Saints 2-1 Arsenal - Match Thread

[austsaint]

8 minutes ago, trousers said:

 

There was a period before we scored where the crowd seemed very quiet on the TV. It obviously improved immensely after the goal and into the second half. It might just have just been poor pick-up from the BBC mics of course, but it definitely came across as quite a flat atmosphere for a while before the first goal. 

Crowd seemed to go quiet during that 20-25 minute period in the first half when Arsenal were carving us up at will and a goal or two seemed inevitable.   The Ben White clanger and well taken chance by Stewart changed everything, including the acoustics.

Special mention to two players well below their best lately but very effective tonight…Jander and Fellows.   Jander immense in midfield for the entire 97 minutes and Fellows ran all night, got good crosses in and even had a shot on target.   
You have to marvel at Arsenal - chock full of attacking talent and threadbare in defence.   Not a bad Saints player on the pitch tonight; even Wood, with all his limitations gave his all.   Special night.

[DellBlockH]

Keir Starmer, Matt Lucas, Jeremy Corbyn, Alan Davies, Colin Firth, your boys took a hell of a beating!

[SW11_Saint]

What. A. Night! 

Every single player was superb, as were the fans - and it was all topped off by getting a brief chat with one of my all-time heroes, Stevie Williams😇

[vectraman]

Atmosphere in the ground was brilliant. Went with my two boys and we were all buzzing. Came home and watch the BBC highlights. Twice. 
Now hoarse, but well worth it. To see St Mary’s rocking was fantastic. A memorable evening to be cherished. 
avoid Man City in the Semis and we could get to the final. 
 

[SaintBobby]

Piss poor that we didn’t keep a clean sheet. Otherwise it was an acceptable evening. 

[sfc4prem]

59 minutes ago, trousers said:

Great interview with Leo... Such a humble level-headed chap 👍🏻

 

 

This man speaks so fucking eloquently in a second language. Love him.

[Micky]

Arses view..!

https://youtu.be/YpUjMB-NeL4?si=OCsnNZMNFQ86itta

[LuckyNumber7]

I have to be honest, I didn't really feel enthused about this game before hand and wanted us to concentrate on getting promoted. But as soon as I stepped foot inside St Mary's you could feel the energy and it just felt like something special was going to happen.

So so proud of the team, manager and players. What a job Tonda has done. That was a mammoth performance and we totally deserved that win against a strong Arsenal side.

Fuck it, let's concentrate on the cup, who cares about the PL anyway!

 

[SaintBobby]

5 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Shea Charles coming on to score a screamer.

😮

[Kingsland Codger]

Arsenal have scored 23 goals from set-pieces this season, with 16 of these from corners (source: William Hill). Why did they play so few of their corners last night into the six-yard box? Instead they opted for short-corners - a ploy that didn't come off. Not playing to one's strengths is a novel strategy but more fool them for trying it!

Source William Hill

 

Edited 17 hours ago by Kingsland Codger

[Give it to Ron]

7 hours ago, trousers said:

Interesting to hear THB praising Azaz when he was getting a bit of flack during the game on here

Because people on here during games know fck all just go back and read it Jeesh! So different than being there  crowd, Bragg, Fellows and Azaz all criticised yet in ground all thought were good. 
Especially Saints Royalty who must be Andrew who didn’t even understand that Bragg started because Charles played for Ireland during break and leggy.

[Give it to Ron]

 

[Whitey Grandad]

14 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

 

They seem rather pleased with themselves. I'm surprised they've still got the energy.

[John B]

On 23/03/2026 at 11:05, Midfield_General said:

Like a top ten Premier League team? 

15 days ago

I apologise for my original comment what a great result with all players contributing to a great night even my eldest daughter ad wife were excited

[Football Special]

Last night is definitely up there as one of the best nights at St Mary's, I was Itchen Centre for a change and atmosphere was even good around there plenty giving loud vocal support, the bounce from the Northam end when the winning goal went in , beautiful to see. 

Can't believe what a turnaround it's been, from Nathan Wood telling us to fuck off to now a real sense of unity and such a feelgood factor running throughout the club, fanbase and team buzzing for a trip to Wembley again,  can't stop watching the highlights 

YELLOWS 

[Football Special]

31 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

They seem rather pleased with themselves. I'm surprised they've still got the energy.

Adrenaline pumping,  fans the same, many were still singing in the stadium and outside long after final whistle, wouldn't surprise me if some are still there now 

[Football Special]

Is Manning suspended for the semi final?

[RedWillie]

Been going for 52 years. That was up there with the best atmosphere i can remember at home. When the concourses are bouncing at half time at home, you know its a good day 😀 Que serà, serà 😇

Edited 16 hours ago by RedWillie

[Saint_clark]

6 hours ago, the boy from saints said:

Are you judging from the TV? Best atmosphere since West Brom.

Not before the 2nd goal it wasn't. As Trousers said though, maybe it was just the BBC mics - wouldn't be surprised if they just had them set up by the Arsenal fans and nowhere else.

Edited 16 hours ago by Saint_clark

[Saint_clark]

6 hours ago, trousers said:

 

There was a period before we scored where the crowd seemed very quiet on the TV. It obviously improved immensely after the goal and into the second half. It might just have just been poor pick-up from the BBC mics of course, but it definitely came across as quite a flat atmosphere for a while before the first goal. 

It didn't properly pick up till after the 2nd but to be fair to the fans I think it might have just been a case of thinking "ok cool, but we all know what's going to happen here". After the 2nd the atmosphere changed completely and there was actual belief about the place.

[RedWillie]

15 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Is Manning suspended for the semi final?

I believe yellows are  wiped clean after the 1/4 finals so he's clear.

 

Are yellow cards wiped after quarter-finals of FA Cup?

 

 

If a player picks up two yellow cards in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, they will miss their next match in that competition (although these are wiped clean at the quarter-final stage). The same applies to UEFA and international games.

[Mr X]

9 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Larins been poor since coming on.

Don't think we should exercise the buy option in my opinion unless he's very cheap 

[Saint_clark]

Just now, Mr X said:

Don't think we should exercise the buy option in my opinion unless he's very cheap 

If we miss out on promotion and he's happy to come here permanently, I would. But yeah if we go up we should be aiming for much better.

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, RedWillie said:

I believe yellows are  wiped clean after the 1/4 finals so he's clear.

 

Are yellow cards wiped after quarter-finals of FA Cup?

 

 

If a player picks up two yellow cards in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, they will miss their next match in that competition (although these are wiped clean at the quarter-final stage). The same applies to UEFA and international games.

That's only if they're on one, so that picking up a 2nd in the semi final doesn't ban you from the final. 

Manning is suspended, so hopefully Welington is fit for the end of the month.

[Badger]

21 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Is Manning suspended for the semi final?

Heard on Solent in the car back that he is. 

[Mr X]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

If we miss out on promotion and he's happy to come here permanently, I would. But yeah if we go up we should be aiming for much better.

He's good at holding the ball up (apart from last night) but far to slow at every thing else 

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, Mr X said:

He's good at holding the ball up (apart from last night) but far to slow at every thing else 

Even last night though the one time he did successfully hold the ball up it led to the winner. He's another one making himself a bit of a cult hero along with Scienza and Peretz.

[Badger]

9 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Convinced he was Hitlers right hand man in a past life 

Of course he was. But what do you expect when Marcus Liebherr  had been a commander in an SS tank division during the war ? 
 

Pretty impressive as he wasn’t born at the time. Another Great Portsmyth from one of the websites. 

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, Badger said:

Of course he was. But what do you expect when Marcus Liebherr  had been a commander in an SS tank division during the war ? 
 

Pretty impressive as he wasn’t born at the time. Another Great Portsmyth from one of the websites. 

You just reminded me of one of my all time favourite photoshops, Markus wearing a German WW2 helmet poking his beaming head out of the top of a Panzer tank with a demolished Fratton Park behind him. If anyone has that saved throw it on here, haven't seen it in so long. 

[Football Special]

11 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

That's only if they're on one, so that picking up a 2nd in the semi final doesn't ban you from the final. 

Manning is suspended, so hopefully Welington is fit for the end of the month.

Thanks, very harsh on Manning 

[Badger]

25 minutes ago, RedWillie said:

Been going for 52 years. That was up there with the best atmosphere i can remember at home. When the concourses are bouncing at half time at home, you know its a good day 😀 Que serà, serà 😇

56 years for me and agree with this. Easily one of -  if not - the best at St Mary’s.  
 

The Dell had quite a few over the years, but these were usually seen through a child’s eyes until 17 then a blur of alcohol. The great escape years had a few and some good ones in the 70’s and 80’s 

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

You just reminded me of one of my all time favourite photoshops, Markus wearing a German WW2 helmet poking his beaming head out of the top of a Panzer tank with a demolished Fratton Park behind him. If anyone has that saved throw it on here, haven't seen it in so long. 

Sounds good. Surprised it hasn’t made it onto a T shirt.
 

Probably not in good taste for the club shop though 

[RedWillie]

22 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

That's only if they're on one, so that picking up a 2nd in the semi final doesn't ban you from the final. 

Manning is suspended, so hopefully Welington is fit for the end of the month.

Im still not sure . It says all yellow cards are wiped after 1/4 finals...

 

 

What are the rules for FA Cup suspensions?

Here are the rules for FA Cup suspensions¹:

Yellow Card Suspensions:

- Players who receive 2 yellow cards in the FA Cup will be suspended for one match, but only within the FA Cup competition.
- The yellow card suspensions are wiped clean after the quarter-final stage, meaning players won't miss the semi-final or final due to accumulated yellow cards.
- For teams that enter the FA Cup in the qualifying rounds or first round, players receive a suspension after 4 yellow cards. For teams that enter in the third round, players receive a suspension after 2 yellow cards.

Red Card Suspensions:

- Red cards in the FA Cup carry over to other domestic competitions, including the Premier League.
- The suspension period for red cards covers the Premier League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup.
- The length of the suspension depends on the type of red card offense:
    - 2 yellow cards: 1 game suspension
    - Denying a goal or goal-scoring opportunity: 1 game suspension
    - Offensive language or gestures: 2 game suspension
    - Serious foul play or violent conduct: 3 game suspension
    - Spitting: 6 game suspension

Suspension Rules Across Competitions:

- FA Cup yellow card suspensions do not carry over to the Premier League or other domestic competitions.
- Premier League yellow card suspensions do not carry over to the FA Cup or EFL Cup.
- Red card suspensions, however, can be served across multiple competitions.

[egg]

3 minutes ago, RedWillie said:

Im still not sure . It says all yellow cards are wiped after 1/4 finals...

 

 

What are the rules for FA Cup suspensions?

Here are the rules for FA Cup suspensions¹:

Yellow Card Suspensions:

- Players who receive 2 yellow cards in the FA Cup will be suspended for one match, but only within the FA Cup competition.
- The yellow card suspensions are wiped clean after the quarter-final stage, meaning players won't miss the semi-final or final due to accumulated yellow cards.
- For teams that enter the FA Cup in the qualifying rounds or first round, players receive a suspension after 4 yellow cards. For teams that enter in the third round, players receive a suspension after 2 yellow cards.

Red Card Suspensions:

- Red cards in the FA Cup carry over to other domestic competitions, including the Premier League.
- The suspension period for red cards covers the Premier League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup.
- The length of the suspension depends on the type of red card offense:
    - 2 yellow cards: 1 game suspension
    - Denying a goal or goal-scoring opportunity: 1 game suspension
    - Offensive language or gestures: 2 game suspension
    - Serious foul play or violent conduct: 3 game suspension
    - Spitting: 6 game suspension

Suspension Rules Across Competitions:

- FA Cup yellow card suspensions do not carry over to the Premier League or other domestic competitions.
- Premier League yellow card suspensions do not carry over to the FA Cup or EFL Cup.
- Red card suspensions, however, can be served across multiple competitions.

AI interpretation...

While the rules do state that yellow cards are wiped clean after the quarter-finals to prevent players from missing the final due to accumulated cards, this "amnesty" applies after the quarter-final is finished. Any pending suspensions, or suspensions earned during the quarter-final, must still be served. 

[Saint_clark]

4 minutes ago, RedWillie said:

Im still not sure . It says all yellow cards are wiped after 1/4 finals...

 

 

What are the rules for FA Cup suspensions?

Here are the rules for FA Cup suspensions¹:

Yellow Card Suspensions:

- Players who receive 2 yellow cards in the FA Cup will be suspended for one match, but only within the FA Cup competition.
- The yellow card suspensions are wiped clean after the quarter-final stage, meaning players won't miss the semi-final or final due to accumulated yellow cards.
- For teams that enter the FA Cup in the qualifying rounds or first round, players receive a suspension after 4 yellow cards. For teams that enter in the third round, players receive a suspension after 2 yellow cards.

Red Card Suspensions:

- Red cards in the FA Cup carry over to other domestic competitions, including the Premier League.
- The suspension period for red cards covers the Premier League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup.
- The length of the suspension depends on the type of red card offense:
    - 2 yellow cards: 1 game suspension
    - Denying a goal or goal-scoring opportunity: 1 game suspension
    - Offensive language or gestures: 2 game suspension
    - Serious foul play or violent conduct: 3 game suspension
    - Spitting: 6 game suspension

Suspension Rules Across Competitions:

- FA Cup yellow card suspensions do not carry over to the Premier League or other domestic competitions.
- Premier League yellow card suspensions do not carry over to the FA Cup or EFL Cup.
- Red card suspensions, however, can be served across multiple competitions.

Huh, sounds like you're right then. Bizarre that the commentators wouldn't have the right information.

Edit; oh wait just realised you asked an AI and that isn't just lifted right from the FA website. 

Edited 15 hours ago by Saint_clark

[sambosa75]

Why are Arsenal fan’s tears so god damn bloody delicious?  By far the most arrogant, deluded, wanky set of fans out there.  Bar none.  

[Plastic]

17 minutes ago, Badger said:

56 years for me and agree with this. Easily one of -  if not - the best at St Mary’s.  
 

The Dell had quite a few over the years, but these were usually seen through a child’s eyes until 17 then a blur of alcohol. The great escape years had a few and some good ones in the 70’s and 80’s 

This was my first cup game at st Mary’s for nearly 10 years, a probably the best atmosphere of any Saints game I’ve been to, including the Milan win. Even Itchen was singing for most of the game! 

[Sheaf Saint]

Putting any faith in anything from either a football commentator or an AI is a bit foolish. Let's wait and get clarification from the club.

And while I don't want to detract from an amazing night and a superb team performance, if there was one player last night who wouldn't be too badly missed in the next round (providing his ready made replacement is fit, of course), it's Manning.

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Putting any faith in anything from either a football commentator or an AI is a bit foolish. Let's wait and get clarification from the club.

And while I don't want to detract from an amazing night and a superb team performance, if there was one player last night who wouldn't be too badly missed in the next round (providing his ready made replacement is fit, of course), it's Manning.

The Solent comment I heard was based on an interview with Manning 

[Badger]

8 minutes ago, sambosa75 said:

Why are Arsenal fan’s tears so god damn bloody delicious?  By far the most arrogant, deluded, wanky set of fans out there.  Bar none.  

Everton, spurs ?? 

[Patches O Houlihan]

5 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Putting any faith in anything from either a football commentator or an AI is a bit foolish. Let's wait and get clarification from the club.

And while I don't want to detract from an amazing night and a superb team performance, if there was one player last night who wouldn't be too badly missed in the next round (providing his ready made replacement is fit, of course), it's Manning.

I think that's a bit unfair - he has played (and defended) bloody well the last few games.

In the red button section of the iPlayer post match THB was interviewed and if you haven't seen it, it is well worth a watch. Credits Tonda with giving him some personal positioning coaching which is responsible for having turned around his form this season. Maybe Tonda has given Manning some tips on defending too.

That said Welington can be a great option for us.

Edited 15 hours ago by Patches O Houlihan

[Badger]

3 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

That said Welington can be a great option for us.

It’s a strange debate for LB, in my book they’re equally good, and equally bad. 
 

I’ve not seen the attraction for Wellington that others do (and for some the main thing is that he isn’t Manning) but Manning shades it for me. 

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

I think that's a bit unfair - he has played (and defended) bloody well the last few games.

In the red button section of the iPlayer post match THB was interviewed and if you haven't seen it, it is well worth a watch. Credits Tonda with giving him some personal positioning coaching which is responsible for having turned around his form this season. Maybe Tonda has given Manning some tips on defending too.

That said Welington can be a great option for us.

Yep. He had a good game. The tactics of leaving Leo high up the pitch for the wide out ball left him with at least 2 on 1. As a full back in that situation, you can't get tight to a man, and have to watch the Man plus runners. It's not an easy role and he did well. 

[Plastic]

Manning did a great job of neutralising Madueke when he came on, stopping him from cutting inside and keeping him wide. Thought he played well.

Edited 15 hours ago by Plastic

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Plastic said:

Manning did a great job of neutralising Madueke when he came on, stopping him from cutting inside and keeping him wide. Thought he played well.

He did, but there are some posters who would still criticise the lad if he scored 4 and helped us keep a clean sheet.

Play the performance, not the player. 

[Hussar Saint]

6 hours ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

I have to be honest, I didn't really feel enthused about this game before hand and wanted us to concentrate on getting promoted. But as soon as I stepped foot inside St Mary's you could feel the energy and it just felt like something special was going to happen.

So so proud of the team, manager and players. What a job Tonda has done. That was a mammoth performance and we totally deserved that win against a strong Arsenal side.

Fuck it, let's concentrate on the cup, who cares about the PL anyway!

 

I felt the same and some gimp on here told me that ‘football wasn’t for me’ 🙄

[Maggie May]

7 minutes ago, Plastic said:

Manning did a great job of neutralising Madueke when he came on, stopping him from cutting inside and keeping him wide. Thought he played well.

Agreed. Especially being on a yellow for a large chunk of the game.

[Patches O Houlihan]

For me it is not just about the merits of Manning v Welington - but also how they interact with Leo ahead of them. 

Manning likes to get forward, can be quite physical for a smaller guy, and is a streetwise Championship player (he was using all the tricks against that handy Arsenal nipper last night)

Welington is probably a better pure defender and literally speaks Leo's language (but not just in a speaking style, but having played with creative futsal types plenty earlier in his career)

I think Leo feels more confident to be forward with Welly behind him, and Leo's defending can be a little powder puff at times despite putting the effort in, so that is probably a net benefit.

Even the set piece delivery we don't take a step back when Welly plays - we have Bree for right foot options, and Leo for left foot options. 

I think it is pretty even between them and down to form and fitness.

Great to have the competition in the squad - having four good midfield options feels like such a luxury at this end of the season.

Edited 14 hours ago by Patches O Houlihan

[coalman]

21 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

I think that's a bit unfair - he has played (and defended) bloody well the last few games.

In the red button section of the iPlayer post match THB was interviewed and if you haven't seen it, it is well worth a watch. Credits Tonda with giving him some personal positioning coaching which is responsible for having turned around his form this season. Maybe Tonda has given Manning some tips on defending too.

That said Welington can be a great option for us.

If I'd seen Manning in team 4 months ago I would've died a little inside. Over the last month and a half that has changed. He seems to be in better positions and making better decisions. Fair play to the lad.

[spyinthesky]

In amongst the plaudits for our lads, I was really impressed by the performance of the 16 year old Dowman.
What a performance from such a young lad although I thought Manning played him well, especially after his yellow card when a misplaced tackle could have ended up with a red card.
How much did Kepa cost? Perez much better and what about Ben White?
Should have been sent off for numerous bad tackles.
In comparison Bree was far better.