Midfield_General

Yep. He was 26 when he left us, he wasn't some naive kid who was badly advised or had his head turned. He was also our captain. To those saying what a great example he would set the younger players - what sort of example did he set our younger players when, as our captain no less, he allegedly went on strike to force his way out of the club? Why would you want to bring that person back, in any capacity, let alone to 'set the example'?

Also acted the cunt when he left, refusing to play for us to force through the transfer to Liverpool. Got the ‘one-line leaving statement’ treatment which is saved for the dickheads so clearly pissed a lot of people off at the club. Goaded our fans when he came back to St Mary’s and Liverpool hammered us in that evening game. Showed his true colours then so not sure why he would be welcomed back by club or fans after that. It’s not like he’s going to make much impact as a player and if we’re looking for coaches who are former players then surely there are some out there who set a better example and showed some loyalty to the club when we needed them to. (And that full page ad of himself that he took out in the Echo was absolutely cringeworthy as well).

The extended highlights including build-up and aftermath celebrations are free on ITV player

It's been his tactical flexibility and his willingness to change to suit the occasion/ opposition over the last few weeks that I've found most refreshing. Earlier on in the season it didn't look like he had it in him, so I agree that I think we're seeing him grow and improve as a manager, and that's great. I'm still perplexed by the apparently blind loyalty to Baz, as the swap to McCarthy felt to me like such a pivotal piece of how we've got through the play-offs the way we have, and that was an enforced change, but that conversation has been done to death and it's for another day. Right now I just want to bask in the feeling of winning and say well done to each and every one of the players and staff, as they all played their part in what will go down as one of the most memorable and enjoyable seasons in our entire history.

+ another proper defensive mid

Absolutely this. I’ve been very frustrated with him at times this season but he has come through for us and he’s delivered. He’s also schooled Farke three times, home, away and at Wembley, which given their history I’m sure must have given him great satisfaction, although he’s been too classy to say so. I’ve also been really impressed how he’s handled himself over the last few weeks when the pressure has been on. He’s been the model of calm and has been a superb leader. His insistence on giving all the credit to the players and his staff reflects exceptionally well on him. He’s been a class act. He deserves every last plaudit for what he’s achieved this season, absolutely fair play to him. I hope we back him properly in the summer and I look forward to seeing what he can do in the Prem (hopefully with us not Brighton!) Well done gaffer.

Where was he when we needed him? Couldn’t fuck off quick enough, now he wants to bask in reflected glory? Fuck him.

And he's a Saint... get him in https://x.com/MenInBlazers/status/1794745721146720452?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

Fabulous Just fabulous Absolutely ruined. What a day COYS

Happy with that

That slapping sound you can hear emanating from the South West is the sound of 20,000 Plymouth Argyle fans all facepalming in unison: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cw44xx1w1d8o

Maresca in the mix for Chelsea: https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/23/chelsea-enzo-maresca-new-manager-thomas-frank-kieran-mckenna Man Utd going for Tuchel: https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/23/thomas-tuchel-manchester-united-if-ten-hag-sacked

It was still a lot, considering it was right before kick-off - I think it was about £350, although my memory's a bit hazy. My mate got one too off the same bloke for the same price, also in the Saints end but in a different part of it.

A load of tickets always end up with touts so there will be some available on the day - it just depends what you’re prepared to pay. For the 2003 FA Cup Final I got into the Saints end with a ticket I got off a tout right outside 10 minutes before kick off. If you hold your nerve, eventually there’s a tipping point where if they’ve got any left, they just need to get rid of them or they’re the ones who lose out. So take a wedge of cash, stand outside, keep your ears open and chance your arm, and you may well get in.

In a world where Tuchel, Conte, Flick, Mourinho, Poch, Klopp and probably soon Ten Hag are all available, and Bayern Munich opt for freshly relegated Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, I think it’s fair to say that Brighton being interested in Martin is not completely out of the question.

If they sack Poch in order to bring in McKenna, that’s not far off batshit mental either, in terms of sheer level of risk

That kit was utterly absurd from the start. 'OK lads, the colours of our home kit are red and white, what shall we have for the away kit?' 'How about red and white, but in different proportions?' 'Brilliant! Can't possibly see any problems with that - that's what I call out of the box thinking! God we're clever. Now, who wants lunch?' Wasn't that one of the multiple kit-related disasters that happened on Cortese's watch?

Yes, you're right, it has had an impact on how we play, though it does still go back to McCarthy plenty, and when it does he is still looking to play out and pass it as much as he can. You can see he's been coached in that respect, and it certainly looks to me like he's significantly improved. Quite aside from which one I think is the better goalkeeper, I've generally felt more comfortable watching the way we play when McCarthy's in goal, taking fewer mad risks at the back. Out of interest, if you were in charge and they were both fit, who would you pick for the final, with the associated knock-on effect on playing style etc?

One thing the last few games have shown is that the narrative that McCarthy can't possibly play in our system because he's not good enough with his feet, is nonsense. His first touch isn't as good, so he doesn't like receiving it under pressure, but then it's generally suicidal to pass back to the keeper anyway if they're getting pressed, whoever you've got in goal. When Macca has the ball at his feet and he's not under loads of pressure, his ability to pick a pass looks pretty much on a par with Bazunu to me. He's regularly been pinging 40-50 yard passes very accurately to unmarked players in our midfield. Not every single one comes off, but then neither did Bazunu's. This idea that Baz is some irreplaceable, Ederson-level talent with his feet just doesn't stand up. Add that to the fact that he has made several big saves at key points, of the type that Baz very rarely seems to make, dominates his box much more effectively to relieve pressure, and seems to make the whole defence more confident, and it is very surprising to me that there's even still a debate about who is the better keeper at this level. I think it's all academic for next season though, because I think Macca will be released regardless, and Baz will still be injured. If we go up, we'll absolutely need a proper PL-level keeper. It doesn't always have to cost loads to get someone perfectly decent at that level. Leno to Fulham for £8m, Sa to Wolves for £6.8m, Brentford picking up Raya for £3m, Johnstone to Palace on a free. There's usually some good value out there if you look for it, and don't try to be too clever.

If we don’t go up I’d be surprised if we didn’t at least take a look at Lis in the close season, given he’s our player and seems to be doing pretty well in Turkey (though no idea of the standard of the league he’s in)

Rumours that Celtic are sniffing, to replace Joe Hart who retires this summer: https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/alex-mccarthy-celtic-transfer-wait-29195113

Hang on a minute - how's he so sure-footed doing that celebration on one leg? Unless... That's not his leg he's waving about, is it? Which begs the question... whose is it?

Prosthetic leg man - take a bow son

The result of an early rounds Apperentice task, that’s what it looks like. Shat out by a team who’ve called themselves ‘Bravery’ up against a crippling deadline and the withering glare of Karren Brady. Wonder if Rusty will be invited into the boardroom later tonight