Doncaster vs Saints - Saturday 10th 3pm

[Dr Who?]

4 hours ago, Football Special said:

Hopefully being FA Cup they make more of an effort to get it on, just dig out the orange ball if needed. 

Remember Reading away mid 90s being played when pitch was 100% frozen solid 

Good god that’s is a very bad memory we lost that one! Elm fecking park! 
 

 

Edited Tuesday at 14:48 by Dr Who?

[sadoldgit]

No messing about. Use this match to bed in a new formation.

                   Peretz

Bree/JelertTHBQuarshieWelington

FellowsDownesJanderScienza

                   Aziz

                Armstrong

[disconnect]

2 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

No messing about. Use this match to bed in a new formation.

                   Peretz

Bree/JelertTHBQuarshieWelington

FellowsDownesJanderScienza

                   Aziz

                Armstrong

We've got to play a back 4. Problem with your formation and selection is that it's too sensible, and has the best players playing in their proper positions, which will surely never work (according to our managers). 

[Dr Who?]

Good god that Elm Park cup game sent me down a rabbit hole of FA Cup Southampton woe. 

Tranmere 4-3 Southampton (half time 0-3) then we concede 4 goals in 25 minutes to lose. 

Spurs at home lose 2-6 AET. I think we might have been 2 up in that one as well. 

When I was much younger I remember us getting draws away to teams, not just the FA Cup and thinking the hard work was done. I think Derby away draw, reply lost, even though Gerry Forest scored. Luton Town drawing away only to lose at home after extra time 1-2, Rod Wallace getting a late goal. Oldham even though not a reply, we got the home tie away from the plastic pitch, only for them to grab a 2-2 in the last seconds. We lost the reply on plastic. Stockport County losing 2-0 away to come back to 2-2, and should have won it, but then thinking home to them would be a stroll in the park. Even took an early lead, but lost 1-2. 

The above was only in the space of about 4/5 seasons I’m sure as well. 

Jeez we are fecking jinxed and very over suffering fans aren’t we. This will never change 😔 

Edited Tuesday at 18:39 by Dr Who?

[Andy Hill]

Maybe we should play 4 CBs - then at least one of them might show a hint of being mobile !

[saintant]

I smell an upset.

[Football Special]

5 hours ago, Dr Who? said:

Good god that’s is a very bad memory we lost that one! Elm fecking park! 
 

 

Our defending was fucking dreadful there, thank God those days are behind us 

Souness interview at the end is brilliant 

Edited Tuesday at 19:48 by Football Special

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, Dr Who? said:

Good god that Elm Park cup game sent me down a rabbit hole of FA Cup Southampton woe. 

Tranmere 4-3 Southampton (half time 0-3) then we concede 4 goals in 25 minutes to lose. 

Spurs at home lose 2-6 AET. I think we might have been 2 up in that one as well. 

When I was much younger I remember us getting draws away to teams, not just the FA Cup and thinking the hard work was done. I think Derby away draw, reply lost, even though Gerry Forest scored. Luton Town drawing away only to lose at home after extra time 1-2, Rod Wallace getting a late goal. Oldham even though not a reply, we got the home tie away from the plastic pitch, only for them to grab a 2-2 in the last seconds. We lost the reply on plastic. Stockport County losing 2-0 away to come back to 2-2, and should have won it, but then thinking home to them would be a stroll in the park. Even took an early lead, but lost 1-2. 

The above was only in the space of about 4/5 seasons I’m sure as well. 

Jeez we are fecking jinxed and very over suffering fans aren’t we. This will never change 😔 

Remember them all well and yes we're bloody jinxed !

[Badger]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

I smell an upset.

You think we might win ?

[Jack]

7 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

No messing about. Use this match to bed in a new formation.

                   Peretz

Bree/JelertTHBQuarshieWelington

FellowsDownesJanderScienza

                   Aziz

                Armstrong

I can’t see that side completing 900+ passes between the back 5 and midfielders so it’s a no from me 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

On 06/01/2026 at 18:37, Dr Who? said:

Good god that Elm Park cup game sent me down a rabbit hole of FA Cup Southampton woe. 

Tranmere 4-3 Southampton (half time 0-3) then we concede 4 goals in 25 minutes to lose. 

Spurs at home lose 2-6 AET. I think we might have been 2 up in that one as well. 

When I was much younger I remember us getting draws away to teams, not just the FA Cup and thinking the hard work was done. I think Derby away draw, reply lost, even though Gerry Forest scored. Luton Town drawing away only to lose at home after extra time 1-2, Rod Wallace getting a late goal. Oldham even though not a reply, we got the home tie away from the plastic pitch, only for them to grab a 2-2 in the last seconds. We lost the reply on plastic. Stockport County losing 2-0 away to come back to 2-2, and should have won it, but then thinking home to them would be a stroll in the park. Even took an early lead, but lost 1-2. 

The above was only in the space of about 4/5 seasons I’m sure as well. 

Jeez we are fecking jinxed and very over suffering fans aren’t we. This will never change 😔 

Thanks a bunch for ruining years of therapy. And that was just the Tranmere line. 🙂

 

Edited 23 hours ago by Holmes_and_Watson

[Forester]

McCarthy (unless loan signing is done)

Jelert, Wood, THB, Welington

Romeu, Bragg

Fellows, Azaz, Scienza

Stewart

Romeu and Stewart need game time to get up to speed.  If it works on the day both are in contention for Hull, if not Jander and Armstrong come back in

[coalman]

12 hours ago, saintant said:

I smell an upset.

To be fair, I'm really fucking upset most weeks I watch Saints these days.

[SW11_Saint]

17 hours ago, Dr Who? said:

Good god that’s is a very bad memory we lost that one! Elm fecking park! 
 

 

Our defending never changes!🫣

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, SW11_Saint said:

Our defending never changes!🫣

"The Southampton Way" 

[SotonianWill]

17 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

No messing about. Use this match to bed in a new formation.

                   Peretz

Bree/JelertTHBQuarshieWelington

FellowsDownesJanderScienza

                   Aziz

                Armstrong

With the news that:

'a player is now permitted to play for two clubs in the competition proper in the same season' 

 

I’d go with this

 

 

                    Peretz

Bree/JelertTHBQuarshieWelington

BrooksDownesJanderScienza

                   Azaz

                Armstrong

Edited yesterday at 09:36 by SotonianWill

[VectisSaint]

2 hours ago, SotonianWill said:

With the news that:

'a player is now permitted to play for two clubs in the competition proper in the same season' 

 

I’d go with this

 

 

                    Peretz

Bree/JelertTHBQuarshieWelington

BrooksDownesJanderScienza

                   Azaz

                Armstrong

Where has Brooks come from? Is Bree Def coming back, Jelert is better anyway. If you want change you don't want Downes involved, Bragg is better option until Charles is fit. 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

30 years ago today we were stuffing the skates 3-0 at the Dell in the FA Cup. Other than TCWTB playing with his clanger their fans were by far the quietist bunch that visited that season.

Trying to find some light relief from the shower of shit we call our football club these days.

 

….and good news about Brooks…… #tumbleweed

 

Edited yesterday at 13:39 by TheAlehouseBrawlers
Brooks

[Holmes_and_Watson]

8 hours ago, VectisSaint said:

Where has Brooks come from? Is Bree Def coming back, Jelert is better anyway. If you want change you don't want Downes involved, Bragg is better option until Charles is fit. 

I know. He'd be cup tied anyway, even with the new rules.

[Oisin]

16 hours ago, Forester said:

McCarthy (unless loan signing is done)

Jelert, Wood, THB, Welington

Romeu, Bragg

Fellows, Azaz, Scienza

Stewart

Romeu and Stewart need game time to get up to speed.  If it works on the day both are in contention for Hull, if not Jander and Armstrong come back in

Stewart is fit for about 30 minutes every 3 months. I wouldn’t waste those 30 minutes on a cup tie at Doncaster.

I’d swap in Robinson for probably Scienza and may as well give Archer the striker spot for a laugh, but otherwise that team makes sense to me.

Alas, it has one too few centre backs for SR … I mean the manager

[Harry_SFC]

Looks like some of the players are on holiday.

They've certainly earned it after all their hard work and top performances over the festive period.

Ridiculous.

 

 

[Willo of Whiteley]

I have a feeling he’ll go relatively full strength. 
Irony would be he does and Scienza plays 80 minutes before picking up a hamstring injury.

I think we’ll have too much for them but I bet it will be tedious and a depressing watch.

A 2-1 win to us. I wouldn’t be annoyed to see us lose, weirdly.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Willo of Whiteley said:

I have a feeling he’ll go relatively full strength. 
Irony would be he does and Scienza plays 80 minutes before picking up a hamstring injury.

I think we’ll have too much for them but I bet it will be tedious and a depressing watch.

A 2-1 win to us. I wouldn’t be annoyed to see us lose, weirdly.

He’ll of course go 3 at the back, we will win in an eventful game, and there will be a point made that the formation can succeed 

[notnowcato]

Completely out of fucks to give for this game. 
Play the U21s, it really is a meaningless match for us.  

[Sheaf Saint]

Got me ticket through, but I'll actually be surprised if this goes ahead. Forecast for the next few days in this part of the world is worse than it was last weekend when they postponed their league game. Heavy snow due into Friday with a cold northerly wind.

[SaintNewForest]

38 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Looks like some of the players are on holiday.

They've certainly earned it after all their hard work and top performances over the festive period.

Ridiculous.

 

 

Manning is out in fucking Dubai.

Tonda is taking an u21 squad up for this, isn't he? 

[Football Special]

32 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said:

Manning is out in fucking Dubai.

Tonda is taking an u21 squad up for this, isn't he? 

You're kidding me 

I don't follow any players on social media or anything like that but assume he's put something on showing he's there. No way these players should have been given time off for a holiday after such a run of shit performances and tough games to prepare for 

[SaintNewForest]

4 minutes ago, Football Special said:

You're kidding me 

I don't follow any players on social media or anything like that but assume he's put something on showing he's there. No way these players should have been given time off for a holiday after such a run of shit performances and tough games to prepare for 

His Mrs has posted pics of them in Dubai with their child. 

Stephens is in Cornwall with his partner and kids. 

Imagine being given a holiday after being trounced 4-0 away from home. Everything wrong with the club right there. 

[captainchris]

6 minutes ago, Football Special said:

You're kidding me 

I don't follow any players on social media or anything like that but assume he's put something on showing he's there. No way these players should have been given time off for a holiday after such a run of shit performances and tough games to prepare for 

Is this actually true, players are on holiday ???? Wtafuck !!! That is unforgivable if true.

[The Wyvern]

9 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said:

His Mrs has posted pics of them in Dubai with their child. 

Stephens is in Cornwall with his partner and kids. 

Imagine being given a holiday after being trounced 4-0 away from home. Everything wrong with the club right there. 

And not having the most basic emotional intelligence to realise it shouldn’t be plastered over social media. 

[DG]

Good opportunity for the club to change the locks.

[Lighthouse]

4 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Looks like some of the players are on holiday.

They've certainly earned it after all their hard work and top performances over the festive period.

Ridiculous.

 

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

No way these players should have been given time off for a holiday after such a run of shit performances and tough games to prepare for 

 

2 hours ago, captainchris said:

Is this actually true, players are on holiday ???? Wtafuck !!! That is unforgivable if true.

 

2 hours ago, SaintNewForest said:

Imagine being given a holiday after being trounced 4-0 away from home. Everything wrong with the club right there. 

It's mid-season and they've just played four games in ten days? Why on Earth would you NOT let them have a break and why does that depend on results? Breaks aren't a reward for winning, they're a necessity.

[Football Special]

4 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

 

 

 

It's mid-season and they've just played four games in ten days? Why on Earth would you NOT let them have a break and why does that depend on results? Breaks aren't a reward for winning, they're a necessity.

How many first team players have gone off on holiday and for how long? 

I know they travelled back from Middlesbrough Sunday evening and plan to travel to Doncaster on Friday, so if the first team squad are away who exactly is preparing for the match? 

They have had an appalling first half of the season, both fitness and attitude quite rightly called into question,  this doesn't seem to be the time for a few days on a Dubai sun lounger 

Might stick a fiver on Donny to progress based on the attitude the club are approaching this fixture with 

[Football Special]

8 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Got me ticket through, but I'll actually be surprised if this goes ahead. Forecast for the next few days in this part of the world is worse than it was last weekend when they postponed their league game. Heavy snow due into Friday with a cold northerly wind.

If the game is called off there's not many midweek slots available to rearrange it for, would probably have to be 3rd Feb , scrapping replays meant they didn't have to plan for those but still need to consider the possibility of postponements 

[Harry_SFC]

5 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

 

 

 

It's mid-season and they've just played four games in ten days? Why on Earth would you NOT let them have a break and why does that depend on results? Breaks aren't a reward for winning, they're a necessity.

Because there's a game on Saturday? 

[Osvaldorama]

5 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

 

 

 

It's mid-season and they've just played four games in ten days? Why on Earth would you NOT let them have a break and why does that depend on results? Breaks aren't a reward for winning, they're a necessity.

I dunno, personally if I ran a football club think I’d occasionally be tempted to try this thing called ‘football training’ which is where players work hard to improve upon their fitness, individual and collective performances. 
 

But maybe that’s a bit old school for a Sport republic club? 

[coalman]

5 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

 

 

 

It's mid-season and they've just played four games in ten days? Why on Earth would you NOT let them have a break and why does that depend on results? Breaks aren't a reward for winning, they're a necessity.

After the last four games I'd hope they're at least spending time understanding why we played as we did over the festive period. Even if that's just making them watch the 2nd half against Middlesbrough on repeat.

I'd buy that you're unlikely to be doing a bleep test this week. But fucking off somewhere else seems like a continuation of the culture of complacency and failure to take responsibility.

If they're in Dubai, two 7-10 hour flights are not going to aid the recovery of tired muscles. Depending on the plane you're either at effectively 1600m altitude or 800m in terms of oxygen levels. In a very dry environment with recycled air.

[Convict Colony]

6 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

 

 

 

It's mid-season and they've just played four games in ten days? Why on Earth would you NOT let them have a break and why does that depend on results? Breaks aren't a reward for winning, they're a necessity.

Agree with this, and whilst its easy to go to the "burn the witch" mob mindset we do have to look after players training loads etc.

The mistake by manning (no issue with Stephens in cornwall) is his missus posting it online that they are somewhere nice and warm miles away, but to be fair he probably didnt put up too much of a defence if his performances are anything to go by.

Anyway i want wellington and jelert starting in a back 4 so he can stay there for a while.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, coalman said:

After the last four games I'd hope they're at least spending time understanding why we played as we did over the festive period. Even if that's just making them watch the 2nd half against Middlesbrough on repeat.

I'd buy that you're unlikely to be doing a bleep test this week. But fucking off somewhere else seems like a continuation of the culture of complacency and failure to take responsibility.

If they're in Dubai, two 7-10 hour flights are not going to aid the recovery of tired muscles. Depending on the plane you're either at effectively 1600m altitude or 800m in terms of oxygen levels. In a very dry environment with recycled air.

I think this is a result of Saints having a lack of proper football people within the club and decisions instead are made by analysts and sports scientists, we're obsessed with limiting minutes played and having a rest , yet our players look like they're not fit to play 90 mins anyway 

 

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, Convict Colony said:

Agree with this, and whilst its easy to go to the "burn the witch" mob mindset we do have to look after players training loads etc.

The mistake by manning (no issue with Stephens in cornwall) is his missus posting it online that they are somewhere nice and warm miles away, but to be fair he probably didnt put up too much of a defence if his performances are anything to go by.

Anyway i want wellington and jelert starting in a back 4 so he can stay there for a while.

I think all this confirms is that we have thick as shit footballers, who can't read the room. If they are doing this....then at least don't shout about it.

Given the situation the club is in, is a holiday the right use in this time though? This is the controversial element. A lot of us will say compared to our lives, football is a holiday. They get paid for 90 mins every week, of which they haven't turned up to for the last 2 seasons. They have an entire summer off every year. Then they retire mid 30's as millionaires able to be on holiday for the rest of their lives.

[sockeye]

58 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I think this is a result of Saints having a lack of proper football people within the club and decisions instead are made by analysts and sports scientists, we're obsessed with limiting minutes played and having a rest , yet our players look like they're not fit to play 90 mins anyway 

 

Yep. Not everything can be modelled with data and statistics. Mindset, emotional state and decision-making come to mind. And our players seem to lack in these areas.

[coalman]

8 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I think all this confirms is that we have thick as shit footballers, who can't read the room. If they are doing this....then at least don't shout about it.

Given the situation the club is in, is a holiday the right use in this time though? This is the controversial element. A lot of us will say compared to our lives, football is a holiday. They get paid for 90 mins every week, of which they haven't turned up to for the last 2 seasons. They have an entire summer off every year. Then they retire mid 30's as millionaires able to be on holiday for the rest of their lives.

Yeah. Going on holiday screams that everything is ok and nothing needs to be learned or change. A lack of professionalism I don't believe that would be tolerated in any other field.

[S-Clarke]

12 minutes ago, coalman said:

Yeah. Going on holiday screams that everything is ok and nothing needs to be learned or change. A lack of professionalism I don't believe that would be tolerated in any other field.

And therein sums up the entire SR culture.

It's just like that dog meme sat in a burning office, they truly believe nothing is wrong and their approach is sound. It will all come good eventually because we are geniuses etc.

[Lighthouse]

I'm not sure how some of you know how people actually work. They've just had an absolutely gruelling match schedule and moral is probably quite low after all the results. They need a break, both mentally and physically and a few days in the sun with their friends or families will do them some good.

The attitudes of some people on here are just a witch hunt, whereby the solution to our recent struggles must be to cancel the break and make everyone do extra tough training sessions until it makes them winners. They're human beings. If you cancelling people's time away with their wives and kids (and they really don't get much mid-season) then players are going to properly down tools.

As for following players wives on Instagram, then being upset when they post pictures of their lives; good lord get over yourself.

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

I'm not sure how some of you know how people actually work. They've just had an absolutely gruelling match schedule and moral is probably quite low after all the results. They need a break, both mentally and physically and a few days in the sun with their friends or families will do them some good.

The attitudes of some people on here are just a witch hunt, whereby the solution to our recent struggles must be to cancel the break and make everyone do extra tough training sessions until it makes them winners. They're human beings. If you cancelling people's time away with their wives and kids (and they really don't get much mid-season) then players are going to properly down tools.

As for following players wives on Instagram, then being upset when they post pictures of their lives; good lord get over yourself.

This day and age in all work places, the idea everyone is ruled with an iron fist are gone…

Edited 9 hours ago by AlexLaw76

[tdmickey3]

4 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I'm not sure how some of you know how people actually work. They've just had an absolutely gruelling match schedule and moral is probably quite low after all the results. They need a break, both mentally and physically and a few days in the sun with their friends or families will do them some good.

The attitudes of some people on here are just a witch hunt, whereby the solution to our recent struggles must be to cancel the break and make everyone do extra tough training sessions until it makes them winners. They're human beings. If you cancelling people's time away with their wives and kids (and they really don't get much mid-season) then players are going to properly down tools.

As for following players wives on Instagram, then being upset when they post pictures of their lives; good lord get over yourself.

Would we really notice?

[Lighthouse]

2 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Would we really notice?

You tell me

 

[Osvaldorama]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

You tell me

 

You do realise we just got smashed 4-0 by Boro?

 

But oh no. Poor babies.
 

How could they possibly be expected to do their jobs to a high standard?! 
 

Are you forgetting that they get months off in the summer anyway? 

[tdmickey3]

Boss...Morning lads, the last few weeks have been an absolute disaster........

Lads...sorry boss we will knuckle down starting now and make sure the future work is much more up to the standard it should be.

 

Boss... Its no problem really and I`m sure it will be fine just have a few days sunning yourselves

[coalman]

7 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I'm not sure how some of you know how people actually work. They've just had an absolutely gruelling match schedule and moral is probably quite low after all the results. They need a break, both mentally and physically and a few days in the sun with their friends or families will do them some good.

The attitudes of some people on here are just a witch hunt, whereby the solution to our recent struggles must be to cancel the break and make everyone do extra tough training sessions until it makes them winners. They're human beings. If you cancelling people's time away with their wives and kids (and they really don't get much mid-season) then players are going to properly down tools.

The best time to understand what's gone wrong and learn is while the experience is fresh. We appear to be ignoring this opportunity.

There is another game coming up this weekend we should prepare for. Unless people think Doncaster are so easy we can just show up. That's just disrespectful to our opposition.

I wouldn't cancel holiday for people. I wouldn't have approved it in the first place because this is a key part of the season. Unless we were in a good place which we were/are not.

It is possible to improve our chances in the next game without high intensity training. In fact recovery times improve by doing light work the day after. It is possible to improve as a team while recovering from a busy schedule. We are doing neither.