Wrexham vs. Saints - Tuesday 8pm

[Dark Munster]

Who's looking forward to this? 😀

[SNSUN]

The big games keep on coming! I think this as a "do not lose" situation over a "win or bust" - although of course a win would be huge for what we want to achieve this season. But everyone has bad days and if we are going to have a bad day in the run in - then this is the one we need to avoid defeat in more than any other. We have six more chances after this to get the points we need to finish in the play-offs. Wrexham going 4 points ahead of us would not be good (mentally) with time running out - even though we have a game in hand. 

That said we seem bang up for everything at the moment. The lads are fighting hard and it seems like they have real belief that this could be a successful season in one way or another. I just hope there is no hangover from the Arsenal game.

Heart says 2-1 Saints, head is going for a 1-1.

[Harry_SFC]

Peretz, Bree, THB, Wood, Manning, Downes, Charles, Matsuki, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart/Larin.

I Expect Downes and Matsuki to come in as they are fresh and Wood to keep his place if Stephens is still out. Charles should also be starting. 

A point would be better for us than them. They will only have 2 home games left after this and we'll have 4 with a game in hand.  

[Football Special]

19 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Peretz, Bree, THB, Wood, Manning, Downes, Charles, Matsuki, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart/Larin.

I Expect Downes and Matsuki to come in as they are fresh and Wood to keep his place if Stephens is still out. Charles should also be starting. 

A point would be better for us than them. They will only have 2 home games left after this and we'll have 4 with a game in hand.  

From what I hear, Stephens and Welington should be available if Tonda wants more fresh legs , no one will want a rest though 

I think this will be like WBA after Fulham away, could struggle a bit,  prediction 1-1 

Edited yesterday at 06:12 by Football Special

[goodymatt]

Very much looking forward to going to this one. Feels like we are a serious club again, on a roll (15 unbeaten and counting). Moore being fit for them is a shame as he will cause us problems, draw would be ok but we can win this.

[LGTL]

Can’t wait for this, nice to tick off a new ground too. Play anywhere near our best and we should have too much for them, but you imagine there might be a slight hangover from yesterday so would expect to see a couple of changes. 

[coalman]

The Saints way would've been a heroic defeat against Arsenal followed by not turning up against Wrexham. The bit which scares me is I am starting to believe we'll show up to this match as well. And, it's the hope that kills you.

Saints to win 3-1.

[Patches O Houlihan]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

I think this will be like WBA after Fulham away, could struggle a bit,  prediction 1-1 

I'm hoping that Tonda will have rammed this lesson down their throats and everyone will do their best to avoid that atmosphere. Certainly that was the way all the players were speaking in interviews last night and Tonda is very clearly 'walking the walk' judging by his interviews.

[Lighthouse]

Weather looking pretty decent for Tuesday into Wednesday, shame I can't go this would've been a cracking new ground and away day to tick off. I hope Saints don't pull off the cliche of 'the football ruins the trip' for the fans who are there.

[whelk]

Martin Samuel just said Wrexham will be the thinking fucking hell not Southampton,  they look the team. Or something like that. 1-3

[markr27]

Downes and Matsuki will come back in I suspect for Bragg and Fellows, and Charles probably for Jander.

Otherwise unchanged. 

[St Chalet]

Both Bragg and Fellows would be unlucky to miss out based on their performances, but freshness might be key.

[markr27]

Just now, St Chalet said:

Both Bragg and Fellows would be unlucky to miss out based on their performances, but freshness might be key.

I think they'll both be in and out of the team through to the end of the season, given its certain  to be Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday games from now on!

[James G]

I think we'll win the first half, Wrexham will win the second half. 

Wrexham play 343, we'll probably need to play similar to how we played Arsenal, it'll be the long ball, direct football that unlocks them. They usually score from corners and set pieces

I see it being high scoring, so I'll go for 3-3 just because we had the Arsenal game and can see tiredness being a factor second half. It'll be Scienza and Azaz scoring. This will be Fellows chance to get a goal too.

[S-Clarke]

I was pleased it wasn't a dragged out ET, because that would have been tough. But we actually came through last nights game being able to make strategic subs (Leo/Stewart) and still win - and I don't think we were back to the walls or 'blowing' out of our arses either. 

Wrexham will be an entirely different challenge though, I notice they've got Moore back - and that's a different challenge than we've faced for a while.

[Saint_Tony]

So nervous for this, although feels like must win for Wrexham and must not lose for us. Hopefully last night hasn't taken too much out of us. At least we still have a few options to bring in so I'd expect Larin, Downes, Matsuki and Charles to all start. Also wouldn't be surprised if we see Welington in for Manning and a Scienza benching. watched a few Wrexham games this season; their most influential player is Rathbone who seems to be used more as an impact sub. Think this will be an edgy encounter with more pressure on them. Going to go for a 1-1, which will at least keep us in the hunt for 6th place. 

[RedArmy]

Going to be a tough game. Moore came off the bench for them on Friday so there’s a good chance they’ll start him on Tuesday. 
 

If we want to enjoy moments like last night we have to accept that the players will struggle to get themselves up for it as much on Tuesday and we might see a similar performance to West Brom. 
 

Downes missing yesterday’s game will be a bonus as he’ll be raring to go and that will help us massively, hopefully Stephens back in too. 
 

If Hull lose tomorrow night I’d certainly take a point. 
 

 

[Midfield_General]

Wrexham are sending t a dossier to the head of referees to try and pressure them into giving more penalties:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpd51wevy79o

Edited yesterday at 11:58 by Midfield_General

[Toadhall Saint]

3 hours ago, markr27 said:

I think they'll both be in and out of the team through to the end of the season, given its certain  to be Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday games from now on!

Part of Tondas mo. He listens a lot to the fitness/medical team. Which imho is starting to pay off esp when you get to this time of the season.

[Saint_clark]

Manning was properly struggling at the end so expect to see Welington back in.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Wrexham are sending t a dossier to the head of referees to try and pressure them into giving more penalties:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpd51wevy79o

Could be dark arts to try to sway refs to give them decisions, but also shows an insecure side where they have a victim mentality "it's not fair, it's someone else's fault" 

[Stud mark of doom]

A draw with no key injuries will be fine in terms of remaining on course for the play offs.

A win and we are starting to look extremely well placed. 
 

 

[Whitey Grandad]

7 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Could be dark arts to try to sway refs to give them decisions, but also shows an insecure side where they have a victim mentality "it's not fair, it's someone else's fault" 

That usually works the other way.

[Chris cooper]

Keep wood in for me but think Tonda will reintroduce captain Jack 

[benjii]

A draw isn't bad here. A win is brilliant.

Defence picks itself really. If Stephens is fit, as well as Wood played, I'd bring him back.

Downes and Charles in midfield to keep things fresh.

Fellows, Azaz, Scienza.

Larin.

 

Stewart is class, but let's look after him.

Fellows played well yesterday and deserves another start.

 

[Badger]

4 hours ago, Football Special said:

Could be dark arts to try to sway refs to give them decisions, but also shows an insecure side where they have a victim mentality "it's not fair, it's someone else's fault" 

No surprise. Wrexham isn’t far from Merseyside as the crow flies. 

[Badger]

22 minutes ago, benjii said:

A draw isn't bad here. A win is brilliant.

Defence picks itself really. If Stephens is fit, as well as Wood played, I'd bring him back.

Downes and Charles in midfield to keep things fresh.

Fellows, Azaz, Scienza.

Larin.

 

Stewart is class, but let's look after him.

Fellows played well yesterday and deserves another start.

 

Agree with this. In recent weeks Tonda has used the squad well. Downes and Charles in central MF for me. Fellows probably on for first hour. Stewart rested for Derby. 

[coalman]

19 minutes ago, Badger said:

Agree with this. In recent weeks Tonda has used the squad well. Downes and Charles in central MF for me. Fellows probably on for first hour. Stewart rested for Derby. 

For the first time in ages it feels like we have credible options if we need to change.

[die Mannyschaft]

We are definitely building confidence in our game and if the application and work rate is replicated v Wrexham then its  Saints 2-0 win.

[Andy Hill]

Must win for Wrexham really - so we need to be at it from the 1st whistle.1st goal so important.

[Jack]

Had a glance on their forum and a couple of people saying they’re vulnerable to pacy/tricky wingers. Would be great for Fellows to find some form, Sceinza back fit, Welington too maybe 

[Harry_SFC]

Let's hope our players don't do what Coventry's did when they reached the FA cup semi final against Manchester United.

Their league form fell off a cliff.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Tonda and the players seemed to indicate they'd already switched their attention to this game.

Hopefully the players can rouse themselves to go again. 

Like others said, I'd go with Downes and Charles. Defence will have Moore to deal with, so need to be ready for plenty of balls in.

However Saints do look like a team that likes to break so they will need to be cautious too.

[Saint Pete]

27 minutes ago, Jack said:

Had a glance on their forum and a couple of people saying they’re vulnerable to pacy/tricky wingers. Would be great for Fellows to find some form, Sceinza back fit, Welington too maybe 

I thought Fellows had a decent game last night, does look like he's getting his confidence back in terms of his general wing play, showed up well against that opposition. Just needs to show more composure in shooting positions, but he's still worth his place on that form in my opinion. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

In case anyone is in any doubt, there is no way Stewart should or will start this one. Unless we want him to get injured again

[Charlie Wayman]

Team picks itself after yesterday's exhustive exertions;

Peretz; Bree, THB, Stephens, Manning; Downes, Charles, Azaz; Matsuki Scienza, Stewart

No doubt Wrexham have been watching the video of last night's match against Arsenal a few dozen times today. If we can reproduce that form amd commitment there should be only one winner.

 

[Saint Pete]

52 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Team picks itself after yesterday's exhustive exertions;

Peretz; Bree, THB, Stephens, Manning; Downes, Charles, Azaz; Matsuki Scienza, Stewart

No doubt Wrexham have been watching the video of last night's match against Arsenal a few dozen times today. If we can reproduce that form amd commitment there should be only one winner.

 

Agree with that except I would start Fellows instead of Matsuki as long as his fitness is OK after last night. He looked like he was returning to form so would be good to keep his confidence flowing. Also, Larin may start instead of Stewart purely to protect him from potential injury and with another key game coming up v Derby.

[Sir Ralph]

There will be some rotation in midfield and up front.  I’d expect wood to start with the threat of Moore, Downes, Matuski, Larin, Charles are all fresh

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Had a quick look at the Wrexham forum and it’s fair to say a lot of them are fearful of us after watching the Arsenal game. 
 

Amazingly, one of them pointed out that our starting lineup v Arsenal didn’t contain a single player who also started v Wrexham in the first game of the season. 

[Harry_SFC]

49 minutes ago, for_heaven's_Saint said:

Had a quick look at the Wrexham forum and it’s fair to say a lot of them are fearful of us after watching the Arsenal game. 
 

Amazingly, one of them pointed out that our starting lineup v Arsenal didn’t contain a single player who also started v Wrexham in the first game of the season. 

That's a bit crazy when you think about it. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

20 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

That's a bit crazy when you think about it. 

A quick peek showed it to be...

Baz, Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie, Sugawara, Downes, Charles, Welington, Fraser, Robinson and Armstrong.

5 away on loan/ left. 

[Gloucester Saint]

4 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

A quick peek showed it to be...

Baz, Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie, Sugawara, Downes, Charles, Welington, Fraser, Robinson and Armstrong.

5 away on loan/ left. 

Jack rested, Downes suspended, Charles on bench, Welington and Jay injured. But it’s an astonishing statistic and a good spot by the Wrexham fans.

Amongst the subs, Fernandes to Hammers and Downs to Hamburg (sadly only a loan). 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Jack rested, Downes suspended, Charles on bench, Welington and Jay injured. But it’s an astonishing statistic and a good spot by the Wrexham fans.

Amongst the subs, Fernandes to Hammers and Downs to Hamburg (sadly only a loan). 

I went in this king it might actually be more than the 5. I was thinking Fernandes might have started. I'd forgotten (scrubbed from my memory) Downs.

Like you say, a good spot. And a reminder of the massive clear out that was going on in the summer. 

Also, with Quarshie a bit more at the periphery, and Downs, that the new approach at the time, like 3 at the back, would be replaced too.

[Saint_clark]

22 hours ago, Stud mark of doom said:

A draw with no key injuries will be fine in terms of remaining on course for the play offs.

A win and we are starting to look extremely well placed. 
 

 

We're currently 9 points off automatic with a game in hand. F*ck taking a draw, let's win every game and sneak an automatic place last game of the season.

By the way, Saints to finish in the top 2 is 50/1 on Skybet for anyone who feels like losing the plot like me. 

Edited 11 hours ago by Saint_clark

[sockeye]

Need to keep barrelling over teams so we can head into the playoffs with momentum which will affect our opponents psychologically.

[WokingSaint]

On 05/04/2026 at 06:51, Harry_SFC said:

Peretz, Bree, THB, Wood, Manning, Downes, Charles, Matsuki, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart/Larin.

I Expect Downes and Matsuki to come in as they are fresh and Wood to keep his place if Stephens is still out. Charles should also be starting. 

A point would be better for us than them. They will only have 2 home games left after this and we'll have 4 with a game in hand.  

What about Fellows and Bragg ?

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

We're currently 9 points off automatic with a game in hand. F*ck taking a draw, let's win every game and sneak an automatic place last game of the season.

By the way, Saints to finish in the top 2 is 50/1 on Skybet for anyone who feels like losing the plot like me. 

Ipswich 3 games in hand though, and won’t want to do the skates any favours with one of the games in hand after two postponements, one very late, the other game being at SMS.

[Saint_clark]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Ipswich 3 games in hand though, and won’t want to do the skates any favours with one of the games in hand after two postponements, one very late, the other game being at SMS.

Ipswich have two games in hand after today and one of them is against us.

[Toadhall Saint]

Away win

[Charlie Wayman]

8 hours ago, for_heaven's_Saint said:

Had a quick look at the Wrexham forum and it’s fair to say a lot of them are fearful of us after watching the Arsenal game. 
 

Amazingly, one of them pointed out that our starting lineup v Arsenal didn’t contain a single player who also started v Wrexham in the first game of the season. 

We must keep focussed on the importance of winning this game and not become complacent by underestimating the challenge we face. Wrexham are a very good team, at least as good as us and have their own sights set on being in the PL next season. It's a six pointer for them as well as us.

Fans may be fearful but Wrexham players won't be, they will be well up for the challenge of besting a side that has just beaten Arsenal especially in front of theri own fans.