Saints v Skates - Sunday 14th Sept 12pm

[LGTL]

1 hour ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Too many new players and no clear style of play goes against us. Also slow in build up allows tackles which we get turned over with ball a lot.

On the plus side our players could come up with something like a brilliant free kick from no where in thd game. We are probably under dogs not having a good start or expected start given the team we have (had). We will have players targeted and hacked as that's thier style so hopefully some yellows and red cards for skates.

I think we will try to make the game boring, slow, predictable to make it difficult to get any flow as that's how are players play. Just hope the new players decide to be creative and show what they have. 

Game has draw, Russball, safety first, written all over it.

Needed a few games before this one for new players. It will be a fantastic atmosphere with Saints the better support as always. 

Difficult to predict score, can we raise our game and aggression, unlikely so I'm going with 0-0. If in doubt pass it about. 

Fucking underdogs!

Sorry, but if we can't beat those cunts with a front 4 of Scienza, Azaz, Fellows and Archer then we should all give up and go home. To put it into perspective, they're wetting their knickers about signing Conor Chaplin.

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, LGTL said:

Fucking underdogs!

Sorry, but if we can't beat those cunts with a front 4 of Scienza, Azaz, Fellows and Archer then we should all give up and go home. To put it into perspective, they're wetting their knickers about signing Conor Chaplin.

On paper we look good. I can't see players going in studs up, winning headers and running around. It will need to be a major transformation from the Wrexham and Stoke games. We looked like old men crossing the road look left, look right before moving. How on earth did the Stoke goalkeeper throw the ball through our midfield and back to assist a goal? Can you imagine the direct ball bombardment that's going to happen, we need to get some sort of defensive plan in place. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

 

I asked AI who would be available to train for an extended period prior to pompey. At the bottom I have highlighted players staying who could potentially form the basis of the starting 11 in a new formation.

International Call-Ups

Full Senior International Duty

• Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland)

• Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland)

• Joe Aribo (Nigeria)

• Elias Jelert (Denmark)

• Finn Azaz (Israel)

• Shea Charles (Northern Ireland)

Age Group International Duty

• Taylor Harwood-Bellis (England U21)

• Nathan Wood (England U21)

• Kuryu Matsuki (Japan U20/U21)

• Sam Edozie (England U21)

• Moses Sesay (England U20/U21, likely on standby)

---

Training Days with Will Still & Staff

Key Facts

• International matches run until 10 September. Players involved return late 10th or 11th.

• Portsmouth game is 14 September, so internationals get only 1-2 training days with Will Still.

• Players not on international duty get the entire break—around 10-11 days of uninterrupted tactical work.

---

Players Available for Extended Preparation vs Portsmouth

Not On International Duty (Full Preparation: ~10 days)

• Alex McCarthy

• George Long

• Dylan Moody

• Mads Roerslev

• Jack Stephens

• Joshua Quarshie

• Ronnie Edwards

• Welington

• Flynn Downes

• Caspar Jander

• Tom Fellows

• Ryan Fraser

• Ross Stewart

• Damion Downs

• Adam Armstrong

• Jay Robinson

• Leo Scienza

[AlexLaw76]

THB and Wood are too old for the U21s, right?

Jelert has not been picked for Denmark??

Azaz is Irish, right?

Edited Tuesday at 08:24 by AlexLaw76

[benjii]

6 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

 

I asked AI who would be available to train for an extended period prior to pompey. At the bottom I have highlighted players staying who could potentially form the basis of the starting 11 in a new formation.

International Call-Ups

Full Senior International Duty

• Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland)

• Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland)

• Joe Aribo (Nigeria)

• Elias Jelert (Denmark)

• Finn Azaz (Israel)

• Shea Charles (Northern Ireland)

Age Group International Duty

• Taylor Harwood-Bellis (England U21)

• Nathan Wood (England U21)

• Kuryu Matsuki (Japan U20/U21)

• Sam Edozie (England U21)

• Moses Sesay (England U20/U21, likely on standby)

---

Training Days with Will Still & Staff

Key Facts

• International matches run until 10 September. Players involved return late 10th or 11th.

• Portsmouth game is 14 September, so internationals get only 1-2 training days with Will Still.

• Players not on international duty get the entire break—around 10-11 days of uninterrupted tactical work.

---

Players Available for Extended Preparation vs Portsmouth

Not On International Duty (Full Preparation: ~10 days)

• Alex McCarthy

• George Long

• Dylan Moody

• Mads Roerslev

• Jack Stephens

• Joshua Quarshie

• Ronnie Edwards

• Welington

• Flynn Downes

• Caspar Jander

• Tom Fellows

• Ryan Fraser

• Ross Stewart

• Damion Downs

• Adam Armstrong

• Jay Robinson

• Leo Scienza

Azaz doesn't play for Israel.

[benjii]

Moral of the story: don't believe what a language model tells you.

[santolijador]

6 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

 

I asked AI who would be available to train for an extended period prior to pompey. At the bottom I have highlighted players staying who could potentially form the basis of the starting 11 in a new formation.

International Call-Ups

Full Senior International Duty

• Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland)

• Ryan Manning (Republic of Ireland)

• Joe Aribo (Nigeria)

• Elias Jelert (Denmark)

• Finn Azaz (Israel)

• Shea Charles (Northern Ireland)

Age Group International Duty

• Taylor Harwood-Bellis (England U21)

• Nathan Wood (England U21)

• Kuryu Matsuki (Japan U20/U21)

• Sam Edozie (England U21)

• Moses Sesay (England U20/U21, likely on standby)

---

Training Days with Will Still & Staff

Key Facts

• International matches run until 10 September. Players involved return late 10th or 11th.

• Portsmouth game is 14 September, so internationals get only 1-2 training days with Will Still.

• Players not on international duty get the entire break—around 10-11 days of uninterrupted tactical work.

---

Players Available for Extended Preparation vs Portsmouth

Not On International Duty (Full Preparation: ~10 days)

• Alex McCarthy

• George Long

• Dylan Moody

• Mads Roerslev

• Jack Stephens

• Joshua Quarshie

• Ronnie Edwards

• Welington

• Flynn Downes

• Caspar Jander

• Tom Fellows

• Ryan Fraser

• Ross Stewart

• Damion Downs

• Adam Armstrong

• Jay Robinson

• Leo Scienza

I was about to ask the same thing, but AI is not reliable in this case. For example, we have no players with the U21s: https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2025/Aug/29/england-mens-under-21s-squad-announced-for-kazakhstan-game-in-september-20252908


By my reckoning, a more manual search, players unavailable are as follows: 

Bazunu + Manning + Azaz - ROI
Robinson - Eng U19s (+dipepa from u21s)
Damion Downs - USA
Charles - NI


Am I missing anyone? Jander and Quarshie not in the Germany U21s, I know Jander was in the summer but might be too old now. 

Would have liked Downs to hang around and practice getting on the end of Scienza and Fellows crosses, but that is a pretty good group to stay together. Jander will practice stepping in for Charles i would imagine which is decent too. 
 

[trousers]

13 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

THB and Wood are too old for the U21s, right?

Jelert has not been picked for Denmark??

Azaz is Irish, right?

Right, I think you could be right, right?

[Patches O Houlihan]

1 minute ago, santolijador said:

I was about to ask the same thing, but AI is not reliable in this case. For example, we have no players with the U21s: https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2025/Aug/29/england-mens-under-21s-squad-announced-for-kazakhstan-game-in-september-20252908


By my reckoning, a more manual search, players unavailable are as follows: 

Bazunu + Manning + Azaz - ROI
Robinson - Eng U19s (+dipepa from u21s)
Damion Downs - USA
Charles - NI


Am I missing anyone? Jander and Quarshie not in the Germany U21s, I know Jander was in the summer but might be too old now. 

Would have liked Downs to hang around and practice getting on the end of Scienza and Fellows crosses, but that is a pretty good group to stay together. Jander will practice stepping in for Charles i would imagine which is decent too. 
 

Well done for mopping up an AI mess. Very pleased to hear that the bulk of the group will be staying to work out a 4 at the back system and gain some familiarity.

[Football Special]

15 minutes ago, benjii said:

Azaz doesn't play for Israel.

AI is a load of bollocks isn't it

[Patches O Houlihan]

19 minutes ago, santolijador said:

Am I missing anyone? Jander and Quarshie not in the Germany U21s, I know Jander was in the summer but might be too old now. 

Jander born 23/3/2003 so he's 22 

Quashie has been with the German under 20s or on the bench for the German under 21s this year. Born 26/7/2004 so 21 currently.

Quashie is in the U21s squad:

The full squad:

Keepers:

Mio Backhaus, Dennis Seimen, Max Weiß

Defenders:

Elias Baum, Hendry Blank, Linus Gechter, Finn Jeltsch, Leandro Morgalla, Joshua Quarshie, Tom Rothe, Lukas Ullrich

Midfielders:

Noël Aséko Nkili, Muhammed Damar, Said El Mala, Brajan Gruda, Anton Kade, Aljoscha Kemlein, Mert Kömür, Umut Tohumcu

Forwards:

Ilyas Ansah, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Nicolo Tresoldi, Nelson Weiper

[whelk]

19 minutes ago, Football Special said:

AI is a load of bollocks isn't it

Good question Football Special.

Bollocks are also known as testicles that are two oval shaped organs that are in inside the scrotum. Would you like to know more about scrotums?

[Pamplemousse]

Let's hope a certain Mr Westwood can keep his inside his trousers (or whatever it is he wears as part of his clown outfit) this time.

Edited Tuesday at 11:27 by Pamplemousse

[saintant]

7 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

Let's hope a certain Mr Westwood can keep his inside his trousers (or whatever it is he wears as part of his clown outfit) this time.

Isn't he banned from St Marys? If not he should be.

[tdmickey3]

10 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

Let's hope a certain Mr Westwood can keep his inside his trousers (or whatever it is he wears as part of his clown outfit) this time.

Because of him and his rancid followers, the club should invoice the skates for the intensive decontamination needed but I suspect it will be required for the whole stand they infest

Edited Tuesday at 11:37 by tdmickey3

[Football Special]

3 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Jander born 23/3/2003 so he's 22 

Quashie has been with the German under 20s or on the bench for the German under 21s this year. Born 26/7/2004 so 21 currently.

Quashie is in the U21s squad:

 

The full squad:

Keepers:

Mio Backhaus, Dennis Seimen, Max Weiß

Defenders:

Elias Baum, Hendry Blank, Linus Gechter, Finn Jeltsch, Leandro Morgalla, Joshua Quarshie, Tom Rothe, Lukas Ullrich

Midfielders:

Noël Aséko Nkili, Muhammed Damar, Said El Mala, Brajan Gruda, Anton Kade, Aljoscha Kemlein, Mert Kömür, Umut Tohumcu

Forwards:

Ilyas Ansah, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Nicolo Tresoldi, Nelson Weiper

Skates have 5 players away on duty, not sure how many would feature anyway 

https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2025/september/02/five-pompey-players-on-international-duty/

[Forester]

Definitely not great timing, but then again our team prior to new signings should have been good enough to beat Pompey when playing at our best.

I am concerned that we may change too much with limited training time given international absence.  Would probably limit changes to Downes for Robinson and start other signings on bench.

[Patches O Houlihan]

50 minutes ago, Forester said:

Definitely not great timing, but then again our team prior to new signings should have been good enough to beat Pompey when playing at our best.

I am concerned that we may change too much with limited training time given international absence.  Would probably limit changes to Downes for Robinson and start other signings on bench.

So you'd stick with 5 at the back?

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Forester said:

Definitely not great timing, but then again our team prior to new signings should have been good enough to beat Pompey when playing at our best.

I am concerned that we may change too much with limited training time given international absence.  Would probably limit changes to Downes for Robinson and start other signings on bench.

 

27 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

So you'd stick with 5 at the back?

In my capacity as official forum fence sitter, I can see the pros and cons of both approaches. Both have risks and potential benefits and it's a difficult balancing act between too much change and not enough. And that's why I'm a spectator and Will Still is a manager

[Saint Mikey]

Can anyone remember other players that have made their debuts in the derby? How have they fared?

Either that, or first goals for the club that happened to be against Pompey?

We'll have plenty in both category for this game.

[Saints-1994]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

Skates have 5 players away on duty, not sure how many would feature anyway 

https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2025/september/02/five-pompey-players-on-international-duty/

Segecic is a starter and had a really good start of the season for them. Australia playing in New Zealand Tuesday morning (BST) will most likely mean he won’t be back until Thursday earliest. Tight turnarounds given they most likely won’t charter for a friendly due to the cost. 
 

We’ve got 5 ‘starting 11’ away, probs Charles (who is back Monday), Manning, Robinson (wouldn’t start him in this one anyway), Bazunu and Azaz. So all of the new lads, minus Azaz, will be getting 2 weeks worth of training. Thats probs best scenario in a crap timing break. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

53 minutes ago, trousers said:

In my capacity as official forum fence sitter, I can see the pros and cons of both approaches. Both have risks and potential benefits and it's a difficult balancing act between too much change and not enough. And that's why I'm a spectator and Will Still is a manager

Normally I'd be more willing to consider 3/5 at the back. But in this game having not played it for a few years, at home, with our squad versus theirs, and 30,000 Saints fans paying very close attention it would be a brave manager willing to start the game with a defensive formation.

[trousers]

49 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Normally I'd be more willing to consider 3/5 at the back. But in this game having not played it for a few years, at home, with our squad versus theirs, and 30,000 Saints fans paying very close attention it would be a brave manager willing to start the game with a defensive formation.

Yep, agree that would be brave. As would significantly changing the formation and/or starting personnel in a 'must win' game. Which is 'braver' than the other? We'll only know for sure when the final whistle blows, of course...

Edited Tuesday at 15:52 by trousers

[Football Special]

51 minutes ago, Saints-1994 said:

Segecic is a starter and had a really good start of the season for them. Australia playing in New Zealand Tuesday morning (BST) will most likely mean he won’t be back until Thursday earliest. Tight turnarounds given they most likely won’t charter for a friendly due to the cost. 
 

We’ve got 5 ‘starting 11’ away, probs Charles (who is back Monday), Manning, Robinson (wouldn’t start him in this one anyway), Bazunu and Azaz. So all of the new lads, minus Azaz, will be getting 2 weeks worth of training. Thats probs best scenario in a crap timing break. 

Thanks and agree, it's hell of a journey back from New Zealand. 

Really good that Still gets two weeks with all the other new signings,  plenty of time to integrate them really 

[Disco Stu]

1 hour ago, Saints-1994 said:

We’ve got 5 ‘starting 11’ away, probs Charles (who is back Monday), Manning, Robinson (wouldn’t start him in this one anyway), Bazunu and Azaz. So all of the new lads, minus Azaz, will be getting 2 weeks worth of training. Thats probs best scenario in a crap timing break. 

Is Robinson a Saints fan? If so I'd start him. If not him, it's likely to be a debutant which is equally high risk.

I reckon he'd be more likely to do something an inexperienced teenager might do in such a game, such as lunge into a stupid challenge, if he was brought on as a sub trying to make an impression.

Choosing our lineup for the derby will be a massive headache for Will. The timing is far from ideal as so many of our players are still mostly unknown quantities at this level.

Edited Tuesday at 16:05 by Disco Stu

[RedArmy]

1 minute ago, Football Special said:

Thanks and agree, it's hell of a journey back from New Zealand. 

Really good that Still gets two weeks with all the other new signings,  plenty of time to integrate them really 

I think we could really benefit from a behind closed doors friendly this weekend. 
 

Get the new signings playing together against opposition in the 4-2-3-1. Azaz and Charles will slot straight into that no issues, and Manning if he is deemed first choice left back. 
 

 

 

 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

I think we could really benefit from a behind closed doors friendly this weekend. 
 

Get the new signings playing together against opposition in the 4-2-3-1. Azaz and Charles will slot straight into that no issues, and Manning if he is deemed first choice left back. 
 

 

 

 

Good shout 👍🏻

[Football Special]

6 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

I think we could really benefit from a behind closed doors friendly this weekend. 
 

Get the new signings playing together against opposition in the 4-2-3-1. Azaz and Charles will slot straight into that no issues, and Manning if he is deemed first choice left back. 
 

 

 

 

Good idea i think, against the Skates? 

[Saint Matty 76]

I think Fraser plays this one for his work-rate and defensive abilities, not even counting his performances so far, with Robinson maybe missing out from the start. No excuse for us to not be running a 4231 in this game.

Bazunu
Roerslev - Stephens - THB - Manning
Charles - Downes
Fellows - Azaz - Fraser
Archer

Subs: McCarthy, Quarshie, Wood, Jelert, Jander, Robinson, Scienza, Armstrong, Stewart

Pretty funny strength in depth. Edwards, Aribo, Matsuki, Edozie and Downs not making the matchday squad.

Edited Tuesday at 16:44 by Saint Matty 76

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Saint Mikey said:

Can anyone remember other players that have made their debuts in the derby? How have they fared?

Either that, or first goals for the club that happened to be against Pompey?

We'll have plenty in both category for this game.

Kasey Keller (crunch!) - made some important saves second half though. 

We’ve played them so infrequently since 1978 that there’s not that many Saints or Pompey players who have actually played in one let alone debutants. The 1984 squad was arguably our best ever and very settled, Shilton and Mills had played in loads of Forest-Derby and Ipswich-Norwich in the 1970s. A few coins and swear words wouldn’t put them off plus local lads like Moran. Armstrong played in derbies in the NE for Boro, Williams no shrinking violet. 

They rarely forget it when they have played in a south coast one though, even they were shocked at the level of venom.

It’s more about being settled in your own game no matter how many appearances you’ve made for the club - Steve Baker was a fringe player who had the 1988 horror at the Dell vs Vince Hilaire. If a new signing has been playing regularly for the club they’ve signed fRom and have the quality and temperament, that should shine through all the initial piss and wind.

Even settled internationals can go wrong though and lose their heads - Antti in 2005. 

Edited Tuesday at 16:23 by Gloucester Saint

[SotonianWill]

1 hour ago, Saint Mikey said:

Can anyone remember other players that have made their debuts in the derby? How have they fared?

Either that, or first goals for the club that happened to be against Pompey?

We'll have plenty in both category for this game.

Sorry if anyone else had replied this, but didn’t Stevie Williams make his debut against Pompey in ‘76 ?

[Winnersaint]

7 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Jander born 23/3/2003 so he's 22 

Quashie has been with the German under 20s or on the bench for the German under 21s this year. Born 26/7/2004 so 21 currently.

Quashie is in the U21s squad:

 

The full squad:

Keepers:

Mio Backhaus, Dennis Seimen, Max Weiß

Defenders:

Elias Baum, Hendry Blank, Linus Gechter, Finn Jeltsch, Leandro Morgalla, Joshua Quarshie, Tom Rothe, Lukas Ullrich

Midfielders:

Noël Aséko Nkili, Muhammed Damar, Said El Mala, Brajan Gruda, Anton Kade, Aljoscha Kemlein, Mert Kömür, Umut Tohumcu

Forwards:

Ilyas Ansah, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Nicolo Tresoldi, Nelson Weiper

I believe the Germany and England squads were the oldest at the U21 Euros.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

5 hours ago, saintant said:

Isn't he banned from St Marys? If not he should be.

Think he got stopped from entering when he came to an England game at St Marys dressed in all his shit.

Apparently even the Portsmouth fans are sick of him with that irritating bell and often coming in pissed and falling over everyone. Complete and utter knob.

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, SotonianWill said:

Sorry if anyone else had replied this, but didn’t Stevie Williams make his debut against Pompey in ‘76 ?

Apparently so, good knowledge https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/steve-williams/

Got a break after a team curfew was broken. Shows if you’re talented enough and can cope with the atmosphere, whether it’s your first game and 100th for the club doesn’t matter.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

On 31/08/2025 at 01:43, franniesTache said:

If the club monitor this board then there's a simple message, you do NOT fucking lose this game, losing isn't even close to acceptable, if the players don't leave every fucking piece of themselves on the pitch, if they don't fight for every fucking thing, if they don't leave their boot in on every challenge, if they don't break those cunts, they shouldn't play again.

This game isn't about football, and if you support saints because it's a football club it's not your game either, this game is about the city. Those horrible little lying, scabbing, insignificant cunts don't even deserve to be allowed in our city.

Them, their piss stained sex pest of celebrity, the banjo headed cunt and every single thing associated to that city aren't welcome here and need to be taught their fucking place and sent back to the shithole they live in.

Portesa Isand is the clagnut hanging off the arsehole of the UK, we'll steal their food, mock their inbred population who chase paediatricians out of their city because they think they're peados, we'll remind them that sotonians are just better than them and that they don't deserve to fucking exist.

Limp wristed Eddie, dockers rotting corpse, the yokel cunt in the documentary talking about their "dialect", Dinenage, Morduant, and every single one of you pricks i hope you leave in tears.

I dont give a fuck what else happens this season we have to beat them, it's a two game season, this is game one.

Fuck the skates, fuck their myths, we're Southampton, we're better than you.

Wade G will be proud of you!

[Football Special]

38 minutes ago, Winnersaint said:

I believe the Germany and England squads were the oldest at the U21 Euros.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25436111.southampton-without-seven-players-international-break/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAMkAdRjbGNrAyQAMGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeUPViE-yplI7oMcEHtuQXrRO_XROAdDh-fP49CtxyIrUVOiHyOfhvXjNTqzc_aem_Jy4ooqn-e_2TWRWTNf4lrg

 

Full list of players away:

Gavin Bazunu, Joshua Quarshie, Ryan Manning, Shea Charles, Finn Azaz, Jay Robinson, Damion Downs.

Full list of senior players in training:

Alex McCarthy, George Long, Mads Roerslev, Elias Jelert, Jack Stephens, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, Ronnie Edwards, Flynn Downes, Caspar Jander, Moses Sesay, Kuryu Matsuki, Joe Aribo, Tom Fellows, Sam Edozie, Ryan Fraser, Cameron Archer, Ross Stewart, Adam Armstrong, Leo Scienza.

Edited Tuesday at 17:29 by Football Special

[Matthew Le God]

 

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

I think Fraser plays this one for his work-rate and defensive abilities, not even counting his performances so far, with Robinson maybe missing out from the start. No excuse for us to not be running a 4231 in this game.

Bazunu
Roerslev - Stephens - THB - Manning
Charles - Downes
Fellows - Azaz - Fraser
Archer

Subs: McCarthy, Quarshie, Wood, Jelert, Jander, Robinson, Scienza, Armstrong, Stewart

Pretty funny strength in depth. Edwards, Aribo, Matsuki, Edozie and Downs not making the matchday squad.

I was about to agree with that line-up but then I thought: why would Still revert to 4 at the back when the majority of the starting 11 is utilising non-newbies, given he's been reluctant to do so up to now...? I'm also leaning towards a starting 11 that doesn't give too many of the newbies their debut in such a 'volatile' game but, logically, that would probably mean sticking to the 3/5 at the back formation we've deployed this far, which nobody likes.... Decisions, decisions....!

Edited Tuesday at 17:31 by trousers

[spyinthesky]

35 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Think he got stopped from entering when he came to an England game at St Marys dressed in all his shit.

Apparently even the Portsmouth fans are sick of him with that irritating bell and often coming in pissed and falling over everyone. Complete and utter knob.

No he didnt.
I was sat down wind of him in the Itchen and he was singing 'Play Up England. England Play Up' until one of members of Turkish's mob confronted him and he had to move away for a 'comfort' break, which required the attendance of a plumber to unblock the pipes.

[Football Special]

44 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Think he got stopped from entering when he came to an England game at St Marys dressed in all his shit.

Apparently even the Portsmouth fans are sick of him with that irritating bell and often coming in pissed and falling over everyone. Complete and utter knob.

I remember he turned up at England v Macedonia 2002 at St Mary's and a few Saints made sure he lost his bell but in fairness left him alone other than that when he claimed he didn't want any trouble,  can't recall if he tried that again at the England v Kosovo game perhaps that was the one he was refused entry for. 

[RedArmy]

10 minutes ago, trousers said:

I was about to agree with that line-up but then I thought: why would Still revert to 4 at the back when the majority of the starting 11 is utilising non-newbies, given he's been reluctant to do so up to now...?

It might be as much about having options off the bench that suit the formation rather than just having the players to play in it from the off. 
 

 

 

[Appy]

Wouldn’t be surprised at all if Jelert replaces Manning for this one, especially with Manning away, Jelert obviously hasn’t been brought in as a back up. 

[Football Special]

11 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

No he didnt.
I was sat down wind of him in the Itchen and he was singing 'Play Up England. England Play Up' until one of members of Turkish's mob confronted him and he had to move away for a 'comfort' break, which required the attendance of a plumber to unblock the pipes.

 

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

It might be as much about having options off the bench that suit the formation rather than just having the players to play in it from the off. 
 

 

 

Yeah, fair point 👍🏻

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

So is the consensus a flat back 4 or keeping with the back 5 and two wing backs? Such an important game, I can see Will Still keeping with his recent formations.

I liked Azaz'z contributions against Watford and I'm guessing Fellows will also be in the starting line up though don't know about the other recent acquisitions and how they'll fit in.

[Saints-1994]

1 hour ago, Disco Stu said:

Is Robinson a Saints fan? 

Was born in London, and spent early years at QPR, so would assume other than being around it since 12 there most likely isn’t any family connection as ‘supporters’. 
 

They’ll have more local lads around their camp as players, Swift, Chaplin and Pack (injured). We’ve got more in the coaching set up Lallana, Surman and McQueen all in the club. Plus would always back Franny and Le Tiss to let ‘em know exactly how much it matters. They both seem to be in around the squad quite a lot. Media team asking specific questions in interviews to the newbies suggest it’s not going under the radar. 

[Football Special]

11 minutes ago, Saints-1994 said:

Was born in London, and spent early years at QPR, so would assume other than being around it since 12 there most likely isn’t any family connection as ‘supporters’. 
 

They’ll have more local lads around their camp as players, Swift, Chaplin and Pack (injured). We’ve got more in the coaching set up Lallana, Surman and McQueen all in the club. Plus would always back Franny and Le Tiss to let ‘em know exactly how much it matters. They both seem to be in around the squad quite a lot. Media team asking specific questions in interviews to the newbies suggest it’s not going under the radar. 

Will JWP be in the away end? 

[Saints-1994]

14 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Will JWP be in the away end? 

Haha wouldn’t half surprise me if they get him in as a pundit on the box. Probably with that Matterface commentating - is he a skate?

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, Saints-1994 said:

Haha wouldn’t half surprise me if they get him in as a pundit on the box. Probably with that Matterface commentating - is he a skate?

A plastic one, Chelsea but worked at one of the radio stations down there covering their games. Don’t expect impartiality any more than their fans would expect it from Adam Blackmore. Ian Darke another one on Sky albeit he’s far better than Matterface on ITV. Can’t believe they replaced Tyldesley with him.

Edited Tuesday at 18:32 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

51 minutes ago, Saints-1994 said:

Was born in London, and spent early years at QPR, so would assume other than being around it since 12 there most likely isn’t any family connection as ‘supporters’. 
 

They’ll have more local lads around their camp as players, Swift, Chaplin and Pack (injured). We’ve got more in the coaching set up Lallana, Surman and McQueen all in the club. Plus would always back Franny and Le Tiss to let ‘em know exactly how much it matters. They both seem to be in around the squad quite a lot. Media team asking specific questions in interviews to the newbies suggest it’s not going under the radar. 

Lallana has played in three I think, probably more than most Saints players post 1970s, two more than Frannie or MLT, and that might help get it across at Staplewood over the next couple of weeks. Fellows gets it - could hear that from the interview and played in a very spicy Black Country FA Cup derby last season or season before IIRC where it kicked off. Those two don’t meet that often either hence it’s pent up like our fixture is.

Boro v Sunderland not at the level of us v Pompey or Sunderland v Newcastle but still spiky and noisy so Azaz can draw from that. Can see Flynn Downes being up for it as probably never sampled Hammers v Millwall, another rare derby, but that’s where focus and adrenaline have to align with a rational head. Charles played in the Sheffield derbies last year and they’re on a par with ours, if not even more spicy.

Edited Tuesday at 18:45 by Gloucester Saint