Saints 1-0 Sheff Utd - Match Thread

[Give it to Ron]

Wellington was my MOTM won loads of headers too . How different we looked with 2 stay at home full backs denying the space behind and easy to cross against 

Got forward well when possible without leaving us open 

Edited 21 hours ago by Give it to Ron

[Jack]

6 minutes ago, Chez said:

Blackmore has asked him about why he hasnt played 4 at the back and was told it was because he didnt have any fit full backs. He can't really go over that old ground can he?

Of course he can. He’s had fit full backs for a while now and decided to use Fellows as a wing back instead 

[LaptopSaint]

Re Bragg: Agreed - an academy kid who’s been forced to sing ‘wash your mouth out’ before every training session since he was eight is what we need on Sunday. ‘Ave it. 

Edited 21 hours ago by LaptopSaint

[Jack]

Just now, Give it to Ron said:

Wellington was my MOTM won loads of headers too . How different we looked with 2 stay at home full backs denying the space behind and easy to cross against 

100% and up against a bloke nearly a foot taller. Commitment, was great to see. Hope Manning was taking notes 

[Miltonaggro]

Biggest takeaway from me today was how different we looked first half with a centre forward on the pitch, Stewart is a good player. Also decent and constant communication between keeper and captain at centre half - a small but key improvement. 

[saintant]

6 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Sorry, can't agree with selling Armstrong, that's madness in my opinion. He's a proven goalscorer at this level and those are not that easy to find. Stewart looks decent and I agree with you that we certainly need one and preferably 2 central strikers on the squad that have physical presence. But as we know Stewart is very unreliable in terms of fitness. Yes, bring in another big man up front, I would hope and pray that's the plan now we have a free spot after Downs leaving on loan. But don't throw away the one player that has scored consistently at this level!! I think we should be playing him as well as Stewart/new striker in one of the wide supporting positions, not throwing away a scorer that pretty much every team in this division would want. 

Fair point but there have been reports that AA wants a move. I'm happy for us to keep him but we must sign or loan a big striker this window to help spread the load with Stewart. I wouldn't be adverse to having AA play just off Stewart as I think he'd profit from his hold up play and flick ons.

Maybe sell Archer instead.

Edited 21 hours ago by saintant

[LaptopSaint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Fair point but there have been reports that AA wants a move. I'm happy for us to keep him but we must sign or loan a big striker this window to help spread the load with Stewart. I wouldn't be adverse to having AA play just off Stewart as I think he'd profit from his hold up play and flick ons.

I’d like to see Archer just off Stewart- bad though he’s often been I still think there’s a player there looking for confidence 

[Midfield_General]

5 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Biggest takeaway from me today was how different we looked first half with a centre forward on the pitch, Stewart is a good player. Also decent and constant communication between keeper and captain at centre half - a small but key improvement. 

Harwood-Bellis looked much more assured tonight. He looks so much more comfortable in a four. 

[LGTL]

I thought that was better. Wellington was excellent and it makes six a difference having Stewart. Two actual full backs at full back, Fellows and Scienza out wide, Azaz getting into pockets (should have done better on a couple of occasions) and an actual vocal point up top.

Slightly encouraging before Sunday. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

10 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Sorry, can't agree with selling Armstrong, that's madness in my opinion. He's a proven goalscorer at this level and those are not that easy to find. Stewart looks decent and I agree with you that we certainly need one and preferably 2 central strikers on the squad that have physical presence. But as we know Stewart is very unreliable in terms of fitness. Yes, bring in another big man up front, I would hope and pray that's the plan now we have a free spot after Downs leaving on loan. But don't throw away the one player that has scored consistently at this level!! I think we should be playing him as well as Stewart/new striker in one of the wide supporting positions, not throwing away a scorer that pretty much every team in this division would want. 

We've known for ages that Armstrong isn't a centre forward but is very useful coming off the wing in this league. Let's get back to using him in that role.

[saintant]

Fellows is very tricky but we need him to start scoring some goals. He has the ability to get within shooting distance but always seems to just thrash at the ball. Needs to show a lot more composure and he'll start banging a few in. Get Le Tiss in to teach him how to strike the ball cleanly and accurately 🙂

[Mboto Gorge]

Good to see wilder still talks absolute bollocks after games they lose then. What an idiot. They should’ve  won 3-1 apparently 

Edited 21 hours ago by Mboto Gorge

[skintsaint]

8 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

They should’ve  won 3-1 apparently 

https://www.skysports.com/football/video/11683/13497343/southampton-1-0-sheffield-united-championship-highlights

[die Mannyschaft]

Can't ask for more really as it was a big step up from last 7 games. All players had a crucial part at done point. A win, 3 points. A change promised by Tonda that delivered. Atmosphere much better even with lower gate. We now have hope going to Fratton.

[die Mannyschaft]

2 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

https://www.skysports.com/football/video/11683/13497343/southampton-1-0-sheffield-united-championship-highlights

If we could shoot then 5-1. 

[Mboto Gorge]

4 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

https://www.skysports.com/football/video/11683/13497343/southampton-1-0-sheffield-united-championship-highlights

Yes I watched it, we deserved to win. I’m talking about how laughable it is that Wilder is claiming Sheff Utd should’ve won 3-1

[HarvSFC]

Saturday and all other recent games have been dire. Tonight was much better. We attacked with pace and intent on multiple occasions and created good chances that the forwards missed. Rather than Wood and Manning killing our attacks dead before we've even moved up the pitch and stat padding our xG with multiple pot shots against a packed defence and without much hope.

Not much of the sideways and backwards shite for sideways and backwards sake tonight. We gave Sheffield United a game and we need to do the same on the weekend.

[Yozzman]

53 minutes ago, Chez said:

Blackmore has asked him about why he hasnt played 4 at the back and was told it was because he didnt have any fit full backs. He can't really go over that old ground can he?

For all the people that want 4 at the back Tonda hasn't had the fit fullbacks to do it until Jelert was available.  It would be suicide to have Fellows and Manning in a 4. Just look at the number of crosses coming in the last 20 minutes when Manning came on.

The most disappointing thing is there are not any U21s pushing for a  place, the bar is not very high.

[Yozzman]

49 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Harwood-Bellis looked much more assured tonight. He looks so much more comfortable in a four. 

Apart from when he almost gifted them an equaliser with Jelert.

[Jack]

3 minutes ago, Yozzman said:

For all the people that want 4 at the back Tonda hasn't had the fit fullbacks to do it until Jelert was available.  It would be suicide to have Fellows and Manning in a 4. Just look at the number of crosses coming in the last 20 minutes when Manning came on.

The most disappointing thing is there are not any U21s pushing for a  place, the bar is not very high.

Welington has been available to play ahead of Manning for ages, but not picked. Playing a capable CB out of position at RB would have been far more sensible than playing our best winger at RB and three CBs knocking it around between themselves then giving it away. 

[Osvaldorama]

It’s genuinely really, really, really infuriating that he did the absolute basic things most people have been crying out for and we looked like a different team. 
 

What a fucking waste of a season 

[Sir Ralph]

How can we all see that 4-2-3-1 would be better but it has taken our 'manger' many games and losses to realise this? Probably says a lot.

[Verbal]

2 minutes ago, Sir Ralph said:

How can we all see that 4-2-3-1 would be better but it has taken our 'manger' many games and losses to realise this? Probably says a lot.

Manger or minger? I'm not sure which of those two you were going for.

[Fabrice29]

On 04/01/2026 at 14:55, Fabrice29 said:

Anyway, this game, as always will be dictated by the keeper making saves, defenders defending the box well and strikers being ruthless. Not fancy graphics of formations. Fingers crossed.

 

2 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

We still weren't great but no coincidence we dropped some of the underperforming players and switched to four at the back and we get a clean sheet and look better. @egg @Lord Duckhunter @Fabrice29 still think we can't play 4 at the back effectively or that the formation has no influence on the performances and results?

I’ll stand by the above every single game. 👍

[Fabrice29]

On 20/01/2026 at 21:56, Turkish said:

There is no way on earth we can possibly lose tomorrow. An experienced manager doesn’t get results 

 

15 hours ago, Turkish said:

An experienced manger, I thought we were told By our resident expert it’s nothing to do with managers, experienced doesn’t get you results 

 

On 17/01/2026 at 22:05, Turkish said:

Sort of guy we could do with tbh. 

Saints inexperienced managers this season currently 2-0 up against the sort of experienced proper football man we could do with. Ciao! 

[woodsaint1]

4 4 fucking 2 and hey presto, we look much more solid and organised

Its mad that its taken this long and the amount of goals we've conceded for TE to realise that 3 CBs has not been working for us. That being said it would not surprise me if he reverts to that at the weekend 🤯

Seen it mentioned that the CBs looked more comfortable. No wonder when they've played 90% of their careers in a four with full backs who tuck in and offer cover. 3 CBs works for certain teams with certain players, but we dont have those players.

Lets get a win on Sunday now 💪🏼

[hypochondriac]

36 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

 

I’ll stand by the above every single game. 👍

Weird how we managed to do that better than every other game during this run when we changed the formation. Odd how that works.

[Sheaf Saint]

7 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Yes I watched it, we deserved to win. I’m talking about how laughable it is that Wilder is claiming Sheff Utd should’ve won 3-1

They had a higher XG than us so deserved to win, right? That's exactly what Tonda said about us when we lost to Hull on Saturday.

[Turkish]

6 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

 

 

Saints inexperienced managers this season currently 2-0 up against the sort of experienced proper football man we could do with. Ciao! 

Oh look he reappears 😂😂😂

[coalman]

Eckert knows what it's like to go for a long spell without winning. Thank god for the pure desire in the team. Though he may find that the second win after a long spell without winning is also pretty hard. Back to the old Saints complacency mantra of "we've won a game of football so everything is fine"

"After a long spell (of not winning) the first win is always the hardest.

"We had to dig very deep and in the end it was just pure desire to win that game of football.

"It comes from so deep inside to grind out games and credit to the boys because they put so much into every minute of the game.

"Today we were much more direct and we got the ball forward a bit quicker, Ross Stewart was very good up front for the 60 minutes he gave us today."

 

[Turkish]

6 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Weird how we managed to do that better than every other game during this run when we changed the formation. Odd how that works.

Formations don’t matter mate 

funny how he’s piped up after a win. 😂

Edited 13 hours ago by Turkish

[Football Special]

8 hours ago, LGTL said:

I thought that was better. Wellington was excellent and it makes six a difference having Stewart. Two actual full backs at full back, Fellows and Scienza out wide, Azaz getting into pockets (should have done better on a couple of occasions) and an actual vocal point up top.

Slightly encouraging before Sunday. 

Agree on all points, plus for once the desire was there, players congratulating each other for making blocks or putting in the extra yards to make a challenge. And I think the fans responded to that and got behind the team well, just shows if the team is set up and apply themselves correctly the fans will respond. 

[Football Special]

Fair play to the nippers in the family corner who started waving their phone torches 2nd half, seemed to actually end with the atmosphere picking up , up the kids corner ultras 

[Football Special]

18 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Formations don’t matter mate 

funny how he’s piped up after a win. 😂

They don't matter when you're a football club without eyes and ears 

[Football Special]

How did Scienza not score with that 2nd half header , we had so many chances should really have been more comfortable 

 

[Convict Colony]

guys missed the game but good to see all the team and selection and formation changes we've been talking about finally smacked tonda in the face.

Would like Charles for Downes next but think sun too early.

Gonna need a pic of Danny Ings hair, missed it's progress since he left us, you are all giving me the impression of it being a cricket pitch with a bit of grass on top.

Edited 13 hours ago by Convict Colony

[coalman]

Playing with 2 centre backs means we move the ball quicker as there's one fewer centre back to put their foot on the ball and move it on at glacial pace. We cunted about far less than recently because they needed to move it quickly because there were fewer easy options five yards away. It also means there's more likely to be an option in front of them. And, that they are more likely to take responsibility for defending rather than watching each other.

Playing with Fellows in his natural position means their left back is going have a worse night and spend more time pushed back towards their own penalty area. It also means Fellows can last closer to 90 minutes rather than blowing hard after 60.

Playing with Wellington means there isn't a massive gap in No Manning's Land for the other team to exploit every time they attack. Wellington linked up really well with Scienza in a way that Manning doesn't as well as being present when he needed to be.

Playing with Stewart up front means we have more options to move it forwards and carry a threat in the box. Though, it was also good to see him being protected rather than run into the ground. For all his goals, we're a worse side with Adam Armstrong in the side as a lone centre forward (why does every Saints manager have to learn this the hard way?).

Last night we defended further up the pitch and were less ponderous when we had the ball. It's nowhere near where we need to be but it was actually watchable football for the first time in a couple of months. Without the usual suspects playing their particular brand of walking keep ball we looked so much better. With Charles back we can get back towards a midfield of him and Jander which is always going to be more progressive than Downes with his inability to turn and move the ball forwards.

Edited 13 hours ago by coalman

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, Football Special said:

How did Scienza not score with that 2nd half header , we had so many chances should really have been more comfortable 

 

That and Azaz miss plus the amount of times the Fellows, Azaz and Scienza skied shots miles over the bar, but their XG better so it was a lucky win 😂

[Turkish]

20 minutes ago, Football Special said:

They don't matter when you're a football club without eyes and ears 

Playing a real life game of football manager

[Football Special]

One more point on support, loads of season ticket holders decided to stay at home, understandable with our form on a cold damp January night , but felt to me that those who did make the effort to turn up made the most of it getting behind the team. Maybe it was a response to a better formation , more attacking play and desire from our team but also helped not having some of the usual moaners around us I think 

[EssEffCee]

30 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Fair play to the nippers in the family corner who started waving their phone torches 2nd half, seemed to actually end with the atmosphere picking up , up the kids corner ultras 

I thought that started in kingsland north? Thought it was a bit odd myself.

[Football Special]

12 minutes ago, Turkish said:

That and Azaz miss plus the amount of times the Fellows, Azaz and Scienza skied shots miles over the bar, but their XG better so it was a lucky win 😂

Fellows could be such a dangerous player if he can learn to shoot with his head over the ball, always seems to end up off balance leaning back and ball inevitably heads skywards 

[Verbal]

6 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Fellows could be such a dangerous player if he can learn to shoot with his head over the ball, always seems to end up off balance leaning back and ball inevitably heads skywards 

 

[tdmickey3]

7 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

 

 

Saints inexperienced managers this season currently 2-0 up against the sort of experienced proper football man we could do with. Ciao! 

Well, here he is.... only after a win..... what a helmet

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, EssEffCee said:

I thought that started in kingsland north? Thought it was a bit odd myself.

The torches I saw started in the Chapel/ Itchen family corner , but that's the direction I was facing so could have been others first, assumed it was the u12s up there doing u12 things 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

8 hours ago, saintant said:

Fellows is very tricky but we need him to start scoring some goals. He has the ability to get within shooting distance but always seems to just thrash at the ball. Needs to show a lot more composure and he'll start banging a few in. Get Le Tiss in to teach him how to strike the ball cleanly and accurately 🙂

Yes, I said this a few games ago. Reminds me of the chant: "When you're sat in row Z and you're on the head, it's....Tom Fellows".

Someone needs to spend an hour with him running with the ball and then shooting the ball along the ground. As you say, he thrashes at it but you can still power the ball a foot off the ground.

Pleased that Blackmore questioned Tonda on why he hasn't done a back 4 earlier. Hopefully the penny has dropped because in those last five minutes we surrendered the midfield and were overrun. Didn't help that our subs were Manning and Wood.

[tdmickey3]

A win is a win but fuck me how bad was that 2nd half?

Cluelessness from Tondy, transfers to the players

What does he say at half time?

[Dan Johnson]

- 2 CBs has to be the way forward and it has to be Stephens and THB, I thought that was THB best game in a long time, my MOTM, cleared one of the line, won most things in the air, competitive. Having him on the right side of a 3 means he’s no where near as commanding as when he’s central. Shout out to Stephens too, real leadership on the pitch again, keeping players spirts up, it’s criminal in my eyes that these 2 haven’t been the CB foundation of our season since Game 1.

- Wellington was excellent, his best game for us? Looked forward when winning the ball, surprisingly good in the air, looked to win the ball high (did so for our goal) a big improvement on Mannings recent performances.

- Downs and Janders best games in a long time, competitive and busy, Downs breaking up play and Jander using the ball well, winning high and pushing forward.

- Ross Stewart, the freshest breath of Fresh air in some time, if he’d not got injured we wouldn’t be where we are now, a real nuisance to them all night, his forward play even in a defensive aspect, drawing fouls to reduce pressure was exactly what we’ve needed. I don’t think I’ve actually seen Stewart have a bad game for us, as little as his played unfortunately. I really hope we can keep him fit, he has to start and become our focal point.

- Leo and fellows in their right positions offer us an outlet we hadn’t had in a while, it brings the game 10 yards further up the pitch just because the opposition won’t commit as far forward due to the fear of being hit on the break. 
 

- keeper, questionable distribution but I could hear him from the kingsland organising his defence all night, in and out of possession. Made some good stops. We’ve been crying out to stop playing around from the back and get a good shot stopper in, hopefully as he gets more game time his rustiness will dissipate and he’ll become a solid improvement on Bazunu.

- Charles, forgot how big and physically imposing he looks, something we’ve been missing in midfield. Looking forward to having him back 

- Azaz, low on confidence, over compensating and it’s showing. When we won 6 on the bounce he was unplayable with his movement and vision, he looks a bit lost at the moment. If he was on form he’d be such a massive asset. I hope he can come good, let’s hope he makes himself a hero on Sunday and the fans get onboard with him. If he’s on form we move up the table.

jelert - solid full back, has to start in my eyes. A bit rusty at times but he improved us.

 

overall I thought it was a good performance, their keeper makes 2 good saves from Scienza, Azaz fluffs an easy chance, wouldn’t have been harsh to say 3/4-1 would have been a fair result.

We battled, we competed and largely performance levels were much more consistent across the 90 than they have been in other games, no massive drop offs.

its something to build on.

 

 

[Mboto Gorge]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

Oh look he reappears 😂😂😂

Yep- What an absolute fucking clown this guy is. Swear he’s just trolling now, no one could accidentally be this much of a cunt surely 

Edited 12 hours ago by Mboto Gorge

[EssEffCee]

7 minutes ago, Football Special said:

The torches I saw started in the Chapel/ Itchen family corner , but that's the direction I was facing so could have been others first, assumed it was the u12s up there doing u12 things 

Yeah might be perspective thing as I'm in chapel so saw the kingsland north ones first. There was quite a lot all near each other so thought it might have been for a specific reason.