Saints 0-0 Bolton - Match Thread

[warsash saint]

Gerald Ashby levels from the corrupt ref today 🤬

Edited Saturday at 22:44 by warsash saint

[Cuddles]

27 minutes ago, SouthWalesSaints said:

Reading a lot of Tonda over complicated it tweets/messages etc. 

I’ll try my best to convey from a tactical view point why he has done this.  Again these elite managers are far advanced from me but i probably see it through their lens slightly more than the average joe. 
 

We’ve lined up today in a 4-4-2 because Bolton defend very uniquely. So they’ve condensed the pitch into a 15 meter pitch and aggressively high playing an offside defensive unit similar to that of the German Flick. I was really impressed with how high there line was, and credit them for that.  I’m presuming because of this Tonda has played strong sided wingers as Bolton wanted us to come inside where there was no room. Fellows and Matsuki from left and Scienza and Azaz at different times from the right.  Playing Azaz as a 10 is the same problem we can’t get three lines into their 15 yard defensive unit and they planned for this.  The other interesting thing was that Scienza started as a striker with Larin but kept getting to wide so they switched that in game but couldn’t work out how, fellows was poor he got caught far to many times.  First half it worked much better than second ironically as we were in complete control but we didn’t create enough clear cut chances. Scienzas aside. 
 

Losing Larin was an issue as we then couldn’t play more direct as the game progressed meaning they could stay higher from restarts and we couldn’t cross the ball late from deep as no one to hit, a big problem for the team and one I’ve called all season.
 

Was the same as wolves v Bolton midweek, no Jimenez and Armstrong the replacement, Bolton stopped them playing.  
 

Interestingly I watched Azaz for Ireland against Austria and he played in a deeper role something we’ve not seen loads of. I’d have preferred to see us start with him in with JWP and have two flying wingers on from the start. Edozie and Scienza with Larin + Dobbin. 
 

The biggest two misses were manning and Downes/Jander. We had no deep runners from midfield to break Boltons high line both Jander and Flynn would do that. And we really missed Manning’s quality to pick a pass.  Having no back up striker is an issue, we need to act on this in Jan.  I won’t stop telling anyone this.  Lincoln, Wrexham, Today - cost us at least 5 points so far this season. 

 

Positives for me - Dobbin and Edozie have had good weeks. Edozie should have had an assist for dobbin. Minus taking his chances I thought dobbin looked sharp. Can certainly play as a second striker. 

 

Interesting, thank you for breaking it down, I was only half watching a stream.

The biggest misses for me weren't Jander and Downes though, it was Scienza, Dobbin and more obviously, Bree 😉

We made excellent chances but didn't take them. 

[Patrick Bateman]

Worst match of the season. Weird crowd, odd atmosphere, awful ref. I'm sure it's all been covered in the thread, but meh. Best thing was half time out in the sun.

[Oisin]

Morning after reflection … I think there’s some unfair criticism going on. If Scienza, Dobbin and Bree do their job it’s a comfortable win.

If Fellows can stay onside it’s a very effective tactic against a very well organised team.

And if the ref gives the two red cards (one straight, one second yellow) and the penalty that all were 💯 clearly and obviously the correct decisions then we have a penalty against 9 men. 

We weren’t great, and I do question some of the subs, but in the view of the above, the design created enough scenarios to win multiple games of football - it was just the execution of the players in conjunction with a 1/10 referee performance that prevented us getting 3 points.

7 points from 9, 3 clean sheets … a good week, just a frustrating end to it. I’m not going to get too upset. 
But I will call the ref a c*nt.

[Willo of Whiteley]

The referees job is ultimately to make the decisions. If he can’t he shouldn’t be on the pitch.

Yesterfay he was that confident it was a penalty, yet wasn’t comfortable enough to give it.

Simply, he’s on the wrong job if he can’t make decisions for himself.

[macca155]

8 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

True. And he can't do anything about the Scienza miss (which was arguably the easiest of the lot) or the Larin miss.

But the setup in the first half was wierd - a bizarre collection of players on the left and almost nothing on the right. Massive overthinking and rectifying it meant more players out of position. Tonda tried something, it didn't work. He's proven he learns quickly so let's move on.

Tonda said as much post match, I'm sure he'll learn.

Bolton clearly defend very high, and he was trying to get through that. 

Although a bit weird, it did actually work in creating chances. Just unbelievable they missed so many of them.

The lack of a second striker is really hurting us now. Other teams know that once they've shut out Larin, Saints don't have an alternative.

What is the point of Mubama, he's clearly highly thought of. Pretty stellar U21 career, but if Tonda isn't going to use him then replace him with Princewill. Pointless him wasting a bench space.

 

 

[Harry_SFC]

7 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Tonda said as much post match, I'm sure he'll learn.

Bolton clearly defend very high, and he was trying to get through that. 

Although a bit weird, it did actually work in creating chances. Just unbelievable they missed so many of them.

The lack of a second striker is really hurting us now. Other teams know that once they've shut out Larin, Saints don't have an alternative.

What is the point of Mubama, he's clearly highly thought of. Pretty stellar U21 career, but if Tonda isn't going to use him then replace him with Princewill. Pointless him wasting a bench space.

 

 

Unless we sign a decent alternative CF in January we certainly won't trouble the automatic places.

[saintant]

11 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Thought we looked ok today, just a frustrating day where we didn't take our chances - another day we scored 4 or 5 and get a pen too.

Scienza looked way off the pace in the first half, but much better once restored to his usual position. Matsuki really shouldn't play on the middle - a very confused performance from him good and bad at the same time. We missed a target up front once Larin came off. Also JWP and Bragg are almost identical players so a bit too much recycling and not enough creativity.

Tonda had a bit of a mare tactically - way too much thought went into our setup and it was too complicated. Also we lacked a little bit of tempo to our play but I think that was more down to the combination of players.

Otherwise Bolton looked like the worst team we've seen this year (which I'm sure is more down to us than them).

Bolton were far from the worst team we've played this season and actually played well.

[Maggie May]

I thought Larrazabal was a nifty player. Turns out he’s the son of the Bilbao legend. 

Edited yesterday at 08:44 by Maggie May

[John B]

Lack of  a striker in the last three matches as Sarin has played about half the time available has not helped the situation 

[Paul_B]

1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said:

Unless we sign a decent alternative CF in January we certainly won't trouble the automatic places.

More like we need to sign another CF to trouble the playoff places.

[Maggie May]

1 minute ago, John B said:

Lack of  a striker in the last three matches as Sarin has played about half the time available has not helped the situation 

Sarin never helps the situation. 

[Jack]

Such a frustrating game. 3 sitters missed, a stonewall penalty not given and a shitload of dodgy offside calls that disrupted us. I didn’t think we played that well and some weird tactical bits from Tonda, but we should’ve still comfortably won. 
 

Matsuki’s through ball to Dobbin was a peach and he has to slot that in. One of those days 

[John B]

1 hour ago, Oisin said:

Morning after reflection … I think there’s some unfair criticism going on. If Scienza, Dobbin and Bree do their job it’s a comfortable win.

If Fellows can stay onside it’s a very effective tactic against a very well organised team.

And if the ref gives the two red cards (one straight, one second yellow) and the penalty that all were 💯 clearly and obviously the correct decisions then we have a penalty against 9 men. 

We weren’t great, and I do question some of the subs, but in the view of the above, the design created enough scenarios to win multiple games of football - it was just the execution of the players in conjunction with a 1/10 referee performance that prevented us getting 3 points.

7 points from 9, 3 clean sheets … a good week, just a frustrating end to it. I’m not going to get too upset. 
But I will call the ref a c*nt.

You can not expect players to perform really well if the are playing three games in six days 

Three games unbeaten no goal conceded is fine in my opinion but we need more strike power only having Larin is far from ideal 

[badgerx16]

16 minutes ago, Paul_B said:

More like we need to sign another CF to trouble the playoff places.

 

Larin has scored 7 league goals, the rest have scored 14. Only 2 teams have scored more than Saints.

Edited yesterday at 09:03 by badgerx16

[saintant]

Lots of criticism but let's be honest we would have won every game this season bar Watford if we'd taken just a few more of our chances.

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

The referees job is ultimately to make the decisions. If he can’t he shouldn’t be on the pitch.

Yesterfay he was that confident it was a penalty, yet wasn’t comfortable enough to give it.

Simply, he’s on the wrong job if he can’t make decisions for himself.

I think he went to give it, saw the Lino had a clear view, so froze thinking if the Lino didn’t give it perhaps it wasn’t. I think they basically left it to each other. I’m pretty sure had it happened down the other wing where there was no Lino, he’d have given it, he even went to put the whistle to his mouth.
 

I read somewhere he’d apologised afterwards to some players, which if he did, fair play. Doesn’t alter the fact it was a bad mistake, but most refs I’ve been involved with don’t admit mistakes and double down. Most are arrogant twats, maybe this one is just a twat….

Edited yesterday at 09:14 by Lord Duckhunter

[Lee On Solent Saint]

9 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I think he went to give it, saw the Lino had a clear view, so froze thinking if the Lino didn’t give it perhaps it wasn’t. I think they basically left it to each other. I’m pretty sure had it happened down the other wing where there was no Lino, he’d have given it, he even went to put the whistle to his mouth.
 

I read somewhere he’d apologised afterwards to some players, which if he did, fair play. Doesn’t alter the fact it was a bad mistake, but most refs I’ve been involved with don’t admit mistakes and double down. Most are arrogant twats, maybe this one is just a twat….

Lino's are a waste of time in the game these days. Most of them even flag for throw in's after the ref has pointed whose ball it is. They are supposed to assist the referee yet never do.

[bangkoksaint]

I was at the game yesterday, sitting in the Itchen bang in line with the handball. Staggering that he didn’t give it. Having said that though I didn’t think he had a particularly bad game. The offsides are for the assistants and not him, so he’s always going with their decisions. The trouble is though that he’s paid at that level to make the big decisions and it certainly won’t have done him any good to have not given a stonewall pen. He’s assessed every game and when he sees it he’ll be seething with himself and probably the assistant too. We were just as culpable for missing nailed on chances 

[suewhistle]

Haven't read the thread but my only question is, how the heck did Bolton manage to score 3 goals away to Wolves?!

 

[Badger]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Lots of criticism but let's be honest we would have won every game this season bar Watford if we'd taken just a few more of our chances.

And even there we'd have had a draw, but for THB's last act in a Saints shirt.

[Dr Who?]

3 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Unless we sign a decent alternative CF in January we certainly won't trouble the automatic places.

Not sure this is true, it would be ideal, but we have other players that have been popping the ball in the net. Azaz, Leo & Matsuki all have an eye for goal. But correct that if Larin is not firing on all cylinders for a while we do not have an obvious replacement for him. But while on the pitch not injured the goals will come. It is no coincidence that we have tightened up at the back and the goals have stopped. We created enough yesterday to win 3/4 nil, it was just one of those days. Big test next in the fact that me, the wife and boy are going! 🙄 

[Kenilworthy1959]

43 minutes ago, suewhistle said:

Haven't read the thread but my only question is, how the heck did Bolton manage to score 3 goals away to Wolves?!

 

Bolton had plenty of chances. A few shots were blocked by our players and one great save by Peretz. They could easily have won.

[Midfield_General]

Has there been any word at all on Larin’s injury? 

[Stud mark of doom]

Some of the offside decisions defied belief - did the linesman not know it’s based on when the ball is played? 
 

At one stage, after several mad decisions, I shouted “offside surely” - as a joke as it was about 3 yards onside - and even that was given offside. 
 

And the penalty - that was truly incredible - I genuinely can’t think of such a blatant penalty, that would have been absolutely clear from every seat in the stadium, let alone from the pitch,  not being given. 

[saintant]

57 minutes ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

Bolton had plenty of chances. A few shots were blocked by our players and one great save by Peretz. They could easily have won.

Would have been an injustice.

[Badger]

3 minutes ago, saintant said:

Would have been an injustice.

Think we’ve all seen this play out before though. 

[sockeye]

Now that the dust has settled it's disappointing, we should win this game etc but it isn't the end of the world.

Clean sheet for three consecutive matches which was a worry earlier in the season.

[spyinthesky]

Bolton had three decent chances to score whilst we had at least four plus a stonewall penalty.

Got to give credit to the Bolton fans. Their support was constant and loud.

[Saint86]

22 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

No. The replacement for Stewart as rotation centre forward was Mubama. 

Because Dobbin wasn't meant to be a replacement for Archer. Dobbin was primarily brought in to provide competition for Azaz as the 10. 

Half the teams in this division won't have a first choice striker who scores 10 all season. Which out of contract striker do you think is available who has any chance of coming in and getting 10 goals a season at Championship level? 

Are you seriously suggesting that he deliberately didn't give that penalty because he thought it would benefit Middlesborough?

Lankshear is Middlesbrough's first choice number 9 and they don't have anyone of any comparable quality as a 'second striker' either. If he gets injured they're at as much of a disadvantage as we are if Larin gets injured. Both clubs are in the same situation. 

No. I'm suggesting we're getting punished.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Bolton support was excellent

[Badger]

On 17/10/2026 at 18:00, Midfield_General said:

Lankshear is Middlesbrough's first choice number 9 and they don't have anyone of any comparable quality as a 'second striker' either. If he gets injured they're at as much of a disadvantage as we are if Larin gets injured. Both clubs are in the same situation. 

But Lankshear it seems is able to regularly play 90minutes. Larin isn’t.

Agree any player can suffer an injury. You can’t predict that, but the club should be able predict ‘fatigue’ on a player from their record and provide for that. Very remiss not to have done. 

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, Badger said:

But Lankshear it seems is able to regularly play 90minutes. Larin isn’t.

Agree any player can suffer an injury. You can’t predict that, but the club should be able predict ‘fatigue’ on a player from their record and provide for that. Very remiss not to have done. 

He also cost more than double what we paid for Larin.

[Badger]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

He also cost more than double what we paid for Larin.

Fair point. Although it’s not as if he was out of our price range, assuming we’d spent our funds wisely (on a CF). 

Edited 19 hours ago by Badger

[Saint86]

5 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

He also cost more than double what we paid for Larin.

If he keeps scoring as he is, he'll cost them circa £20M...

[Matty's Caddy]

On 17/10/2026 at 10:02, chiknsmack said:

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

Perfect stream. Thank you very much fella. 
much appreciated 

[hypochondriac]

48 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

If he keeps scoring as he is, he'll cost them circa £20M...

We weren't going to spend £20 million on a striker thats the backup to Larin. We also weren't going to pass on signing Larin after the season he had last year.

[davefizzy14]

Absolute joke we weren't given that penalty which was one of the most blatant seen! If that had rightly been given I think we would have gone on to win by two or three. Main positive is its another clean sheet - three on the bounce now 😊 and we have closed the gap at the top. Onto next weekend 😊

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

We weren't going to spend £20 million on a striker thats the backup to Larin. We also weren't going to pass on signing Larin after the season he had last year.

My point was that he's going to cost them a lot more than double larin. Larin was a great buy.

[Cumbria Saint]

11 hours ago, sockeye said:

Now that the dust has settled it's disappointing, we should win this game etc but it isn't the end of the world.

Clean sheet for three consecutive matches which was a worry earlier in the season.

Another clean sheet. Three now after the introduction of Schlotterbeck. He seems like a good guy too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ph409f

[bangkoksaint]

Larin’s loss of form and injury is a cause for concern maybe. 

[LiberalCommunist]

Hopefully Bolton continue this fine run into Friday night when Boro come to town. 

Imagine how delighted their fans would be for collecting seven points from Wolves, Saints & Boro. 

That would be very impressive. 

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, bangkoksaint said:

Larin’s loss of form and injury is a cause for concern maybe. 

It should be no surprise when we can’t/won’t rotate him like we did after Xmas 

[VectisSaint]

7 hours ago, Cumbria Saint said:

Another clean sheet. Three now after the introduction of Schlotterbeck. He seems like a good guy too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ph409f

More like after reintroduction of Stephens (or replacement of Woods if that's difficult to stomach).

[macca155]

35 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

More like after reintroduction of Stephens (or replacement of Woods if that's difficult to stomach).

Jack has always been more effective, when playing on the right, and next to a decent CB. It takes the pressure off him a bit and allows him to be more of a captain. Which is something this team needs.

Anyway it works, don't mend it 

[Whitey Grandad]

At the same time we are scoring fewer goals. 

43 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

More like after reintroduction of Stephens (or replacement of Woods if that's difficult to stomach).

 

5 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Jack has always been more effective, when playing on the right, and next to a decent CB. It takes the pressure off him a bit and allows him to be more of a captain. Which is something this team needs.

Anyway it works, don't mend it 

 

[macca155]

16 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

At the same time we are scoring fewer goals. 

 

 

Oh I think other teams have sussed out our main threat. They have analysts too !

Plus I suspect Tonda is employing a more defensive strategy. Sacrificing a forward, Fellows it would seem, to stop conceding goals.

None of that excuses the blatant misses on Saturday.

1 0 away at WHU will do nicely though.

[Turkish]

On 17/10/2026 at 18:05, Badger said:

Dreadful. 

It used to be said that strikers would shit themselves at the sight of Peter Shilton in front of them. Perhaps Bazunu had similar effect on Dobbin 

if he'd have it it low and straight at him he'd have scored.

[StrangelyBrown]

22 hours ago, Stud mark of doom said:

Some of the offside decisions defied belief - did the linesman not know it’s based on when the ball is played? 
 

At one stage, after several mad decisions, I shouted “offside surely” - as a joke as it was about 3 yards onside - and even that was given offside. 
 

And the penalty - that was truly incredible - I genuinely can’t think of such a blatant penalty, that would have been absolutely clear from every seat in the stadium, let alone from the pitch,  not being given. 

The linesman was almost never up with play. I sat directly in line with most of the offsides in the first half and half of them were onside with the lino miles up the pitch - I think he must have knackered himself out with the ridiculous warm up

Really poor officiating, but this is what happens when VAR clears out all the decent officials from this level.

The worst thing is the penalty was blatant from where I was sitting - clear as day and I was at the other end of the ground on the other side. No excuse for missing it.

[VectisSaint]

2 hours ago, macca155 said:

Jack has always been more effective, when playing on the right, and next to a decent CB. It takes the pressure off him a bit and allows him to be more of a captain. Which is something this team needs.

Anyway it works, don't mend it 

Agreed. Tonda said last week that being naturally right footed its harder to play effective passes on the left side. All we need now is for Jack to find his scoring boots (or head) again, while we may not be missing his defensive qualities THB did contribute a fair few goals last season.