Pre Season Friendlies 2025/26

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Hopefully he changes the lot because the bench looks a lot better to me. 

The two replacement wingbacks should bring a bit more energy and both are better at crossing the ball.

Bree and Taylor are better defensively, albeit you wouldn’t have known it in the first 10-15 minutes.

[suewhistle]

17 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

My guess is it would be heat related. 

Yeah, right near me. Obviously didn't have enough fluids before the game.. Cough Cough.. 

I'm just dripping..

[Farmer Saint]

It's a friendly, who gives a fuck how we get on. It's about building fitness.

[hypochondriac]

11 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Still haven’t got a clue why football started stopping the game because of medical situations in the crowd. Seems completely unnecessary and open to tactical abuse.

Weird trend that started a few years ago. 

[Midfield_General]

Edozie and Robinson either side of Archer as the front three second half, with Dibling behind. 

Decent bit of skill and shot from Robinson, draws a save from the keeper. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Midfield_General

[trousers]

Much more movement from the players this half already 

[Lighthouse]

7 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

100%. We've looked awful in preseason and looked good when the real games start and vice versa. It's all about fitness and trying a few things. Would be nice to get some goals second half though. 

I think the ultimate example has to be when we beat a bunch of Swedish builders 12-0, then lost our opening game 1-4 at home to Palace. These are literally just glorified training matches, the team on August 9th won’t look anything like this.

[maysie]

3 minutes ago, trousers said:

Much more movement from the players this half already 

How are you watching the game Trousers?

[Gloucester Saint]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Weird trend that started a few years ago. 

It needs to be phased out unless the spectator cannot be physically moved onto the concourse safely. There’s not any more or less of them than there used to be, I saw a few at SMS when I had a ST.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

I think the ultimate example has to be when we beat a bunch of Swedish builders 12-0, then lost our opening game 1-4 at home to Palace. These are literally just glorified training matches, the team on August 9th won’t look anything like this.

And we've also had players look like world beaters in pre season and then do precisely nothing in the games that matter. Much more interesting second half team though. Lots of players I'm interested in seeing. 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, maysie said:

How are you watching the game Trousers?

The official Saints Player via the club website. Splashed out and spent a fiver! 😎

Edited 9 hours ago by trousers

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

It needs to be phased out unless the spectator cannot be physically moved onto the concourse safely. There’s not any more or less of them than there used to be, I saw a few at SMS when I had a ST.

Is it a societal thing now where the attitude is that an individual is so important that they have to hold the game up for everyone else? Assuming it's not going to slow down someone getting treatment, it definitely shouldn't stop the game. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I think the ultimate example has to be when we beat a bunch of Swedish builders 12-0, then lost our opening game 1-4 at home to Palace. These are literally just glorified training matches, the team on August 9th won’t look anything like this.

Alan Bennett. I actually saw the famous play right cycling through Covent Garden regularly and he’d have done better than the Reading loanee against James Scrowcroft, the usually non-scoring targetman.

[East Kent Saint]

6 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Weird trend that started a few years ago. 

Probably after Hillsborough when dozens of fans were being crushed to death and were prevented from getting on the pitch initially .

 

[Midfield_General]

Decent by Edozie, Suga hits the post

[hypochondriac]

Given the choice I'd take that second half team over the first half any day of the week. Only a handful who really had a significant part in last year as well. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, East Kent Saint said:

Probably after Hillsborough when dozens of fans were being crushed to death and were prevented from getting on the pitch initially .

 

Nah. Its only been happening the last few years. 

[trousers]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Given the choice I'd take that second half team over the first half any day of the week. Only a handful who really had a significant part in last year as well. 

Yep, the 2nd half players looking much more lively. 

[Nordic Saint]

53 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said:

We won this 9-0 last season and had the worst season in our club's history.

Smart of Still to put the stiffs in to throw this game so that we can win an historic treble of Championship, FA Cup, and League Cup.

It looks like that record won't last for long. 

[hypochondriac]

Other than Charles and maybe Stewart I'd happily bin that entire 11 from the first half. 

[Saint Matty 76]

Jay Robinson looks seriously good doesn't he?

Hope we don't fuck this one up like Amo-Ameyaw...

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, East Kent Saint said:

Probably after Hillsborough when dozens of fans were being crushed to death and were prevented from getting on the pitch initially .

 

There’s about what 30 years between Hillsborough and this trend starting up though. The Muamba heart stopping on the pitch at Spurs probably had more to do it, fortunately there was a doctor in the crowd watching the game as a fan. But huge difference between a incidence on the actual pitch and in the stands unless it’s a behind a goal where it could distract play and/or be visible on TV if it’s live on there.

Always huge sympathies and well wishes when it happens but the volume of stoppages is not sustainable. 

[Midfield_General]

Nice from Robinson, falls to Edozie completely unmarked six yards out, does a total air shot and misses it completely 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, Midfield_General said:

Nice from Robinson, falls to Edozie completely unmarked six yards out, does a total air shot and misses it completely 

He’s done that in competitive games as well.

[Nordic Saint]

On 26/06/2025 at 20:23, ErwinK1961 said:

Is it me or does Alex McCarthy always looked a bit surprised by his surroundings?

I mean, we’re all a bit surprised you’re still here Alex as well, but at least try and look like you belong.

I'm not just surprised; I'm shocked that he's still here. At any other professional club, they'd have got rid of him a long time ago.  

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

He’s done that in competitive games as well.

Seriously lacks composure but overall he's better than Fraser and BBD that's for sure

[bugenhagen]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Other than Charles and maybe Stewart I'd happily bin that entire 11 from the first half. 

This is so true,

I don't mean to speak for everyone, but hey, lets...

The starting 11 was more or less the players most of us want either gone or as backup.

[Badger]

18 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Club of dunces. 

From Gao, Semmens onwards it’s been this way it seems.

Only time will tell if Spors has changed it, but it’ll take a few decent signings to make a difference now to convince me. So far, (Still, Downs, Quarshie) we seem on the same path. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Is it a societal thing now where the attitude is that an individual is so important that they have to hold the game up for everyone else? Assuming it's not going to slow down someone getting treatment, it definitely shouldn't stop the game. 

I think that a crowd of people focused on a game, is always likely to impede getting someone in ground treatment, or evacuation.

Someone dying because first responders couldn't get to them as the team were attacking and looking likely to score (Saints fans safer there), opens the club and FA up to legal action. 

I'd be more concerned with the safety of the first responders getting through match focused selfish bell ends than the collapsed person selfishly holding up a game.

Points deductions and massive fines for any club who has people collapsing right on 70 minutes each game. 🙂

[trousers]

Liking the look of Robinson.... Maybe we've got a Fernandes replacement there right under our nose? Think they play in a similar position and similar style?

[DT]

We are still playing McCarthy. Hilariously shit. Club has absolutely no clue. 

[OttawaSaint]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Liking the look of Robinson.... Maybe we've got a Fernandes replacement there right under our nose? Think they play in a similar position and similar style?

Easy player to have a song for too. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Nordic Saint said:

I'm not just surprised; I'm shocked that he's still here. At any other professional club, they'd have got rid of him a long time ago.  

If Ramsdale goes, argument for two keepers being signed, not just one. But who wants the two we’ve got? So it’ll be one signed and cross fingers they don’t get injured at all.

No idea was Martin was on giving McCarthy an extension, as stupid as the Stephens one last week.

[Barsiem]

Can't believe people are complaining about stopages because a fan has become seriously ill during a game...

[sockeye]

If McCarthy extends I’m going to see red. Where’s Bazunu at anyway?

[santolijador]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Liking the look of Robinson.... Maybe we've got a Fernandes replacement there right under our nose? Think they play in a similar position and similar style?

I wonder if the club want to take a look at Matsuki in that role too - he is drifting about, up and down the pitch and looks fairly tidy in and out of posession

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, sockeye said:

If McCarthy extends I’m going to see red. Where’s Bazunu at anyway?

Hopefully they are both heading for the exit door. Doubt it though. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Someone dying because first responders couldn't get to them as the team were attacking and looking likely to score (Saints fans safer there), opens the club and FA up to legal action. 

I don’t know about us being safe, Saints attacking and looking likely  scoring would probably be the cause of someone going into cardiac arrest. If BBD actually scores, we could face litigation left right and centre. Hundreds could need treatment….

[bugenhagen]

3 minutes ago, trousers said:

Liking the look of Robinson.... Maybe we've got a Fernandes replacement there right under our nose? Think they play in a similar position and similar style?

Yeah, I enjoy watching him play. Industrious player, makes things happen, brings others into the game.

Brings some of the same things that Stuart Armstrong brought to the game.

[hypochondriac]

8 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I think that a crowd of people focused on a game, is always likely to impede getting someone in ground treatment, or evacuation.

Someone dying because first responders couldn't get to them as the team were attacking and looking likely to score (Saints fans safer there), opens the club and FA up to legal action. 

I'd be more concerned with the safety of the first responders getting through match focused selfish bell ends than the collapsed person selfishly holding up a game.

Points deductions and massive fines for any club who has people collapsing right on 70 minutes each game. 🙂

Let's not gp misrepresenting me. At no point was I blaming the person who suffers some incident. 

[Midfield_General]

10 minutes ago, trousers said:

Liking the look of Robinson.... Maybe we've got a Fernandes replacement there right under our nose? Think they play in a similar position and similar style?

Robinson’s playing a bit wider and further up than Fernandes usually does. Playing as part of the forward line rather than the midfield. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Midfield_General

[trousers]

5 minutes ago, santolijador said:

I wonder if the club want to take a look at Matsuki in that role too - he is drifting about, up and down the pitch and looks fairly tidy in and out of posession

Yep, he's looking decent too 👍🏻

[trousers]

Just now, Midfield_General said:

Robinsons playing wider and further up than Fernandes usually does, more on the wing

Yeah, just started to think the same 👍🏻

[Gloucester Saint]

4 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I don’t know about us being safe, Saints attacking and looking likely  scoring would probably be the cause of someone going into cardiac arrest. If BBD actually scores, we could face litigation left right and centre. Hundreds could need treatment….

He did in one of last year’s pre-season games at SMS IIRC?

Agree he’s total crap though. Unless there’s a miracle turnaround he’s in my worst XI alongside Speedie and worse than a gambling-addicted Kerry Dixon.

Speedie is a good analogy - he didn’t want to be at SFC very clearly and neither does BBD.

Edited 9 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Just now, Lord Duckhunter said:

I don’t know about us being safe, Saints attacking and looking likely  scoring would probably be the cause of someone going into cardiac arrest. If BBD actually scores, we could face litigation left right and centre. Hundreds could need treatment….

So vanishingly unlikely to happen. That's just the attacking and scoring bit. The BBD bit is sheer fantasy. 🙂

[trousers]

Well deserved goal for Archer there, and nice assist from Robinson 

[Midfield_General]

2-1 Saints. Archer. Lovely little dinked pass from Robinson, he’s been excellent so far. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, trousers said:

Well deserved goal for Archer there, and nice assist from Robinson 

Good enterprising bit of football. Even if it’s a local friendly it’s nice to see.

[trousers]

So, can we conclude our lethargic performance in the first half wasn't down to the weather after all, but more to do with starting with a bunch of players that are simply mentally and physically weak? 

[goodymatt]

We look better this half, Robinson has impressed which is great to see. He might be a real option this season on that left hand side.