gio1saints

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 !

I last went to Hillsboro in 1984 for our FA cup quarter final - a 0-0 draw and we won the replay as you will all know. Went with travel club coach and was not a bad journey though the game was meh. I’d be quite happy to see similar result tbh. Promoted teams are always feisty early doors at home though, especially as it will be full house 40,000+ there again I would imagine.

Bought two tickets for £23 on the ST holder deal so my daughter and her boyfriend can help fill up St Mary’s for this important match.

I’m going and have up to three places in my car for the trip to Gillingham. Live in SO18 near Bitterne Triangle so if anyone nearby is going and looking at transport give me a shout. saintly regards Giordano

My only ambition from the remaining games we have left is that JWP equals- and then breaks- the Beckham record for direct free kick goals. Whilst a Saints player. JWP beating the record next season in any other shirt is still a great achievement and I’d be proud. But it’s not the same. James knows it, we all do, please do it for the long term Saints fans who deserve a tiny little bit of happiness from this awful season…

And here we are at it again..z