Saints v Coventry, 12.30pm Saturday 20.12.2025

[Tommy Mulgrew]

If Tonda has a red-hot poker, we win 3:1; if not, we lose 3:1.  It’s as simple as that.

[saintant]

Cov will be too good for us.

[sockeye]

Remember the chances from early on today which Norwich continuously fluffed? Well, Coventry scores a lot of them. They have a decent squad and a decent coach, and are riding on great form. We will lose this one, because we don't have the bottle against decent sides.

[die Mannyschaft]

Saints 1-4 Coventry.

We got completely out played by Millwall and our ridiculous tactic to pass at the back and wait until last minute will not work v Coventry. Boro, Coventry, Millwall, Stoke, are far more consistent as unit, more aggressive, more competitive in all positions. We don't have subs to that can affect the game so 45 mins is just handed to opposition. 

The Charlton away game was unbelievable, best away performance I have seen. But Charlton were a Leaque 2 team, we cant keep expecting teams to just turn up and be crap. The Jan window cant come quick enough. We cant afford to put on a retired player v Coventry!!

[die Mannyschaft]

3 minutes ago, sockeye said:

Remember the chances from early on today which Norwich continuously fluffed? Well, Coventry scores a lot of them. They have a decent squad and a decent coach, and are riding on great form. We will lose this one, because we don't have the bottle against decent sides.

Saints luck has run out. Teams missing sitters to save us is done. 

[tdmickey3]

16 minutes ago, saintant said:

Cov will be too good for us.

Yep, Ekhert will be schooled.

[Turkish]

Can’t see anything other than an away win. Probably 6/7-0. Damien Downs wont score 

Edited yesterday at 18:21 by Turkish

[Saint Fan CaM]

19 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Yep, Ekhert will be schooled.

Yes my thoughts too. Unless he comes up with some tactic that provides more midfield cover, they will know exactly how to nullify any attacking threat. In contrast our defence is so piss poor weak they will have plenty of opportunities. 3-1

[Morse]

55 minutes ago, saintant said:

Cov will be too good for us.

Sad but true. 

[AlexLaw76]

More of expecting THB to play like prime Koeman?

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

If Fellows plays, this could be a basketball score.

4-4 or even more!

[die Mannyschaft]

24 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

If Fellows plays, this could be a basketball score.

4-4 or even more!

6-7 or 7-6

[James G]

We should beat them, if Fellows is back and we take our chances in the first half

3-2 to us

[Gloucester Saint]

Hopefully Tom Fellows is back, along with Shea Charles, and Alex McCarthy has to be back in the short term after today’s horror display from Gavin Bazunu at Carrow Road. 

Need those changes to happen to compete. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

3-1 to Coventry. They’ll dismantle us.

[Lighthouse]

No reason we can’t win this, if we play the way we know we’re capable of, take our chances and don’t have a crap ref. On another day the Norwich game would have been 4-0 at HT, and even with an off-pace second half they don’t come back from that, so I won’t dwell on the negatives.

Fellows being back would obviously be massive, if that were the case. Failing that I’d honestly go with Manning and Wely, rather than Ryan ‘jog forwards to the first player he comes up against then stop, pirouette and play the ball diagonally back to a CB’ Fraser.

Sounds like Charles won’t be an option on the bench for a while longer, which is a bummer because Romeu and Aribo…. Guuuegh!

[James G]

25 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

3-1 to Coventry. They’ll dismantle us.

If we go in with our first half full team, we should be fine.

We'll just need to hang on in the second half

[Sheaf Saint]

19 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

No reason we can’t win this, if we play the way we know we’re capable of, take our chances and don’t have a crap ref. On another day the Norwich game would have been 4-0 at HT, and even with an off-pace second half they don’t come back from that, so I won’t dwell on the negatives.

Fellows being back would obviously be massive, if that were the case. Failing that I’d honestly go with Manning and Wely, rather than Ryan ‘jog forwards to the first player he comes up against then stop, pirouette and play the ball diagonally back to a CB’ Fraser.

Sounds like Charles won’t be an option on the bench for a while longer, which is a bummer because Romeu and Aribo…. Guuuegh!

Even glossing over the fact that Norwich also missed some chances in the first half, our xG for the whole 90 mins was only 2.1. So I have absolutely no idea how you've arrived at this conclusion.

[S-Clarke]

8 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Even glossing over the fact that Norwich also missed some chances in the first half, our xG for the whole 90 mins was only 2.1. So I have absolutely no idea how you've arrived at this conclusion.

It's Lighthouse, that's how  

[Harry_SFC]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Hopefully Tom Fellows is back, along with Shea Charles, and Alex McCarthy has to be back in the short term after today’s horror display from Gavin Bazunu at Carrow Road. 

Need those changes to happen to compete. 

Sadly Charles has suffered a set back and could be out until January at the earliest. 

[Lighthouse]

40 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Even glossing over the fact that Norwich also missed some chances in the first half, our xG for the whole 90 mins was only 2.1. So I have absolutely no idea how you've arrived at this conclusion.

Well there were two stonewall penalties, then there's the one that Azaz stuck over with the keeper off his line, Scienza hitting the underside of the bar within two minutes, Wood just missing the post from a corner and Scienza's run and shot which was about a yard wide of the left post. That's not taking into account the chances we might have created, had that free kick been six inches lower and the penalty been given/scored within the first ten minutes and the psychology of it all changed.

So six reasonably decent chances, including two cast-iron penalties. Would it be reasonable to suggest that on a good day four of them get converted, or am I just being quirky, weirdo Lighthouse again?

[Miltonaggro]

Could be a bit of a reality check this one. Thought that even before today’s capitulation. Fair play to Lampard, overseeing a well organised athletic side who like to attack, and they’ll bring a noisy full away section.  0-3 seems about right. 

[Dr Who?]

Who bloody knows. We will either win, lose or draw 🤷🏽. 

[LiberalCommunist]

The last two teams we have faced have used the battering ram tactic on us, and its worked incredibly well. I'm kind of happy Coventry will want to play football. It can't be any worse than watching some right cloggers who have had an appalling season, look like scoring at every attack like they did today. 

Bring it on. 

[saintant]

Coventry have some big forwards who are scoring goals for fun. Can't see our defenders stopping them and then there is our weakness in goal.

[Ken Tone]

Anybody else suddenly having problems with the ticket app for this game? Just received the normal email saying ticket now on app, but when I checked I was locked out of it.

[die Mannyschaft]

22 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Anybody else suddenly having problems with the ticket app for this game? Just received the normal email saying ticket now on app, but when I checked I was locked out of it.

Same here, I have logged an e mail with Saints.  Could be interesting with midday KO, no Internet connection around ground. Sfc wi fi only works when less than 2,000 at ground. 

[millsy]

46 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Anybody else suddenly having problems with the ticket app for this game? Just received the normal email saying ticket now on app, but when I checked I was locked out of it.

Haven’t got the email yet, but did have to update the app earlier. Might be worth a try.

[benjii]

9 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Well there were two stonewall penalties, then there's the one that Azaz stuck over with the keeper off his line, Scienza hitting the underside of the bar within two minutes, Wood just missing the post from a corner and Scienza's run and shot which was about a yard wide of the left post. That's not taking into account the chances we might have created, had that free kick been six inches lower and the penalty been given/scored within the first ten minutes and the psychology of it all changed.

So six reasonably decent chances, including two cast-iron penalties. Would it be reasonable to suggest that on a good day four of them get converted, or am I just being quirky, weirdo Lighthouse again?

Lol. The Azaz one was barely a chance at all.

The Scienza one was a shot from 25 yards. You can't go around saying "on another day that goes in".

Mentalist.

[Convict Colony]

cos he did a good job v leciester and Fatuwu i would bring back Quarshie and make him the left CB, move Stephens to Central role and give Wood a break after his recent clangers

.Both Wright and mason clark have some speed, not sure about simmons but him as well probably.

[benjii]

17 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

cos he did a good job v leciester and Fatuwu i would bring back Quarshie and make him the left CB, move Stephens to Central role and give Wood a break after his recent clangers

.Both Wright and mason clark have some speed, not sure about simmons but him as well probably.

Agreed. 

[obelisk]

Opponents have sussed Saints Plan A out now. Even Norwich were all over us once they'd managed to implement their pressing plan. Yesterday's 2nd half indicated that there is no Plan B beyond passing the ball around our own penalty area and then lumping it to nobody. Coventry will likely have a fairly easy trip to St Mary's on Saturday.

[Ken Tone]

9 hours ago, millsy said:

Haven’t got the email yet, but did have to update the app earlier. Might be worth a try.

I think anyone who,  like me, bought tickets for a family member as well as for self, may have a problem. I have logged back in to the app,  but it won't allow the other ticket holder to do so because the ticket was bought via my email address. Could be chaos! 

[S-Clarke]

Cov aren't in their 'top' form at the moment, they were scoring goals for fun at the start, but they've been clipped back a bit in recent weeks.

They're dining at the right end of the table and deserve it, I think they'll finish 2nd at minimum. They aren't dropping out of that race now. It's a surprise, when you look at the teams in the league (financial power) how they've managed to pull away is a great effort, fostered by a decent manager you have to say. But they've always had good players, their scouting has been top notch for years and years.

Their RB Van Ewijk - awesome player, KWP-esque. Haji Wright is the American striker we should have signed a few years ago. Asante was a clever signing by them too, a proven Champ player who has added genuine explosiveness to their front line. CM wise they have Rudoni, who is a top tier Champ player, alongside Grimes who we were after a few years back. Sakamoto and Torp are also top players at this level to, whom they scouted for fairly minimal fees. 

Overall they're dining where they are because they've planned this over many years. They've got a tight setup which was built really well by Mark Robins, and Lampard has just taken them up a notch (with some more clever scouting). They are a good example for all Champ teams to look at and believe you've all got a chance, it doesn't need £50m spends. They've reinvested their Gyökeres and Hamer fees very sensibly.

Edited 11 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

Cov aren't in their 'top' form at the moment, they were scoring goals for fun at the start, but they've been clipped back a bit in recent weeks.

They're dining at the right end of the table and deserve it, I think they'll finish 2nd at minimum. They aren't dropping out of that race now. It's a surprise, when you look at the teams in the league (financial power) how they've managed to pull away is a great effort, fostered by a decent manager you have to say. But they've always had good players, their scouting has been top notch for years and years.

Their RB Van Ewijk - awesome player, KWP-esque. Haji Wright is the American striker we should have signed a few years ago. Asante was a clever signing by them too, a proven Champ player who has added genuine explosiveness to their front line. CM wise they have Rudoni, who is a top tier Champ player, alongside Grimes who we were after a few years back. Sakamoto and Torp are also top players at this level to, whom they scouted for fairly minimal fees. 

Overall they're dining where they are because they've planned this over many years. They've got a tight setup which was built really well by Mark Robins, and Lampard has just taken them up a notch (with some more clever scouting). They are a good example for all Champ teams to look at and believe you've all got a chance, it doesn't need £50m spends. They've reinvested their Gyökeres and Hamer fees very sensibly.

Some good points there, Cov have been so impressive, points accumulated and goals scored , they will be promoted this season

Ipswich did show how to beat them, we should feel confident having won a few home games in a row but yesterday at Norwich has numbed any sense of confidence again 

Edited 9 hours ago by Football Special

[Pamplemousse]

We'll be 3-0 up at half time and then second half it's a case of hope we don't make too many errors.

 

3-1 final score.

[IFHP]

I think we’ll have to score at least 4 to win this. 
 

im not sure we will score 4 so a Coventry win is coming .

[gandalf]

17 hours ago, Ken Tone said:

Anybody else suddenly having problems with the ticket app for this game? Just received the normal email saying ticket now on app, but when I checked I was locked out of it.

I had to log in again . Ticket showing but it's saying it's not transferable (not that I want to)

[Mr X]

21 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

No reason we can’t win this, if we play the way we know we’re capable of, take our chances and don’t have a crap ref. On another day the Norwich game would have been 4-0 at HT, and even with an off-pace second half they don’t come back from that, so I won’t dwell on the negatives.

Fellows being back would obviously be massive, if that were the case. Failing that I’d honestly go with Manning and Wely, rather than Ryan ‘jog forwards to the first player he comes up against then stop, pirouette and play the ball diagonally back to a CB’ Fraser.

Sounds like Charles won’t be an option on the bench for a while longer, which is a bummer because Romeu and Aribo…. Guuuegh!

Not the game I saw! 🤦‍♂️😜

[Lighthouse]

11 hours ago, benjii said:

Lol. The Azaz one was barely a chance at all.

The Scienza one was a shot from 25 yards. You can't go around saying "on another day that goes in".

Mentalist.

So in summary, we only had four decent chances and two half chances to score four goals. You're right, cuckoo!

[millsy]

10 hours ago, Ken Tone said:

I think anyone who,  like me, bought tickets for a family member as well as for self, may have a problem. I have logged back in to the app,  but it won't allow the other ticket holder to do so because the ticket was bought via my email address. Could be chaos! 

I've just done exactly the same for a mate where both tickets were bought using my email. He simply registered on the Saints Tickets app with his own email address. I was then able to transfer one of the tickets directly in the app. I just clicked on the relevant ticket, and there was an option to transfer it by entering their email address. Worked perfectly. Hope this helps!

[Ken Tone]

38 minutes ago, millsy said:

I've just done exactly the same for a mate where both tickets were bought using my email. He simply registered on the Saints Tickets app with his own email address. I was then able to transfer one of the tickets directly in the app. I just clicked on the relevant ticket, and there was an option to transfer it by entering their email address. Worked perfectly. Hope this helps!

Thanks. I'm sorted now  Think the issue was that the second ticket holder was trying to access before receiving her own email notification. 

Don't know why the club seems to be making everyone log on to the app as if for the first time though 

[chownie20]

I was at Carrow Road and it was a pretty even first half, would say we edged it and needed the free kick, rebound or penalty to go in, and then the ground stays flat and they fade.

Bjg problem for me was Fraser. Literally played one forward pass all game. Id have started Robinson and been a bit bolder. But with Mads and Jelert out there isn't a lot of luck there. Would do that same at home against Coventry if Fellows is out because I think we need to adopt the "attack is the best form of defence" mantra and we can't defend and build from deep at all.

Scienza and Jander obviously got clattered every time they get near the ball so we need to adapt there too. 

Second half we just lacked movement and cutting edge. Not sure if we can try and get sonrone like Edozie fit who will be more dynamic as a sub.

Going to be a good game!

[Wade Garrett]

Eckert needs to show that he’s not a philosophy manager wedded to one system.

Play 5 at the back and let them piss about with the ball and we’ll be well beaten.

Would also like to see McCarthy in goal for the fact that he’ll come for crosses and can save shots.

[HnycS]

1 hour ago, chownie20 said:

I was at Carrow Road and it was a pretty even first half, would say we edged it and needed the free kick, rebound or penalty to go in, and then the ground stays flat and they fade.

Bjg problem for me was Fraser. Literally played one forward pass all game. Id have started Robinson and been a bit bolder. But with Mads and Jelert out there isn't a lot of luck there. Would do that same at home against Coventry if Fellows is out because I think we need to adopt the "attack is the best form of defence" mantra and we can't defend and build from deep at all.

Scienza and Jander obviously got clattered every time they get near the ball so we need to adapt there too. 

Second half we just lacked movement and cutting edge. Not sure if we can try and get sonrone like Edozie fit who will be more dynamic as a sub.

Going to be a good game!

Agree with the analysis. Wonder if Tonda should surprise some teams, by turning it upside down with a low block defensive line up for the first half. If we can keep a clean sheet to half time then bring the attacking formation on. Which makes it more of a "can you outscore us over the last 45 scenario"

 Rather than we score all our goals in the first half then go into our defensive shell?

[Charlie Wayman]

On 13/12/2025 at 17:11, Tommy Mulgrew said:

If Tonda has a red-hot poker, we win 3:1; if not, we lose 3:1.  It’s as simple as that.

Yep! Depends on which version of Saints turns up, play like we did yesterday and we get screwed. 

[Charlie Wayman]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

Eckert needs to show that he’s not a philosophy manager wedded to one system.

Play 5 at the back and let them piss about with the ball and we’ll be well beaten.

Would also like to see McCarthy in goal for the fact that he’ll come for crosses and can save shots.

I'd like to see him play 4-3-3

With Bragg alongside Downes and Jander.