Saints 2-0 Oxford - Match Thread

[malcolm waldron]

2 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Interesting. There might be mileage in having a poster seeing both sides of things, on an ongoing basis. 🙂

I think Baz did make a significant difference to our fortunes. He was a key part in Russball. It played perfectly to Baz's strengths and made Martin's tactic much more effective. We still see the benefits of it, playing out from the back.

I was in the pack of "could he have done better?" for quite a while, before the penny dropped that he very rarely did. Low and to the left. Low and to the left.

I agree there are always other factors. But the moment McCarthy and Peretz came in, you could see the defence look a lot more comfortable as a unit. 

As much as I wanted Baz to do well, it's been a significant improvement.

I also think high and to the right was also a weak spot for him.  Everton at home and Ipswich away being obvious examples...

[Wade Garrett]

5 hours ago, Football Special said:

Down side of those tactics is it doesn't make for great entertainment, but who can complain with a 2-0 home win, we tried it before like WBA at home where it nearly back fired but players look more comfortable implementing it now 

Agreed.  Apart from Downes brain fart we were comfortable.

[Badger]

On 21/03/2026 at 16:37, goodymatt said:

I’d have left Fellows on, he was looking dangerous

Agree with this. We looked weaker, and Oxford a lot more comfortable on that side after Fellows went off. 
 

Matsuki offered very little. 
 

[Badger]

Lots of positives yesterday.

Tonda’s team selection and subs showed a good use of the squad. Archer was a questionable one but we got away with it. 
 

Three points, and no more injuries as far as we’re aware. 
 

It’s in our own hands. No one saw that in November. 
 

Negatives from yesterday,but nothing too significant or new, shame Fellows didn’t break his duck, and Archer remains shit. 

Edited Sunday at 19:49 by Badger

[spyinthesky]

I had hoped that Cam Archer would work well as the second striker but once again it was difficult to find any part of his game that provided a hint that he is a player worthy of his place, especially one who cost us £10m-£15m.

[Badger]

7 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

I had hoped that Cam Archer would work well as the second striker but once again it was difficult to find any part of his game that provided a hint that he is a player worthy of his place, especially one who cost us £10m-£15m.

Thought it a good match to try that option and rest others but Archer didn’t do anything to give confidence that we should repeat it against better opposition.

 

[redandwhitey]

Don’t be too harsh, don’t forget Archer set up Charles brilliantly for his tap in !! 

[Totton Saint]

On 21/03/2026 at 20:17, Jimmy_D said:

For me it’s close between Shea’s today and Martina’s against Arsenal for goals I’ve seen with my own eyes.

I saw Martina's goal when watching on a pub TV. Was he also known as Coco and followed Koeman to Everton.

 

[lumuah]

On 21/03/2026 at 16:37, goodymatt said:

I’d have left Fellows on, he was looking dangerous

Fellows consistently made intelligent runs down the wing in plenty of space ready for a ball over the top that never came. It's like they didn't want to pass it to him. 

When THB actually delivered that ball Fellows was behind his man and a goal came from it. 

We need to be looking for that ball to the wings when there was so much space.

[OldNick]

On 22/03/2026 at 11:29, Lighthouse said:

 

Two years ago we averaged 91 points with 'the disaster' in goal, which is better than we managed with Kelvin in 2012. I can live with that personally, I don't feel the need for hyperbole.

Didntour form improve after Macca came in and our defence improved. Im not sure how many games Maca played in the later part of the season but we looked a lot more secure

[sledger]

23 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

Agreed.  Apart from Downes brain fart we were comfortable.

downes pass wasnt great but THB still should have dealt with it,just tried to be to clever.