Polaroid Saint

Whereas, I am assuming that Ballard will stay, compete - and stay here to properly and professionally nurse the injury back to full fitness - and eventually play a part for the first team. I predict 5 EPL goals by the end of the season. 🙂

It's a slight misunderstanding to say spending big on transfers equates or correlates to success. The correlation between success and spending is when that spending is on WAGES. It's a subtle but important difference IMO. (As an aside, this might also help explain, a little, why big transfer fees on lesser known/unproven players (lower wages) have often/sometimes failed for Saints whereas loans on known players (higher wages) can be more reliable. )

my stream was so shite I saw three goals. all birminghampton. thanks to Master Bates for the clips.

https://soccerinhd.com/games/southampton-vs-millwall/ just in time for the goal, but I was on here posting the link. doh.

Dids we do a loss? Only watched the 'highlights' so I have no idea of how we, or Bristol, really performed (slight lie, I trust enough posters on here to get an idea that we weren't great and nor were Bristol playing out their skins). But I'm still okay with where we are at as a squad and a team. And definitely still okay with current league position. Frankly we could do 'a September' and lose the next three and we would still be in the playoffs. And I - for the first time ever - fancy our chances against any other team also in the mix across 3 games. I hate losing, but I like still this league. Football, eh?

That's a 3:5:2 on paper. Which confuses me. As we haven't played that ever. Be pretty amazing if we went out and tried it. Fun Wonder what we will actually do.

Is it too much to hope for a disgraceful 22 man brawl which results in both teams being docked 10 points?

ooooh. I like looking for the clueseses. Is there anyone at Arsenal that fits the description of a pacey winger (rated, but needing game time) we could loan?🤪

I see the loan system as working both ways. If the player can be a Saint for a season and help progress us as a club then fantastic. We have seen a lot of big money signings in recent years spend less time on the pitch -and contribute significantly less overall - than these loanees.

17 unbeaten. Not to be sniffed at. It's a decent result on New Year's Day away, to a decent side. Many of us predicted a draw today. Of course... ...should have had more shots on target with all the possession today. And we always look suspect on the counter. Hey, I know that possession doesn't necessarily mean shots, but it should mean more on target. We all know the what issue is; An out and out striker. (three years now, more?). No idea if that will be addressed in Jan. But happy with my teams festive football. UTS

If Sunak came to my place of work, I'd do the same. That's just being honest about my political views and acting accordingly. Saves everyone any tricky or embarrassing moments. If I was forced to meet the PM and pretend that I didn't have issues with his government then that would be worse surely? Would any of us feel that is right? To go against our privately held political beliefs on the say-so of our employer? That doesn't seem very democratic, liberal or British.

I've muted it. FFS

the only decent stream (no buffering, there's sound and, so far, no wyrd anime breasts or fake ebay pop-ups) is the Boro one: https://soccerinhd.com/live/middlesbrough-vs-southampton And I am quite enjoying the Boro commentary, I mean it's obviously partisan (but when is the commentary ever pro-Saints?). At least they seem passionte and knowledgeable about the game. Weird experience really.

"It's a funny old game," said Pooh.

In "fairness' to them they were having to work with the earth shattering news of Lokonga to Luton, Rob Holding to Arsenal and Sofyan Amberat to Man Utd. Truly, who gives a fuck tho.? KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP KWP

You do wonder whether the prospect of playing a season alongside the England U21 captain has helped convince the German U21 international that the 'Southampton Project' might just be one worth sticking with, for a bit at least!

Shame he is off to Reading. Be fine to see him getting minutes off the bench and continuing to blaze in the U21... ...I guess I just *fear* Reading is a bit toxic at the moment (and Selles). Although,maybe that's in the past? Quality set up otherwise (stadium, facilities etc) and just up the road. Recall at Christmas if he lights up League 0ne? But I'd give him a chance here, with better experienced players to support him.

This is intriguing. My (personal) hope is that this means RM will consider giving the armband to KWP (If he stays). Perhaps KWP is still too quiet in "a quiet group" but it seems to me that he has all the qualities to make a good leader both on the pitch and in and around the club. Never a classic position for a captain I guess, but would love to see it come Saturday. Or maybe it's the final offer to Che to stay... ...the previous contact offer was for vice-captain wasn't it?!?

Good.points all. The issue isn't "Maths" though - It's Accountancy. (Which has only the barest relationship to actual 'maths'). So many different columns to fill in and moving parts with wages, loans, contracts, payment schemes, income streams etc... ...Gawd knows what the actual figures are.

Particularly poor in the Plymouth game. 😜

Seriously? Not one in of that forward line make any sense for us. I suppose Perez definitely knows how to score at St.Marys, at least. 🤷‍♂️

We did not 'unearth' an unknown Rickie Lambert; we paid what was at the time, IIRC, the record League One fee, for the divisions reigning highest goalscorer. Sorry, mute point maybe (as I also hope we could discover a hidden talent) but it does show that when/if you have a money, sometimes you buy proven quality at that level. Alas, the Championship 22/23 equivalent would absolutely be Apkom, or perhaps, being a top goalscorer in a midtable team... Gyökeres... Or, alas, Piroe.

^this Che is a good lad, and decent at this level, a 20+ striker in a good side (which Saints could well be this season)... ...but his three-in-three are, given the play he has been involved in, arguably the least he should have got. A fully firing Che Adams would have started each of those games and likely got his goals earlier. His winning goal on Saturday was full of nerves after several fluffed lines for 95 previous minutes. ( 'tis of course great that he held his composure and did the sensible thing.) But, I think most people would all prefer a striker to be on the front foot and attack balls like that (and not be mindful of the dozens of previous misses from a similar position).