Saints v Bristol City - Saturday 3pm

[skintsaint]

51 minutes ago, trousers said:

West Brom (current leaders) aren't going to get automatic promotion... Whilst in catch up mode, we just need to keep auto-promotion rivals West Ham, Wolves and Middlesbrough within striking distance, which we are.

If we carry on our form over the next 40 games, would put us on about 80 points with the deduction. Should be enough this season I feel. Whether we can keep this form up is another question...but hey ho.

[SNSUN]

We're getting points, we're unbeaten since the opening day in the League but we lack a little consistency still. Another win against Brizzle and maybe we go into our away fixture with Wrexham full of confidence to try to get that ellusive away win we need to kick start that side of our campaign.

Of course, if we then beat Wrexham, we go into an important game full of confidence when we play the Skates.

But it all starts  with a win against Brizzle.

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

If we carry on our form over the next 40 games, would put us on about 80 points with the deduction. Should be enough this season I feel. Whether we can keep this form up is another question...but hey ho.

Assume you mean for a play-off spot because 80 points will be nowhere near enough for top 2.

[Saint Garrett]

Gotta be same team I think assuming all are fit.

Bit of a bogey team for us, so wouldn't surprise me if they frustrated us, but should get atleast a draw. 

What we do know is that we will concede...lets hope we have 2 or 3 in their net.

[skintsaint]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Assume you mean for a play-off spot because 80 points will be nowhere near enough for top 2.

Yes you are right

[Saint86]

49 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Gotta be same team I think assuming all are fit.

Bit of a bogey team for us, so wouldn't surprise me if they frustrated us, but should get atleast a draw. 

What we do know is that we will concede...lets hope we have 2 or 3 in their net.

A few of the City fans i know reckon they can't defend either. I reckon this will be something like 2-2 (given they are a bogey side for us). The -4points remains an issue for us i think as we're constantly playing a game of catch up (and when we're not winning it adds pressure mentally).

 

[Cabrone]

2 hours ago, skintsaint said:

If we carry on our form over the next 40 games, would put us on about 80 points with the deduction. Should be enough this season I feel. Whether we can keep this form up is another question...but hey ho.

IMO there are at least 2 teams in this league capable of 90+ points so I think 2 per game (92 over the season) would put us in the final mix.

We need to make SMS a fortress, starting on Saturday.

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, Cabrone said:

IMO there are at least 2 teams in this league capable of 90+ points so I think 2 per game (92 over the season) would put us in the final mix.

We need to make SMS a fortress, starting on Saturday.

St Mary’s has been a fortress for a while already,  no league home defeats for 8 months. 

That's my fear,  we had a similar record in 2011 calendar year,  something like 20 straight home league wins then along came Bristol City....

Last season we achieved something like 8 consecutive wins (was that a record?) then along came Bristol City.....

23/24 season was the record breaking unbeaten run, then along came Bristol City....

Might only be a curse when we're on club record runs in which case we might be fine for Saturday 👍 

Edited yesterday at 14:07 by Football Special

[The Wyvern]

57 minutes ago, Cabrone said:

IMO there are at least 2 teams in this league capable of 90+ points so I think 2 per game (92 over the season) would put us in the final mix.

We need to make SMS a fortress, starting on Saturday.

Could there be an argument that as there are so many strong teams this year everyone will regularly take points off each other and no-one runs away with a high points total? 

[Saint86]

27 minutes ago, The Wyvern said:

Could there be an argument that as there are so many strong teams this year everyone will regularly take points off each other and no-one runs away with a high points total? 

I agree. I am not convinced there are stand out teams so far... although i think the most likely 2 are ourselves and west ham.

The 8 team play offs should also keep the league competitive and make it hard to pick up soft points near the end of the season - will impact automatics and relegation places imho. (I'd be worried if i was a shit team this season as so often they put together a nice little run vs sides that have nothing to play for and stay up as a result... not sure that will be the case this season).

Edited yesterday at 13:10 by Saint86

[Charlie Wayman]

3 hours ago, Saint86 said:

A few of the City fans i know reckon they can't defend either. I reckon this will be something like 2-2 (given they are a bogey side for us). The -4points remains an issue for us i think as we're constantly playing a game of catch up (and when we're not winning it adds pressure mentally).

 

The point I was making earlier in the thread, we started off 4 points behind everyone now we are 6 behind WBA, 4 behind WHU, Swansea, QPR and Charlton etc. We have lost ground to the league leaders and made up none on the others mentioned.

[saintant]

7 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I agree. I am not convinced there are stand out teams so far... although i think the most likely 2 are ourselves and west ham.

The 8 team play offs should also keep the league competitive and make it hard to pick up soft points near the end of the season - will impact automatics and relegation places imho. (I'd be worried if i was a shit team this season as so often they put together a nice little run vs sides that have nothing to play for and stay up as a result... not sure that will be the case this season).

Our issue is that we are very much reliant on keeping Larin free from injuries, fatigue or suspensions at least until January unless we have a free agent in mind. The fact that there are two international breaks may help us get through to the start of the Jan window. However, we need to have options in mind and act quickly once the next transfer window opens so that we can get a signing or loan in early rather than right at the end which would lose us another 4 weeks.

[Saint86]

18 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The point I was making earlier in the thread, we started off 4 points behind everyone now we are 6 behind WBA, 4 behind WHU, Swansea, QPR and Charlton etc. We have lost ground to the league leaders and made up none on the others mentioned.

This will always be the case unless we are ourselves top. Which we essentially were after Swansea. All we can do is try to stay top few in the form table - the points will sort themselves out then.

[trousers]

26 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The point I was making earlier in the thread, we started off 4 points behind everyone now we are 6 behind WBA, 4 behind WHU, Swansea, QPR and Charlton etc. We have lost ground to the league leaders and made up none on the others mentioned.

If only there was another 40 games to play to offset any concern about dropping a couple of points on the league leaders this early in the season...

(This post was brought to you by 'Sorry for the Sarcasm' Inc.) 

Edited yesterday at 13:48 by trousers

[Patrick Bateman]

40 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The point I was making earlier in the thread, we started off 4 points behind everyone now we are 6 behind WBA, 4 behind WHU, Swansea, QPR and Charlton etc. We have lost ground to the league leaders and made up none on the others mentioned.

That's okay, whenever someone is top, we beat them ... hopefully everyone will have a go at being top before January ....... 

[VectisSaint]

40 minutes ago, saintant said:

Our issue is that we are very much reliant on keeping Larin free from injuries, fatigue or suspensions at least until January unless we have a free agent in mind. The fact that there are two international breaks may help us get through to the start of the Jan window. However, we need to have options in mind and act quickly once the next transfer window opens so that we can get a signing or loan in early rather than right at the end which would lose us another 4 weeks.

Canada have 3 friendly matches in the upcoming international break, not sure how that will help us get through to Jan unless Cyle isn't selected of course.

[Badger]

35 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

Canada have 3 friendly matches in the upcoming international break, not sure how that will help us get through to Jan unless Cyle isn't selected of course.

Looked it up today. They play USA on Oct 7th, four days before the skates game. 
 

Can’t see him not wanting to be involved in that one 

Edited yesterday at 14:39 by Badger

[Football Special]

22 minutes ago, Badger said:

Looked it up today. They play USA on Oct 7th, four days before the skates game. 
 

Can’t see him not wanting to be involved in that one 

Terrible timing that 

Hope we upgrade him to first class on return 

[sfc4prem]

2 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The point I was making earlier in the thread, we started off 4 points behind everyone now we are 6 behind WBA, 4 behind WHU, Swansea, QPR and Charlton etc. We have lost ground to the league leaders and made up none on the others mentioned.

Wait, what!? We have to play the mentioned teams twice, right? That's 6 points right there.

Happy to help.

[Eric The Red]

43 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Terrible timing that 

Hope we upgrade him to first class on return 

It is Wednesday our time but Tuesday evening their time . No reason why he can't be on a plane Wednesday tea time and back in the UK Thursday morning. Should be fine for Sunday lunchtime.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

On 09/09/2026 at 13:51, Midfield_General said:

Around this point of last season we were getting ready to play the skates. We were a disjointed mess, and after narrowly winning our first game were in the middle of what would turn out to be a run of six matches without a victory. 

The first XI we put out against the skates in mid September last year was: 

Bazunu; Roerslev, Stephens, THB, Manning; Downes, Charles; Fellows, Azaz, Fraser; Archer - managed by Still. 

The likely first XI we'll put out against Bristol City on Saturday is: 

Peretz; Bree, Wood, Schlotterbeck, Manning; Downes, JWP; Fellows, Azaz, Scienza; Larin - managed by Tonda. 

Looking at those two line-ups there's a valid argument that we are the same or stronger in literally every position, including manager, than we were when we were fresh out of the Premier League. (People may argue about Charles vs. JWP but personally I'd have them on a level. I also don't think there's any drop-off between THB and Schlotterbeck, who has been outstanding so far). That's no mean feat. 

We're still going to have the odd blip like all teams, but we really have come a long way in a year. 

I think we'll win on Saturday and I'm starting to genuinely feel like we're going to compete for the automatics, now the -4 is a distant memory and the team is starting to find its rhythm, especially at home. 

4-1 win, followed by a win at Wrexham and going into the break with the top two looking over their shoulders. 

COYR

Interesting comparisons. Peretz v Baz +1 goal. Larin/Scienza v Archer/Fraser +1 goal.

The last home game was 2-2. So score should be 4-2. Entertainment guaranteed!

[RedArmy]

I hope he’s got a better plan for them this season than that wanky 4-2-2-2 he tried in April. 

[Football Special]

43 minutes ago, Eric The Red said:

It is Wednesday our time but Tuesday evening their time . No reason why he can't be on a plane Wednesday tea time and back in the UK Thursday morning. Should be fine for Sunday lunchtime.

Yeah but jetlag, midday Sunday will feel like 7am to him, he'll probably sleep through his alarm 

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Yeah but jetlag, midday Sunday will feel like 7am to him, he'll probably sleep through his alarm 

Give him a double drop of melatonin at 10pm Saturday night, a couple of cans of monster and he'll be running around like Ben Johnson

[RedArmy]

24 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Give him a double drop of melatonin at 10pm Saturday night, a couple of cans of monster and he'll be running around like Ben Johnson

I’d he happier if he was running around like Ben Thatcher. 

[VectisSaint]

5 hours ago, Badger said:

Looked it up today. They play USA on Oct 7th, four days before the skates game. 
 

Can’t see him not wanting to be involved in that one 

Point really was they have 3 games (home to Chile and Peru) before the USA game. If he's involved, then he could be knack'd, or even pick up a knock.

[Charlie Wayman]

5 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

Wait, what!? We have to play the mentioned teams twice, right? That's 6 points right there.

Happy to help.

My comment was in response to the poster who suggested that we had already overcome the defecit of 4 points inflicted on us by the EFL. I suppose it depends on which way you look at it.

 

1 hour ago, VectisSaint said:

Point really was they have 3 games (home to Chile and Peru) before the USA game. If he's involved, then he could be knack'd, or even pick up a knock.

Do we have the right to withdraw him half way through the break or do we need Flynn to kick him in the ankle (gently) before he sets off?

[Jack]

 

2 hours ago, VectisSaint said:

Point really was they have 3 games (home to Chile and Peru) before the USA game. If he's involved, then he could be knack'd, or even pick up a knock.

Larin only played 90 mins once in Canada’s 5 games at the World Cup. He only started 1 other game and came off after an hour, and had a couple of other late substitute appearances. He was completely left out of one game. He’s not a guaranteed starter by any means so I’m sure he won’t be getting flogged out there. With any luck they’ll start with the others in the USA game so he’s fit for a hattrick against the skates 

[Stud mark of doom]

Seems a bit misleading for the league table to show the 4 points we will have deducted over the 46 game season from day 1 - or even day 0.
 

you get a better feel for how we are really doing by proportioning it - 6 games in should be about half a point. 

[Weston Super Saint]

7 hours ago, Stud mark of doom said:

Seems a bit misleading for the league table to show the 4 points we will have deducted over the 46 game season from day 1 - or even day 0.
 

you get a better feel for how we are really doing by proportioning it - 6 games in should be about half a point. 

Doing it this way means there is room to add on more deductions at a later date  

 

[BARCELONASAINT]

Unless anyone has picked up a knock i would not be changing the team that played Tuesday night.

[Saint86]

15 hours ago, RedArmy said:

I hope he’s got a better plan for them this season than that wanky 4-2-2-2 he tried in April. 

We'll beat them at home this season, no questions. This team is on a mission.

[CB Fry]

10 hours ago, Stud mark of doom said:

Seems a bit misleading for the league table to show the 4 points we will have deducted over the 46 game season from day 1 - or even day 0.
 

you get a better feel for how we are really doing by proportioning it - 6 games in should be about half a point. 

Championship season is 260 days from first match to last so it should be on a daily totaliser removing 0.01538 points a day every day until the last match of the season. 

[Charlie Wayman]

2 hours ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

Unless anyone has picked up a knock i would not be changing the team that played Tuesday night.

Luckily Swansea were not a bunch of cloggers unlike Lincoln so all should be well.

[John Boy Saint]

20 hours ago, Badger said:

Looked it up today. They play USA on Oct 7th, four days before the skates game. 
 

Can’t see him not wanting to be involved in that one 

Trump won’t be allowing the US of A to play those Maple Syrup Terrorists so all will be good for Larin.

🤪

[Willo of Whiteley]

All teams have to do is press us and we panic a bit, more so on our own penalty area.

I’ve enjoyed watching the way we’ve countered for a number of goals this season, we seem to have got better in terms of lulling a team forward through boredom and then breaking through the lines quickly.

[gio1saints]

22 hours ago, The Wyvern said:

Could there be an argument that as there are so many strong teams this year everyone will regularly take points off each other and no-one runs away with a high points total? 

I agree. The extended play off qualification also encourages more matches of significance towards the end of season so less foregone conclusion flip flops and sunscreen packed matches…..more competitive more points sharing. 

There are also more teams with exoected strong HOME form than I expected. Teams like Lincoln, Brum, Wrexham away will not be easy for any team. Add in teams like Wolves West Ham Boro even poor starting Burnley that’s already 7 Away matches which most if not every other team would be ok taking a point. 

That list does not even include top of the league WBA, ex TOTL Swansea, Millwall and even Watford! 
 

In other words, unless ( IMO ) Saints, Wolves and West Ham ( one or two of those) run away with automatic this is likely to be one of the closest Championship leagues ever. 

[Mathamite]

20 hours ago, RedArmy said:

I hope he’s got a better plan for them this season than that wanky 4-2-2-2 he tried in April. 

I agree.  I thought Hodgson “out-coached” Tonda that night.  A draw didn’t flatter them.

[AlexLaw76]

Tonda, presser

• No injury issues from mid week
• for Casper, it is too early tomorrow but we are going to push. Hopefully some mins against Wrexham
• JwP is just enjoying his football. When he came in we all knew the quality he has
• He is magnificent for this level. The expectations come with that
• It is not easy to just come in and play like he has. He is a fit boy but you never know how your body will tolerate that
• He is very good physically and he gives to the group a lot of respect & professionalism 
• Flynn has been great since the beginning of the season, he wanted to play after a big cut
• we can play different combinations in midfield and maybe 3 of them at the same time
• It is a strong department of the squad
• Nathan Wood stepped up last year so not just the summer. He is always very professional
• He rarely misses training or a game. It makes a difference
• Before, he played on the left side of the CB position, but with him on our right allows him to play a little more quicker
• He can step in with the ball also. I think it helps him to play on the right. Against the ball he has developed a lot
• Their manage came into the club and a lot of things were new and they are very good on the transition
• It will be a tough game, they have had a whole week to prepare so will be very fresh
• We need to be precise and sharp on the ball
• `We never take anything for granted, we have to play to win and we put the game to bed straight after
• You don't need frustration to linger, or the uncertainty or complacency
• if you don't manage that you are in trouble
• Long may Cyle's form continue. He is a proper man, he has a presence about him
• He is expecting a 4th child, loads of life experience and his family are very mature
• Our form this calendar year is more complex than a simple answer
• It was not easy to play home games when I came into the job. We had to earn that connection
• We had to connect to the fans and the city. It means so much to everyone.
• It was not just one thing change but many things
• St Marys is now different. To be successful you have to be great at home
• As much as there is going on in the background, I cannot make this about me
• This is about the club and we have a home game before we play Pompey at home in 4 weeks
• My job, no matter what happens to me, is to win

 

[LiberalCommunist]

• As much as there is going on in the background, I cannot make this about me
• This is about the club and we have a home game before we play Pompey at home in 4 weeks
• My job, no matter what happens to me, is to win

Oh shit. What has he heard........

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, LiberalCommunist said:

• As much as there is going on in the background, I cannot make this about me
• This is about the club and we have a home game before we play Pompey at home in 4 weeks
• My job, no matter what happens to me, is to win

Oh shit. What has he heard........

It was more in a response to Blackmore basically saying, the FA Decision is likely to be very soon, and this could be your last home game for a while......

[Jack]

Thought he spoke very well today. Clearly irritated by some of Blackmore’s questions but big enough to realise they’re both just doing a job. 
 

Maybe in a roundabout way, Adam is trying to whip up the crowd for tomorrow for what will be a huge 3 points if we can get them. Fail to win tomorrow and next weekend is massive, we go into the 3 week break in potentially poor form with the derby about to happen and who knows what bullshit the FA will serve up regarding Tonda 

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, LiberalCommunist said:

• As much as there is going on in the background, I cannot make this about me
• This is about the club and we have a home game before we play Pompey at home in 4 weeks
• My job, no matter what happens to me, is to win

Oh shit. What has he heard........

Ask @MB

[Wade Garrett]

The way we played on Tuesday, we’ve got no bogey sides.

Fancy us to put the carrot-sucking cunts to the sword.  2-0, don’t fuck around with the side Tonda.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Tonda, presser

• No injury issues from mid week
• for Casper, it is too early tomorrow but we are going to push. Hopefully some mins against Wrexham
• JwP is just enjoying his football. When he came in we all knew the quality he has
• He is magnificent for this level. The expectations come with that
• It is not easy to just come in and play like he has. He is a fit boy but you never know how your body will tolerate that
• He is very good physically and he gives to the group a lot of respect & professionalism 
• Flynn has been great since the beginning of the season, he wanted to play after a big cut
• we can play different combinations in midfield and maybe 3 of them at the same time
• It is a strong department of the squad
• Nathan Wood stepped up last year so not just the summer. He is always very professional
• He rarely misses training or a game. It makes a difference
• Before, he played on the left side of the CB position, but with him on our right allows him to play a little more quicker
• He can step in with the ball also. I think it helps him to play on the right. Against the ball he has developed a lot
• Their manage came into the club and a lot of things were new and they are very good on the transition
• It will be a tough game, they have had a whole week to prepare so will be very fresh
• We need to be precise and sharp on the ball
• `We never take anything for granted, we have to play to win and we put the game to bed straight after
• You don't need frustration to linger, or the uncertainty or complacency
• if you don't manage that you are in trouble
• Long may Cyle's form continue. He is a proper man, he has a presence about him
• He is expecting a 4th child, loads of life experience and his family are very mature
• Our form this calendar year is more complex than a simple answer
• It was not easy to play home games when I came into the job. We had to earn that connection
• We had to connect to the fans and the city. It means so much to everyone.
• It was not just one thing change but many things
• St Marys is now different. To be successful you have to be great at home
• As much as there is going on in the background, I cannot make this about me
• This is about the club and we have a home game before we play Pompey at home in 4 weeks
• My job, no matter what happens to me, is to win

 

What was Flynn's big cut?

Edit: I remember, he cut his head a couple games back didn't he

Edited 2 hours ago by Ex Lion Tamer

[Football Special]

3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

It was more in a response to Blackmore basically saying, the FA Decision is likely to be very soon, and this could be your last home game for a while......

Blackbore is such a numpty,  always asking leading questions often then suggesting the answer as well, terrible interviewer, fans then only see the published reply out of context of the questions asked 

[Football Special]

Fans do need to be up for it tomorrow though, big home game with 3000 full away end who will have had plenty of cans of cider on the train over, make a decent noise. Last home game for a month , surprised there are still quite a few tickets left particularly in Chapel stand , hopefully lots of late sales this evening and on match day. 

[benjii]

Gareth: lager, sometimes cider.

[smithy]

Is the press conference available to watch anywhere? 

[Danbert]

3 minutes ago, smithy said:

Is the press conference available to watch anywhere? 

yes