Saints 5-0 QPR - Match Thread

[Lighthouse]

You would have to suspect that Ross will get rested for (hopefully) Larin, depending on his fitness. Other than that, same team different results please Saints. Edwards to obviously have a blinder or a 'mare against us.

[trousers]

I'd drop Peretz given how woeful he was vs Charlton...

[Saint Fan CaM]

I've got a ticket to this one so hoping for a really decent display and not the usual dire slow ponderous build-up play we've come to expect. I'm hoping Welington is OK to start as the defensive balance to the back four is miles better than having Manning farting about.  I can't imagine Scienza would not prefer Welington as a left wing partner.

Result is difficult to predict but I'm going 2-1, wishing for 3-0. 😊

[Barton Saint]

Not quite a must win game but with 4 away games coming up it feels like it given the points squeeze just below the play offs

[Football Special]

14 minutes ago, Barton Saint said:

Not quite a must win game but with 4 away games coming up it feels like it given the points squeeze just below the play offs

I think it is, Wrexham will win midweek so we need to keep in touching distance of them

I messaged a QPR mate who says they're incredibly inconsistent,  just like us I'd say tough game to predict 

Draw seems likely 

1-1

Edited Sunday at 17:51 by Football Special

[Lymington Saint]

Wrexham are playing Pompey on Tuesday. Feel dirty saying it but for once i hope Pompey win to do us a favour.  Cant see it happening though.

Going to have a lie down now until i feel better.

[SNSUN]

We're not quite at the "must win" stage but this is close with QPR breathing down our necks in the race. Need to keep the pressure on. 

[M271]

1 hour ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

I've got a ticket to this one so hoping for a really decent display and not the usual dire slow ponderous build-up play we've come to expect. I'm hoping Welington is OK to start as the defensive balance to the back four is miles better than having Manning farting about.  I can't imagine Scienza would not prefer Welington as a left wing partner.

Result is difficult to predict but I'm going 2-1, wishing for 3-0. 😊

At the pre Charlton press conference Tonda said that Welington will be out for at least a couple of weeks.

[Toussaint]

1 hour ago, Lymington Saint said:

Wrexham are playing Pompey on Tuesday. Feel dirty saying it but for once i hope Pompey win to do us a favour.  Cant see it happening though.

Going to have a lie down now until i feel better.

Ok, Portsmouth win, but are deducted 25 points for their feral inbred fans spitting on opposing players and gouging / groping them with their noncie extra fingered hands when taking throw ins?

[Toadhall Saint]

Home win

[die Mannyschaft]

This has got 1-1 written all over it. 

On paper or on spreadsheet this should be a home win. I think Larin and Stewart should start up front. Don't have Scienza take corners, don't do short corners.

[Turkish]

14 hours ago, Barton Saint said:

Not quite a must win game but with 4 away games coming up it feels like it given the points squeeze just below the play offs

It is really as 6 of the teams above us all play each other so a huge chance to gain some points. With Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday anything less than 6 points this week is not good enough 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

14 hours ago, Barton Saint said:

Not quite a must win game but with 4 away games coming up it feels like it given the points squeeze just below the play offs

Yes, but those four away games include Sheff Wed and West Brom (who we should be targetting for three points each if we're going for the play offs) and a cup game against Fulham. Then after that it's Oxford. 

Tonda says we have to 'game manage' better. Well, for a start increase the intent and increase the intensity and stop this meaningless passing sideways which wastes vital seconds and builds in to wasting minutes every game. 

[SaintNewForest]

I'd rather hope we rest players for the Sheffield Weds game, to be honest, rather than this one. 

[benjii]

Downes should be under orders to get a yellow card. If he gets one in the next 4 games, he'll pick up a 2 match ban. So, better to get one tomorrow and miss Wednesday and West Brom than get one then and miss Coventry and/or Norwich, is it? Unlikely he goes all 4 without getting one.

I'd probably start with Larin to help protect Stewart. 

Other than that, no need to change anything. We can make changes at Wednesday if we need to. I wouldn't mind seeing Edozie left, Scienza right and Matsuki in number 10 at some point, to see how that goes.

Edited Monday at 09:55 by benjii

[kitch]

14 hours ago, Toussaint said:

Ok, Portsmouth win, but are deducted 25 points for their feral inbred fans spitting on opposing players and gouging / groping them with their noncie extra fingered hands when taking throw ins?

*on the final day of the season

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, SaintNewForest said:

I'd rather hope we rest players for the Sheffield Weds game, to be honest, rather than this one. 

why? If we cant beat already relegated who have only won 1 game out of 33 this season and only scored 2 goals this year with a few squad players that would get into most other championships teams then we really should give up now any thoughts of making the top 6

[BARCELONASAINT]

You absolutely have to win your home games if you want to be considered serious contenders for the playoffs. We huffed and we puffed on Saturday but ultimately did not have the quality to unlock a poor Charlton team. For me Saturday killed our chances of reaching the playoffs despite the table obviously showing we are very much in the race and my sole reason for stating this is our inability to win the sort of games we played on Saturday.

Must win game tomorrow night? 100% yes!

[SaintNewForest]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

why? If we cant beat already relegated who have only won 1 game out of 33 this season and only scored 2 goals this year with a few squad players that would get into most other championships teams then we really should give up now any thoughts of making the top 6

 

I don't think I was clear enough in my original post; apologies. 

I meant that I hope we go full strength for this one, and rest players for the Sheff Weds game with, as you say, our squad players who would walk into a lot of other Champ sides. 

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said:

 

I don't think I was clear enough in my original post; apologies. 

I meant that I hope we go full strength for this one, and rest players for the Sheff Weds game with, as you say, our squad players who would walk into a lot of other Champ sides. 

Ah got you, apologies I read the other way round ie rest players tomorrow for the Sheffield Wed game 

Edited Monday at 12:13 by Turkish

[Chez]

Still all to play for, but if we want to make the play offs we need a result. Could be 6 or even 7 points adrift, which feels like a lot. 

 

[Turkish]

11 minutes ago, Chez said:

Still all to play for, but if we want to make the play offs we need a result. Could be 6 or even 7 points adrift, which feels like a lot. 

 

Am I right in saying the only teams above us we’ve played twice at Middlesbrough and Hull? Still very much in our own hands but we absolutely need 6 points this week to keep it that way 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

13 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Am I right in saying the only teams above us we’ve played twice at Middlesbrough and Hull? Still very much in our own hands but we absolutely need 6 points this week to keep it that way 

Which with Baz away, isn't as scary as it used to be. 🙂

[Doctoroncall]

15 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Am I right in saying the only teams above us we’ve played twice at Middlesbrough and Hull? Still very much in our own hands but we absolutely need 6 points this week to keep it that way 

Played Millwall, Watford, Birmingham and Preston twice

[AlexLaw76]

24 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

Played Millwall, Watford, Birmingham and Preston twice

We play Preston last game of the season???

[Football Special]

24 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

Played Millwall, Watford, Birmingham and Preston twice

Preston away is last game of season 

[Doctoroncall]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We play Preston last game of the season???

 

2 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Preston away is last game of season 

Yes, was thinking of Blackburn away game for some reason. Dark days of the season. 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

5 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Preston away is last game of season 

One good thing is we’ll get around 6,000 tickets for that which will be handy particularly if something still on it.

Another thing that may help tomorrow night is the crowd actually being up for it. It’s been a shit atmosphere all season at St Mary’s, the place should have been rocking as we piled on for the win towards the end of Saturday’s game but it was crap.

 

[BranfootsLoveChild]

Christ....there's no way I'll be in time to get my 11pm train 😆😆

[benjii]

On the final day, we play Preston.

 

 

Preston Knob End.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

24 minutes ago, benjii said:

On the final day, we play Preston.

 

 

Preston Knob End.

I think it's Preston North End actually. I checked.

[Turkish]

54 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

I think it's Preston North End actually. I checked.

Pooston Knob End

[Midfield_General]

21 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Pooston Knob End

Poo Stain Knob End

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, benjii said:

On the final day, we play Preston.

 

 

Preston Knob End.

It’s what they are called in Blackpool certainly. 

[benjii]

Bravo Two Zero by Randy McKnob.

[Chez]

6 hours ago, Turkish said:

Am I right in saying the only teams above us we’ve played twice at Middlesbrough and Hull? Still very much in our own hands but we absolutely need 6 points this week to keep it that way 

i wonder if we will fall short when playing sides like coventry and wrexham away. We aren't terrible, but the league doesn't lie...we aren't top drawer either. I was rather hoping the run of wins would just snowball, but saturday undermined that a little.

Edited Monday at 18:51 by Chez

[Willo of Whiteley]

First disappointment was buying a ticket without realising it was already on TV.

Second will probably be tomorrow when Cameron Archer is probably announced as our lone striker.

All that said, scrappy 2-1. It won’t be clean or easy.
The Charlton game should bring a few back down to earth, if we’re serious about promotion they’re exactly the games we should be winning.

Edited Monday at 18:56 by Willo of Whiteley

[EssEffCee]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

i wonder if we will fall short when playing sides like coventry and wrexham away. We aren't terrible, but the league doesn't lie...we aren't top drawer either. I was rather hoping the run of wins would just snowball, but saturday undermined that a little.

Think we've only won two games against teams currently above us so we'll be miles off unless we significantly improve that.

Three actually as didn't realise Watford were above us.

Edited Monday at 19:41 by EssEffCee

[BarryVenisonsHair]

3 hours ago, benjii said:

Bravo Two Zero by Randy McKnob.

Which actually improves with every read! 

[woksaintly]

By the way we have WON every midweek evening game at home  this season.

Edited Monday at 22:29 by woksaintly
error

[EssEffCee]

2 minutes ago, woksaintly said:

By the way we have WON every midweek evening game home and away this season.

Lost at Bristol City.

[Saint Fan CaM]

2 hours ago, woksaintly said:

By the way we have WON every midweek evening game at home  this season.

Jinxed. 😬😉

[pimpin4rizeal]

On 22/02/2026 at 15:48, Lighthouse said:

You would have to suspect that Ross will get rested for (hopefully) Larin, depending on his fitness. Other than that, same team different results please Saints. Edwards to obviously have a blinder or a 'mare against us.

Yeah be interesting to see how Larin does with a start with the first team he’s looking quite a pleasant surprise so far and potentially stronger physically then ross. I’d be happy with that and also give edozie a run out on the right . People arguing for matsuki to start but I think he’s probably better depth/cover for azaz then the wings not sure if edozie is as effective on the right but allows him to cross on his right anyway, really impressed with him since coming back and like Bree it’s like a new signing 

[DT]

I'd like to see us go balls-out for the win with direct, attacking football and intense pressure throughout. Like the good old days before Pep and the tedious 'tippy tappy from the back wait for the oppo to move forward and then 'pounce' ' nonsense.

Come on, Saints. Try it.

Home win. Has to be.

[disconnect]

Be interesting to see how Ronnie Edwards plays tonight. Looks like he's played 3 games at right back and the last match at centre back for them. I thought he was pretty poor each time he played for us this season, but previously looked quite promising.

[Saint Pete]

Not sure we will see Stewart or Downes start 2 games in quick succession and I would be tempted to give Edozie a start rather than out of form Fellows. 

Peretz, Bree, Stephens, THB, Manning, Charles, Jander, Scienza, Azaz, Edozie, Larin. 

There's an argument for Bragg rather than Jander, wouldn't be against that either. 

[BranfootsLoveChild]

Good afternoon. I am after a bit help. I've booked train tickets to Central for tonight from Basingstoke.I normally drive but just couldn't be arsed tonight quite frankly. I will get the shuttle bus from the station to St Marys. The last train back is 11pm, probably a silly question but as it's a 9.45pm(ish)   finish, can anyone let me know how busy the shuttles are after the game, would I get to the station in plenty of time? Thanks guys. 

[Hussar Saint]

On 23/02/2026 at 11:04, Turkish said:

why? If we cant beat already relegated who have only won 1 game out of 33 this season and only scored 2 goals this year with a few squad players that would get into most other championships teams then we really should give up now any thoughts of making the top 6

Are you new to Southampton? 🤣

[suewhistle]

 

2 hours ago, DT said:

 Like the good old days before Pep and the tedious 'tippy tappy from the back wait for the oppo to move forward and then 'pounce' ' nonsense.

I believe it can be quite effective, but I can't remember I saw Saints 'pounce'..

1 hour ago, BranfootsLoveChild said:

The last train back is 11pm, probably a silly question but as it's a 9.45pm(ish)   finish, can anyone let me know how busy the shuttles are after the game, would I get to the station in plenty of time?

Can't help on the bus front, but for me it's less than a half hour walk, although I appreciate others may not be as mobile. Google gives 31 minutes and I've always found it pessimistic against my speed.

[BARCELONASAINT]

don't know if they will keep it open tonight because of the game but warning to anyone driving that the Itchen Bridge works re-commenced last night and the bridge closes to all traffic both ways from 8pm!

**Ok just seen that they should keep the bridge open tonight until all fans have left the area to help with congestion**

Edited 20 hours ago by BARCELONASAINT