Pre Season Friendlies 2026/27

[Zorba]

30 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Does that need anything running as doesn’t seem to work on my iPhone safari

download firefox from app store then copy and paste that link

[CSA96]

Second half XI:

Long

Bree
Wood
Quarshie
Manning

Charles
Matsuki

Fellows
Archer
Akachukwu

Oyekunle

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

5 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

believe me Double D's are a hell of an upgrade on AA's

Phwooar check out the voltage on these 

[CSA96]

 

[PerthshireSaint]

Oooo

[CSA96]

Should be 2-0. Fellows good down the right again, cuts it back for Archer but a Braunschweig defender gets a toe on it

[obelisk]

Presumably the plan was to spend some time practising fannying around with the ball in our own defensive areas.

[obelisk]

Fellows shoots ... over the bar. Consistency is to be valued.

[saintant]

6 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Presumably the plan was to spend some time practising fannying around with the ball in our own defensive areas.

Eventually we always revert to Russball.

[CSA96]

FT: Eintracht Braunschweig 0-1 Southampton

[Harry_SFC]

Archer looks pretty sharp so far in pre season.

Might be in the minority but I'd keep him.

[Give it to Ron]

I thought it was a good competitive game and good pace for pre season.

Bit wasteful in final third and we do need Larin mk2. Young lads did ok but that final ball lets them down.

We moved ball about nicely at times but hard to judge how good opposition was. 
Good test at this time of pre season.

[ItchenRob]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

http://www.fawanews.sc/Braunschweig vs Southampton.html

 

Thanks for posting this. Worked v well for me (on an Android).

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Toadhall Saint said:

 Very well taken and seems to be bulking up.

I’m shocked by that clip!

[John Boy Saint]

2 hours ago, CSA96 said:

“Round the keeper - phew” “breath” “don’t fuck it up SaintWeb will butcher me if I do” “ hold - hold- kick it” 

……..”Yay I scored - when’s the World Cup?!”.

 

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

“Round the keeper - phew” “breath” “don’t fuck it up SaintWeb will butcher me if I do” “ hold - hold- kick it” 

……..”Yay I scored - when’s the World Cup?!”.

 

World class finish 

[CB Fry]

Damion Downs didn't score in the first pre-season match but he did score in his second.

If he keeps this up...

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Took me a couple of views to realise we were playing in white

[Harry_SFC]

Lol he beats the keeper with a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction, then beats the defender with an inadvertent touch onto himself. 

Edited yesterday at 22:15 by Harry_SFC

[CSA96]

I missed it myself, but apparently Adam Blackmore mentioned on commentary that there's a training ground game against Paderborn (newly-promoted to the Bundesliga) in the middle of the week, before the camp ends with the game against Preußen Münster

[CSA96]

3 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Lol he beats the keeper with a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction, then beats the defender with an inadvertent touch onto himself. 

I find the need for some of the fanbase to routinely pick on/mock Downs, even when he's done nothing to warrant it, quite tedious. Even before the goal there were various fans online performatively moaning about him when his performance and effort levels were fine and no different to the majority of the team

On the goal specifically, watch it back. He feints in that direction and very deliberately takes it round the outside of the keeper because he has a covering defender on the inside. It wasn't 'a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction' at all. He then beats the defender but as the defender slides past the ball does knock against his other leg and keep the ball in his stride, doing him a favour. But fair enough, that's hardly some sort of circus act that would only happen to Downs

He's got a lot to prove but it is so tiresome that even when he isn't being shit people have to try and rip the bloke

Edited 22 hours ago by CSA96

[Tamesaint]

4 hours ago, CSA96 said:

I find the need for some of the fanbase to routinely pick on/mock Downs, even when he's done nothing to warrant it, quite tedious. Even before the goal there were various fans online performatively moaning about him when his performance and effort levels were fine and no different to the majority of the team

On the goal specifically, watch it back. He feints in that direction and very deliberately takes it round the outside of the keeper because he has a covering defender on the inside. It wasn't 'a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction' at all. He then beats the defender but as the defender slides past the ball does knock against his other leg and keep the ball in his stride, doing him a favour. But fair enough, that's hardly some sort of circus act that would only happen to Downs

He's got a lot to prove but it is so tiresome that even when he isn't being shit people have to try and rip the bloke

Read one of the match day threads on here if you want to see real negativity towards our players.

[Saint_clark]

8 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Lol he beats the keeper with a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction, then beats the defender with an inadvertent touch onto himself. 

Literally just making stuff up to criticise him. Everything he did in that was deliberate. 

[CB Fry]

5 hours ago, CSA96 said:

I find the need for some of the fanbase to routinely pick on/mock Downs, even when he's done nothing to warrant it, quite tedious. Even before the goal there were various fans online performatively moaning about him when his performance and effort levels were fine and no different to the majority of the team

On the goal specifically, watch it back. He feints in that direction and very deliberately takes it round the outside of the keeper because he has a covering defender on the inside. It wasn't 'a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction' at all. He then beats the defender but as the defender slides past the ball does knock against his other leg and keep the ball in his stride, doing him a favour. But fair enough, that's hardly some sort of circus act that would only happen to Downs

He's got a lot to prove but it is so tiresome that even when he isn't being shit people have to try and rip the bloke

We spent eight million quid on him and one year later he scores a goal in a nothing pre season friendly. Not sure this is quite the moment for the "he's proved all the doubters wrong" open top bus parade.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, CB Fry said:

We spent eight million quid on him and one year later he scores a goal in a nothing pre season friendly. Not sure this is quite the moment for the "he's proved all the doubters wrong" open top bus parade.

Particularly because he did the same thing last preseason and scored a goal that was even better. We can celebrate his rehabilitation if he starts scoring in actual games that matter - though bringing him back and allowing him to take a squad place (and potentially not sign another striker) is a risk in itself.

[Jack]

Decent finish, big improvement on his airball attempt against Eastleigh. He’s still shit though 

[UpweySaint]

5 hours ago, CSA96 said:

I find the need for some of the fanbase to routinely pick on/mock Downs, even when he's done nothing to warrant it, quite tedious. Even before the goal there were various fans online performatively moaning about him when his performance and effort levels were fine and no different to the majority of the team

On the goal specifically, watch it back. He feints in that direction and very deliberately takes it round the outside of the keeper because he has a covering defender on the inside. It wasn't 'a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction' at all. He then beats the defender but as the defender slides past the ball does knock against his other leg and keep the ball in his stride, doing him a favour. But fair enough, that's hardly some sort of circus act that would only happen to Downs

He's got a lot to prove but it is so tiresome that even when he isn't being shit people have to try and rip the bloke

It’s a fair reflection. The context is important as it’s a long way from a competitive championship game but there is no need to deride him. The hope is it can translate. If he can add composure and utilise his physicality he could be a useful part of the squad. All “ifs” though but I suppose a big part of preseason is players like Downs being given a chance to demonstrate to Tonda if they are worth persevering with as a squad option for the season.

[macca155]

Pre season friendlies are all about fitness, form, and establishing strategy. I tend not to read too much into them. Having said that any win is a good win.

Good to see DD get a goal. He's young, and needs a decent loan to prove that he can score goals. I can't see a future at Saints though. 

One thing that annoys me about pre season is that some youngsters are given a chance, and seemingly take it. Sesay looked useful last year for example. Then never to be seen again. Always seems odd, considering the investment made.

[AlexLaw76]

after incredible assist against Wrexham 12 months ago, DD has added GOALS GOALS GOALS to his game.

Going to lead Poch's men to world soccer-ball glory in 2030

[Charlie Wayman]

11 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Lol he beats the keeper with a touch that was supposed to go in the opposite direction, then beats the defender with an inadvertent touch onto himself. 

Shame on you

[Harry_SFC]

35 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Shame on you

Fair play to him for scoring but he is a poor footballer. A goal in a pre season friendly is not going to change my opinion of him. 

[Harry_SFC]

It does make me laugh that some people seem to think that giving an observation or opinion on a player on an internet forum should be prohibited. 

Nothing I said was wrong - his first touch quite clearly didn't go where it was supposed to and the second was a fortuitous flick off the defender and he scored into an empty net. He did make a good run though so I'll give him that.

[suewhistle]

4 hours ago, CB Fry said:

We spent eight million quid on him and one year later he scores a goal in a nothing pre season friendly. Not sure this is quite the moment for the "he's proved all the doubters wrong" open top bus parade.

That's not what people are saying so stop making up arguments you can then mock. I'm afraid it's something you do quite often.

[RedArmy]

4 hours ago, CB Fry said:

We spent eight million quid on him and one year later he scores a goal in a nothing pre season friendly. Not sure this is quite the moment for the "he's proved all the doubters wrong" open top bus parade.

Let’s be honest he’s only involved because we don’t have any other strikers available until Larin returns and hopefully Stewart. 
 

He’s a fucking donkey. 

[CSA96]

5 hours ago, CB Fry said:

We spent eight million quid on him and one year later he scores a goal in a nothing pre season friendly. Not sure this is quite the moment for the "he's proved all the doubters wrong" open top bus parade.

Feel free to point out where I’ve said that. Just said that people tediously piling in is boring. I don’t disagree that he’s been a disappointment and a long way away from a £7m striker  

[CSA96]

1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said:

It does make me laugh that some people seem to think that giving an observation or opinion on a player on an internet forum should be prohibited. 

Nothing I said was wrong - his first touch quite clearly didn't go where it was supposed to and the second was a fortuitous flick off the defender and he scored into an empty net. He did make a good run though so I'll give him that.

You’ll do well to point out where anyone has said that opinions are prohibited. It seems that inventing scenarios is your thing

People are just irritated by the need to get a dig in at any expense, even if it’s unjustified 

Secondly, some of what you said was demonstrably wrong, to anyone who has watched the replays of the goal. It wasn’t a touch that went ‘in the opposite direction’ from where it was supposed to. It went where he wanted it to

I admit the follow up he got lucky with the bounce and managed to tap into an empty net but as Saint_Clark pointed out above, the first part is a scenario you’ve just invented for the sake of getting a cheap dig in, forgetting that we can all see what actually happened

Edited 11 hours ago by CSA96

[Harry_SFC]

29 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

You’ll do well to point out where anyone has said that opinions are prohibited. It seems that inventing scenarios is your thing

People are just irritated by the need to get a dig in at any expense, even if it’s unjustified 

Secondly, some of what you said was demonstrably wrong, to anyone who has watched the replays of the goal. It wasn’t a touch that went ‘in the opposite direction’ from where it was supposed to. It went where he wanted it to

I admit the follow up he got lucky with the bounce and managed to tap into an empty net but as Saint_Clark pointed out above, the first part is a scenario you’ve just invented for the sake of getting a cheap dig in, forgetting that we can all see what actually happened

Maybe you are analysing his touch around the keeper differently to me. Which is possible. In my opinion it looked like it was a lucky touch. But we will never know. 

[Saint_clark]

2 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

It does make me laugh that some people seem to think that giving an observation or opinion on a player on an internet forum should be prohibited. 

Nothing I said was wrong - his first touch quite clearly didn't go where it was supposed to and the second was a fortuitous flick off the defender and he scored into an empty net. He did make a good run though so I'll give him that.

Where do you think his first touch was supposed to go? To his left was a defender and right in front of him was the keeper. The only place he could go was to the keepers right, which is where he went. 

The second one did flick off the defender yes, but he still intended to cut back inside.

[BarberSaint]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

You’ll do well to point out where anyone has said that opinions are prohibited. It seems that inventing scenarios is your thing

People are just irritated by the need to get a dig in at any expense, even if it’s unjustified 

Secondly, some of what you said was demonstrably wrong, to anyone who has watched the replays of the goal. It wasn’t a touch that went ‘in the opposite direction’ from where it was supposed to. It went where he wanted it to

I admit the follow up he got lucky with the bounce and managed to tap into an empty net but as Saint_Clark pointed out above, the first part is a scenario you’ve just invented for the sake of getting a cheap dig in, forgetting that we can all see what actually happened

The touch 'past/round' the keeper is poor and quite lucky; he doesn't go to the side to go round the keeper's dive nor does he push it on quickly to 'beat' or get under it; clearly he doesn't have full control of the ball at that time. That can happen so  it's not much of a deal but it would be wrong to say it was good or clever play. The second one (the 'chop back with the instep') is ok. Again, he gets a bit lucky in that the defender doesn't get clean contact or block him off but clearly he does enough to then score.

He did try a couple of things at Eastleigh and seemed more at home but I have seen nothing yet to make me think he's turned a corner/is able to demonstrate sufficient ability. The other thing is that he clearly is a cut below Larin and doesn't seem to mesh with the team in a comparable fashion; often it's like he's playing his game which is different to everyone else's.

Think we'll have to see what he brings to the Colchester game and a couple of others. If not enough (which will have to be a lot more than I've seen so far), I can only see a loan/sale beckoning. 

[Verbal]

Only v slightly off-topic, but WTAF?

 

[Convict Colony]

whilst downs still has to show he can do it I think there must be enough there that poch has given him like 8 caps for us and we spent the money we did.

2 experienced people being wrong seems rare

[saint francis]

What is it with Downs/Larin's hand bandages? 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

12 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

whilst downs still has to show he can do it I think there must be enough there that poch has given him like 8 caps for us and we spent the money we did.

2 experienced people being wrong seems rare

I don't buy in to this at all. He's been excused as a confidence player and lacking it, or that Poch thinks he's good so he must be, but not once have I seen him play and thought there's a player in there somewhere. He's weak, his touch is poor, his postioning sense is non-existent, he can't head the ball. There's nothing. Whereas with Archer at least his sometimes shows flashes of footballing nous.

I'd much prefer to see one of the U21s given a chance and that includes the pre-season friendlies. 

[austsaint]

11 hours ago, RedArmy said:

Let’s be honest he’s only involved because we don’t have any other strikers available until Larin returns and hopefully Stewart. 
 

He’s a fucking donkey. 

Yes, dead horses being flogged comes to mind as another analogy which fits the hapless DD.   Seen enough of him to conclude he isn't going to make the grade; don't forget he scored a tidy pre-season goal 12 months ago v Girona?      Club needs to find an exit for him, pronto.