Saints 0-0 Swansea - Match Thread

[Hodgey]

I think we need to play that same team now for at least the next 2 games, no tinkering (bar injuries). The set up freed Jander and Charles up to get fwd more, Edward’s allows a wing back to bomb fwd, Scienza and Armstrong had more space, Harwood Bellis I thought played some really good fwd passes that the other cbs simply don’t have in their locker (and this was a big strength 2 years ago). On CF - I think the way we set up means the cf has a really tough job, we don’t have anyone capable of doing it well but you need someone as a focal point - Aribo is an interesting shout but presumably doesn’t want to be here and isn’t really a fwd - should be on the bench though as he’ll be shop window motivated. Azaz doesn’t look happy playing this system so he can’t start.

Defensively I think the jury is still out, Swansea were very poor, let’s see how they cope against Bristol - I’m concerned that more direct teams with a big man will have a lot of joy against those 3. 
 

Let’s see after 3 games if Still has found something that works with our players (even if it probably isn’t the way he wants to play)

[Totton Saint]

It is not worth posting on here anymore IMO albeit the match did have an end to end feel about it for neutrals.

 

[WALK DMC]

6 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

I think we need to play that same team now for at least the next 2 games, no tinkering (bar injuries). The set up freed Jander and Charles up to get fwd more, Edward’s allows a wing back to bomb fwd, Scienza and Armstrong had more space, Harwood Bellis I thought played some really good fwd passes that the other cbs simply don’t have in their locker (and this was a big strength 2 years ago). On CF - I think the way we set up means the cf has a really tough job, we don’t have anyone capable of doing it well but you need someone as a focal point - Aribo is an interesting shout but presumably doesn’t want to be here and isn’t really a fwd - should be on the bench though as he’ll be shop window motivated. Azaz doesn’t look happy playing this system so he can’t start.

Defensively I think the jury is still out, Swansea were very poor, let’s see how they cope against Bristol - I’m concerned that more direct teams with a big man will have a lot of joy against those 3. 
 

Let’s see after 3 games if Still has found something that works with our players (even if it probably isn’t the way he wants to play)

I agree with much of what you say, my main criticism being that he should have gone 4-2-3-1 in the 2nd half when it was obvious that we'd stopped creating. For me, Azaz is best in that formation and he does have the ability to unlock a defence, so worth a try for 25 minutes.  I also thought that THB was ok and his passing decent at times - although it was noticeable that playing as LCB meant his passing deteriorated when he was forced to play with his left foot. 

I'm not sure that Swansea are quite as bad as some people are saying, we actually played really well (at least in first half) and are progressively improving. Swansea's away form is reasonable; they've lost twice 1-0 (away at Boro and Birmingham) and won twice (Blackburn & Sheff W). Plus, they haven't been dominated all season as they were yesterday, so we should take some positives from the game. 

Of course, we need to start winning. Fingers crossed for Bristol City. 

 

[saintant]

5 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

I think Archer is a centre forward.  Armstrong has shown time and again that he can’t play there, yet Still put him there, knowing this, again.

Then what does he do at the end of the game?  Stick Harwood-Bellis up but puts Charles back as LCB.  The bloke is fucking clueless.  Got the job on the strength of a tactical piece he did on Sky.  It was just a sales pitch that the circus at SR swallowed hook, line and sinker.

🙂

[maysie]

23 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

 

See stats above you bell

So what. What I said actually happened.

Not sure what point you are trying to make.

[Killers Knee]

On 18/10/2025 at 17:01, Steve Cadiz said:

It's incredible that we paid villa about £15m for Archer ,we paid Sunderland £10m for Stewart I've just seen AFCB's 19yr old french striker scoring 2 goals (similar to our chances today) they paid £12m . I blame our scouting team it's just not good enough. Will Still can only work with the poor forwards that he's got in the squad.

But if you are good enough to join Bournemouth you are not joining Saints

[Badger]

5 hours ago, Hodgey said:

Defensively I think the jury is still out, Swansea were very poor, let’s see how they cope against Bristol - I’m concerned that more direct teams with a big man will have a lot of joy against those 3. 
 

Let’s see after 3 games if Still has found something that works with our players (even if it probably isn’t the way he wants to play)

I suspect this is the mindset of Spors and co as well, just defer the decision ( kicking the can down the road, the popular cliche from a couple of years ago).

But it’ll be another three games, next international break, Christmas, new year, give him the January window … let his players bed in… poor results and he might go in Match, otherwise just muddle on and season over. 
 

Very little if anything has been shown to date that he’ll turn it round.  

[Appy]

Would love to know which idiot at the club suggested to announce the saints team with just the first names and try and get the crowd to shout the surnames. Embarrassing. 

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, Appy said:

Would love to know which idiot at the club suggested to announce the saints team with just the first names and try and get the crowd to shout the surnames. Embarrassing. 

It's a very German thing, happens at all the games there where the crowd loudly shout each players name , can't imagine it catching on with us 

[macca155]

2 hours ago, Appy said:

Would love to know which idiot at the club suggested to announce the saints team with just the first names and try and get the crowd to shout the surnames. Embarrassing. 

Oh this with knobs on, winds me up.

If you want to crank up the atmosphere, try winning a home game.

[SW11_Saint]

13 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

I don’t think sticking with Still just because we’ve sacked other managers quickly is the way to go.

Juric was fucked from day one but did nothing to lift the club.  Jones was a ridiculous appointment and had to go.  But in both cases, my opinion is that their predecessors were correctly sacked.

If we stick with Still, we are looking at mid-table and lucky to get crowds of 24000.  Which is criminal when you look at the squad he has to work with in the league we’re in.

Serious question - who do you want to replace him? 

[Chris cooper]

4 hours ago, SW11_Saint said:

Serious question - who do you want to replace him? 

Sean dyche