gio1saints

We don’t look great. Free back post header that they should have done better…hmmm

Few comments on that. 1. We’ve just appointed a new set price coach who apparently “eats sleeps breathes set prices”. That’s a reassurance. 2. front post flick ons like what happened v Wednesday for the corner goal would normally be squashed out by a taller full back. We don’t have that so our ability to stop that is harmed. Once it’s been flicked on it’s a toss up who gets a foot on it. 3. neither manning or WP- our likely starting fb’s this season are giants. And our MF are not big either to take over from stopping the flick ons. 4. Bednarek and Stephens are plenty good enough at cb and the back up is, I think, lyanco and Shea, again plenty good enough. overall I’m sanguine about set price situation!

Anyone got any idea what colour kit we are wearing tonight? Asking for a friend.

I’m driving up from SO18 ( Bitterne triangle/ parkside) if anyone else is going and wishes to car share contact me. The last three people I took to away matches are all recovering nicely and there’s been no further action required by the CPS so that should reassure anyone. offer rescinded.

One of the factors that we ( as supporters) take into account but the Club (as a business) do not is that of some supporters being incurable romantics. “ we love southampton, we do, we love southampton we do” etc “ I can’t read and I can’t write but that don’t really matter..” owtsgmi, and so on. Only love struck fools or normally sensible people temporarily struck incurable softies by being huddled together with others same, would chant such abject cringy nonsense. Yet we do. And that is at the heart ( deliberate pun) of issues like the transfer of JWP. NO standard swooning saints fanboy/ girl/man/woman/they, wants JWP to EVER leave SFC, however when and if we’re far removed from the hypnotic draw and compulsions of the crowd it is possible to unashamedly state that one thinks that £35m is a good price. I am personally not going to say that. I just cannot say that about JWP. Because I’m probably an emo fool of the above category. I want him to stay forever and guide us to World Club Champions Intercontinental cup glory in 2026.😍. I don’t want revolving door players at Saints. I like and want the most loyal of the loyal, like our long term fans, to be out on the pitch representing me. And I don’t even care if he’s not as good as he was. I don’t care. He’s ultra loyal. Sometimes it’s not about winning or losing but representing stuff that you value in your life. I value loyalty. I want our skipper, JWP to stay.

Kasper Schmiechel. Apparently available for £2m. Is that a good idea? Would he be interested?

That’s obviously not on the Martin playbook but in certain situations it really makes sense. If he leaves, as seems likely, so be it, but even a Man City can lob it long to Hoiland on occasion and it sticks due to his size ( strength pace and skill). Last CF we had that excited me at SMS had to go back to Chelsea unfortunately….

Very decent point. We are set up to be devastating towards teams that want to attack us with a high press. In which case having three players up front ( AA,Edozie and NT who are all swift to latch onto calls out over the top is a good plan - BUT putting all our eggs into one stylistic basket. On the other hand Che Adams holds play up better than AA but lacks his pace imo. Having BOTH available or players with those attributes is the better answer because the opposition teams will have to have to defend differently - in which case all good- but if we are not breaking teams down ( like last year) then holding CF players are going to be relatively more useful. Thats a big “if” as I suspect at Championship level we WILL be breaking teams down more often. I think Martin perhaps expected Shef weds to attack us more- being at home first match back up etc - and chose AA for Che accordingly - but the fact they did not should be a good pointer to what set up most teams will employ against us this season, and hence why it’s a good idea to have that plan b and c.

I think that performance has sent a powerful message to the rest of the Championship. We can be got at, sure, but teams may have to open up a bit to do so unless relying on set pieces exclusively. . ( which I think some of the less able teams will actively be planning to do v saints to get a win or draw). We should be too good for enough to make play offs or automatic promotion is my gut feel. This was not an easy match away to a just up big club noisy stadium on tv in front of the world. Lads passed the test and will be super stoked today I’m sure.

Arrived today with a pleasant looking We March On badge. 😇

Collected mine at SMS no problem Tuesday

He could easily fall out of favour when Moyes is sacked come December and they get some extravagant European name in, who wants technical skill rather than 'a good engine' Ahem, i really cannot let that comment pass. JWP is Second only to Beckham and will overtake him if and when he next plays EPL in the list of all time goals from direct free kicks. Hitting a dead ball straight into the net despite the best efforts of the worlds best goalkeepers and worlds best defenders is a definitive measure of technical skill. Just stop for a moment and reflect on that. Our Captain. Southampton FC. A World Class exponent of the ultimate technical skill. It rather suggests JWP has technical skill of the very highest level AS WELL AS a "good engine". I think he overtook Messi last year in the top five European leagues or was he only second behind him? I think his running and consecutive performance stats are better than "good" also.. In deference to the fact you are a long time poster I think you may have meant he is not a super fast runner or he cannot dribble much and inadvertently forgot. NOT having a go at you personally but its undeniable that JWP IS a genuinely world class football technician. If he leaves there will be a VERY lucky club who gets him whatever the price.

So do I. I think he’s perfect. Been with Saints a long time. Willing to do dirty stuff, shout square up etc but also defend and, latterly, reinvented as a ball playing CB ( well kind of but he’s trying). I think he’s a good fit for Captain if JWP moves on. ( which, I think he will unfortunately as I love him and he is a bona fide club legend in my eyes).

Nathan Tella is the kind of player that if he stays at SFC and scores a few goals pre Xmas will be on the radar of every misfiring EPL team in the Jan window. And £20m will be cheap for him then.

He was already captain in Saturday last 20 mins.

He quite obviously was instructed to hold the ball, even patiently walk it up field a bit, Bazunu style - and wait until he found the right pass to a full back or midfielder in the match v AZ. Did it multiple times. He’s not going anywhere. He’s a starter. And I think JWP gave him the armband when he came off in that match - which is another signal of trust. Shea and Stephens are my most likely starters at CB for Sheff Wednesday. Bednarek to get first start at Gills.

Noting that a certain C Alvarez was 66/1 I’ve put down £11 EW ( to 4 places) on him for this season. Returns just over £900. I know it’s a silly bet but I can see him scoring every week if he gets into his stride. I think he’s a class above and the most likely saints player to score most matches recently. So, IF we are winning most of our matches ( say at least 23-30/46 to get promoted ) its probable he’s scoring in most those games and some of the draws and losses too is my theory. That might be 25-30 goals which is plenty good enough for top4 in the Championship goalscorer. 😇

I think QPR will be the last chance to see JWP in a Saints shirt. He will salute the crowd and will deservedly get a standing ovation. And then he will join WHUFC and play one last season on the international stage that is Europe.m and the EPL. Before joining al hillal as the marquee EPL all time direct free kick goalscorer for a £10m sign on fee and double his wages. I may be wrong but I think I saw his first goal ( Coventry away in an da cup match at the Ricoh a lifetime ago) and I hope to see his last too…

Think you got ten out of eleven of the starting line up Friday. Edozie starting my only change for Amo.

I thought KWP looked strangely withdrawn on Saturday. He seemed to get his mojo back after a while and managed a few good movements but he looked a bit funny to me. Wether that means he’s leaving or staying who knows. IF Tino and KWP leave this window then it’s odds on we will add another attacking FB. If Aaron’s is available why not.

Classic moneyball buy. Let’s hope he’s another Sir Rickie.

I’m taking my car with three empty spaces from SO18 Bitterne Triangle so get back to me anyone wants to car share there and back.

The “ staying over to watch Eastleigh at Solihull but” made me feel proud to be a Southerner! 😁

Do you work in logistics? Great itinerary !