thing about the Dell was that it was compact and intimidating for away teams. Cannot recreate that intimidating feel at SMS but the next best thing ( imo) is to put the away support in a corner somewhere (😁) and have a red and white monopoly both ends to maximise vocal support for the team. NB. If this happens I’m fairly certain that we will kick off to the Northam second half - unlike at present. Would be nice to give team close and loud second half support to get those goals right in front of us. Especially as we seem to score so many late goals. Hidden in the detail is the idea of a mixed seating/ standing area. This will be an interesting item!

Yes. I am a current Northam season ticket holder. It very much affects me. I have Been to every home match this season. But you are right. If you not a regular at SMS there’s limited - but not zero - value to input.

Registered my interest to attend more focus group stuff on it. Am very much in favour.

Much as I love the happy dancing dogs, to say we will win an away match easily is just a Bonio size too dogtastic for my imagination. We have not won ANY match away from kennels easily for countless years let alone an away match easily during this walkies. I do think it’s a win but it requires some dogged application - so your dancing dogs are a good clue. 🐶 😇.

Playing 200 matches in a saints shirt IS praiseworthy. You don’t play 200 matches in a Saints shirt if you are shite. DO click on the link- it’s fun to see who actually is on that list of playing over 200 Saints matches. And how many of them you think are unworthy of praise.

Ivan Golac, one our greatest full backs. A hero to many. 173 times played for saints but forgotten by everyone. 🤭. Not by me- or you. 😂

Everyone below Jan Bednarek is forgotten right? 🤭https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-southampton/rekordspieler/verein/180 erm Peter Shilton, Ivan Golac, Marian Pahars, Mark Wright…..and so on… it’s rather a long list of forgotten nonentities.

197 and 196 appearances - 3 or 4 matches,

Some really good points and nicely picked up on the away form data. A goal difference of zero really says we barely scraped over the line when we’ve won and have never destroyed teams like what happens at SMS. Perhaps, and maybe it’s wishful thinking, though 19 unbeaten is one hell of a reason to be optimistic - we have gradually learned to be better all-round- and this will soon - perhaps as the final piece of the performance jigsaw - translate into better more convincing winning away performances.

You might be right though quality of opposition is the main factor for sure. I honestly did not think Jan could play this way and to see his renaissance under RM has been a revelation this season. He’s an automatic starter, regained his international #5 shirt for Poland and is the on pitch tempo lead for our PB football in absence of JS. Either football style suits him or the forwards are easier to play against - or more likely a bit of both. FWIW : Jan is currently the outstanding CB #1 in the championship for passes, progressive passes and pass completion percentage. Source : https://fbref.com/en/players/4115ce4e/Jan-Bednarek Well worthy of special acknowledgement when he hits 200 matches in a Saints shirt. Oh, and as a point of reference a previous foreign CB called Jose Fonte Baby, I believe, managed 286 games for Saints so some way to go! .😁

Agreed they are neither ever going to be legends ( unless Beds or Stu scores a winner/Hattrick in the 2024FA cup final win over Liverpool) but point I was making was that 200 was entering Hall of Fame category. 200 League appearances for both is a high and merit worthy achievement for any Saints player.

Longest unbeaten run 19 matches, 5 September 1921 – 31 December 1921 NB Millwall away was match 7 of Saints record breaking 30 matches unbeaten run in the Championship during the 2023-24 season that culminated in their automatic promotion to the EPL. Edited 31 October, 2023 by gio1saints We are getting there. Thirty league matches unbeaten is still on - 12 league matches later. Shout out to all the gentle people who laughed at my prediction. Please do it again. It’s obviously a good luck charm. 😇 The full post to check my other “insane” predictions:

Love Stu❤️. Stu will be 32 in March. out of contract in the summer. And Was on £70k pw. My personal view : I don’t think he would play as much or enjoy it as much next season at Saints in the EPL (if we make it- nor staying here if we don’t) Given his contract situation this current season will probably be his last for Saints. And we should appreciate him accordingly. He will reach 200 appearances shortly also. The ideal for him might be if he goes to Celtic to pick up a championship winners trophy but had not cost them anything so they can give him two years on a decent wage.Maybe even a join up bonus. That might also enable perhaps some young talent incoming from them to us also. 😁😎

Wages c £8k pw. Compared to Stu ( older) and Aribo ( bit younger) who play similar position but are ( or were - I’m unsure if they got the relegation haircut to salary? Anybody know?) on £70k pw.

Nicely spotted. Players get 2 games suspended for reaching 10 by the 38th match ( source google). That’s both Ryan and Jan out probably around beginning Feb - on current form. Hopefully JS and a fit again James Bree at that time ensure no major loss in personal or momentum.

Was a very surprising line up last time ( JS at right back! Joe Aribo started! KWP was like everywhere!) v these. No Che. But it worked. Wonder if RM will refresh his starting line up again this time or revert to what is currently the standard when fit 11 ( Gav, RM, THB, Jan, KWP, WS, FD, SA, RF, AA & Che)? Our default team is predictable but means nothing if they cannot counter it. I personally would prefer him to pick that away line up than the rather exotic home match line up we used Boxing day. Though winning 5-0 does say it kinda worked. just dont think they get fooled twice on that. Very hard match in store and the players that start are going to have to put a lot of energy into this to stop early swans enthusiasm and desire to atone for the thrashing only a few weeks ago. Assuming we are not 3-0 down at HT I think we have more than enough to beat these - especially last quarter of the match when they may start to tire. 1-2 Saints.

Not necessarily Stu Aribo or Charlie leaving ( well I hope not!) so the right winger is either him - or someone else we purchase? Or he is part of a some kind of swap deal with Bournemouth taking one of ours?