Saint Matty 76

Brighton are so close to being exceptional. The parallels are absolutely all there, but the way they do their recruitment in advance may lead to more longevity on their side.

"we'll bring the club back to where it belongs for you" seems like interesting wording from Che, or I may just be clutching at straws a little. I've assumed he'd be one of the first out the door to a Leeds/Forest/Everton given his contract situation but would be delighted to keep hold of him.

Looking forward to everything outside of the 90 minutes of football. Get a couple of the young lads in the squad for winning their league for fuck sake Ruben.

There is literally zero chance these players wouldn't have had relegation clauses. They'd have just been given way too much money for the 6 months.

Completely agree. I'm certain we'd have put up more of a fight than this though.

I'll be renewing but a couple in our group won't. It'll (hopefully) be nice to travel down to games with some expectation after this year.

Stopped reading at "fought tirelessly".

Vic showing more emotion than most of those on the pitch today.

Wonder what PR we'll get tonight.

Doesn't matter. Criticise the players and the board for that, not the fans still turning out for them fucking hell.

Yeah let's not start ever criticising fans for showing support whilst sat here on a forum. "Part of the problem"...

Can't blame them. That was utterly horrendous, and somehow probably wouldn't even land in our top 5 worst performances this season.

The way Lyanco reacted to clearing that off the line, bless him. Let's just keep him around.

Delighted that the train strikes meant I couldn't make this one. They're not even trying out there. Utterly bizarre selection of players.

I'd be happy with this, and it'd definitely make some sense from his perspective if he pretty fairly assumed we were doomed this year.

Considering the kinds of players we'll be losing, we should definitely look to be keeping Lyanco and Stephens next year. Not the best footballers by any means, but ones we'll definitely need in a tougher league with the majority of our players still framing a young core. Be mad to let them go considering Salisu & ABK are definitely gone and DCC is pretty likely I'd say. DCC/Stephens/Lyanco/Simeu wouldn't be the worst group of CB's, although I think it's pretty likely we'll add another in place of Caleta-Car. Not sure if it's optimistic for Simeu to make up the 4th slot, but seems like he had a POTS year in League 2 and has just had half a season in League 1 so probably not out the realms of possibility.

If our entire game plan seems to be playing for corners right now, how about the 6’8 striker? Or do we just bring him on to press when leading vs Arsenal instead?

Thought his versatility would prove useful but it’s just more unfortunate opportunities for him to end up on the pitch. Terrible.

Could be one of my least favourite Saints players ever, and that’s saying a lot with this seasons lot

Thanks for the assist Sulemana, but we don't really do that round here.

Wolves H or Grimsby.

This certainly worries me.

At the full-time whistle, Trippier was spotted chatting in deep conversation with Ward-Prowse, whose future on the south coast is anything but certain right now. The set-piece specialist has been linked with summer moves to Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, and Newcastle. “I’ll be off them [the set pieces] won’t I, when he comes?” Trippier laughed after the game when asked about Ward-Prowse. “If he comes!” https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/kieran-trippiers-newcastle-transfer-southampton-8407120 Certainly wouldn't be a surprise and probably a decent move for both parties. Hopefully means we could get around £50m for him.

Definitely a big factor. Can't excuse no wins in 13 regardless though. More worrying was the tactical tweaks to get the best out of players like Eze which Vieira was apparently neglecting to notice.

I think Vieira is quite likely. I'm definitely worried about his credentials though, given Palace's immediate upheaval in form when Roy returned who according to their fans "just made a few obvious changes" to get the best out of their players again. I'd take it over the other crop of managers from that playing era though.