Saints v Skates - Sunday 14th Sept 12pm

[bpsaint]

5 hours ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Agree JS will up for the game and he can get stuck in which players didn't do last season. I am concerned that all the new/non Saints connected players won't be that interested as in 'its a derby game'. It will be approached as a league game and not a win at all costs game.

 

I’m hoping it works the opposite way to be fair, that win at all costs attitude on derby day can bring an added pressure with it, I’m hoping the new boys are more focused on impressing the manager and the skates suffer as a result.

[derry]

From Tuesday they have been working on shape. The video on the OS shows the new players fully involved.

[saintant]

10 minutes ago, derry said:

From Tuesday they have been working on shape. The video on the OS shows the new players fully involved.

I'm guessing we'll change to 4231. I think Will Still is going to be quite conservative when it comes to introducing new faces so expect to see something along the lines of;

Baz 

Mads THB Stephens Manning

Downes Charles

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Archer

I'd rather bring in Scienza, Janders and Jelert but the fact that Still has so far persisted with 3 at the back makes me think he is far more conservative than I expected. So my starting team would be;

Baz

Mads THB Stephens Jelert

Janders Charles

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Archer

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

32 minutes ago, derry said:

From Tuesday they have been working on shape. The video on the OS shows the new players fully involved.

Next week lads, it's glitter!

[CB Fry]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

An upset? It's not a cup tie, we're in the same division and they're above us in the league, to a neutral it would hardly be classed as an upset. 

A neutral would see it an upset because we are the bigger club, most recently in the Premier League and with a much bigger wage and transfer spending. ITV will definitely pitch it as a challenger club taking on a promotion contender. This isn't complacency, it is the reality of the situation.

What we always have to remember is that you are not neutral. I’ve never seen you post anything on here that isn't about how terrible we are and how everything we ever do is awful.

So when you start your usual shitposting that you would be surprised if we lose, well yeah. Of course. I'd be amazed if you said anything else.

[Football Special]

29 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

A neutral would see it an upset because we are the bigger club, most recently in the Premier League and with a much bigger wage and transfer spending. ITV will definitely pitch it as a challenger club taking on a promotion contender. This isn't complacency, it is the reality of the situation.

What we always have to remember is that you are not neutral. I’ve never seen you post anything on here that isn't about how terrible we are and how everything we ever do is awful.

So when you start your usual shitposting that you would be surprised if we lose, well yeah. Of course. I'd be amazed if you said anything else.

Have you watched us in the last 12 months? 

[AlexLaw76]

30 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

A neutral would see it an upset because we are the bigger club, most recently in the Premier League and with a much bigger wage and transfer spending. ITV will definitely pitch it as a challenger club taking on a promotion contender. This isn't complacency, it is the reality of the situation.

What we always have to remember is that you are not neutral. I’ve never seen you post anything on here that isn't about how terrible we are and how everything we ever do is awful.

So when you start your usual shitposting that you would be surprised if we lose, well yeah. Of course. I'd be amazed if you said anything else.

Exactly

We should beat them, and it will probably be tough given the occasion. Anything other than a home win will be a terrible result and a horrible mark on Will Stills perceived ability

We are at home, we have a ridiculous squad of players compared to theirs, any of our starting 11 will be better in each position, with maybe Murphy being the exception. Their entire summer spending would do well to eclipse what we spent on Josh Quarshie (ie, about £3-4m). We probably spent more than that on agents fees.

 

Edited Wednesday at 19:39 by AlexLaw76

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

We really do need to drop this complacent arrogance about how good our squad is until they've started to show it and actually look like a balanced team, having sat through hours of unbelievably shit football in the last 12 months, including this season,  it would not surprise me at all if we did not win. 

Guy behind me at Watford kept saying 'stop being arrogant' and he had a point. Our lads need to show they're the best and not think it just because they're one of the most expensive assembled squads.

As it'll be a 'who's up for it?' game, Jack S, THB, Charles & Downes would be straight in to my team. Don't know why, but I also think Azaz, Fellows, Fraser & Archer would be psyched up. 

[CB Fry]

11 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Have you watched us in the last 12 months? 

Pompey spent three quarters of last season in the relegation zone of the Championship, if i remember they didn’t win until October or something.

If that was us instead you'd be spitting blood about how shit we were, not glibly saying it would be no surprise if they beat one of the richest teams in the division.

Edited Wednesday at 19:49 by CB Fry

[CB Fry]

11 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Guy behind me at Watford kept saying 'stop being arrogant' and he had a point. Our lads need to show they're the best and not think it just because they're one of the most expensive assembled squads.

As it'll be a 'who's up for it?' game, Jack S, THB, Charles & Downes would be straight in to my team. Don't know why, but I also think Azaz, Fellows, Fraser & Archer would be psyched up. 

They will all have played in similar local Derbies.

[Patches O Houlihan]

I thought I would have a look at players in our squad who have played in significant derby games:

McCarthy - kept a clean sheet at their place 0-4 (Stephens was on the bench, and was at the club for the 2011/12 matches but not in the squad)

S. Charles - Lost 1-0 in both the Steel City derbies last season. Played 90' and 72'. 

Manning - played 90' in a 2-3 away win for Swansea at Cardiff 22/23, 90' in a 3-0 home win 21/22. Was injured for the other two derbies. 

Downes played 90' in both the 21/22 Welsh derbies winning 3-0 and 0-4. He also came on for the last 5' of a 3-0 away loss to Norwich in an Old Farm match.

Fellows - Brought on as a sub for 23' as WBA lost 0-2 at home against Wolves, Jan 2024 in the FA Cup 4th round. Will have watched senior derbies as a junior.

Azaz - lost both Middlesborough v Sunderland games last season 1-0 away and 2-3 at home. Played ~60' in each

Stewart - Scored one as CF in the 2-0 home win over Middlesborough for Sunderland Jan 2023. Archer came on for 23' as a sub for Middleborough in the same game.

Aribo - Old Firm: won 1-0 90' 2021, lost 3-0 away and 1-2 at home 90', also a draw (63') and an AET cup win (75') 2022.

Jander & Quashie played each other in a derby last season: Nuremberg won at home 3-0 and Quashie went off injured for Gruether Furth on 41'. In the return fixture Jander played 90' in a 0-4 away win for Nuremberg. 

I don't think Arma or Fraser has played one. Maybe there's some more but that's plenty to be getting on with. 

 

>> "Worth adding in Jelert who has played in one of the fiercest of them all for Galatasaray v Fenerbahce, and several times for Copenhagen v Brondby." @Saint_Lambden 

Edited 22 hours ago by Patches O Houlihan
readability >> & additions

[CB Fry]

Four seasons at Blackburn and Armstrong never played Burnley (who were in the Prem the whole time). Must have played vs Preston though, which is a Saints vs Bournemouth not-really-a-derby derby.

[Patches O Houlihan]

14 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Four seasons at Blackburn and Armstrong never played Burnley (who were in the Prem the whole time). Must have played vs Preston though, which is a Saints vs Bournemouth not-really-a-derby derby.

I haven't looked up Burnley Blackburn games  Feel free to have a look

Fraser didn't play for Newcastle against Sunderland and nor did Arma.

Other big games:

Aribo opened the scoring in the Europa League final which Rangers lost on penalties

Bundesliga relegation playoff:  Scienza was brought on as one of 3 half time subs to rescue the first leg when Heidenheim were 2-0 down and the subs changed the game to finish 2-2. He then scored a 95th minute goal to win the 2nd leg 2-1

Edited Wednesday at 20:54 by Patches O Houlihan
big games

[AlexLaw76]

I should imagine Azaz has played in a derby when at Plymouth

[Patches O Houlihan]

10 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I should imagine Azaz has played in a derby when at Plymouth

He won away 0-1 and played 87' in April 2023. 

[Matthew Le God]

11 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I should imagine Azaz has played in a derby when at Plymouth

Yes, he played in the Exeter vs Plymouth derby, plus he has played in the Tees Wear derby.

[Patches O Houlihan]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Yes, he played in the Exeter vs Plymouth derby, plus he has played in the Tees Wear derby.

See above 😉

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

See above 😉

Did you mention both derbies?

[Patches O Houlihan]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

Did you mention both derbies?

Yes - see above

[Baird of the land]

2 hours ago, derry said:

From Tuesday they have been working on shape. The video on the OS shows the new players fully involved.

Guessing none of the internationals will have been though.

[Matthew Le God]

Portsmouth is a shit hole 💩 

Exhibit A

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0yy13y39o

 

[Patches O Houlihan]

9 hours ago, Baird of the land said:

Guessing none of the internationals will have been though.

It’s likely to be 4-2-3-1 which surely they all will have played at some point. Should all get at least two days to train at Saints on their return (except Downs)

Away: Baz, Moody, Quashie, Manning, Charles, Azaz, Robinson, Downs

Baz and Manning know how to play a back 4 with THB and Captain Jack. Roerslav will get a chance to practice. There’s a good argument for McCarthy to play this one. 

The absence of Azaz and Charles is annoying, but can’t be helped. I wouldn’t be starting Robinson in this one or Downs. 

So another way to look at it is that we have two weeks to prepare for the game with all the new boys and nearly all the starters…

[Patches O Houlihan]

Training First 11:

                       McCarthy

Mads         THB          Jack          Jelert

                 Jander     Downes  

Fellows               Fraser                Scienza

                   Archer or  Stewart

 

Match:

Azaz in for Scienza to start and Fraser moves to left wing.

Scienza comes on for Azaz or Fraser depending on who is more knackered.

Charles comes on for Downes/Jander if one gets crocked/knackered.

Whether Manning ousts Jelert depends on whether Jelert has been a rockstar in training for 2 weeks, but his experience of the team and Championship derbies might be helpful

[Dr Who?]

I loved games v the skates, but I also hate the fact that all form (not that we have any) goes out of the window, and pretty much anything can happen on the day. So pretty much like a normal championship match in that case. 🤔 

I would hate to call this one if I am honest, but I do think they will be right into us at the start and we are not that sort of team, with our fancy wingers. One step over and they will get smashed. 

I fear but think another draw 1-1

[Osvaldorama]

Let’s fucking have it. 
 

well up for smashing these sewer dwellers and kick starting our season. 
 

Will Still’s barmy army 5-0 Pompey 

[suewhistle]

11 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

I thought I would have a look at players in our squad who have played in significant derby games:

/SNIP/

Looks like MLG has a new apprentice. Thanks for the effort!

It seems Tom Fellows has heard us at our full-throated best, but the game isn't a bad introduction to the others so we can show them that we may be quiet at times but give us something to cheer about and it's a great atmosphere.

[Football Special]

10 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Portsmouth is a shit hole 💩 

Exhibit A

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0yy13y39o

 

Caused millions of pounds of improvements? 

[Saint_lambden]

11 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

I thought I would have a look at players in our squad who have played in significant derby games:

McCarthy - kept a clean sheet at their place 0-4 (Stephens was on the bench, and was at the club for the 2011/12 matches but not in the squad)

S. Charles - Lost 1-0 in both the Steel City derbies last season. Played 90' and 72'. 

Manning - played 90' in a 2-3 away win for Swansea at Cardiff 22/23, 90' in a 3-0 home win 21/22. Was injured for the other two derbies. 

Downes played 90' in both the 21/22 Welsh derbies winning 3-0 and 0-4. He also came on for the last 5' of a 3-0 away loss to Norwich in an Old Farm match.

Fellows - Brought on as a sub for 23' as WBA lost 0-2 at home against Wolves, Jan 2024 in the FA Cup 4th round. Will have watched senior derbies as a junior.

Azaz - lost both Middlesborough v Sunderland games last season 1-0 away and 2-3 at home. Played ~60' in each

Stewart - Scored one as CF in the 2-0 home win over Middlesborough for Sunderland Jan 2023. Archer came on for 23' as a sub for Middleborough in the same game.

Aribo - Old Firm: won 1-0 90' 2021, lost 3-0 away and 1-2 at home 90', also a draw (63') and an AET cup win (75') 2022.

Jander & Quashie played each other in a derby last season: Nuremberg won at home 3-0 and Quashie went off injured for Gruether Furth on 41'. In the return fixture Jander played 90' in a 0-4 away win for Nuremberg. 

I don't think Arma or Fraser has played one. Maybe there's some more but that's plenty to be getting on with. 

Worth adding in Jelert who has played in one of the fiercest of them all for Galatasaray v Fenerbahce and several times for Copenhagen v Brondby. 

[tdmickey3]

11 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Portsmouth is a shit hole 💩 

Exhibit A

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0yy13y39o

 

I suspect TCWTB had his first wash in a decade

Edited yesterday at 08:24 by tdmickey3

[Dusic]

17 hours ago, saintant said:

I'm guessing we'll change to 4231. I think Will Still is going to be quite conservative when it comes to introducing new faces so expect to see something along the lines of;

Baz 

Mads THB Stephens Manning

Downes Charles

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Archer

I'd rather bring in Scienza, Janders and Jelert but the fact that Still has so far persisted with 3 at the back makes me think he is far more conservative than I expected. So my starting team would be;

Baz

Mads THB Stephens Jelert

Janders Charles

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Archer

 

My starting XI would be the first one you have listed.

Fellows knows the Championship so fine to throw him straight in but I don't think Scienza is even training with us yet and Fraser certainly doesn't deserve to be left out and you know he will be defensively switched on too.

Good to have a stronger bench and some good options there but no need to throw in every new player to start at this stage.

[saintant]

Just now, Dusic said:

My starting XI would be the first one you have listed.

Fellows knows the Championship so fine to throw him straight in but I don't think Scienza is even training with us yet and Fraser certainly doesn't deserve to be left out and you know he will be defensively switched on too.

Good to have a stronger bench and some good options there but no need to throw in every new player to start at this stage.

I think so too although others are suggesting Will is going to include all the new boys - just can't see that happening.

[igsey]

Great opportunity for the new lads to gain credit with the fans - either by banging in a goal or two-footing a skate.

[madge]

This game will Be won or lost on who keeps their head.. flying into challenges in the first 10 mins could easily see one team down to 10 or 9… with saints with pacy wingers I’d invite those challenges.. get a player booked and then start playing in and around and hope to force a second.. my concern is Stephen’s.. who’s not the wisest.

[Charlie Wayman]

It seems Still has his favourite already so expect Archer, Stephens & Fraser to start. Charles, Downes & Robinson deserve to start so only 4 outfield positions up for grabs. THB for sure, Roerslev, Jelert almost certainly so Jander or Azaz?

[chivvy]

If you played in the English Leagues before you should be able to start .. if your new then on the bench.

Downes hasn't been great but just because you got someone shiny and  new doesn't means he is better yet..  downes will like this sort of match.. and competition for his place should make him better.

 

Edited 14 hours ago by chivvy

[Toadhall Saint]

13 hours ago, madge said:

This game will Be won or lost on who keeps their head.. flying into challenges in the first 10 mins could easily see one team down to 10 or 9… with saints with pacy wingers I’d invite those challenges.. get a player booked and then start playing in and around and hope to force a second.. my concern is Stephen’s.. who’s not the wisest.

Our record against 10 men isn’t that great so I’d prefer to keep all 22 on the pitch.

[Pamplemousse]

41 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Our record against 10 men isn’t that great so I’d prefer to keep all 22 on the pitch.

Our record against 11 isn't great either

[Football Special]

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25443297.portsmouth-hero-chaplin-wants-more-good-times-southampton/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAMnlkZjbGNrAyeVlmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeNZrYA7lHSWVxQTeLZRj1wzfndqtyTgF5ZVaBtuUwpGyoLwnJTusUy-OGaeo_aem_VeI3bmHS316ydIzJy-tPGw

 

This paragraph stood out: 

"Portsmouth had not been ahead of Saints in the league system for 5,229 days before winning when their rivals were held to a draw last weekend." 

Blimey. 

 

[gio1saints]

On 03/09/2025 at 21:21, Patches O Houlihan said:

I thought I would have a look at players in our squad who have played in significant derby games:

McCarthy - kept a clean sheet at their place 0-4 (Stephens was on the bench, and was at the club for the 2011/12 matches but not in the squad)

S. Charles - Lost 1-0 in both the Steel City derbies last season. Played 90' and 72'. 

Manning - played 90' in a 2-3 away win for Swansea at Cardiff 22/23, 90' in a 3-0 home win 21/22. Was injured for the other two derbies. 

Downes played 90' in both the 21/22 Welsh derbies winning 3-0 and 0-4. He also came on for the last 5' of a 3-0 away loss to Norwich in an Old Farm match.

Fellows - Brought on as a sub for 23' as WBA lost 0-2 at home against Wolves, Jan 2024 in the FA Cup 4th round. Will have watched senior derbies as a junior.

Azaz - lost both Middlesborough v Sunderland games last season 1-0 away and 2-3 at home. Played ~60' in each

Stewart - Scored one as CF in the 2-0 home win over Middlesborough for Sunderland Jan 2023. Archer came on for 23' as a sub for Middleborough in the same game.

Aribo - Old Firm: won 1-0 90' 2021, lost 3-0 away and 1-2 at home 90', also a draw (63') and an AET cup win (75') 2022.

Jander & Quashie played each other in a derby last season: Nuremberg won at home 3-0 and Quashie went off injured for Gruether Furth on 41'. In the return fixture Jander played 90' in a 0-4 away win for Nuremberg. 

I don't think Arma or Fraser has played one. Maybe there's some more but that's plenty to be getting on with. 

 

>> "Worth adding in Jelert who has played in one of the fiercest of them all for Galatasaray v Fenerbahce, and several times for Copenhagen v Brondby." @Saint_Lambden 

Nice work thank you. 🙌

[RedArmy]

On 04/09/2025 at 08:48, Football Special said:

Caused millions of pounds of improvements? 

Certainly improved the smell of the place.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25443297.portsmouth-hero-chaplin-wants-more-good-times-southampton/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAMnlkZjbGNrAyeVlmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeNZrYA7lHSWVxQTeLZRj1wzfndqtyTgF5ZVaBtuUwpGyoLwnJTusUy-OGaeo_aem_VeI3bmHS316ydIzJy-tPGw

 

This paragraph stood out: 

"Portsmouth had not been ahead of Saints in the league system for 5,229 days before winning when their rivals were held to a draw last weekend." 

Blimey. 

 

Or 14 or so years. There will be some younger supporters that know no difference - that lot down the road have always been below us as they always will be in my mind! 😉