Saints 5-1 Millwall - Match Thread

[hypochondriac]

4 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

@hypochondriac you might not even need JWP to score to get that 10 litre tub of mayonnaise out!

Not much to say but 

[Verbal]

2 hours ago, lambtiss said:

Azaz and Larin were simply outstanding today. We need  replacements for both.

 

Sorry what

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Verbal said:

Sorry what

He means alternatives I assume.

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, The Wyvern said:

Thought Azaz was excellent, Millwall found him unplayable in the 2nd half. 
 

Great win, hopefully a symbolic kick start to our season now. 

 

[hypochondriac]

Peretz 

Thb

Manning 

Jander 

Scienza 

Azaz 

Larin 

Have good shouts for being either the best or one of the best players I ntheir positions in this division. When they are all fit and firing we really should be right up the top. If THB is to go then imperative we get his replacement right and make it one of the top cbs in the division.

 

[SW5 SAINT]

8 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Peretz 

Thb

Manning 

Jander 

Scienza 

Azaz 

Larin 

Have good shouts for being either the best or one of the best players I ntheir positions in this division. When they are all fit and firing we really should be right up the top. If THB is to go then imperative we get his replacement right and make it one of the top cbs in the division.

 

Maybe add Bree, JWP and Schlotterbeck to that list…..

Edited yesterday at 20:50 by SW5 SAINT
Edit

[hypochondriac]

12 minutes ago, SW5 SAINT said:

Maybe add Bree, JWP and Schlotterbeck to that list…..

Much too early for jwp and Schlotterbeck to be considered. Bree is good but not the best in the division for me. 

[Tamesaint]

2 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

 Delighted for Fellows, from the Northam it looked like Mubama had bundled it over, so hopefully that doesn’t get taken off him on review. 

The goal was just in front of me. Definitely Fellows's goal. He won't lose it.

[Ted Bates Statue]

Any chance of a full match replay anywhere online?

Evening ruined when I returned home to find I'd managed to record the Cherries' radio commentary 

[CSA96]

4 minutes ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

Any chance of a full match replay anywhere online?

Evening ruined when I returned home to find I'd managed to record the Cherries' radio commentary 

Not sure about full match but EFL YouTube has just put 13 mins up

 

[Tamesaint]

3 hours ago, SaintTex said:

 

oh and signing Peretz, Larin, JWP, and Schlotty for a total of £13mil is crazy good.

I appreciate that the Premier League is a different universe but compare that with Spurs who have spent over £300 million for what is ,so far, scant reward.

[Edmonton Saint]

What’s the words to the Cyle Larin sweet Caroline song ?

[welshsaint03]

1 hour ago, Tamesaint said:

I appreciate that the Premier League is a different universe but compare that with Spurs who have spent over £300 million for what is ,so far, scant reward.

Peretz is better than Kinsky and I'd back Larin to get more goals over a 38 game season in the prem than Solanke or Marmoush. The scouting in January was 10/10

[carljack]

A big part how results go in this league is down to the refs,yesterdays was no different.Against Watford the ref allowed Scienza to be booted out of the game,the first thug life tackle on him yesterday got Sykes a yellow card and the ref waving his arms saying no more of that,yes we did play brilliantly at times yesterday but we were allowed to.OWTS

 

[Saint86]

10 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Peretz 

Thb

Manning 

Jander 

Scienza 

Azaz 

Larin 

Have good shouts for being either the best or one of the best players I ntheir positions in this division. When they are all fit and firing we really should be right up the top. If THB is to go then imperative we get his replacement right and make it one of the top cbs in the division.

 

Pretty much agree hypo, but also harsh to exclude downes imho!

Said it on a couple of threads now, but our spine basically is:

Peretz, THB, Downes, Jander, Azaz, and Larin.

Manning is a very good player in this team on the proviso that that core is playing - I say this because he is a great attacking outlet but can be a bit of a liability at times defensively.

JWP has been dismissed by some (as he isn't the physical monster that they would like), but what he does offer us is call control and know-how in the middle, and a good engine, as well as cover for azaz. He is a very solid addition and means we should pretty much always have 3 of JWP, azaz, Jander, or downes playing in every game. That is an incredibly good central midfield 3 in my view (beat in the division whichever 3 are playing?) And even with injuries or late game subs, we should always see 2 of them. Worth also noting that JWP also brings fitness and stamina - he will consistently be available to play, which in a 46game congested championship season is worth an extra squad player imho.

You then also have scienza who is pretty much allowed to just play - and again, provided that core spine is there, we are solid and he has the freedom to stretch the opposition, cause problems, and free up space for the likes of azaz and Larin.

Around that we have the likes of Bree (very solid), Dobbin and fellows (both good champ players), and Mubama (who is a less physical version of larin).

It's a very good side for the champ imho - one that at full strength, should be scaring every other side and leaving them needing to change to adapt to us. Props to Eckert and spors for creating it.

Edited 14 hours ago by Saint86

[hypochondriac]

Agreed Downes on song can be up there as well. It's not so much the players that are the issue, it's combining them together into a team that is consistent and thst wins regularly. We know thst when they are all playing well we should be a match for anyone in the division. It's getting thst consistency. Birmingham is a big game and if we were able to win that it would be an even bigger statement than Millwall for me.

[macca155]

28 minutes ago, carljack said:

A big part how results go in this league is down to the refs,yesterdays was no different.Against Watford the ref allowed Scienza to be booted out of the game,the first thug life tackle on him yesterday got Sykes a yellow card and the ref waving his arms saying no more of that,yes we did play brilliantly at times yesterday but we were allowed to.OWTS

 

Totally agree, I thought he was a good ref yesterday. Allowed a bit of blood and thunder to go on, but stopped the naughty stuff early doors.

Having said that he ignored Downes cleaning out a Millwall player, right in front of the Millwall fans. That was a tad lenient. Although balanced by ignoring the elbow in Scienza's face.

That early card for Sykes really hampered Millwall. They were dancing on ice from then onwards.

[Nolan]

[LiberalCommunist]

17 hours ago, SouSaint said:

Happy to go early here but the manager who handed us our most embarrassing moment in this clubs history should have been sacked. Absolutely clueless. 

I wonder if this will be a running theme this season. 

[Sheaf Saint]

40 minutes ago, carljack said:

A big part how results go in this league is down to the refs,yesterdays was no different.Against Watford the ref allowed Scienza to be booted out of the game,the first thug life tackle on him yesterday got Sykes a yellow card and the ref waving his arms saying no more of that,yes we did play brilliantly at times yesterday but we were allowed to.OWTS

 

You would have a good point, except for the fact that both of the crunching tackles on Leo in the first 15 mins at Watford incurred yellow cards and that there were two or three questionable tackles on him by Millwall out on the wing in the first half yesterday that we didn't even get a FK for.

Other than that, spot on 👍

[Oisin]

58 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Pretty much agree hypo, but also harsh to exclude downes imho!

Said it on a couple of threads now, but our spine basically is:

Peretz, THB, Downes, Jander, Azaz, and Larin.

Manning is a very good player in this team on the proviso that that core is playing - I say this because he is a great attacking outlet but can be a bit of a liability at times defensively.

JWP has been dismissed by some (as he isn't the physical monster that they would like), but what he does offer us is call control and know-how in the middle, and a good engine, as well as cover for azaz. He is a very solid addition and means we should pretty much always have 3 of JWP, azaz, Jander, or downes playing in every game. That is an incredibly good central midfield 3 in my view (beat in the division whichever 3 are playing?) And even with injuries or late game subs, we should always see 2 of them. Worth also noting that JWP also brings fitness and stamina - he will consistently be available to play, which in a 46game congested championship season is worth an extra squad player imho.

You then also have scienza who is pretty much allowed to just play - and again, provided that core spine is there, we are solid and he has the freedom to stretch the opposition, cause problems, and free up space for the likes of azaz and Larin.

Around that we have the likes of Bree (very solid), Dobbin and fellows (both good champ players), and Mubama (who is a less physical version of larin).

It's a very good side for the champ imho - one that at full strength, should be scaring every other side and leaving them needing to change to adapt to us. Props to Eckert and spors for creating it.

You neglected to mention Matsuki who was outstanding yesterday and Schlotterbeck who put in one of the best debuts we’ve seen in a decade.

On paper/in theory Spors/Dragan/SR have put together an extremely impressive squad for this division. If we keep THB (or ensure the replacement is as good) and Jander I reckon we’re just a Larin rotation partner away from a side that should easily be good enough for promotion. 

[TwoPints]

To be fair, 2 of the 3 mascots introduced at the start of the game predicted that saints would put 5 past Millwall... 5-2 and 5-0.  Average them out and they were bang on.  We'll need those two at every game before I put my bets on. 

[Paul_B]

Great result! Don't know what I was more surprised about, the fact we won 5-1 or that Fellows scored! Let's hope he can kick on from here! 

How was JWP? The highlights didn't really show. 

Oh, and that second Larin goal...... got to be a goal of the month contender. The assist from Azaz and the technical ability from Larin to do that is outstanding!

Edited 12 hours ago by Paul_B

[Kenilworthy1959]

I am wondering if this is our biggest ever win after going behind? And ideas?

[Lighthouse]

10 minutes ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

I am wondering if this is our biggest ever win after going behind? And ideas?

We did it a couple of times in League 1 by the same scoreline but I can remember any 6-1s. I thought maybe the Tranmere cup game in 2002 but having checked we did score first.

[Lord Duckhunter]

That’s more like it, but there’s still a couple of worries. The first goal was poor & after the Downes/Bragg fuck up they should have gone in 2-2 at HT. The penalty seemed to change everything as before that they had a decent spell of possession at the start of the second half. They seemed to fall apart a bit after that, and our confidence just grew & grew. 
 

Leo looked back to last seasons form, Larin on fire, & decent start for the centre half. Wood also seemed a bit more aggressive & Bree had his best game of the season. Perfect scenario for Prowse to slot into the Downes role and he kept us ticking over well. I’m still not convinced by Bragg, gave it away cheaply a couple of times, but I guess he’s not going to be first choice much this season. 

[sfc4prem]

17 minutes ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

I am wondering if this is our biggest ever win after going behind? And ideas?

Distinctly remember our team in L1 inflicting a 5-1 defeat on Huddersfield after going behind - seem to recall one of the goals was a Lambo half volley straight from a throw-in?

[pingpong]

1 hour ago, Paul_B said:

Great result! Don't know what I was more surprised about, the fact we won 5-1 or that Fellows scored! Let's hope he can kick on from here! 

How was JWP? The highlights didn't really show. 

Oh, and that second Larin goal...... got to be a goal of the month contender. The assist from Azaz and the technical ability from Larin to do that is outstanding!

Jwp was tidy.  Good at finding space so when he received the ball he had time with it.  Brave on the ball and found good passes, good range. Didn't lose the ball.  Good start.

[Appy]

1 hour ago, sfc4prem said:

Distinctly remember our team in L1 inflicting a 5-1 defeat on Huddersfield after going behind - seem to recall one of the goals was a Lambo half volley straight from a throw-in?

That was 4-1. 
 

We beat them 5-0 the year before. 

Edited 10 hours ago by Appy

[gio1saints]

Statement victory in many ways:

1. That West Ham result is def. behind us.

2. If we can score 5 against the meanest defence so far in this league we can probably score versus anyone.

3. Newbies Schmitt and JWP played and the standard did not drop - it was at least same and got better the longer game went on. Both look comfortable first teamers. No long wait to see if they are able. They are able no doubt so our squad has been notably strengthened. 

4. Leo is back! Best player in this League imo. Every other Championship ( and a fair few EPL teams! ) would want him put it that way. 
 

5. Cyle scored best MLT type goal I’ve seen for many years. Well done - at last a proper #9 - and he’s gonna score many more this season. 
 

6. Finn Azaz has a deceptively laconic but effective style of play but no doubt he is a high quality difference maker- like Leo. 
 

7. Tonda totally bossed the in game management and tactics. First fifteen aside that is.Made a good Millwall side ultimately look hapless and bereft of ideas. 
 

Well done Southampton FC! 

[saintant]

Did the ref not spot Downes getting a serious head injury? I can only think he didn't see the incident properly (although he ran straight past Downes) otherwise he should have stopped the game immediately.

[davefizzy14]

We totally destroyed them yesterday. Truly unstoppable. Our front four of Larin, Leo, Matsuki and Azaz are so good 😊 the pace and movement is a joy to watch. Leo was outstanding 😊and a cooly dispatched penalty and assist for Azaz who was top 😊 Cyle with a brace (lovely header from Manning delivery and the second goal was just phenomenal 😊) Downes, Prowsey and Bragg all bossed the midfield 😊 perfect debut from Schlotterbeck who was imperious 😊 Bree, Wood and Manning solid too 😊 Peretz made some great saves too 😊 Tonda said afterwards he tweaked something in the first half and it worked perfectly 😊 COYR 😊

Edited 9 hours ago by davefizzy14

[benjii]

7 minutes ago, saintant said:

Did the ref not spot Downes getting a serious head injury? I can only think he didn't see the incident properly (although he ran straight past Downes) otherwise he should have stopped the game immediately.

Quite an ask to stop play where there is a 3 on 1 attack 20 yards out when the other team has a self-inflicted injury!

[benjii]

One thing to flag on the Milwall chance just before half time...

If you watch the highlights closely, Bree gets a tiny touch on the cross. Whilst the chap should still have scored, that touch required him to adjust his footing slightly and may have made all the difference. 

[davefizzy14]

Hope Flynn is all ok.

Edited 9 hours ago by davefizzy14

[benjii]

Just now, davefizzy14 said:

Hope Flynn is all ok.

He's well'ard, don't worry.

[skintsaint]

On 27/08/2026 at 02:53, skintsaint said:

My first game of the season, bringing the missus who hasn't seen us win a game in *checks* 9 attempts....

Think it maybe 10 attempts unless we improve massively.

Hooray - broke the jinx in style.

Enjoyed the game, obviously, but we were so bad until we equalised.

Millwall very direct playing as expected with really tall players at the front and back, and we struggled at times to contain that long ball out, but that's all they had.

Schlotterbeck is already a massive upgrade on Stephens, and we saw that when they swapped, as Millwall nearly scored straight away as JS let his man beat him and get the shot away, and a few half chances afterwards as we went a bit disorganised back there. Although he did the naughty on the Millwall player who got stretchered away after the game.

JWP came on and don't think he gave the ball away once, nice quick passing and positioning and a real asset in this league. Feel he could take Braggs position going forward.

 

Edited 9 hours ago by skintsaint

[Toadhall Saint]

4 hours ago, LiberalCommunist said:

I wonder if this will be a running theme this season. 

Probably. 

[Football Special]

3 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

Distinctly remember our team in L1 inflicting a 5-1 defeat on Huddersfield after going behind - seem to recall one of the goals was a Lambo half volley straight from a throw-in?

We also beat Huddersfield 5-3 under Russell Martin where i think we were 2 down at half time? 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

Quite an ask to stop play where there is a 3 on 1 attack 20 yards out when the other team has a self-inflicted injury!

None of that matters - if the ref saw it he is obliged to stop the game. Not saying that's right or wrong but it's the rules and I get that we'd have been gutted if it happened to us.

[bugenhagen]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

None of that matters - if the ref saw it he is obliged to stop the game. Not saying that's right or wrong but it's the rules and I get that we'd have been gutted if it happened to us.

If he saw it, he might have just seen it as to players colliding, and therefore let the play go on. He might not have seen the two heads hitting each other. There is still an element of subjective understanding of a situation, and then applying the rules to that. Not as black and white as "the rule states..."

I liked his way of appliying the rulebook all through the game.

[Badger]

Millwall fan's take on it.

 

 

[Nordic Saint]

11 hours ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

I am wondering if this is our biggest ever win after going behind? And ideas?

Our biggest ever win after going behind was 9-3 v Wolves in 1965. I was there.

[Kenilworthy1959]

16 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Our biggest ever win after going behind was 9-3 v Wolves in 1965. I was there.

That must be the clear winner. Just slightly before my time. I didn't start going until 1969.

[saintant]

22 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Our biggest ever win after going behind was 9-3 v Wolves in 1965. I was there.

Me too. In typical Saints fashion we then signed their goalkeeper MaClaren 🙂