Vancouver Saint

Played well today. Clearly out-classed and lucky it wasn't more...but fair dues, did try to play football within our limits and played as a team. STILL the end result is the same - another loss and zero points. Think RM is a decent bloke but his main attribute seems to be finding innovative ways to lose games of football and still keep his job. Can't go on forever.

Not for me - Graham Potter please.

"2-0 and you f-cked it up" sing the Leicester fans. Too right - it takes some real incompetence to go from 2-0 up at home and cruising with 30 minutes to go and losing. Smallbone? Seriously? That substitution alone tells me how clueless RM is. Did Smallbone touch the ball? The extra-extra time winner was so predictable I laughed. Numbed to it now. Officiatiing was poor - VAR refs ridiculously inconsistent - worked against us but wasn't the reason we lost. So time really is up for Martin now for me. Must win transformed into another loss. Graham Potter come on down...

This. I said the same at the start of the season - give it 10 games - and so I'll hold by it. I think his ideology is trumping reality and that has to change. But on a couple of things I cut him some slack. We had a 25-game unbeaten run after a dreadful start. He played the 'credit in the bank' loyalty repayment card for the players who took us up and I don't resent that. We were unlucky not to get something from the Newcastle game. We were super-unlucky not to beat Ipswich. So we should be on 4 points. He has proven he's willing to be ruthless...and also to experiment a bit. He appears to have the player's respect (but this is always hard to tell and will wear thin if we continue to get nothing from games). We have a decent squad (too many too average)...but is it better than three other teams in the PL - everyone else has strengthened. On the negative side...there's sticking to a principle and then there's just plain pig-headed stubbornness. Jack Stephens? Will Smallbone? That Bournemouth performance - the most dispiriting since Nathan Jones vs Nottingham Forest at home. Now 3 games left after the international break - we need a minimum of 4 points from those IMO - plus decent performances.

Predictable result...better performance second half that exceeded very low expectations. Top positives for me: - TP played really well in the tiny cameo he was given...could work really well supplying knock-downs to Archer or even AA - Dibbling and Fernandes are really good players...there's more to come from them - Archer showed what he can do and should have some confidence - We still have better players who aren't getting on the pitch...ABK and today, Lesley Top Concerns for me: - I don't credit RM with any of the positives...the things that are going right are because he has been forced into decisions...Stephens suspension...striker injuries and poor form. First half we played normal suicide passing and giveaways in our own third and were lucky not to be punished. - RM ideology still beating reality of the need to adapt...go long, direct, faster pace - Ramsdale doesn't command his area or come for enough crosses from corners or free kicks...pointed out by Arsenal podcaster as to why Raya took his place...it's actually quite noticeable - We defend way too deep, don't even attempt to stop crosses coming in, still haven't learnt to leave a man on the edge of the penalty area when defending corners, too often no outlet and ball comes right back at us, attempt to play out from our 6-yard box EVERY f---ing time! resulting in conceding possession in our third time and time again Leicester a MUST WIN for me.

Can't believe Arteta hasn't figured out the best strategy is to give the ball to us, let us run it sideways and backwards to our own goal, then pass it to one their attackers in a dangerous area for them to score...everyone else has done it. Would be a giggle if this ended 0-0 or 1-1!

Potentially RM's last game in charge? It can go one of two ways: A) The team play out of their skins, defend like lions and hold on for a 1-1 draw after being out-shot 27-1 B) We get gubbed 7-0 C) Something in between...2-0 or 3-0 to them (I lied about there only being two options).

Had client meetings so watched a recording later. OMG how bad are we? That first half has to be the worst we've played for ages - and we've had some pretty bad performances. We are a laughing stock...'stupid football' playing out of the back from our goalline against more skilful opposition that know if they press us we'll cough it up to them in our own third. And to keep doing it again and again and again...doh! We actually had the better of the first 10 minutes and it looked promising. But we completely deflated after that stupid first goal. And how are we ever going to win if we have no threat going forward? What really worries me is the lack of fight...we lost pretty much every 50:50 scrap in midfield. When we did get the ball to run with it there were few options (Dibbling would beat three men and look up for the pass that wasn't there). We have no plan. BBD is not the answer to any question I can think of except "who dives at every opportunity, hides on the wing, can't score and hasn't won a Premier League game in 21 starts?"...hmmm Positives? Thought Charlie Taylor was our MotM. Aribo was good when he came on. Lallana classy but not the solution. Lesley good. Stewart put a shift in. I've been prepared to give RM the benefit of the doubt up to this point but enough is enough. Our back line are not comfortable enough with the ball at their feet to pay this high-risk pass-it-around the back stupid football. Do they realise we cannot score from our own third...but we can give it away to the opposition high up the pitch...and do, frequently. The number of time the tippy-tappy at the back ended up with a boot up the line where Bournemouth would lap it up and come back again. We can't defend set pieces. We defend way too deep. We seem to have given up our own high press. We have no target man striker (perhaps a match-fit Stewart)...we don't play KWP or ABK...!

I think the bottled anger and frustration from the Ipswich late equaliser will translate into a win here - 0-2 to the Saints and our first win of the season.

Sooooooooooo predictable! What is it with Ipswich and conceding late late extra time goals. We defend corners way too deep...no way should that shot get through a block. I wonder just how big those two points lost will be at the end of the season. We needed that win. Haven't sworn as much for a long long time. What's the point of all that endeavour when you throw it away at the last. Subs took away from momentum. You just knew that chance Diaz blazed over the bar when it could of put the game to bed would cost us. Sure lots of positives...Fernandes is great. Lesley gonna be really good, Dibling a phenom, Ramsey some great saves (but also not the best distribution), Downes a good game, Suguwara a good player... But man, we had to see that game out. Very very frustrating. 😠

Only caught the second half. Looked like even though we controlled possession we couldn't really be bothered either way if we went through or not. Slow pace back passes in our third at the end (there must be a stat that shows where our possession is - my bet is 70% in our own defensive third of the pitch). Two sides clearly lacking in confidence and goals. We looked better than Everton. Happy with the win. Penalties were great. Six goalscorers will give each of them confidence. McCarthy big save to keep it 1-1 and then winning save. Well done Saints. Home draw please - I don't mind who the opposition is.

What a different story that could have been if we'd scored that penalty! You just knew that was going to be a huge turning point - and it's incredible how much confidence it gave them and sucked out of us. We didn't have a shot after that. Second half disappointing, Positives? No complaints about RM's set-up with the exception of Stephens inclusion instead of someone like ABK (what on earth is going on there?) First 30 minutes we looked really good and if we play like that I think we will be better than at least three other teams this season. RM will now be forced to not play Stephens (at last) for is it two or three matches for a straight red? Dibling special as we knew. Ross Stewart back - think he will add something if he can stay fit (he doubled his total minutes played today right?) Aron Ramsey a huge upgrade in goal. Young midfield did well. I feel for Archer - think there's a good striker in there and hope he can shake it off quickly. It wasn't a great penalty. I feel a bit of r RM today - didn't get any luck or reward for making the right changes. I don't get Brerton Diaz - a big unit, not fast, but we play him wide like a winger - gets isolated and disappears completely in games. Frustrating to concede a third but in the bigger scheme of things our season begins now. Write these four games off. Let's go on a 25-game unbeaten run from here! We will stay up this season.

So RM says "we'll create more chances playing tippy-tappy out of the back (every f...in' time btw) than we concede"...NO MATE YOU"RE WRONG. That is the third time we've beaten ourselves because we're not good enough to do that in the PL and if you are as predictable as that with no variation ever we will succumb to the press every time. Five goals conceded, four of which have been to 'suicide' self-destruct mistakes at the back - so let's keep track shall we Russell - you owe us four goals. Serious questions about whether he will learn fast enough to not be enslaved by his ideology and to learn to mix things up. We have enough good players to survive, but will we play them and in the right way? Set-up wrong again...five at the back, inviting pressure...I understand loyalty to players who got him promoted but seriously, Smallbone? Clearly not strong enough for this division. Armstrong, enough now. Stephens, was okay today but a below-average PL CB lacking technical skill that will not give us an advantage. THB and Bednarek both terrible today. KWP not at his best. Quite a few players not playing that well tbh...way too many giveaways under no real pressure. Credit RM tried to change it at half-time and we were showing real promise with Fernandes, Archer and Dibling all big improvements when Bednerak commits our second self-destruct and kills the game. Positives - all the subs better than the starters. Aribo played well. Sugawara a revelation. Ramsey will make a good difference, especially if he's allowed to distribute fast and long. We had a good transfer window...long season and all that. But we've got to be able to score goals. We won't do that when we invite the ball into our own 'red zone' close to our goal because we choose to pass it back and around our own penalty area EVERY FRIGGIN' TIME!

Would we be happy with a point? Methinks yes.

So early days and no need to panic yet but we're entitled to be disappointed after that performance. So we now know where we stand, which is not a surprise for many - I think Forest are better than relegation candidates under Nunos, they're comfortable mid-table - but they were so markedly superior from beginning to end I was surprised. That is one of the most comfortable 0-1 away wins they'll have. Should have been more. For us it should dispel any myth that we have enough to survive in the PL - we need a top class GK, much more bite up front and energy booster ball-winners in midfield. Forest gave every other away team the playbook against us which is simply to press high and wait for us to cough up mistakes which we do with regular predictability. We simply cannot be such a predictable one-trick / only-trick play it out of the back even if we're hedged in to our own corner pony when we don't have the ability to execute it. Too many Championship / marginal PL players... Smallbone - why? Just why? I counted 6 giveaways in a 20-minute period. He turns backwards every time. Yet he's the last to be subbed-off. Martin, way too slow to make subs when it was clear their goal was coming and we needed a boost of energy. Dibbling and Fernandes looked good when they came on.

This looks like a really good signing - always good to get great testimonials from the fans that watch and know him. Great transcription from the Estoril Manager, thank you for that CSA96

So predictable. We really deserved to get at least a point. Predictable that the difference was the goalkeepers - one makes a worldclass howler, the other a worldclass save. McCarthy I credit with getting us promoted but we all know we need a stronger 'keeper. What is happening with Sam Johnston? Anyone? Thought KWP was outstanding. Sugawara brilliant - subbed too early - Edozie predictable even if tricksy. That was just screaming for some more direct balls into short diagonal runs in the middle looking for a rebound or deflection. Do we understand we can attempt to score from outside the 6-yard box? It's called shooting.

I think the goalkeeper position is disproportionately important relative to other positions on the field - easily as important as a top goal-scorer is someone who can keep them out, organise and inspire defences and win points by making crucial saves when needed. I would go for a 'preventative' keeper..one who has already got top level experience, can command his penalty box, snuffs out crossed corners, knows how to narrow angles and block and comes out to catch crosses etc over spectacular shot-stopping. In fairness, McCarthy did exactly this for us in the vital last few games last season...but he's not the answer for the Premiership. I'd take Ramsdale any day. Pay for him. Here in Canada, the national sport is hockey. The goalkeepers are the stars...everyone pays respect to the 'keeper at the end of the game. You simply can't win without a great goalkeeper because the rink is short and there are tons of shots 40-50 per game. The real telling thing is, you can have a pretty crap 'outfield' team and an outstanding goalkeeper and be incredibly hard to beat.

Haven't had a chance to read others messages yet but just wanted to say - YEEEESSSSSS! - We;re Premier League, we're Premier Leeeague...wea re Southampton, we're Premier League... ...at least for a season 🙂 Well done Russel Martin and the whole team - that was a solid performance when it mattered most, even if we will gladly take the bit of luck you need to win these things as we had.

Good luck everyone. I am holding back heading off to a fishing trip with my fishing buddies to watch the game early tomorrow morning. Listened to the Saints podcast today with the Leeds podcaster guesting - he was pretty reasonable and said there wasn't the width of a cigarette paper between the two teams which I think is right. If both teams show up as they did for the second leg of the semi-finals it will be a cracker of a game with one or other team winning 4-3. Hope it's us. Come on you Saints!

Well that was dull. Cagey. Nervy. We did okay and I'd definitely have taken a 0-0 after the first 15 minutes onslaught from West Brom. After that we looked comfortable and in control for long periods of the game but we are slow and ponderous going forward. We missed Stuart Armstrong's creativity and forward movement and Che Adam's industry. Jack Stephens always with a mistake in him but recovered well. McCarthy MotM for me. We will need to be more creative and clinical at home on Friday. Good to see Ross Stewart back. At least we've got someone who is direct and willing to take a shot on goal.

I'm I the only one who thinks Martin should have played Lumley before McCarthy once we knew Baz was injured? I thought he was pretty impressive in the early FA Cup games.

As I said after the Cardiff defeat...the football gods say we'll lose the next four games and still get promoted. Part 1 completed...🤣

Going for the most deluded trophy here trying to laugh instead of cry. Given the footballing gods are toying with us, we will lose the next four games and still get promoted. Called it first...

Well was there a single person on this forum that didn't call that at half-time after that incredible display of inept finishing? Our inability to get a clinical finisher (or even a half-competent one) once we knew Ross Stewart was out is unforgivable. I don't blame RM for that, but I do for his lineup and tactical management. RM has to get some kind of special award for finding ways to not only not win crucial matches we should easily have won, but to LOSE them! Incredible display of incompetent in-game management. Smallbone starting instead of Downes? Unless Downes is 'proper injured' that is just a crazy omission. Then Che obviously having another Che-day...but keep him on and take off Adam Armstrong? WTF? Then Sulemana and Edozie ahead of Fraser (I was watching second half without sound so may have missed this...but Fraser...one of the few who does actually know how to score a goal, should have been on instead of Brooks before Cardiff equalised). Sulemana who never scores and whose immediate contribution was two fouls. Then Aribo off? Possibly our best midfielder still showing running and bite. Then leaving Stuart Armstrong on (yes he was playing well) but to cap it all, looks like a bad injury and out of the play-offs. You know I doff my hat to you RM...a greater show of in-game tactical mismanagement I don't think I've ever seen. Anyway, we've been handed so many opportunities to control our own destiny and f-cked it up, we don't deserve automatic promotion. And we all know our chances in the playoffs. So Championship for another few seasons it is as we will lose all our best players if (when) we don't get promoted. Unbelievable. Ah well, taken the excitement out of the leicester game at least - thanks for that.