Norwich City v Saints, 12.30pm Saturday 13.12.2025

[S-Clarke]

33 minutes ago, M271 said:

1-2 a close game for me. We are seemingly incapable of keeping a clean sheet and will probably go 0-2 up then concede for a nervy end to the game but hopefully like Tuesday hold out for another 3 points.
 

We do seem to have had the ‘rub of the green’ luck recently after a few seasons of things not going our way, last season every shot by the opposition seemed to go in, penalty decisions against but not for us and our rare shots not on target but it always feels like that for your team. Is our luck about to run out?

We have definitely had our slice of luck in the last run of games, but....you make your own luck in many ways, we're racing into leads/scoring goals through our own play at the moment. Two of the goals we scored against WBA were just simply good football, nothing lucky about them. I don't think we've had too many pens either, just the one I can think of.  So that's a big positive I can take, we're scoring goals through good football in the main - not through it hitting the arse of players/bobbling over the line etc.

[Football Special]

4 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

The club up to its usual tricks of holding back tickets for staff but rarely fully taken up for distant fixtures. A very late number of seats have become available again despite this game selling out weeks ago.

https://tickets.southamptonfc.com/selection/event/seat?perfId=10229133141354&choiceSelectionDone=true&productId=10229001095987

Winds me up this, it's become a running joke at away games to move and stand in the empty block , often in a prime spot, I bet there will be more at Norwich in addition to this chunk of 25 seats put back on sale, shame if other fans who might have gone miss out 

[saintant]

Fellows is a doubt for this game and we don't have a ready made replacement. Be interesting to see how Tonda lines us up if he's not fit. Hope he doesn't opt for Wee Man.

[Toadhall Saint]

2 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

We have definitely had our slice of luck in the last run of games, but....you make your own luck in many ways, we're racing into leads/scoring goals through our own play at the moment. Two of the goals we scored against WBA were just simply good football, nothing lucky about them. I don't think we've had too many pens either, just the one I can think of.  So that's a big positive I can take, we're scoring goals through good football in the main - not through it hitting the arse of players/bobbling over the line etc.

I’m a firm believer in lucky managers and I think we have one and that’s not diminishing his capabilities. 

[revolution saint]

5 hours ago, saintant said:

Fellows is a doubt for this game and we don't have a ready made replacement. Be interesting to see how Tonda lines us up if he's not fit. Hope he doesn't opt for Wee Man.

Unfortunately probably nailed on if Fellows isn't fit.  We don't really have many other options with both Mads and Jelert out so unless there's a kid able to make the jump to the first team then I'm not sure what other choices he has.

[bugenhagen]

25 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

Unfortunately probably nailed on if Fellows isn't fit.  We don't really have many other options with both Mads and Jelert out so unless there's a kid able to make the jump to the first team then I'm not sure what other choices he has.

Robinson came on for Fellows in one of the games... Leicester I think? He is probably even weaker than Fraser defensivly, but he might be the closest to Fellows going forward, if we want to have a player who can run with the ball and beat a man in that position. Probably no chance, but I would rather watch that.

[trousers]

6 hours ago, saintant said:

Fellows is a doubt for this game and we don't have a ready made replacement. Be interesting to see how Tonda lines us up if he's not fit. Hope he doesn't opt for Wee Man.

 

42 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

Unfortunately probably nailed on if Fellows isn't fit.  We don't really have many other options with both Mads and Jelert out so unless there's a kid able to make the jump to the first team then I'm not sure what other choices he has.

Maybe a surprise recall for Edozie? Wasn't he back in full training last week or have I mis-remembered that?

[saintant]

Just now, trousers said:

 

Maybe a surprise recall for Edozie? Wasn't he back in full training last week or have I mis-remembered that?

Even if he's training I'd be amazed if Tonda puts him in the starting line-up as he won't be match fit.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

Concerned that Fellows is a doubt as he's become one of our main ways of getting out of a high press. He's come on leaps and bounds in recent games.

Also, Norwich are playing better nowadays and a bit unlucky not to pick up more points in recent games. I'm less confident about this that Brum and WBA so an away win really will tell everyone we're on the way up.

[markr27]

If Fraser is considered adequate for the RWB role, surely that nullifies any argument that Jelert is too small to be considered a viable option 

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, markr27 said:

If Fraser is considered adequate for the RWB role, surely that nullifies any argument that Jelert is too small to be considered a viable option 

Was Jelert loan just until January? Can't see that being renewed

James Bree due to come back in Jan as things stand as well 

[Football Special]

9 hours ago, saintant said:

Fellows is a doubt for this game and we don't have a ready made replacement. Be interesting to see how Tonda lines us up if he's not fit. Hope he doesn't opt for Wee Man.

In the next 3-4 weeks we play the top 3 , Coventry, Millwall then Middlesbrough,  need some luck keeping our best players fit for that run of games , hopefully Fellows won't be out that long 

[Harry_SFC]

53 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Was Jelert loan just until January? Can't see that being renewed

James Bree due to come back in Jan as things stand as well 

End of the season but there's been rumours we may terminate it in January. 

[goodymatt]

 

[saintant]

35 minutes ago, Football Special said:

In the next 3-4 weeks we play the top 3 , Coventry, Millwall then Middlesbrough,  need some luck keeping our best players fit for that run of games , hopefully Fellows won't be out that long 

If it is a groin strain, depending on the severity, he could be out for a month or two. Hope it's something that'll heal in a couple of weeks but even then he'll have to get up to speed again. This has come at a bad time for us because he's crucial to how we play.

[LiberalCommunist]

Fellows came off with Scienza as a planned sub midweek. He took a few whacks in that game, but no reason to think this is really serious. Fingers crossed. 

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, LiberalCommunist said:

Fellows came off with Scienza as a planned sub midweek. He took a few whacks in that game, but no reason to think this is really serious. Fingers crossed. 

He came off injured. 

[AlexLaw76]

Tonda Presser

 

• Mads is still out, Jelert and Che need a little longer
• Ross is still out. We will try and get Tom ready for tomorrow
• Tom is with the medics to get him available tomorrow, he has a little issue with his groin
• Tom has been great in the last games. It was not easy for him when he first got here, moved from his home club
• It was fair to say it was a special game for Tom the other night, he was outstanding
• They were well prepared for him, they obviously know him, but we are very happy with him
• Damion is a great bloke; he leaves everything on the training pitch every day
• He just needs that one moment to make things happen. He does try and we see great potential
• He will get running, I am sure
• Norwich will be a big challenge
• Their manager is very clear on his ideas, you can see his patterns
• We know what we should expect, but there are a few question marks on their players due to injuries
• Due to the rules Sargent should be out for Saturday, but lets see
• Norwich probably deserves more points than what they have now
• There should be a situation to exploit space, but we need to see if they open up
• Winning on Sat will be big for all of us, we are still playing catch up to where we need to be
• We want to be at the top at the end of the season, there are so many games to play, especially over Xmas
• We must use the momentum we have now and keep going
• The prices the tickets are not for the fans (World Cup). It is different in Germany as they run football differently
• Everyone should be able to afford to go, it is for everyone and it should always be

Edited 4 hours ago by AlexLaw76

[Matthew Le God]

14 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Tonda Presser

 

• Mads is still out, Jelert and Che need a little longer

Will be a long wait with him needing to return from Torino! 😉

[S-Clarke]

16 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Tonda Presser

 

• Mads is still out, Jelert and Che need a little longer
• Ross is still out. We will try and get Tom ready for tomorrow
• Tom is with the medics to get him available tomorrow, he has a little issue with his groin
• Tom has been great in the last games. It was not easy for him when he first got here, moved from his home club
• It was fair to say it was a special game for Tom the other night, he was outstanding
• They were well prepared for him, they obviously know him, but we are very happy with him
• Damion is a great bloke; he leaves everything on the training pitch every day
• He just needs that one moment to make things happen. He does try and we see great potential
• He will get running, I am sure
• Norwich will be a big challenge
• Their manager is very clear on his ideas, you can see his patterns
• We know what we should expect, but there are a few question marks on their players due to injuries
• Due to the rules Sargent should be out for Saturday, but lets see
• Norwich probably deserves more points than what they have now
• There should be a situation to exploit space, but we need to see if they open up
• Winning on Sat will be big for all of us, we are still playing catch up to where we need to be
• We want to be at the top at the end of the season, there are so many games to play, especially over Xmas
• We must use the momentum we have now and keep going
• The prices the tickets are not for the fans (World Cup). It is different in Germany as they run football differently
• Everyone should be able to afford to go, it is for everyone and it should always be

Che Adams is back???  

thanks for the rundown. Sounds like Fellows is touch and go rather than 100% out, which is a positive.

[Football Special]

9 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Che Adams is back???  

thanks for the rundown. Sounds like Fellows is touch and go rather than 100% out, which is a positive.

If he's touch and go with his groin I'd not risk him for this one, let him have a rest 

[CheshireSaint]

4 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Che Adams is back???  

thanks for the rundown. Sounds like Fellows is touch and go rather than 100% out, which is a positive.

I am sure the medical staff know more than me, but if there is a modicum of doubt, I'd be inclined to rest him. Whilst every game in the Championship is tough, Norwich, even away, should not be one of the tougher ones. I know we are struggling for RB / RWB's at the moment and I am not thrilled at the prospect of playing the wee man. If we were to play Edwards there, we would certainly lose an offensive capability but hopefully, we will still have enough to cope with Norwich, and should be better defensively, you know, for when we inevitably hand the initiative to the opposition for their turn. 

[Dman]

26 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Che Adams is back???  

thanks for the rundown. Sounds like Fellows is touch and go rather than 100% out, which is a positive.

I suspect its more Tonda not wanting to give much away a day before the game. Bit poor of Alfie to break the news so early tbh. 

[Tamesaint]

33 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Will be a long wait with him needing to return from Torino! 😉

Don’t knock Alex. We know who he means and I find his usual summary of pressas very useful. 

[lambtiss]

On 11/12/2025 at 09:07, Turkish said:

6/7-0 Damion Downs to score. 

Nigel Farage to be appointed head of the Catholic Church

[Saint_lambden]

James Bell refereeing. We've won all 6 games he's taken charge of us in his career. 

[Sheaf Saint]

Probably been posted somewhere on here before, but I have a great deal of respect for Norwich for doing this...

[saintant]

12 hours ago, goodymatt said:

 

I'm not expecting Fellows to play but Tonda didn't rule him out. Probably trying to keep Norwich guessing.

[DT]

Both teams to score is the bet. Always is with 'old crisp packet hands' in our goal.

[saintant]

38 minutes ago, Saint_lambden said:

James Bell refereeing. We've won all 6 games he's taken charge of us in his career. 

He's got a better record for us than Tonda 🙂

[Midfield_General]

14 hours ago, Football Special said:

James Bree due to come back in Jan as things stand as well 

We could do a lot worse than get Bree back and reintegrate him for the rest of the season. He'd be a much better option than Fraser to start at RWB in situations where Fellows is out or when we need to change it to add a bit more defensive solidity. From what we've seen of Roerslev I'd say Bree looks a better all round player and has been playing well for Charlton too, getting forward and creating. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Midfield_General

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

We could do a lot worse than get Bree back and reintegrate him for the rest of the season. He'd be a much better option than Fraser to start at RWB in situations where Fellows is out or when we need to change it to add a bit more defensive solidity. From what we've seen of Roerslev I'd say Bree looks a better all round player and has been playing well for Charlton too, getting forward and creating. 

Agree with this but don't think it will happen.

[saintant]

Not expecting Fellows to play in this one. He'll be a big loss and we have no natural replacement so we'll likely be less potent as an attacking force. I'm predicting a 1-1 draw which would not be a bad result in my view.

[Sheaf Saint]

3 minutes ago, saintant said:

Not expecting Fellows to play in this one. He'll be a big loss and we have no natural replacement so we'll likely be less potent as an attacking force. I'm predicting a 1-1 draw which would not be a bad result in my view.

We could revert to a back 4, using Edwards as a traditional RB and play JRob as a winger ahead of him. 

Got to be better than sticking with the back 3 and playing Fraser as a RWB, surely?

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

We could revert to a back 4, using Edwards as a traditional RB and play JRob as a winger ahead of him. 

Got to be better than sticking with the back 3 and playing Fraser as a RWB, surely?

Yeah, I wondered about a change of formation but the 3 centre backs option seems to be set in stone right now. 

[Lighthouse]

I suspect it will be Fraser, although another plausible option would be Wely on the wrong flank.

[revolution saint]

22 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

We could revert to a back 4, using Edwards as a traditional RB and play JRob as a winger ahead of him. 

Got to be better than sticking with the back 3 and playing Fraser as a RWB, surely?

Depends how much Tonda wants to change things around for the sake of one position.  If we go to a back 4 then I'd be playing Wellington instead of Manning too. 

[hypochondriac]

I really hope we don't just stick Fraser at rwb because it's not going to work.

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, Saint_lambden said:

James Bell refereeing. We've won all 6 games he's taken charge of us in his career. 

lets hope he can make that 6, 7