gio1saints

Exactly right, all of it. One KWP team re-jig implication of your post is that it might also open the door a little bit more for our mini KWP - Meg. He‘s being groomed for that and in the case of KWP going - and perhaps injury to either JB or RM, that may be accelerated. Silver linings etc I’ve never liked trying to convert tricky wingers into FB’s - only Ashley Young has done it to a high level as far as I’m aware but a wild thought 1% chance may be Sam Edozie. Despite his defensive naivety latterly he’s shown more nous ( one tracking back sliding challenge late on I recall was potentially goal saving) so wild as it may be, his trialling as a wing-back may also be enabled. He certainly has the attacking ability. Overall the most likely scenario were KWP sold aside from Plan A you describe above with JB ( and apart from the obvious borrowing a Chelsea / EPL FB on 6mth loan)is the use of JS or at a push MH at RB and a greater responsibility / reliance on Charlie, Stu, Aribo, Jo , Amo and KS for offensive take-on actions. The latter two most likely. NB and if the new RW comes in it would help if they know how to play/ defend in a PB system. With that context it makes Benson multiple boxes ticked so one can clearly understand our strong interest.

You may be right. But it’s a guess isn’t it so I don’t really know what’s your point on a thread dedicated to future next match possibilities?

Why ?

Ah those happy happy joyful and innocent times when Dell attendees up the Archers could sing “ you’re going home in a Hampshire ambulance “ or as a contrast but in the same vein : “ you’re gonna get your f@ckin heads kicked in” at full blast, gleefully, playfully, menacingly. indeed the Dell song sheets were long and glorious back then. Who could forget “Hullo, Hullo, Southampton Aggro Southampton Aggro hullo” or “ get into them” - a short but sweet ode revered as a comfort and joy bringer to the boot boys on the terraces. Ah halcyon times. Footballs got far too violent these days😂

To amuse myself I did a little breakdown on how many points I think we make this season. We have 10 away fixtures and 9 home fixtures left in this league. Of the 9 home fixtures none are against ITFC, LCFC, WBA or Leeds. The hardest seems to be Coventry, on current form. We’d be favourites to win every single one with the bookies but I might begrudgingly accept a draw or two - max . That’s 23-27 points from home matches that I think we are high probability to achieve. Running total using the median number of points (25) + 55 ( currently) = 80 points achieved from our remaining home fixtures. Of the 10 away fixtures we still need play ITFC, LCFC, WBA and Leeds. Those aside, there are six matches against teams like Swansea that, once again, I expect us to be favoyrites with the bookies to win but would begrudgingly accept a draw or two. Points from those six aways should be at least 14 -18. Running total using median number of points (16) + 80 ( from above) = 96 points. Would 96 be enough to go up automatically? Reasonsble argument to say it is. But I have not accounted for the four tough away matches. One win one draw and two defeats from those matches would see us on 100points. Surely you don’t get third on 100points? The point I’m making is that if Southampton take care of the home form and deal with the weaker teams away from home then those four harder fixtures are essentially free hits. Of course if Leeds or Ipswich go on a ridiculous run of form then it’s possible both they and LCFC get more than, say, 96 points but , of the two, Leeds look more likely. NB. I know we don’t get to play all the home matches in a row - have just made an assumption we retain our home form until end of season that’s all I will do the same prediction assessment for Leeds and Ipswich and add it here see what we get to…😁

I suspect that FFP was brought in to counter the accusation that buying and selling football clubs had become a giant international money laundering scheme. And that FIFA UEFA the EPL etc were not only allowing it but complicit. It’s all corrupt as hell.

Thing is, a team that has already got Reece James at RB hardly needs KWP. And he’s surely not a loan while Reece repairs?

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! .😁