Southampton v Preston - Saturday 3pm

[leesaint88]

0-2 Preston and the whole place implodes. 

[skintsaint]

5 minutes ago, leesaint88 said:

and the whole place implodes. 

It already has.

[ally_uk]

https://ibb.co/NdMYFkVD

 

Keep it simple 4-4-2 

 

[skintsaint]

17 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

https://ibb.co/NdMYFkVD

 

Keep it simple 4-4-2 

 

What a mess, players all in the wrong positions. Fraser left back?

Edited Monday at 10:55 by skintsaint

[Dman]

At the point where I don't really care. We'll probably narrowly win, which'll keep Still in a job and we'll plod along for another week. 

[Doctoroncall]

It’s a bit strange but the thought of relegation and some forced change than bumbling around like Stoke for years waiting for change to happen by chance is more appealing, however nothing is ever straight forward with Saints!

I just can’t see how SR get out of this hole as they have screwed up recruitment and contracts since they have been here.

[Whitey Grandad]

3 hours ago, davefizzy14 said:

Surely we will appeal the red card as it never was. Hopefully Welington can play. 

Flying in with an elbow to the head. Not a chance. 

[Midfield_General]

14 hours ago, SambaMaverick said:

Stephens in midfield, surely

Should start in place of Scienza, obviously. Can't be too careful. 

Edited Monday at 13:53 by Midfield_General

[Owen The Saints]

23 hours ago, coalman said:

                                           McCarthy

Roerslav   Edwards   THB   Stephens   Quarshie   Wood   Manning

Fellows                                                                                    Scienza

                                           Armstrong

We'd do better without Stephens, Manning and Armstrong. Only dodgy one left is McCarthy, impossible to adapt from being a table football goalie to a real one.

[sockeye]

2-0 Preston, as we cannot convert.

[Convict Colony]

Extremely outrageous here for 3 reasons.

1. Downs starting at CF - I am sick of having smurfs in the centre and us pinging in crosses, id rather have someone 6ft 4 that it might hit and go in than 5ft 4.  Its tough on Armstrong but he cant miss those 1 on 1s and for me fellows has to come into the team and armstrong sub (rested).

2. Formation - Still keeps saying he isnt wedded to a formation and assuming wellington isnt banned i think with Mads and Wellington back he has 2 fullbacks that can defend and he's had pelters about 5 at the back and us still being shit i think he might change to prove a point.  Also went with mobile CB's as my preference with Edwards + 1 on the bench. Obvs have Azaz playing in front of Downes and Jander to link the play.

3. Wellington - He wasnt in the database when i built this team so picked a wellington (of which there are many) who looked like him.

 

[Verbal]

6 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Extremely outrageous here for 3 reasons.

1. Downs starting at CF - I am sick of having smurfs in the centre and us pinging in crosses, id rather have someone 6ft 4 that it might hit and go in than 5ft 4.  Its tough on Armstrong but he cant miss those 1 on 1s and for me fellows has to come into the team and armstrong sub (rested).

2. Formation - Still keeps saying he isnt wedded to a formation and assuming wellington isnt banned i think with Mads and Wellington back he has 2 fullbacks that can defend and he's had pelters about 5 at the back and us still being shit i think he might change to prove a point.  Also went with mobile CB's as my preference with Edwards + 1 on the bench. Obvs have Azaz playing in front of Downes and Jander to link the play.

3. Wellington - He wasnt in the database when i built this team so picked a wellington (of which there are many) who looked like him.

 

Quite like that team and formation, although you've had a bit of a mare at left back - not his name, not his pic, and isn't he in suspenders for the next game?

[Gloucester Saint]

10 minutes ago, Verbal said:

and isn't he in suspenders for the next game?

There’s an image 🤣

Reminds me of that ‘Sexy Football’ advert with David Batty during Gullit’s ill fated spell at Newcastle.

Edited Monday at 18:58 by Gloucester Saint

[Saint Fan CaM]

8 hours ago, maysie said:

Based on Wellington suspension and Charles injury. Team was based on those available.

Fair enough, but suggesting Manning is one of best is red rag to a bull for me. 😉😂

[Convict Colony]

1 hour ago, Verbal said:

Quite like that team and formation, although you've had a bit of a mare at left back - not his name, not his pic, and isn't he in suspenders for the next game?

I can tell you didnt read point 2 or 3 amigo

[Vancouver Saint]

On 26/10/2025 at 00:09, sisi1992 said:

I like WS and really wanted it to work but if he doesn't win this one I think he's toast unfortunately

I think we all started off wanting to like him and wanting to give him a decent amount of time to make things work. Many of us have been pretty patient. My patience has expired.

Not just because of incompetent management...from basic tactics like slavishly sticking to 3CBs/5 at the back...punting crosses into midget impotent strikers against giant CB opposition...inane in-game substitutions...always-the-same outswinging corners that end up being a breakaway on our goal...no movement for throw-ins...basic stuff that tells me this guy has never played the game...

Not just because I can't think of a single player he's made a better player (Charles was doing fine on his own)...but I can see a ton he's made worse or lost/pissed off...

But because he's just a bit of a misery really isn't he? For a young man he brings very little energy and enthusiasm into the room (or so it would appear from a distance). And don't mis-read me - I'm not advocating one of these false positive types where every friggin thing is about taking the positive (Canada)...oops, is that my inner voice speaking out! We all know just how crap our club is atm...it's not an easy job...but I'm thinking does this guy have the ability to lift others when things are really shit? 

I so want to give him the benefit of the doubt - I think he took the job in the first place to be closer to his partner who has a serious illness - that itself says something about his character that deserves respect. But perhaps it's a distraction too much? He certainly doesn't seem to be getting any joy out of his players or managing Southampton FC.

If this post / PNE is the beginning of a turnaround for his fortunes and ours, I'd be the happiest person...but is there anyone out there who can see and brave enough to say so?
 

[Verbal]

2 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

I can tell you didnt read point 2 or 3 amigo

It's a golden rule of mine never to read beyond point 1, because, 1, the world makes more sense that way, and 2,

[St. Ciervo]

Sure things... Death, Taxes, and Saints with 5 at the back faffing about. 

I expect to see our midfield bolstered by Capt. Shoe Horn.

I expect to see AA fire from low scoring positions to end good runs. 

I expect to see a 2-1 PNE victory.

Edited yesterday at 00:09 by St. Ciervo

[benjii]

11 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Extremely outrageous here for 3 reasons.

1. Downs starting at CF - I am sick of having smurfs in the centre and us pinging in crosses, id rather have someone 6ft 4 that it might hit and go in than 5ft 4.  Its tough on Armstrong but he cant miss those 1 on 1s and for me fellows has to come into the team and armstrong sub (rested).

2. Formation - Still keeps saying he isnt wedded to a formation and assuming wellington isnt banned i think with Mads and Wellington back he has 2 fullbacks that can defend and he's had pelters about 5 at the back and us still being shit i think he might change to prove a point.  Also went with mobile CB's as my preference with Edwards + 1 on the bench. Obvs have Azaz playing in front of Downes and Jander to link the play.

3. Wellington - He wasnt in the database when i built this team so picked a wellington (of which there are many) who looked like him.

 

 

Agree with some of this, although I'm not sure why you would assume Welly isn't suspended.

However, Armstrong is still our biggest goal threat so I would probably pick him as the right forward. I'd also probably pick Fellows ahead of Azaz. Fellows looks comfortable receiving the ball in deep positions and on the half-turn, and has already been doing a shift at wing back, so I don't see why he can't start in midfield.

Obviously Aribo would be a good option there, or even upfront, but feck knows.... Also, Smallbone!

So, my team would be:

Big Mac

Mads Wood Quarshie Manning

----Downes--Jander-----

Armstrong-Fellows-Scienza

Downs

Subs: Baz, Stephens, Edwards, Sesay, Matsuki, Azaz, Fraser, nipper forward, Robinson 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Amazing how quickly the season has reverted back to feeling numb to losing games just like back in EPL - that couldn’t care less attitude because you know we’re going to lose, but retain a glimmer of hope that something might click. All the talk about how easy the Championship would be - how our squad was so good a top two place was almost inevitable. I knew it would be a big ask to make the play-offs, but I had no idea we were as damaged as we’ve been shown to be.

So…we’ll lose this…there’ll be ugly scenes. Score is largely irrelevant but sadly I’m going 1-2 PNE, maybe 1-3.

Edited yesterday at 08:24 by Saint Fan CaM
Typo…meh

[macca155]

Have to start from where your strengths lie, from those available.

Scienza is the main threat. Armstrong scores in this league, he's all we have.

Fellows has been effective

Azaz creates chances

Jander battles well in midfield.

Wood commands the defence

Mads has Prem experience

Desperately clutching at straws here obviously, as they all have flaws, but you have to start somewhere.

McCarthy

Mads Wood Quarshie Manning

Jander Downes Azaz

Fellows Armstrong Scienza 

Robinson, Matsuki Aribo, and Stephens as identified subs for tiring players in their proper positions. Possibly Edwards for defensive midfield.

Above all else manage the game well. Preston are big bullies up front but Wood and Quarshie can handle them, if the midfield cuts off the supply and reacts quicker.

[Osvaldorama]

Can’t believe people are putting Downs in the starting line up. Absolutely not for me. 
 

The above xi makes sense to me. Hate arma at 9, but we have no choice and hopefully Azaz can thread him some chances to miss 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Bound to be schooled by an organised team who all know what they are doing in a simple and effective way. 

[Toadhall Saint]

26 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Have to start from where your strengths lie, from those available.

Scienza is the main threat. Armstrong scores in this league, he's all we have.

Fellows has been effective

Azaz creates chances

Jander battles well in midfield.

Wood commands the defence

Mads has Prem experience

Desperately clutching at straws here obviously, as they all have flaws, but you have to start somewhere.

McCarthy

Mads Wood Quarshie Manning

Jander Downes Azaz

Fellows Armstrong Scienza 

Robinson, Matsuki Aribo, and Stephens as identified subs for tiring players in their proper positions. Possibly Edwards for defensive midfield.

Above all else manage the game well. Preston are big bullies up front but Wood and Quarshie can handle them, if the midfield cuts off the supply and reacts quicker.

Azaz as the 10 sitting in front off the defensive MF’s. I don’t like arma in the middle but not sure what else we can do as I can’t see scienza or fellows as better options in the middle.

[Convict Colony]

46 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Can’t believe people are putting Downs in the starting line up. Absolutely not for me. 
 

The above xi makes sense to me. Hate arma at 9, but we have no choice and hopefully Azaz can thread him some chances to miss 

If we believe he can achieve

[Hopper]

49 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Azaz as the 10 sitting in front off the defensive MF’s. I don’t like arma in the middle but not sure what else we can do as I can’t see scienza or fellows as better options in the middle.

This is the lineup and formation I'd go with too. Think it's our strongest and plays most in their natural postions with the exception being Arma as a 9 but I think he's the best we have.

Thank god we have at least got SOME depth because with the injuries and suspension etc. we'd be fooked.

[benjii]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

Can’t believe people are putting Downs in the starting line up. Absolutely not for me. 

I get it, but Archer just isn't working in that role and Armstrong is much more effective - and is genuinely effective - coming in from a supporting position.

I'd like to play Aribo there but he doesn't seem to be in contention. 

So, I'd role the dice and give Downs a start. If he's shit, get him off at HT.

[Toussaint]

I think I’d like to see KWP, Stu Armstrong, Janny B and Che Adams bought in for this one. 

[macca155]

3 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Azaz as the 10 sitting in front off the defensive MF’s. I don’t like arma in the middle but not sure what else we can do as I can’t see scienza or fellows as better options in the middle.

Agreed and right there is the issue. Without Ross Stewart we have no outlet, Downs was never a capable backup. Absolutely scandalous they didn't buy in a back up unit to support Ross. Loads of them around, big, fast, and bloody nuisance to defend against. Gives the skill players room to play.

Armstrong is all we have to play there, no other option with Archer out of form. It's a waste of Adam's skills as he is a real defence botherer away from that position.

[beatlesaint]

The size of the crowd for this one will be fascinating. As I type this, lunchtime on a Tuesday afternoon, I have about zero enthusiasm or desire to get my sorry arse in the car and drive up to Southampton Saturday lunchtime. 

[Convict Colony]

40 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Agreed and right there is the issue. Without Ross Stewart we have no outlet, Downs was never a capable backup. Absolutely scandalous they didn't buy in a back up unit to support Ross. Loads of them around, big, fast, and bloody nuisance to defend against. Gives the skill players room to play.

Armstrong is all we have to play there, no other option with Archer out of form. It's a waste of Adam's skills as he is a real defence botherer away from that position.

To be fair to everyone in the universe no one predicted we would suddenly think Ross Stewart was an un-droppable CF until after Sheff United (only goals for the season), i think they thought Archer and Armstrong had enough to get us goals, Stewart to come in and out and Downs to learn via subs. 

[Midfield_General]

3 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

To be fair to everyone in the universe no one predicted we would suddenly think Ross Stewart was an un-droppable CF until after Sheff United (only goals for the season), i think they thought Archer and Armstrong had enough to get us goals, Stewart to come in and out and Downs to learn via subs. 

Even if that was the case, if Spors, Still or anyone else thought that going into a Championship season with a strike force built around one striker who is five foot eight and one who is five foot six was going to be enough then they need firing.

Any fan off the street can tell you that you need the option of some sort of strong physical presence up top in the Championship, and anyone who's ever watched a football match can tell you that if there's no-one up front to win a header, bully defenders or get on the end of an aerial cross then it's pretty hard to score goals. It's criminal that the need for such a basic and obvious attribute was completely overlooked. Neither Stewart nor Downs should ever have been considered as serious options for this season because Stewart was always going to break down and it should have been blindingly obvious to anyone who had actually watched Downs play for more than five minutes that he is fucking shit. 

Throw in Fraser and Scienza and when the teams run out at St Mary's I'm half expecting them to mix The Saints Are Coming into Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To Work We Go. 

Edited 15 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Forester]

McCarthy

Roeslev (if Jelert still injured), THB, Wood, Manning

Jander, Downes, Azaz

Scienza, Armstrong, Fellows

Aribo on bench back from the dead (Connolly vibes!)

[Convict Colony]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Even if that was the case, if Spors, Still or anyone else thought that going into a Championship season with a strike force built around one striker who is five foot eight and one who is five foot six was going to be enough then they need firing.

Any fan off the street can tell you that you need the option of some sort of strong physical presence up top in the Championship, and anyone who's ever watched a football match can tell you that if there's no-one up front to win a header, bully defenders or get on the end of an aerial cross then it's pretty hard to score goals. It's criminal that the need for such a basic and obvious attribute was completely overlooked. Neither Stewart nor Downs should ever have been considered as serious options for this season because Stewart was always going to break down and it should have been blindingly obvious to anyone who had actually watched Downs play for more than five minutes that he is fucking shit. 

Throw in Fraser and Scienza and when the teams run out at St Mary's I'm half expecting them to mix The Saints Are Coming into Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To Work We Go. 

I 100000000% amigo agree i hate short people (that holiday to lilliput has put me right off) but i was told all on here all summer by some quieter posters that they (along with BDD) were proven championship goal scorers and would do the job.

[Harry_SFC]

McCarthy; Mads, Wood, THB, Manning; Downes, Jander; Fellows, Scienza, Armstrong; Aribo.

Won't happen but hey ho. 

[Andy Hill]

Surely we need to find a space for Shoehorn ?!

[Zorba]

1 hour ago, Andy Hill said:

Surely we need to find a space for Shoehorn ?!

I’d rather have Foghorn than Shoehorn!

 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Zorba

[StrangelyBrown]

1 hour ago, Andy Hill said:

Surely we need to find a space for Shoehorn ?!

Upfront?? Couldn't be worse than Downs???

[Football Special]

Some interesting views from the opposition 

https://pne-online.net/forum/threads/team-v-will-still’s-saints.3442766/page-2

"Southampton are absolutely honking because their dressing room has zero respect for Still. You can see in his body language that he isn't a leader at such a competitive level because he doesn't have the confidence.

They've got some decent players but they aren't playing for him.

We should win but I'm not sure how much we've got in the tank for Southampton-Swansea-Millwall in a week when we're threadbare.

I'd definitely target Southampton as the priority though, Swansea is 50/50 and we'll lose at Millwall."