Mr X

We will no doubt see the huge gulf in class between a team that got comfortably relegated and one that finished comfortably in the top 10 of the premier league, hopefully we can see what potential some of the new signings have and it's not too embarrassing 

The only possible reason I can think for Stephen's staying is that WS thinks he can improve our players but only players that really want to play for Southampton.... That said jack Stephens should be backup not anywhere near the starting team! If he starts then I'm not convinced WS is a good judge of our players 

A tougher and experienced opponent for garner but he delivered the goods when it counted...... St Mary's awaits 🤞

The one thing I'm pleased I heard from WS in his recent interview was "I don't believe in possession for possessions sake" thank Christ for that! 😂

Still don't get how someone can relegate us and then walk into the rangers job..... He did get us up in the first place so we have to be greatful for that but it was clear from the beginning Martin wasn't going to work in the premier league everyone knew it but the club it seems 

On 02/07/2025 at 21:32, die Mannyschaft said:

4 goals in 74 games. 

Hom many million was that per goal like 5m 

16 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

End of an era. 
 

Thank you tall paul. No idea how we will replace your goals 

All like 4 of them 😂 a beast and our leading goal scorer! 

On 29/05/2025 at 14:26, trousers said:

I guess the question mark over  Armstrong is whether or not he'll perform at 2023/24 levels when he knows it's likely he'll be ditched at the end of the season, regardless of how well he does. Could conceivably affect his motivation levels compared to last time in the Championship?

Do you think AA realises himself that the premier league is beyond him? Or do you think he feels he is that good and not been given opportunities? Surely he accepts deep down that he isn't an effective player at that level 

44 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

The ideal is that Will Still does get us promoted at the first attempt and then builds with us. More likely to be poached if we go up and don’t survive again but let’s hope he is invested in the project for longer than a season or two, assuming he lives up to the hype.

I’m still not buying Martin just got lucky. We made playoffs as expected and didn’t lose to a single side in those playoff places all season. It was a deserved promotion in the end, playoffs were managed very well. Beating Leeds 3 times that season was impressive.

I do agree that when the style wasn’t working it was a bad watch, Blackburn in particular was a terrible performance (I was also there), but the results the previous game week did leave players and fans believing autos was gone and the performance on the pitch reflected that, as unprofessional as that is/was.

In hindsight we should have maybe stuck with him as juric appointment was absolutely pointless by that point not sure what juric was all about or why! Martin was definitely in a rut though what was it one point in 15 games? I think it was his insistance on not even trying a plan B when plan A was clearly failing. It was good when it worked but his style sucks the life out of how the game should be played, risky passes for possessions sake and not much more

Onuachu is a weird one I like his enthusiasm and he's had a couple of decentish appearances for us where he's tried to rally the troops but he's much the same as our other strikers ie looks terrible once he gets anywhere near goal and a poor decision maker, he looks clumsy /lanky and slow at times but there is an decentish player in their somewhere..... Sadly I don't think it's ever going to work out for him at saints, English football where you get nano seconds to make decisions doesn't seem to suit him! Best for all parties if he finds another club

Part of our downfall was there was no real plan to replace championship players with premier league ones... The players we got In were poor, (fernandes aside) are we just going to repeat the exact same mistakes again should we ever get promoted? They knew the likes of AA and Stephen's smallbone frasier etc were never going to cut it in the premier league

This guy looks like he has got the right attitude and has the height and pace but at just 20 is he ready or more a signing for the future? 

14 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Everything he does Onuachu does better anyway. I find the ostracization of him utterly bizarre, especially if we aren't planning on replacing him and are instead just going to use an inferior, more injury prone version of him. 

Agree although onuachu isn't great either like his enthusiasm but he looks clumsy and uncoordinated at times, we have so many poor strikers (AA onuachu archer Stewart etc)  Stewart has only really had one good period at Sunderland in his whole career... Mad that we took a punt on him when he was already injured.... Have they ever said who was to blame for that decision? He is useful as a sub I guess but no way can we rely on him to complete 90 minutes none of our current strikers are going to get into double figures in the championship

I hope the echo is just waffling and we are not seriously considering building a team around Ross Stewart as our main striker..... He is made of glass and will 100% be injured next season too 

It is probably still true to say that you need one team for championship promotion and another entirely new team to have any chance of staying in the premier league it's difficult as how are you supposed to suddenly get a new team? We need to get players onboard that are capable or have potential to make the step up in quality to the next level should we ever get there again.  

12 hours ago, Tommy said:

I'm ready to erect a Will Steele statue if his first act is telling Smallbone to get lost. 

Who's Will Steele? 

Meh at least we showed a bit of  effort at times... Arsenal's class showed eventually unfortunately for us 

Just now, Saint NL said:

I don't think there's a player that can unite the fanbase as much as Smallbone. 

We can all agree he is world class and only a matter of time before he is poached 

May as well go for broke now with a hopeful long ball 😂

Just now, Harry_SFC said:

Smallbone is an utterly pathetic footballer. Hopefully one of the first out of the door this summer.

Fresh legs and does that! Every boss seems to like him though 

1 minute ago, gecko said:

Final day performance. Wasn't the 4-4 Liverpool game the last of the season too? Looked decent in that one as well iirc

Putting himself in the shop window again? 

Just now, BarberSaint said:

His decision-making is non-existent. As in, he doesn't know what to do with it.

This is the frustration he literally does everything right till he gets near goal and he is one of very few capable of beating his man for pace 

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Is it just coincidence that we've actually looked a bit better in defence today with all of THB, Stephens and Bednarek missing?

Short answer no! 

1 hour ago, Saint_clark said:

He's only ever had shit players around him playing shit possession based football. Put him in Koemans team and he'd be incredible. 

How is he supposed to have end product on a day like today when he's told to start from such a deep position he has to beat the entire Arsenal team the length of the pitch and then find a finish himself as there is zero support? 

That's is somewhat true I agree however he hasn't shown anything much in front of goal in three years... It's frustrating as he has played well today and is capable of so much more! Hopefully he clicks with still and we finally see the best of him.... If he stays 

1 minute ago, Saint_clark said:

Sulemana having a great game. Should be a key piece of our attack next season. 

How many times have we said that? He's still provided zero end product like your optimism though 

on target?