markr27

Texted my mate at half time "45 mins to prove they are promotion contenders or play off certainties...." and it took 5. Subs really stepped upto the plate and can see 4 of the 5 starting at Bristol... Sulemana probably kept on the bench as an impact sub, much like Fraser was.

Lumley Stephens THB Bednarek Meghoma Charles Rothwell Dibling SAA Adams Edozie Maybe Saturday try the Brooks AA Fraser combo!

The XI were on it from the off today, and had it not be for the Rotherham keeper it would have been far more comfortable before the intensity reduced second half. The selection on Tuesday will be interesting.... mega changes last time resulted in the worst performance seen since September. Stephens will play, but maybe it'll have to be at RB if KWP is rested.

Lumley Holgate THB Stephens Meghoma Charles Rothwell Alcaraz ???? Mara ??? Could be anyone. Do you risk Fraser or will there be an incoming winger this week?

When Stephens came on, he disrupted the entire back line. KWP had to get used to Bednarek on his side. Bednarek had to get used to playing on the right side of the defence and with KWP. Manning lost Bednarek and gained Stephens on his side. Stephens was also culpable of being too deep on a few occasions as everyone else pushed up. Rm had his reasons of course. but against better finishing it could and perhaps would have been two points dropped. However, 3 points. Move on.

I'm petrified that the Manning Chasm is slowly showing signs of opening up!

Manning doing his usual crossfield runs into no-man's-land, leaving his flank exposed.

I can't see Manning getting back in until 2024 now either... and the team looks so much better with Bree on the right and KWP on the left as well... as opposed to the opposite way around.

Certainly the most enjoyable game at St Marys for some time. Ideally same starting XI next week, but I believe both Downes and Smallbone will be suspended so Alcaraz/Fraser slot in along with Charles... therefore, there could be a few goals in the game again

Bednarek still has the urge to score own goals, down in he Championship

Apologies if this is a duplicated post but sad to read today that the fan that collapsed during the Rotherham game in October, passed away last week. An inquest into his death has been opened and will be heard next year. https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/southampton-fc-fan-dies-falling-092341105.html I would post the Daily Echo link, but you have to pay to read the article.

Hopefully Bree will be fit for Saturday otherwise it'll be two changes to the defence as I understand Bednarek will be out suspended.... KWP Holgate THB Manning doesn't sound watertight!

Nothing officially, but multiple chest compressions and use of a defib will hopefully help a positive outcome.

Adams.

Very slow reactions by the stewards and subsequently medical staff to the emergency, which occurred the next row over. Another fan began CPR before the first steward had even walked up the stand to the location, whilst multuple others were gesturing for attention. Indeed I think the Rotherham keeper noticed before the stewards did. Emergency services again lacked much urgency initially getting to the location, but once there worked tirelessly to help. Seats around the incident were cleared as fans re-allocated along the neighbouring blocks, and another poor chap was taken down in tears, after being hit by the person as they fell. It didn't look good and I heard reports of people down in the concourse taking pictures of the person on the stretcher heading out, and others refusing to move aside to speed up the transfer to the ambulance.

Well at least he missed the goalie. Progress.

Armstrong playing left wing back. Well, you can't totally rule it out with RM.

Lumley Holgate thb Edozie KWP Charles Smallbone AA S Armstrong Manning Fraser Adams I think I've got the shape right.

Whereas the right back was jogging back like he was on a leisurely stroll in the park.

Shocking performance. Big changes needed. Bazunu is going the same way as Forster did in 2017 when everything hit towards goal goes in, not helped by the dross in front of him.

Eddie Howe is probably subsidising his wages personally just to get rid of him - once you fall out with him, you are dead.

There is a limit I think of 5 loans in any match day squad, so there's still a bit of wiggle room for temporary reinforcements to come in (should a striker be identified in the Premier League I guess).

Maybe a straight £12m bid for Nathan Wood will be incoming to Swansea, given Stephens' injury, and the perception at Swansea that Saints are even more flushed with cash after Tella's sale.

The event was a competition run by JD Sports. 101 people apparently got fortunate. Not sure why Che didn't show, but the four of them did engage with the young fans and everyone went home happy.

Currently in the queue with 99 others to meet and greet AMN, KWP, Lavia and S Mara in JD Sports in town. A low key event, all prescreened questions and Kenzie Benali thinking we are playing tomorrow instead of Sunday. Oh dear. Che Adams was advertised but Mara appeared in his place. Curiously Lavia is wearing a Mara shirt! Lots of excited kids here waiting to meet the players, which is good to see.