Vancouver Saint

Well I watched it from the last 5 mins of the first half through a patchy stream with no commentary. The bundled AA non-goal looked like a goal to me without the benefit of VAR slo-mo replays. What has happened to the unwritten rule about not re-referreeing games FFS?...oh yes, forgot, that only applies when it's not disadvantaging the bigger clubs, where it's based on an instant dial-in vote from the bigger club's fan-base. But I see others saying it was a fair call, so I'm taking it I missed something. To be fair we should have been 0-1 down by then anyway with Joelinton skying a sitter over the bar. It was like watching us! Thought we had some bright spots...Adam Armstrong played well I thought, Mara nice touches, Edozie pulled a great save from Pope, Alcaraz looks good but playe in too defensive a position (switch him and JWP's roles I agree). Downsides...Orsic invisible, DCC's lack of pace hugely exposed (and why he's not the greatest IMHO...don't rate him as highly as many on here do) no real shape or identity...just lots of energy...pashun...as if guile and composure (and a decent finish!) was banned. Missed the Adams miss, no surprises. Stupid red card from DCC but good that he'll miss the return game so we can expose just how crap Bednerak is again. Don't understand the interest in staying in this competition. I just see it as a huge distracting side-show with the ability to pick up more injuries and exhaust a weak squad before more important league games. Was hoping we'd concede a second at the end to make the return trip even more futile than it is already. If Saints pull off an amazing turnaround at St James's to win the tie I'll be delighted to eat my words, but seriously, what a waste of time. Let's focus on the league.

Seriously, why does the club think this is a good move or an exciting one for the fans in any way? Never go back is generally a good rule. We dodged a bullet with Danny Ings. Theo just shouldn't have. Bednarek returns with low expectations from the fanbase who know his limitations and a ton of negative goodwill - what could possibly go wrong? As always, delighted to be proven wrong. Why don't we bring Tella back if we're going to recall anyone?

No FA Cup or League Cup and stay up much better for me. Given we can't buy a win at home in the league I doubt we can stay up now. If this Villa game is anything to go by and was the most important of the three this week - as it was for me - then we will be out of both Cups and set firm for relegation. Villa were the better team, more crisp in their passing and greater control - but in typical Saints fashion we fail to get the point we probably just about deserved and that would have given us some upward momentum. Didn't you just know they were going to over-rule our goal - and that they'd score shortly after and get a close call go their way. You need a bit of luck to stay up and get something out of games even when you don't play well - we got absolutely none. That said, we were crap - lots of individual errors, Dialo better than Alcaraz? Mara cost us the game. Ely, Mara, Perraud triple substitution before bringing Orsic on? Edozie should be someone we bring on with 30 minutes to go to run tired defences ragged, not a hold-up player. DCC poor today. JWP taken out of the game. Bazunu really needs a rest - the difference between the keepers was apparent for all to see. Bazunu doesn't command six-feet in front of him, Martinez commanded their defensive third of the pitch! I think (and honestly don't mind much) that we get knocked out of the Cup competitions this week - Newcastle way too good for us over two legs. Then there is no excuse about training schedules, injuries, distractions etc. Knowing us, we'll play a blinder and win in the competitions I don't really care about at this juncture.

Am I the only one who is happy Ings didn't come back to us?

I'm a regular listener and enjoy the podcast - quite far away in vancouver and it brings it closer...talks of Hampshire cricket, son's football team, dull weekends. It's a refreshing touch of reality and I find it often reflects my read of things - not always. It's a refreshing contrast to the 'positive spin only' sponsored crap we get from the Whitecaps media...who I swear could talk-up even the Forest game! I like the fact they have an opinion and aren't afraid to say it...or admit if they were wrong. I was underwhelmed by Jone's appointment...then read a bit and listened to him (especially the bit about Saints fans in the family...thinking they'll tell him what's what)...was definitely prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and give him a chance...saw the first four games...OMG Lincoln and Forest have to be the worst games ever....seriously thought he was clueless and had gone backwards at a rate of knots after 6 weeks to get his thoughts across...NOW, am delighted to be offered the chance to eat humble pie every week if we keep winning. Palace we were a bit lucky but showed some grit, Man City was unbelievable, not just the result but the manner of the win - couldn't believe what I was watching...Everton, we had a bit of luck for once and two bits of class and some determination and decent defending for once got us the win. So now, I am hoping like the rest of us that we beat Villa and keep the momentum going. And I'm in the...okay NJ, you've got my attention and I'm ready to admit I was premature in judging you...if the results and performances keep coming. I'm rooting for him! Thanks for the podcast and keep up the good work.

So, now we've all calmed down a bit... A fantastic win - fairly even teams (Everton really not great)...good game...for once, we rode our luck and the result was just what we needed (and fair to cancel out the result at home). Honestly, could have gone the other way if the one that hit the bar went in - that was when I just felt the the luck could run our way today. Onana was a beast for them in midfield - he'd have been the story if things had gone Everton's way. Fair play to NJ and the team - I have been heavily critical before this week and confess I was in the 'fix this mistake quickly camp'. Now I'm in the ...'wow, take it back, would be delighted to eat humble pie every week for the rest of the season if it keeps us up' camp. Certainly looks like he has the team behind him. We could and probably should have won by a bigger margin in the end - our lack of ruthless breakaway killer instinct/composure/finisher showed. My observations FWIW: JWP - two brilliant bits of skill made all the difference...like him playing further forward...that said, hink he can play better than he did today, looked tired KWP - not at his best today, looked tired CC - very solid...better in defensive role than creative move it forward quickly...but we need defenders that can defend! Lyanco - another good performance, positive, aggressive but controlled Edozie - obviously talented, think he's better as an impact sub against a tired defense Che - did well as hold-up and lay-off master...always better when he has someone to play off him in close support...two good assists, could have been more Alcaraz - didn't think he was as bad as everyone else seems to think...showed he's going to be good I think...fast, aggressive, foot-forward. Literally just off the plane so surprised he played Dialo - really not up to it I don't think Ely - please will someone explain to me why he continues to hold down a starting place? I just don't get him. Think he's slow and lacks courage, flair or finish. Not terrible, but bang average. Bazunu - looks very nervous...needs to build up confidence...command his box, come for crosses - punch or catch corners near the six-yard box...will get better as we win games and hopefully keep some clean sheets Salisu - hmm...blows hot and cold...not great first half, very good second half Adam Armstrong - thought he was really good in the new 'Shane Long' role (harry opposition defences and run everywhere even if you're not likely to score...get occasional bonus goal or two! Lavia - obviously talented but early yellow card took the edge off his superpower No S. Armstrong on the bench even - is he injured? You can see NJ's strategy is to keep high energy and is not afraid to bring fresh legs on, so we will need good options from the bench to mix things up... Now to beat Villa at home. Just watched the highlights from their Leeds game and they were super lucky to win that - Martinez made a couple of incredible saves.

Thanks for the link 31 cc. Well that was a pleasant surprise - wow! We actually played with heart and passion and scored two great goals - amazing. Hopefully we can hold on to a win and avoid a replay and injuries.

Any streaming links?

Well I'm old enough to remember listening to radio commentary live as we won the Cup in 1976! A special day indeed (and the only time the Queen presented the FA Cup I learnt later - one for the Southampton record books). But honestly, I'd take staying in the Premier League any day over the League Cup (especially) or the FA Cup. Play the youngsters and reserves. No injuries. Don't start unfit new signings and risk injuring before they're ready for nothing. Would I like us to win - of course!

Don't really care about this at all - care more about us winning our league game against Everton. Play reserves and youngsters. No injuries and anything other than a drubbing is a bonus.

Missed the game. How did we play? Any signs that Jones might have a clue?

Looks like a really good signing based on Dinamosupporter's excellent endorsement. My only fear is it encourages NJ's one-dimensional Championship diagonal hoofball strategy.

Yup - got me. Haven't seen anything yet, but am 8 hours behind and haven't read ahead yet...my bet is SR / Ankersun haven't got the courage to do it...hope I'm wrong

Ankersun stand up and be counted - be big enough to admit this was a bold experiment that has backfired. Remedy it now please. This guy is clueless, even admitting the squad he's inherited is weak, I see not even a glimmer of a plan or a philosophy other than five at the back and hoofball to 5'9" striker who isn't a target striker anyway. No indication he has a clue about the strengths and weaknesses of any of our players. And no sign he has got them up for the fight.

Commentator on Fubo 87th minute-ish: "they've tried that long diagonal 100 times and it hasn't worked once". I was shocked at how bad we've been since NJ's arrival. Not so much as a dead cat bounce even. But I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt after the 90th out of 92 statistic...this game was his chance to prove to me that he had a clue, had a plan, could motivate this team and perhaps, if not actually win a game against our nearest relegation rivals, then at least not lose. Doh! Starting Lyanco (at all) but especially in a back three/five that has been a disaster...no S.Armstrong or Edozie to start - he lost me before the whistle blew even. Primitive diagonal hoofball - who exactly does he think we have that can out-jump defenders a foot taller than them? What exactly did he think was going to happen? No shots on target in a must win relegation battle says it all. Ankersen stand up and be accountable. Jones OUT, tonight. Start the rebuild for the Championship now. No way back from relegation this season I'm afraid and we've totally screwed ourselves in the transfer market. Tell me, what player in their right mind is going to be inspired by the statement: "You'll get to work with Nathan Jones?"

Forget bloody score and formation predictions - WHERE ARE OUR NEW SIGNINGS FFS?

Brilliant stat St Knowle. Really does tell the story of our 'death by 1,000 cuts' decline over the last year and more... Now is the time for Ankerson, SR and the board to back their man Jones with some proper players. Now.

So trying to put some positivity out there as we head towards the New Year: First time in a long time I thought we were actually the better team The players were playing for the manager...first glimpses of green shoots? JWP played well and scored a great goal The Saints fans at the game sounded louder than Fulham's and were behind the team We're not completely cut adrift yet 3pts against Forest now imperative - better than two draws we might have played for if we'd drawn? Lyanco unequivocally exposed for the liability he is KWP getting game time in Lavia, just possibly fit and not going to Chelsea Ely actually played well S Armstrong must surely have shown why he can't be left on the bench Edozie is good Tino still to come back SR's hand forced to invest tomorrow It's a New year and we'll start 2023 undefeated! If you don't laugh, you'll cry...

Still shaking my head in total disbelief that we continue to contrive ways to lose games. Quite incredible. All we had to do was not concede a goal - I really thought we were the better team and for the first time, signs that the players were behind the manager and working hard. We simply had to get something out of that game to build on. A brilliant free kick from JWP - all things pointing to us going on to win. Commentator cursed it for me "Southampton have only conceded one goal in the last 15 minutes"...cue concession of a stupid corner and terrible non-marking front post and back post. We simply have to win against Forest otherwise we're down. Lyanco though, c'mon what a joke. And Bazunu - grow a pair and take responsibility for commanding your area! His lack of confidence is so apparent.

1 for sure....but looks like Bournemouth have already taken that option

Well my hope for a turnaround under Nathan Jones has disappeared completely after watching the Lincoln, and Brighton games...no clue, no fight, no shape or style. We are now the wounded bird in a ruthless flock and will be pecked to death unless SR make an outsized statement investment in new players on the first day the transfer window opens. Without that I think Lavia is gone and without him I think our run in the Premiership is done (not just because of him not playing but because of the psychological impact of our best, most promising young players leaving). Oh yes...and the Fulham game!...3-0 to the Cottagers. Hoping this is just a bleak midwinter we'll somehow escape from with a 17th -place finish...but just don't see it happening when I look at what our rival relegation competitors are doing relative to us.

Good question! More pertinently - would he come back even if we wanted him?!

What a gulf in class between us and Brighton. They have advanced in terms of style, skill and effort as far as we've regressed. On that showing we are the new favourites for staying bottom of the league. Only positive from that game is that the owners must realise, despite all their investment, we need more to have even a glimmer of hope. Bazunu at fault for for both the first two goals. JWP needs to be dropped. Aribo unfit? Lavia must be on his way out. Lyanco a red card just waiting to happen. Elyonousi - why? AMN very ordinary at best. Djenepo a lightwieght. Nobody who can finish. Edozie bright but needs to finish. KWP rusty. Didn't see the fight or endeavour you'd expect from a new manager bounce...you actually have to rise to bounce - we didn't even get started. Terrible.

Merry Christmas all...was going to attach a wintery picture of a black bear on our back steps last week but can't figure out how to attach an image....doh!

Well I had to stop watching the (very good) livestream (thank you Charlie) with 5 mins of normal play to go so missed the two sitters everyone is talking about. From what I saw, it looked like we had found our level - mid-table League One. How AMN wasn't taken off at half time, or early in the second half I'll never know - he doesn't look like he's interested in playing professional football - so don't play him. Edozie was the only consistent bright spark. Didn't see the Bazunu error for their goal but sounds like powderpuffing...he will get picked on by the bully-boys unless he cures that immediately. Everyone else was...well just shite really. Predictable one-trick pony attack play...cut back on the edge of the 18-yard box to JWP to curl a cross in to the back post...mixed with Lyanco hoof ball long diagonal....or give it to Edozie (when he was on) and let him beat three players to get to the byeline and cut-back. So slow and ponderous and...jeez...Walcott on before Mara or Aribo? What's going on? In fairness Walcott did okay for the few minutes he was on. Nothing to suggest Jones has done anything in the six weeks he had with the team, except perhaps convince Lavia he's too good for us (expect the announcement of Chelsea buying him to come after he misses the Boxing Day game).