malcolm waldron

Everton at home - February 2022. We were leading 1-0 at the time.

Agree with much of the above, bar the Kane comment. I didn't see any pressing from him at all just some slow motion shuffling around - and it was only when Watkins came on that some pressure on the keeper and their CBs was applied, and that only lasted for a short spell.

Do you mean a couple of people on here saying it's a shame we're not wearing home colours at Wembley..?

Except for when Pickford constantly banged long balls down the pitch only to hand possession immediately back to the Danes. Made me appreciate how well (generally) Saints kept the ball last season.

You've got me confused now - is Newcastle away in the FA Cup? If so I'm annoyed they've further devalued the competition by having the 3rd round in mid-August.

Good decision by the club - we all want RM to be absolutely ruthless this summer as he builds a team capable of dominating 'the Prem' - and this early decision will rightly send shockwaves through the first team. It sends out the clear message that I (not me obviously - but Russell Martin) am in complete control here .....

Like many I suspect, I've been wallowing in the afterglow from the Play-off final - and must have watched every single video (from both sides) over the last 10 days. What a result! Anyway, in order to prolong the feeling before worrying too much about what August will bring, I thought I'd put up 3 random memories from last season, in the hope that others will do likewise. That way my memory will be jogged on what proved to be a real rollercoaster of a season. So here goes: Sheffield Wednesday (away) - watching on from a bar in Cyprus, seeing a new style of football implemented in less than 6 weeks - and particularly those magical last 9 minutes of 99.9% possession. Transfer deadline day: with all the wondering about who might still depart, up pops Taylor Harwood Bellis on loan. I knew only a little about him following his success with Burnley and England U-21s last summer - but what a loan signing he proved to be. Stu's slide rule pass for the second goal against Ipswich. NASA scientists with laser range finders and a couple of spare hours could not have worked out all the variables, programmed the computer and achieved a better result than Stu; who was running at full pace while being chased by angry men in blue shirts. We'll miss him.

Same here. I had a busy bank holiday weekend (garden needed serious attention) and I forgot I'd got two lower tier tickets until it was too late to drive. How annoying is that?! I'm so forgetful..... It's then been a nightmare week at work - so i've had a media blackout since Sunday. My plan is to sit down tonight with a lovely glass of wine to watch the match that I recorded last weekend 'live'. I've been studiously avoiding anything on here that that looks like it might give the game away - but can't work out why Guan started a playlist with Freed from Desire and We are the Champions? What's any of that got to do with the final last Sunday? Oh, and why are people moaning about paying more to watch less games next season....?

Cracking images at 9:17 of Jack trying to console Ampadu. And then Jack's reaction seeing him screaming and hammering the turf while walking away. Those few seconds encapsulate what sport is all about - and what being a Saints fan is all about; just think - that could have been THB on the floor in tears and all of us quietly leaving the ground shortly after the final whistle. I still can't believe we won the most lucrative football match in history!

When I saw him at St Marys recently I was struck by two things - how young he looked but, more importantly, how hungry he looked....

We're going to need that to house the 18,500 Leeds fans that bought SFC season tickets / became members last week. Incidentally - my amazing day out on Sunday was partially ruined by the fact that around me in Block 127 were about 2,500 Leeds fans. Fair play to them though - they'd all bought Saints shirts (even some faded retro ones), had Hampshire accents, joined in with the songs and ALL went absolutely mental when AA scored - and at the final whistle blew. That can't have been easy.....

Great point. Was anybody else panicking for a split second about the VAR screen of doom popping up with a 'VAR Check - possible offside' message when AA scored??

Fascinating watching the match 24 hours later - safe in the knowledge that we'd made it. I've only watched the first half so far but re-watching it - with the benefit of multiple camera angles rather than live - we looked very comfortable, apart from that slow first 6-7 minutes. Our defensive screen around AM was fantastic, and is in complete contrast to Leeds for the goal. What were they thinking of giving Adam that much space?

For those that are driving and live north of Winchester etc - apparently the A34 is closed at Chieveley (M4 exit) all morning. Come on Saints!

I can back that up. I've got a source in the Ticket Office who's never been wrong before. He told me that Leeds fan hacked into the ticketing software and cloned all season ticket numbers and purchasing history immediately Armstrong got the 2nd on Friday night. As a result approximately 33,629 Saints tickets for Sunday have gone to Leeds fans. When I phoned the Ticket Office to ask where my tickets were (my mate said not to phone him as he'd 'get in trouble') I was told they'd been posted to my home address in Yorkshire yesterday morning. Really annoyed with the club's IT policy.

Anyone know if Brooksy is cup-tied for this one now we're in the actual final and lots of people on TV have described it as a like a cup final? Hope not......

I read that it was travel and accommodation cancelled for all of the office staff (stadium and training ground). It's traditionally been seen as a thank you for all of their hard work throughout the season. Seems unnecessary tightness to me. And how much is Anthony being paid a week ?? Anyway, who cares about Manchester United.

While I agree that there are a few (and sometimes too many) on here who seem to delight in taking a negative view on performances - and Sunday was a prime example, I'm unsure where the term toxic comes into it. You've used toxic to describe Saints fans in general on here a couple of times since the weekend - is this really how you view the support?

Thought they (WBA) did well to keep chasing the ball in that heat - although as someone said earlier, how much it's taken out of them physically we won't know until Friday. I thought they also stepped right on to us in the last 20 mins or so, and the passing around at the back became flatter and more frantic as we failed to adjust - and I don't just mean in our own area - there were a number of times on the half way line where the final pass would put THB under huge pressure to not lose possession. That will need looking at before the second leg. Reassuring to see balls pumped (or chucked) into the box and our keeper dealing with them (Millwall home game in comparison). Finally as has been said many times, Mara's lack of effort in a game of this importance was shocking.

Imagine a line up next season that includes Adam Armstrong, Larios, and Ryan Fraser. Set piece carnage alert.

That team (and certainly the defence) looks horribly mid-table to me - but good you're giving young players a go. I also like how you've countered the inexperience and lack of quality by sneaking in 12 players into the first XI. 💪

Anyone know if Broosky will be cup-tied for this one - or does that only apply in the 'regular season'.....?

A number of good points made here - especially on the size and physicality of the squad. All I will add is that you're very partial to the use of the old "inverted commas" aren't you.....!

Can I add Edozie and Larios on the bench please. And maybe Orsic too.....

Appreciate you taking the effort to write this. Good luck for the rest of the season (he says through gritted teeth foilowing Tuesday's game....)