Saints v Sheff Utd - Wednesday 1945

[Charlie Wayman]

2 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

If we carry on like this we will go down

You're absolutely right of course but we have a few quality players in our squad that can surprise us when they get their acts together as at Charlton. There are a lot of games to go and while winning five on the trot didn't mean we'd go unbeaten for the rest of the season, so not having a win in seven doesn't mean that we won't win another game all season. 

An unexpected  2-1 win over the Blades this evening will settle a few nerves. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Charlie Wayman

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

You're absolutely right of course but we have a few quality players in our squad that can surprise us when they get their acts together as at Charlton. There are a lot of games to go and while winning five on the trot didn't mean we'd go unbeaten for the rest of the season, so not having a win in seven doesn't mean that we won't win another game all season. 

An unexpected  2-1 win over the Blades this evening will settle a few nerves. 

Maybe

[Appy]

6 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

You're absolutely right of course but we have a few quality players in our squad that can surprise us when they get their acts together as at Charlton. There are a lot of games to go and while winning five on the trot didn't mean we'd go unbeaten for the rest of the season, so not having a win in seven doesn't mean that we won't win another game all season. 

An unexpected  2-1 win over the Blades this evening will settle a few nerves. 

That run of wins and performances is a huge anomaly, the way we are now is our norm unfortunately.

[suewhistle]

Oh gawd, I'm sat here at my desk looking at the low clouds and the rain beating against the window. Errands to do at some stage in Southampton but if I drive the roads will be dire and it means no pre-med and mild anaesthesia for the game. The alternative by train could then include the exquisite misery of a late train home after another depressing performance and dedeat, or even a 0-0 of anti-football. 

There's a certain catharis of being there and shouting at Manning to run back and cover, and a bit of loud despairing moaning about players taking responsibility and not abrogating it by passing it back the way it came. I've given up complaining about referees as they seem the least of our problems, although Scienza certainly deserves more protection.

What choices, eh? Or not go: too stubborn for that and I don't like giving up, plus need to get out of the house. 

I've decided, sod Dry January it is!

[AlexLaw76]

Anyone else looking forward to another 3 at the back masterclass?

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, suewhistle said:

Oh gawd, I'm sat here at my desk looking at the low clouds and the rain beating against the window. Errands to do at some stage in Southampton but if I drive the roads will be dire and it means no pre-med and mild anaesthesia for the game. The alternative by train could then include the exquisite misery of a late train home after another depressing performance and dedeat, or even a 0-0 of anti-football. 

There's a certain catharis of being there and shouting at Manning to run back and cover, and a bit of loud despairing moaning about players taking responsibility and not abrogating it by passing it back the way it came. I've given up complaining about referees as they seem the least of our problems, although Scienza certainly deserves more protection.

What choices, eh? Or not go: too stubborn for that and I don't like giving up, plus need to get out of the house. 

I've decided, sod Dry January it is!

Heavy rain at Eastleigh I'm not getting train as will be one cancelled out of 2 each hour then won't get home as lines flooded or bank collapse. If we don't turn up we could miss a rare win!!

[Saint86]

13 hours ago, Andy Hill said:

Hopefully we start with Ross Stewart and the likes of AA, JS, FD and RM are nowhere to be seen.

Its laughable to suggest we should outright drop AA, he's hands down one of our best players at this level.

I can only assume its because fans (and only fans) keep accusing him of being a bad egg in the dressing room. .. but people need to stop lumping AA in with the grouping of players assumed to be the troublesome core - we all know who the primary candidate are there (Downes being the oft rumoured main one). As for AA, he is on record multiple times this season for criticising the team and saying its not been good enough, he puts good effort in every game, is still on for for a chance as being the top goal scorer, and wasn't even here for half of last season's car crash. 

[gecko]

15 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Anyone else looking forward to another 3 at the back masterclass?

A lot gets made about this on here. And I'm not here to defend it at all, although I feel like everyone's clutching to this as the simple solution to all our problems (and who knows, perhaps it is) 

I think there are a number of problems with it personally, and I'm making some assumptions here that may very well be incorrect or at least easily solvable.

 - defenders seem to spend most of their life learning to play in a back 4 system, particularly CB's - 3 puts them all out of an implicitly favoured position, with less clarity over who needs to mark which oppo.

- slinging the ball around between 2 is no more difficult than with 3, and there appears to be no measurable difference in the number of goals we concede with a 3/5, so why waste the man there

- buying one of the best wingers in the league and telling him to play WB is just wasteful

- relying on Manning to "defend" seems risky

 

in short, there's a reason why 3/5 is not preferred by all the best teams - but I guess we just know better

https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4323030

[tdmickey3]

42 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Anyone else looking forward to another 3 at the back masterclass?

Cannot wait

[lumuah]

Am I the only one that really can't be bothered with the match later?

Watch the Traitors on BBC, or the cowards on Sky Sports. Hmm..... 

Only one is likely to provide entertainment. 

[Secret Site Agent]

Apparently Tonde had a sit down and series discussion with the Team on Saturday.

 

Tonde:  Come on lads, you're better than this. We need to up our game and go back to what I saw before I got the job.  What do you say?

 

TEAM: NO!

 

[Whitey Grandad]

3 hours ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Will the ground staff be watering the pitch as usual. Another stupid tactic to slow the opposition only has our players falling over and miss kicking the ball.

Why is it that it's only our players who fall over?

[die Mannyschaft]

37 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Why is it that it's only our players who fall over?

You noticed that too. Especially by edge box at Northam end. The ground man allways points the sprinkler at same spots.

[Maury Dyer]

Tick Rock has asked the players to dig deep and really be committed.

The alternative players, is Foxtrot Oscar and the club stop you excessive salaries.

Merchant Bankers

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, gecko said:

in short, there's a reason why 3/5 is not preferred by all the best teams - but I guess we just know better

https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4323030

If our approach really is stats based, that article makes damning reading. Direct play shots/xg/goals are all up year on year over multiple seasons, overwhelmingly the most popular formation is 4-2-3-1 (or variants), whilst 3-5-2 (the classic 5 at the back) has disappeared / contributed to a marginal growth in 3-4-2-1.

So what does Rasmus have us doing... 5 at the back passing football - largely between the cbs 🫣

Edited 3 hours ago by Saint86

[Maury Dyer]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Anyone else looking forward to another 3 at the back masterclass?

I would rather have my Bowel resectioned.

[coalman]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Anyone else looking forward to another 3 at the back masterclass?

"looking forward to" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Even if I think that the players will rouse themselves to win this so they don't have to feel bad about not showing up on Sunday.

[whelk]

What determines whether midweek home games are Tuesday or Wednesday? Used to always be Tuesday. Can’t be Sky surely?

[LordHester]

13 minutes ago, whelk said:

What determines whether midweek home games are Tuesday or Wednesday? Used to always be Tuesday. Can’t be Sky surely?

I'd suspect it was our choice - even out the gap between Hull and Pompey.

[suewhistle]

3 hours ago, suewhistle said:

Oh gawd, I'm sat here at my desk looking at the low clouds and the rain beating against the window. Errands to do at some stage in Southampton but if I drive the roads will be dire and it means no pre-med and mild anaesthesia for the game. The alternative by train could then include the exquisite misery of a late train home after another depressing performance and dedeat, or even a 0-0 of anti-football. 

There's a certain catharis of being there and shouting at Manning to run back and cover, and a bit of loud despairing moaning about players taking responsibility and not abrogating it by passing it back the way it came. I've given up complaining about referees as they seem the least of our problems, although Scienza certainly deserves more protection.

What choices, eh? Or not go: too stubborn for that and I don't like giving up, plus need to get out of the house. 

I've decided, sod Dry January it is!

 

[suewhistle]

3 hours ago, suewhistle said:

I've decided, sod Dry January it is!

Well, on the train.. Some Blades fans too, worrying about getting the train home. I might be nice and tell them to use Woolston and save 10 minutes over Central..

If I do and we lose I shall be really hacked!

[St. Ciervo]

17 hours ago, Andy Hill said:

Hopefully we start with Ross Stewart and the likes of AA, JS, FD and RM are nowhere to be seen.

 

7 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

So we don't play the division's leading scorer ?

I mean... AA may score some great goals, but he is also highly wasteful. So many forward moves are ended by a low-quality, low-percentage lash by AA. And don't get me started on any PK chances... I can do without him. Its just a tragedy we have no other reasonable options. 

[Saint Garrett]

Arma's best position is still off the front, he struggles to play as a 9

Our best front 4 is probably Scienza, Fellows, Stewart, plus one of Azaz/Arma/Robinson.

If Stewart isn't fit/firing, we are buggered.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Too much to hope that Utd take our rubbishness for granted, and forget the simple steps to stop us? 

 

Tonda's XI

Peretz

THB, Wood, Stephens

Fellows, Jander, Downes, Manning

AA, Azaz, Leo

He's trapped in his formation. He'll bring on Stewart, Robinson, Quarshie, Matsuki, Bragg/ Charles

 

My XI

Peretz

Jelert, Wood, THB, Welington

Bragg Jander

Fellows Leo AA

Stewart

Bree, Azaz, Charles, Robinson and Quarshie could be the changes.

 

 

[Wade Garrett]

5 hours ago, suewhistle said:

Oh gawd, I'm sat here at my desk looking at the low clouds and the rain beating against the window. Errands to do at some stage in Southampton but if I drive the roads will be dire and it means no pre-med and mild anaesthesia for the game. The alternative by train could then include the exquisite misery of a late train home after another depressing performance and dedeat, or even a 0-0 of anti-football. 

There's a certain catharis of being there and shouting at Manning to run back and cover, and a bit of loud despairing moaning about players taking responsibility and not abrogating it by passing it back the way it came. I've given up complaining about referees as they seem the least of our problems, although Scienza certainly deserves more protection.

What choices, eh? Or not go: too stubborn for that and I don't like giving up, plus need to get out of the house. 

I've decided, sod Dry January it is!

Poetry at its finest.

[Wade Garrett]

4 hours ago, Saint86 said:

Its laughable to suggest we should outright drop AA, he's hands down one of our best players at this level.

I can only assume its because fans (and only fans) keep accusing him of being a bad egg in the dressing room. .. but people need to stop lumping AA in with the grouping of players assumed to be the troublesome core - we all know who the primary candidate are there (Downes being the oft rumoured main one). As for AA, he is on record multiple times this season for criticising the team and saying its not been good enough, he puts good effort in every game, is still on for for a chance as being the top goal scorer, and wasn't even here for half of last season's car crash. 

You didn’t watch Saturday then.  He was shite and didn’t break a sweat.  Just like the jogging Manning and Downes.

 

[Wade Garrett]

3 hours ago, Secret Site Agent said:

Apparently Tonde had a sit down and series discussion with the Team on Saturday.

 

Tonde:  Come on lads, you're better than this. We need to up our game and go back to what I saw before I got the job.  What do you say?

 

TEAM: NO!

 

Did he look in their eyes?

 

[whelk]

5 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

You didn’t watch Saturday then.  He was shite and didn’t break a sweat.  Just like the jogging Manning and Downes.

 

AA is absolutely shite, can’t believe so many defending him

[davefizzy14]

We need a reaction tonight. 1-0 to us - Scienza to score 😊 COYR

[Saint NL]

 

A back four it is then.

 

Fuck knows why the image isn't working

Edited 20 minutes ago by Saint NL

[goodymatt]

Back 4?

[Saint NL]

Armstrong dropped as well.

Maybe Tonda grew some balls

[SNSUN]

Well hot damn he's gone with a 4231. Well damn.

[vectraman]

1 hour ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Too much to hope that Utd take our rubbishness for granted, and forget the simple steps to stop us? 

 

Tonda's XI

Peretz

THB, Wood, Stephens

Fellows, Jander, Downes, Manning

AA, Azaz, Leo

He's trapped in his formation. He'll bring on Stewart, Robinson, Quarshie, Matsuki, Bragg/ Charles

 

My XI

Peretz

Jelert, Wood, THB, Welington

Bragg Jander

Fellows Leo AA

Stewart

Bree, Azaz, Charles, Robinson and Quarshie could be the changes.

 

 

Your selection is exactly what I would like to see. But we of course won’t.
Another 1-2 result incoming, payback for our lucky win at their place.

[lambtiss]

52 minutes ago, whelk said:

AA is absolutely shite, can’t believe so many defending him

So shite, that he is the 2nd top scorer in the Championship, in an underperforming team. 

Nobody thinks he is Ronaldo but he is the most prolific striker we have and losing him now would be a disaster.

[Mixedkebab]

Shame Downes still starts but not much choice I suppose 

Shame we have to keep Wood and Manning on the bench 

[Gloucester Saint]

Looks like a back 4 to me. He’s actually dropped No Manning Land. Wood dropped as well, awful player. Jack has limitations but preferable to him. Needs minutes ahead of Fratton where we need to use him. Quarshie the long-term first choice CB but don’t want a Fratton defeat to scar him.

Edited 16 minutes ago by Gloucester Saint

[SouSaint]

Jander and Downes are piss poor at protecting the backline so this formation change will do fuck all. 

3-1 away win. 

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Glad he’s gone a back 4. Personally not sure that Azaz deserves a starting place but maybe he’ll be better in this system. 

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Also good to see Charles back on the bench. Could do with him at the moment. 

[beatlesaint]

Fair play for dropping Wood and Manning, both of whom were fkin awful Saturday !

I would have kept Stewart back for Sunday tbh but I’m pleased he’s fit to start.

[davefizzy14]

Glad we have got a back four starting. Ross starting, Jack and Welington back 😊 also good to see Charles back in the squad 😊

Edited 14 minutes ago by davefizzy14

[SNSUN]

Peretz

Jelert THB Stephens Welington

Downes Jander

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Stewart

Has to be one of our best lines ups in a long time. I'm a lot more positive after seeing that. I genuinely hope this works for Tonda and he can see the error of playing 3CBs repeatedly. 

[bangkoksaint]

Stewart to be replaced inside 30 minutes when he goes off injured 🙄

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, beatlesaint said:

Fair play for dropping Wood and Manning, both of whom were fkin awful Saturday !

I would have kept Stewart back for Sunday tbh but I’m pleased he’s fit to start.

Take him off after an hour otherwise he can’t do Sunday as well, and Charles needs some minutes.

[macca155]

Annoyed that Bragg is still out but at least it's a back 4. Agree with @Gloucester Saint Stephens will be needed on Sunday, he needs minutes.

Just hope Stewart doesn't over do it.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 minutes ago, davefizzy14 said:

Glad we have got a back four starting. Ross starting, Jack and Welington back 😊 also good to see Charles back in the squad 😊

Wellington isn't much of an upgrade. Very underwhelmed by him this season.

[RedArmy]

Get a result and performance like this tonight and I might even be tempted to get excited about Sunday again. 

[Osvaldorama]

Jesus Christ the Southampton team tombola has come out with a sensible line up and formation for a change 

[Mboto Gorge]

On 17/01/2026 at 18:24, Mboto Gorge said:

I reckon He will actually start with 4 at the back, we will then go a goal down due to someone not doing their job properly and nothing to do with the formation….and he will immediately resort to 5 at the back by half time. 0-2 defeat. Bunch of cunts 

Called it, let’s see if the the rest happens. Can read the guy like a book