Saints vs Birmingham - Saturday 3pm

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

18 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

Demarai Gray and Jay Stansfield are certain to score.

Demarai Gray is a left winger so should be on the opposite side to Manning because otherwise he'll be getting in those crosses all day long to Stansfield.

If Scienza is fit and confident that Tonda has got them practising ways of getting through a rapid high press, I'm expecting another goalfest. 4-2 Saints win.

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Demarai Gray is a left winger so should be on the opposite side to Manning because otherwise he'll be getting in those crosses all day long to Stansfield.

If Scienza is fit and confident that Tonda has got them practising ways of getting through a rapid high press, I'm expecting another goalfest. 4-2 Saints win.

Let's hope Saints play in Scienza plus mode and not Russell Martin plus.

These are our football options, one is high attack the other high risk.

[bugenhagen]

1 hour ago, RedArmy said:

I don’t really get the big issue with Manning this season. 

He is playing as a wing back, not a full back. Apart from us getting countered quickly there shouldn’t be many situations where Manning is left isolated and either a mistake or him getting beaten directly leads to a chance or goal. If that happens either the left centre back has gone AWOL or one of the midfield 2 hasn’t dropped in. 

Milwall’s first goal for example. Stephens is miles away marking fresh air around the penalty spot, by the time he realises he’s left Manning 2v1 it’s too late and he comes scrambling out but gets nowhere near it. If he’s out there covering where he should be they might not equalise and Manning doesn’t look like a headless chicken. 

I wouldn’t want Manning in a back 4 still though. 

I agree, but...

We are playing Manning, with all of his limitations, next to "AIR Stephens". Hence the problem that we should be able to manage, but it is still like playing with him in a back four, especially when we are defending crosses from the opposite side and Stephens is marking fresh air... again!

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Scienza is in the latest video from Staplewood. 

[HKsaint]

On 30/11/2025 at 10:49, Junior Mullet said:

Saints win by two goals. We will bounce back. 
 

We need score 5 goals then

[Saint Fan CaM]

6 hours ago, bugenhagen said:

I agree, but...

We are playing Manning, with all of his limitations, next to "AIR Stephens". Hence the problem that we should be able to manage, but it is still like playing with him in a back four, especially when we are defending crosses from the opposite side and Stephens is marking fresh air... again!

Stephens has his limitations too, agreed. But I’ve watched Manning countless times either jogging back after being caught upfield on a break and/or not close down his man and put a tackle in and/or turn his back on a shot. The fucker even ducked under a shot against Millwall for one of their goals! Then there’s the passing backwards to recycle the ball when he’s under the slightest bit of pressure.

Yes he has scored and I’ve tried to appreciate his contribution, but his primary job is being a defender and in that role he is a massive liability.

[trousers]

Quiz question...

At this morning's pre-match press conference did Adam Blackmore ask Eckert:

(A) Why he selected a player who patently can't be arsed and whose lack of commitment to close down a shot gave away a goal vs Millwall

Or 

(B) Six questions about his footballing philosophy 

Press your buttons and gamble away...

[Jack]

20 minutes ago, trousers said:

Quiz question...

At this morning's pre-match press conference did Adam Blackmore ask Eckert:

(A) Why he selected a player who patently can't be arsed and whose lack of commitment to close down a shot gave away a goal vs Millwall

Or 

(B) Six questions about his footballing philosophy 

Press your buttons and gamble away...

Really boring wasn’t it. Hard to be too critical after 4 wins from 5, but asking TE who and what let him down on Saturday might’ve been a good one. 

[saintant]

Think this will be a score draw. We've had 4 ins and a defeat so a draw is expected especially as Brum are decent.

[Obstacle1]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

Think this will be a score draw. We've had 4 ins and a defeat so a draw is expected especially as Brum are decent.

Is that how it works? Coventry must be about to lose/draw a lot of games

[LiberalCommunist]

Coincidently, Coventry's blip does start tomorrow. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Jack said:

Really boring wasn’t it. Hard to be too critical after 4 wins from 5, but asking TE who and what let him down on Saturday might’ve been a good one. 

Keeping Joe Aribo away from the all-you-can-eat post-training buffet might be a good start. Even better not bringing him on in the first place.

[Greenridge]

I don’t know about the players, but after watching the press conference he’s certainly got me fired up! 

[Verbal]

58 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

Coincidently, Coventry's blip does start tomorrow. 

Happily supply the eggs for your face if you wish.

[Football Special]

This is quite random, pre match in Northam fan zone get to see ex-Saint Bruce Grobbelaar 

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/matchday-information-saints-vs-birmingham-city

Edited 30 minutes ago by Football Special

[trousers]

5 minutes ago, Football Special said:

This is quite random, pre match in Northam fan zone get to see ex-Saint Bruce Grobbelaar 

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/matchday-information-saints-vs-birmingham-city

I wouldn't bet on it...

[Midfield_General]

17 minutes ago, trousers said:

I wouldn't bet on it...

Whatever could you mean?