Saints 0-0 Bolton - Match Thread

[Teamsaint1]

Travelwise, Salisbury to Southampton must be the best maintained  piece of railway in the country. 
mumble grumble. 

[Teamsaint1]

Anybody used the matchday park and ride from Adanac Park?
Service any good ?

[EssexSaint]

Travelling down from Essex for the game. What time would you expect the players to arrive? Be good to try and catch them for the children! 

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, EssexSaint said:

Travelling down from Essex for the game. What time would you expect the players to arrive? Be good to try and catch them for the children! 

Did it last season with mine, they arrived just before 11am for a 3pm kick off. (Got loads of pics / autographs then went for some lunch) 

[stknowle]

On 15/10/2026 at 17:48, SNSUN said:

Seem to remember they beat us on the opening day one year. Just looked it up and it was 1997, at home. My formative CM years just trying to keep Saints in the Prem. Poor line up that day. Found the highlights,  Nathan Blake scored the winner.

https://www.premierleague.com/en/video/4566184/southampton-v-bolton-wanderers-1997-98-20-minute-highlights

Line was:

Paul Jones

Ken Monkou

Lee Todd

Richard Dryden

Robbie Slater

Matt Oakley

Jim Magilton

Neil Maddison

Andy Williams

Egil Ostenstadt

Mickey Evans.

No MLT, Evans was soon sold despite his end of season goals, Lee Todd was just shite, Slater, Maddison and Magilton only played a few more games before they were transferred out. I don't even remember Andy Williams! Early days for Dave Jones though as he started his rebuilding process with ageing pros like Palmer, Hirst and Richardson.

Hopefully the modern day squad can get a result. 

Stig Johannson’s debut as sub IIRC. WHAT a player he would go on to be for us.

[Matthew Le God]

2 hours ago, EssexSaint said:

Travelling down from Essex for the game. What time would you expect the players to arrive? Be good to try and catch them for the children! 

Like a reverse child catcher...

 

[saintant]

Bolton not the best at defending. Only the bottom 5 have conceded more than them. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Not sure this will go the way we expect it to go and we’ll end up losing. Dodgy Ref not protecting our players and Baz playing a blinder. 1-2.

[Zorba]

4 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Like a reverse child catcher...

 

[Toadhall Saint]

5 hours ago, Zorba said:

Stink catcher

[badgerx16]

Managed to catch the Norwich game but this one will be a miss: boarding for the flight home is at kickoff time  and we land half an hour after the final whistle.

 

COYS

[tisspahars]

Don't think I've ever known the player featured on the "It's game day" tweet not to play and today it's Caspar.....👀

[AlexLaw76]

Casper and JwP to start...Casper off around 60 mins I suspect

[Lighthouse]

Personally I'd prefer to be in a position where we have the option of bringing him on, rather than being forced to take him off. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Stink catcher

Pepe le poo

[Willo of Whiteley]

4-0 win if we go full strength.

If Bazunu is playing it’s a shoot on sight situation, he’ll crumble under the pressure.

[Lord Duckhunter]

53 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Personally I'd prefer to be in a position where we have the option of bringing him on, rather than being forced to take him off. 

I’m with you on that one. I’d start Bragg instead. 

[Totton Saint]

20 hours ago, adrian lord said:

I was reminiscing similarly with my father about those 70s Dell games Vs Bolton.

Did Worthington play for Bolton and  then joined us later. He also played for England.

[gio1saints]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

Personally I'd prefer to be in a position where we have the option of bringing him on, rather than being forced to take him off. 

Is 100% right way to think about it. Bragg to start with JWP is the way to go. Jander to come on- if necessary. Downes should not be in the squad for obvious reasons also. 

if fit, Azaz and Leo start - and I think they are fit - but not inconceivable Dobbin replaces Finn at 60’ and Sam replaces Leo same. 
 

In similar vein Matsuki to start but Fellowes to get a runout late on. 
 

A back four that keeps two clean sheets in a row and that’s fit does not get messed around with. 

Edited 9 hours ago by gio1saints

[Saint Marky]

It feels a little hypocritical to be in a position where you will be pissed off if Baz isnt  starting today.

[Badger]

6 minutes ago, Totton Saint said:

Did Worthington play for Bolton and  then joined us later. He also played for England.

Yes. Think he joined them after their promotion (same season as us 1978). Scored against us following season as he often did.  Had a few clubs between Bolton and us, can’t remember them all though. 

[Badger]

4 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

A back four that keeps two clean sheets in a row and that’s fit does not get messed around with. 

Even if it’s a different back four over the two previous games ? Not sure how that works. 

[gio1saints]

4 minutes ago, Badger said:

Even if it’s a different back four over the two previous games ? Not sure how that works. 

I meant the starting back four that’s generally regarded as doing the most to get those clean sheets  - Bree, Stephen’s, Schlotter and Manning. 
There’s a case for Wellington but otherwise it’s clear ( to me anyway!) that should be starters- IF FIT. 

Edited 9 hours ago by gio1saints

[adrian lord]

15 minutes ago, Totton Saint said:

Did Worthington play for Bolton and  then joined us later. He also played for England.

Yes! As Badger confirms. 

 

Excellent memory you chaps have. 

[gio1saints]

Worthington was a rare breed of old school skill player. He would flip the ball over his head and volley it in warm ups at the Dell. For a little one while I used to do same in my pre match warm ups Sunday mornings on Hackney Marshes playing against the most notorious thugs you could imagine ever in fear of your life. Never went down well with the opposition or the three supporters and a dog watching for the opposition!  Ah thems the days!!!🤪🤪🤣🤣🤣

[Badger]

12 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Worthington was a rare breed of old school skill player. He would flip the ball over his head and volley it in warm ups at the Dell. For a little one while I used to do same in my pre match warm ups Sunday mornings on Hackney Marshes playing against the most notorious thugs you could imagine ever in fear of your life. Never went down well with the opposition or the three supporters and a dog watching for the opposition!  Ah thems the days!!!🤪🤪🤣🤣🤣

Was certainly a quality player.

I recall an interview with Lawrie after we signed him saying wanted to sign him years before. Great shame we didn’t get him in his prime. Imagine him playing alongside Keegan, Channon and Ball. 

[Badger]

19 minutes ago, adrian lord said:

Yes! As Badger confirms. 

Excellent memory you chaps have. 

Yes, but if my wife asks me what she said an hour ago it’s not so good 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

🎶 "Oh, Frankie-Frankie,

Frankie-Frankie-Frankie-Frankie Worthington" 🎶

Great entertainers from the 70s like Bestie, Stan Bowles, et al, yep, shame we didn't get FW a year or two earlier.

[Badger]

21 hours ago, adrian lord said:

I was reminiscing similarly with my father about those 70s Dell games Vs Bolton.

We also played them in the FA Cup in 1974, our relegation season. 3-1 up with a few minutes left, and they got it back to 3-3.

The replay sticks in my mind as it was played at  about 2pm on the following midweek due to the energy crisis at the time. Think it was the only fixture we played like that.

Had some Bolton supporters near us in the East Stand. First time I’d seen or heard a bunch of gobby Lancastrians. I’m sure it’s the memory of those gobby fuckers that has me reaching for the remote if Vernon Kay or Paddy McGuinness appear on the screen.
 

Edited 8 hours ago by Badger

[VectisSaint]

1 minute ago, Badger said:

We also played them in the FA Cup in 1973, our relegation season. 3-1 up with a few minutes left, and they got it back to 3-3.

The replay sticks in my mind as it was played at  about 2pm on the following midweek due to the energy crisis at the time. Think it was the only fixture we played like that.
 

We definitely played Norwich early afternoon midweek. I think there were one or two others. I was at College, and we bunked off early for the games. There was a ban on use of floodlights IIIRC. 

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

We definitely played Norwich early afternoon midweek. I think there were one or two others. I was at College, and we bunked off early for the games. There was a ban on use of floodlights IIIRC. 

Okay, don’t recall those games.
Yes, it was the floodlights they were limiting, and I think there was talk of many industries operating a three day week. Not schools though unfortunately it seemed at the time. 

Edited 8 hours ago by Badger

[Cabrone]

3 points is a must, don't care if it's pretty just get the job done. Bolton will be another awkward customer but we should have enough in the tank.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

12 minutes ago, Badger said:

Okay, don’t recall those games.
Yes, it was the floodlights they were limiting, and I think there was talk of many industries operating a three day week. Not schools though unfortunately it seemed at the time. 

I'm pretty sure our school closed early for a bit, long time ago mind,.

This is sold out for home fans, ticket exchange open, hopefully everyone is as up for it as they were last weekend.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

Right Carl, shoot low to his left. Right Matsuki, shoot low to his left. Right Dobbers, low to his left....

Feel we need to be more forward thinking and positive and if so, this could be a big score. Going for 4-1 Saints

[davefizzy14]

3-0 to us today - Larin, Scienza and Prowsey (freekick!) to score 😊 COYR

Leo will be nice and fresh for today after being wrapped up in cotton wool on weds 😊 Cyle and Bree too 😊

[Willo of Whiteley]

I think we’ll win.

Bazunu starting will depend on how comfortable the win is

[Totton Saint]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

Was certainly a quality player.

I recall an interview with Lawrie after we signed him saying wanted to sign him years before. Great shame we didn’t get him in his prime. Imagine him playing alongside Keegan, Channon and Ball. 

Those shorts were indecent. The goal was more than decent

[Edmonton Saint]

[Saint_clark]

Good rotation. Should have more than enough. Bragg will be a better player than before his red, no doubt. 

[Sheaf Saint]

I recall going to a midweek cup game at Bolton some time in the early 00s - probably would have been about 2003, before I had relocated up north. I had been sent to do a maintenance job somewhere near Stockport and just decided to drive up and buy a ticket on the gate.

We lost, and the only thing I really remember is a late long range effort from Paul Telfer hitting the bar and being quite relieved it didn't go to ET cos I had had a very long day and had to drive back by myself and be in London for 9.30 the next morning.

[Totton Saint]

Middlesborough losing.

[DrSuess1979]

2 minutes ago, Totton Saint said:

Middlesborough losing.

2-2

[Matty's Caddy]

I’m away on holiday for this one and haven’t had to use a stream for a long time. 
does anybody have any usually reliable links I could use?

many thanks in advance 

 

[Harry_SFC]

Central midfield the obvious concern but not much choice for Tonda. Would be too risky to play Jander after his efforts the other night. 

[LiberalCommunist]

Hope Fellows remembers he's a footballer today. Time to pull your finger out son. 

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Central midfield the obvious concern but not much choice for Tonda. 

It is the same central midfield that saw the team score 3 goals in the 2nd half in the 4-1 win vs Bristol City.

And...

It is the same central midfield that saw the team score 4 goals in the 2nd half in the 5-1 win vs Millwall.

Were you concerned about the Bragg/Ward-Prowse partnership at full-time for those two games?

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[sockeye]

Boro definitely seem like tough cookies this year

[ButtikonSaint]

Standard and trusted 4-2-3-1.
Leo, Fynn and Kyle for an easy 3 nil.
COYS

 

 

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

It is the same central midfield that saw the team score 3 goals in the 2nd half in the 4-1 win vs Bristol City.

And...

It is the same central midfield that saw the team score 4 goals in the 2nd half in the 5-1 win vs Millwall.

 

Indeed. Still the weaker 2 out of our 4 options though. 

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Indeed. Still the weaker 2 out of our 4 options though. 

Can't be helped when Downes is injured and Jander is coming back from injury. Bragg/Ward-Prowse partnership worked in big wins against Millwall and Bristol City.

I'd be surprised if Jander doesn't come on for Bragg around 60 to 70 minutes into the game.