goodymatt

Rumours that the pitch disease has returned. Women’s games have moved back to Snows stadium whilst the groundsmen try and sort it.

Bit early for this after just 7 league games, but I’ll play along. What about someone like Giovanni van Bronckhorst? Didn’t he get Aribo scoring in a euro cup final?

Can you summarise for us?

Edozie stat mentioned during the Leicester game that he had completed the most dribbles in the league so far. He beats players so easily and it’s good to see him getting some goals now. If he can give us some consistent end product he will be a key player for us. High ceiling IMO, think he will come good.

Bazunu KWP Bednarek THB Manning Charles Smallbone Fraser Alcaraz Edozie Adams Sulemana, Stu, Armstrong to all come off the bench when the time is right. This game is all about showing we can actually defend. I’m really not too confident about this one but surely we will show improvement? 1-2 and a much closer game would be my guess.

I’m struggling with us losing 5-0 to Sunderland and then changing nothing. How can a manager just blindly keep things the same, definition of insanity? Going forward I’m seeing positives but defensively it’s absolutely horrendous. One of the best squads in the league getting ripped apart like we are bottom of the league again. We are also playing with more fear now, giving the ball away much more often. We don’t have the ability to really control games, despite all the possession, evidenced by the number of goals conceded direct from a kick off, I can count at least 4 already: Plymouth, Norwich, Sunderland, Leicester. That’s 66% of games! Worst defence in the league, 16 goals in 6 games with a 50% save percentage. I’m sure it will get better over time, getting used to the system, players back fit, settled team etc. I’m also pretty confident that time lost will cost us promotion, certainly automatics.

https://x.com/southamptonfc/status/1701931280051351999?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ Many of the international players have returned. I spot THB, Stu, Charles, Doyle, Smallbone, Mara and Edozie on this clip. Also KWP who wasn’t mentioned by Alfie house as a player he saw training when he went to watch the other day. Kamaldeen features, wonder if he is ready yet?

For some context on whether yesterday’s defeat is a ‘blip’ or if Martin-ball is going to be an issue, that was Martin’s first defeat in his last 14 championship games: W10 D3 L1. It was some defeat mind, can only hope that draws attention to making defensive minded tweaks to resolve, whether that’s THB coming in for Holgate or Charles starting every game to give us more defensive cover in midfield. Charles nearly scored 2 headers from corners yesterday, he’s useful in both boxes aerially. There’s been lots player change, lots of transfer distraction and we are still learning this new style. I’m still backing the process but yesterday was a disgrace. We can’t be losing 5-0 to any team in this league.

If he’s back on the grass and working up to match fitness, his medical might have found a fully healed Achilles? My Physio wife says it’s a bad injury but over time can fully heal, fingers crossed. Biggest impact is likely to be to his pace, if it doesn’t heal perfectly then less spring for sprinting. I’m sure we don’t sign him if the medical gave any concerns. Seemed like we took the full day to do as extensive a medical as possible.

Turns out it’s a 3 year deal according to Saints OS. Wonder if we wanted to reduce it to cover for injury risk?

Good news for Leicester

I’m thinking that because the players we were linked with (Drameh and Johnson) aren’t coming to Saints that KWP must be staying?

is there a scenario where we go up and have THB and ABK as our CBs then or do we think he’s done at Saints and hopefully this increase the fee we get next summer? Do PSV have an option to buy?

Maybe he saw him or he did see him? Oops?

Wolves - fell through Palace - going to Etike as first choice, Che is likely their back up Bournemouth - going for Daka Seems most likely he stays now but a late move from Palace wouldn’t be a surprise if Etike doesn’t happen.

Concern is Che’s motivation if we have blocked his move and if he doesn’t extend, that he will walk for nothing. However having him and Stewart IF that deal does go through would be great depth. Roberts falling through, perhaps because Sulemana isn’t going anywhere? I was happy with Roberts, shame if he doesn’t come.

Guessing this medical showed nothing of concern then? I’m sure we’ve had a very good look at his main injury recovery.

https://x.com/reeceelliott483/status/1697565832765681825?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ Sunderland fans seem to be taking the Ross Stewart transfer well…

Would you want to see him in a Saints shirt again after this move. I certainly wouldn’t.

https://x.com/saintsextra/status/1697558627119161680?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ Che to Wolves progressing. He is not welcome back after this loan if it isn’t an obligation.

https://x.com/theathleticfc/status/1697522177531416623?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ https://x.com/solentsport/status/1697519668641116302?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ https://x.com/alfiehouseecho/status/1697521108939882887?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ

Obligation to buy if we go up at £20m, this is the signing of our summer for me. Flynn Downes comes close.

Help us back up or fuck off, Che. Thank you.

I guess if you have Stewart and Che/his replacement, Mara is 3rd choice and even then Armstrong may be preferred up top to him. Mara needs to go somewhere he can play regularly to develop. I’d be happy with a loan to see how he does. Doesn’t seem like anyone is willing to buy atm.

We do seem very keen to sell/offload Mara