NewYorkSaint

It's important to remember that so much of football is a crapshoot. Any game can turn on whether the ball hits the inside of the post and goes in or the outside and is a soon-forgotten goal-kick. Or on whether a block is effective or creates the deflection that is unsaveable. So there can be no guarantees. BUT... we're definitely the better side. And I think there should be a surge of energy and conviction on Friday. I think we'll win 3-1. I just really hope their goal is a consolation, and not an opener. Not sure my nerves can take it. It will be utterly heartbreaking if we the gods are against us. But more likely, we're headed to Wembley, and continue what has been -- when all's said and done -- an exhilarating season.

We're the better team.

So... this was a great great afternoon. V good chance we see Leeds again at Wembley. And if so, what happened today will really tilt the odds in our favour. Stewart... exciting to finally have on board. Smallbone looking better and better. KWP on fire again. Downes lethal. Confidence restored..... Don't want to jinx anything but... I think we can do this.

Whatever you say about Martin-ball, when it works, it is bloody beautiful to watch....

Amidst all the gloom, I was impressed by Smallbone this half. His sharpness in generally reliably one-touch passing is wonderful.

The build up to that goal was just a dream. Great tackle by Bree. Smallbone involved with beautiful one-twos.... divine cross. Wow!

Any independent spectator would have to conclude Saints clearly the better team. If we can hold the lead, it will impact our confidence -- and theirs -- for the rest of the season.

Me too.

Given our game in hand, and matches against Ipswich and Leeds to come, we still technically have automatic promotion within our control... We just might need to beat Leeds 7-0 on the final day of the season to make up goal difference. 🙄

I listen to him and Adam Blackmore while also watching the game... and find myself increasingly frustrated with him. I appreciate his tactical insights from time to time... but so often he sounds to me super-whiny, and without real clarity as to what his point is. "They need to pass it forward more, Adam." Well, sure... but.... they also need to retain possession. They're trying a radically different type of football. Overall it's been working brilliantly. Would love a little more credit where credit's due. More generally, he just takes away a lot of the fun of listening to a radio commentary. You want passion, excitement, enthusiasm as well as thoughtful criticism. He's got the balance wrong, in my view... and even if he didn't change a word he says, I could wish he didn't sound like a strangled chicken so often.... Basically... I miss Dave Merrington. Am I alone on this?

duplicate post...

I love Adam Armstrong as a passionate, tireless wrangler of the ball and playmaker... but as a striker he's so often unconvincing. Coulda shoulda had a hatrick already....

I apologize for getting the final score wrong....

that was awful

Their first goal was super-lucky. Got a big deflection. I'd argue their second pretty lucky too. Bednarek has been superb. For his header to land perfectly for them... a mistake yes, but also unlucky. They probably won't be as lucky second half. I think we'll win 4-2. And fwiw, even though our style of play can be nail-biting, it's also extremely exciting - and when it works is truly glorious. The anti-Martin sentiment is bonkers.

We're a much better team. We're playing brilliant football. I think we'll win.

Said this at half-time "Can't believe how quick people are to turn. We've had one of the most incredible runs of all-time, thanks to a brilliant manager and superb team. Any football game in any league can be lost. It's how football works. But this one is still wide open for us. The next goal crucial of course." Truly hope we never again give up on THIS team and THIS manager with just a 2-goal deficit. When you come back from that, it is the SWEETEST feeling. Bravo, Saints....

Can't believe how quick people are to turn. We've had one of the most incredible runs of all-time, thanks to a brilliant manager and superb team. Any football game in any league can be lost. It's how football works. But this one is still wide open for us. The next goal crucial of course.

This is an incredibly lazy, self-serving attempt to encourage kind people who know how to post video excerpts here to share their favorite goals. In a down moment, I'd love to see five or six in a single place. Here's one contender: https://x.com/FlynnJonas2/status/1731285077529620623?s=20 What's better than that?!

this is what it looks like when there's a 2-league difference between two sides...

Here is case in point... https://x.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1749137534259474848?s=20

I know he can be so frustrating as a finisher. But I'd argue his real contribution to the team is as a playmaker. The number of times yesterday he received the ball midfield and either held off defenders in powerful or flicked forward to create space... I lost count. In many ways he's an essential part of the Russell Martin plan... because he can be the key that unlocks breakthrough moments for our attacks. He's not often credited with official assists, because his key plays come a few moves earlier. He's the assister of the assisters. But he's incredibly good at it. His substitution was, I think, a big part of our fall off second half. We lost our out, our playmaker. Personally I'd love us to offer him a new contract....

We're all on board now w Russell Martin. How are people feeling about Sports Republic and their overall strategy? Maybe, just maybe, some people were a little hasty in writing them off. At this point their player acquisitions, and the appointment of RM are starting to look pretty impressive, no?

Forget pissing on Pompey. Small. Boring. We have bigger fish to fry. This is the only video on the Internet of football fans singing Tubthumping. Even when they don't the words, they love it. We're missing gold here!

Given that we've been relegated but may well be about to go back up, I can't think of a better anthem than Chumbawumba Tubthumping. It's actually a drinking song, which may help for later, but we can literally just coopt the anthem part. "Oh, Southampton... Southampton... Southampton............. I GET KNOCKED DOWN, BUT I GET UP AGAIN. YOU'RE NEVER GONNA KEEP ME DOWN. I GET KNOCKED DOWN, BUT I GET UP AGAIN. YOU'RE NEVER GONNA KEEP ME DOWN." I know from personal experience this is one of the best, most addictive, most singable, most inspiring anthems. If another club as used it, I don't know of it, but that might just be me. Would also be great for those moments one of our players gets savagely hacked at. A great way to cheer them back to their feet! If you guys can get this going, I WILL COME BACK FROM AMERICA TO JOIN IN.