Preston 1-0 Saints - Match Thread

[Teamsaint1]

I  have a theory, based on not much, that Tonda has data that shows that games are usually won in the second half. hence he sets the team up to get to HT with damage limitation the prime aim. ( Obviously WHU was a different approach). 

[Suhari]

44 minutes ago, Teamsaint1 said:

I  have a theory, based on not much, that Tonda has data that shows that games are usually won in the second half. hence he sets the team up to get to HT with damage limitation the prime aim. ( Obviously WHU was a different approach). 

Would explain our first half shitness.

Fucking annoying trait.

[PJ]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We’d all have taken this amount of points off the top at the start of the season.

What is in defensible is the loss to Watford, loss to Preston, draw to Bolton and draw to Lincoln.

Four extremely poor teams that we should’ve battered.

I keep seeing this kind of comment. We're a third of the way through the season and further away from autos than at the start. I wouldn't have taken that at the start of the season. 

[Ambsaint]

We are in the playoff positions, not exactly a fearful team but I doubt anyone wants to play us. Today was one of those Championship games, which makes me love football. 

[bangkoksaint]

In decades of watching Saints, going home and away, that was probably one of the worst weeks I’ve experienced and my god there’s been a few. Luckily I only had a relatively short drive home after each game, the ones that travelled from Southampton deserve to be compensated for basically only being served up 2 acceptable halves of football. I’m beginning to think that TE and the players aren’t learning any lessons and that it’ll cost us massively. Arrogance, tinkering or lack of fitness, call it what you will but it can’t continue 

[bangkoksaint]

6 hours ago, Suhari said:

Would explain our first half shitness.

Fucking annoying trait.

I said this yesterday to the guy I was standing next to. They go out to wear the other team down with a view to picking them off second half.  If it’s the case it has to stop because we keep getting caught out. If this third of the season is a reflection of the rest of it then we’re in the playoffs and that’s a real lottery that I’m not sure we’ll triumph in. Effort, endeavour and commitment would have brought lots more points against the lesser sides.

[benjii]

12 hours ago, saintant said:

Just watched the highlights. Blatant penalty at the end not given. That's two now in recent games.

We hardly seemed to get any last season either.

[Saint_Jonny]

On 06/11/2026 at 10:24, Saint_Jonny said:

I've decided to trek up to Preston pretty last minute with my son, going to stay in Blackpool Saturday night and ride some rollercoasters on Sunday. 

My last visit to Preston, and my first ever away game, was a 5-1 defeat in October 2007, with our only goal being a Preston own goal. Great memories. 

I don't like Deepdale. 

Absolutely minging first half. Dominant second, Preston doing well to hang on. Overall, shite game. 

Nice evening in Blackpool though and ready to ride some rides today. We'll smash Derby in a couple of weeks. 

[Harry_SFC]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

We hardly seemed to get any last season either.

Just seen it myself. Arm clearly up and in an unnatural position, stopping the ball from going past him.

[There when Franny scored]

9 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Just seen it myself. Arm clearly up and in an unnatural position, stopping the ball from going past him.

I’m definitely against VAR but the Bolton one and this one give me pause for thought because they’re so obvious it’s inexplicable why they aren’t given. 
 

Conversely, I also actually thought Downes got wiped out by O’Leary against West Brom which was technically a penalty but I understand why the ref hasn’t given it as the ball had long gone as had the chance.

Tonda alluded to it in his post match interview. 

3 points lost from poor decisions, none gained that I can recall (all evens itself out!)? 
 

 

[AlexLaw76]

10 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We’d all have taken this amount of points off the top at the start of the season.

What is in defensible is the loss to Watford, loss to Preston, draw to Bolton and draw to Lincoln.

Four extremely poor teams that we should’ve battered.

really?

[bangkoksaint]

I agree about our pen but TBF they had a good shout for one just after the Schlott injury 

[Toussaint]

15 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

I agree about our pen but TBF they had a good shout for one just after the Schlott injury 

I think we got the decisions first half and Preston more so in the second half . 

[Jack]

Was keeping a close eye on Mubama when he came on yesterday, and it’s only reinforced my opinion that I never want to see him play for us again. Our players did well to avoid trying to pick him out as it would’ve been completely pointless, he was literally never onside. Not that he’d be able to control it if they had tried to find him. Spors has got work to do in January, him and Dobbin are a million miles off the required standard for the top end of this league. More shambolic officiating yesterday but we can’t keep blaming that, we need to be bigger than that and find a way.

Decent night out in Preston, locals were sound. Helped by the gifted 3 points I’m sure. 

[Toussaint]

We need another hold the ball up  / back to goal CF more than anything, I feel it’s that that cost us yesterday, no outlet and done really good crosses and cutbacks to …. No one. I know it’s been done to death on here but it was a disaster to not replace Stewart. I seriously doubt any of the U21 strikers will get a touch of the ball in the championship let alone be the answer to our problems.

[Toussaint]

Just now, Jack said:

Was keeping a close eye on Mubama when he came on yesterday, and it’s only reinforced my opinion that I never want to see him play for us again. Our players did well to avoid trying to pick him out as it would’ve been completely pointless, he was literally never onside. Not that he’d be able to control it if they had tried to find him. Spors has got work to do in January, him and Dobbin are a million miles off the required standard for the top end of this league. More shambolic officiating yesterday but we can’t keep blaming that, we need to be bigger than that and find a way.

Decent night out in Preston, locals were sound. Helped by the gifted 3 points I’m sure. 

His positional sense is non existent. He’s not a footballer, he may have got this far by being an athlete, but that’s not enough. 

[Harry_SFC]

13 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

We need another hold the ball up  / back to goal CF more than anything, I feel it’s that that cost us yesterday, no outlet and done really good crosses and cutbacks to …. No one. I know it’s been done to death on here but it was a disaster to not replace Stewart. I seriously doubt any of the U21 strikers will get a touch of the ball in the championship let alone be the answer to our problems.

It was proven last season when we signed Larin. Everything changed and we became unbeatable. Ok not solely down to just that but it was a huge factor. We just can't play without a decent physical CF. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Harry_SFC

[Barton Saint]

You just cannot compete against fired up big physical defenders with a ‘front line’ of three shorter slighter forwards in Leo Dobbin and Matsuki even if they have far more skill;

I get the disillusion with Mubama but if ever there was a game to start with him it was yesterday 

I hope my grandson kept the A4 printout Saints handed out thanking us for travelling up should have been a meal voucher!

[Badger]

1 hour ago, There when Franny scored said:

 

3 points lost from poor decisions, none gained that I can recall (all evens itself out!)? 
 

 

One less than from Dobbin not finishing a couple of one on ones. 
That’s without the Wrexham misses by all and sundry 

[Jack]

Another worry is what the hell has happened to Scienza? Looks completely devoid of confidence. It drives me nuts, he just doesn’t back himself to take his man on any more and when he does get a shot off, it’s always at a perfect height for the goalkeeper to save. Hit it low and hard and you give yourself a chance 

[Challenger]

Yet again we find ourselves without a CF and Jack Stephens as our first choice CB.

We have probably the most skillful team in this league but seriously lack pace, strength, depth and adaptibility. 

People now hanging on for the January transfer window in order to rectify things that should have happened in the previous one, not replacing Stewart was complete folly. 

[LoyalSaintSO50]

3 hours ago, bangkoksaint said:

I said this yesterday to the guy I was standing next to. They go out to wear the other team down with a view to picking them off second half.  If it’s the case it has to stop because we keep getting caught out. If this third of the season is a reflection of the rest of it then we’re in the playoffs and that’s a real lottery that I’m not sure we’ll triumph in. Effort, endeavour and commitment would have brought lots more points against the lesser sides.

Fkin hell, great tactics. They wore me down after 5 hours getting up there within 20 minutes 

[sfc4prem]

12 minutes ago, Jack said:

Another worry is what the hell has happened to Scienza? Looks completely devoid of confidence. It drives me nuts, he just doesn’t back himself to take his man on any more and when he does get a shot off, it’s always at a perfect height for the goalkeeper to save. Hit it low and hard and you give yourself a chance 

I feel like he's got so little confidence that he just won't even attempt to bend it into the far corner - instead he goes low and safe, nearly always ending up a comfortable save for the keeper.

A few recently have rebounded and we've scored, to be fair. 

[saintant]

6 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

I feel like he's got so little confidence that he just won't even attempt to bend it into the far corner - instead he goes low and safe, nearly always ending up a comfortable save for the keeper.

A few recently have rebounded and we've scored, to be fair. 

I'm probably miles off the truth here but he looks to me like a player who's heart is not in it. If that is the case he either wants away and is aware of offers or is still not over getting kicked out of the Paly-Off Final or both. 

[saintant]

I think we need Jander fit asap so we can get back to a midfield two of him and Downes. He's as big a miss as Larin and we forget how good a player he is.

[LoyalSaintSO50]

We managed to just about get out of our half from kick off, and other than that 45 mins of surrendering dross. Do we need the usual full on meaningless pre match warm up for that shit? Seems pointless to me when every first touch when it matters is garbage 
Just go old school Jimmy case, couple of stretches, crack on and get it right from the first whistle. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

We need Jander back and I’d be inclined to start someone else ahead of Scienza, he’s been largely anonymous this season.

[LoyalSaintSO50]

1 minute ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We need Jander back and I’d be inclined to start someone else ahead of Scienza, he’s been largely anonymous this season.

Width wise we’re struggling. Edozie and fellows, both consistent, in terms of being absolute lightweight fannies. I’m  surprised they survived Halloween 

[Mr X]

46 minutes ago, saintant said:

I'm probably miles off the truth here but he looks to me like a player who's heart is not in it. If that is the case he either wants away and is aware of offers or is still not over getting kicked out of the Paly-Off Final or both. 

I think he'll be off in January

[Toussaint]

14 minutes ago, saintant said:

I think we need Jander fit asap so we can get back to a midfield two of him and Downes. He's as big a miss as Larin and we forget how good a player he is.

Jander is a big miss but JWP has been exceptional, he was outstanding yesterday. Flynn is nowhere near back to his pre injury form and fitness, I’d suggest rotating him and Jander until they are both up to speed. I definitely wouldn’t consider dropping Prowse.

[SW11_Saint]

16 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Dear God. 
 

Knowing all his strengths 😂😂. Bet that part of the team meeting didn’t take long. 
 

He’s been pony all season, woeful. Unless he’s played for every single opponent, you’re just making excuses. He’s a dud so far, complete and utter dud. 

He hasn’t been pony all season though, that’s nonsense. QPR, West Ham he worked really hard for the team and played well. Just about building confidence and ensuring we get the best out of him. 

[Football Special]

21 minutes ago, saintant said:

I think we need Jander fit asap so we can get back to a midfield two of him and Downes. He's as big a miss as Larin and we forget how good a player he is.

I've mentioned before it might only be a few players but we definitely have an injury crisis, Larin is our only actual striker and Jander possibly best midfielder in the league, take them out plus Schlotterbeck and squad doesn't look promotion standard at all 

Jander was out for ages in the summer and clearly not right. 

Larin hasnt trained since Bolton home game , let's hope another two week break will get him fit but no way does he play against Derby, Sheff Utd and Middlesbrough in space of 6 days 

Edited 54 minutes ago by Football Special

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, Jack said:

Another worry is what the hell has happened to Scienza? Looks completely devoid of confidence. It drives me nuts, he just doesn’t back himself to take his man on any more and when he does get a shot off, it’s always at a perfect height for the goalkeeper to save. Hit it low and hard and you give yourself a chance 

His finishing has always been a bit dodgy, even last season. 
 

He looks to me like he lacks a bit of courage. Whether it’s the constant clog he gets when he runs at people, or whether he’s carrying an injury, but this season he looks a bit of a coward to me. He’s starting to look like one of those wingers who doesn’t want to get kicked again, so pops the ball off instead. Yes they double up on him, but there’s been plenty of times this season we’ve got him directly against his FB and he’s still popped it off, or gone at him half heartedly. He got by him a couple of times at the end yesterday, but he needs to be doing that from the off, not when we’re getting desperate. 

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

His finishing has always been a bit dodgy, even last season. 
 

He looks to me like he lacks a bit of courage. Whether it’s the constant clog he gets when he runs at people, or whether he’s carrying an injury, but this season he looks a bit of a coward to me. He’s starting to look like one of those wingers who doesn’t want to get kicked again, so pops the ball off instead. Yes they double up on him, but there’s been plenty of times this season we’ve got him directly against his FB and he’s still popped it off, or gone at him half heartedly. He got by him a couple of times at the end yesterday, but he needs to be doing that from the off, not when we’re getting desperate. 

Scienza missed WBA midweek , Tonda described him as being in a lot of pain, carrying an injury sounds likely 

Another player that struggles with a full 90 mins 

[Lord Duckhunter]

7 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

He hasn’t been pony all season though, that’s nonsense

He’s cost us 4 points by missing absolute sitters. If you think he’s played well in any games, you’ve got very low standards. In a couple of games he’s done ok. The rest he’s been awful waste of space, worse the Adam Armstrong and as bad as Archer. 

[bangkoksaint]

Anyway now I’ve had time to calm down a bit of a shout out to PNE. A free car park opposite the ground, a really welcoming old school social club 2 minutes walk away that was welcoming to both home and away fans, decent seats in a modern stadium and my absolute favourite on such a gash day……..15 minutes back to the M6!! All we need now is to go there and get a result, assuming that we play them again!!

[sandwichsaint]

Any thoughts on Welly at LB and Manning at LM to freshen it up a bit? Still no one to cross it too though. Not really understanding how Mubama is on the bench over a youngster who is scoring regularly for the u21s. Hopefully Abbott will step up at CB, don’t fancy a JS-Wood combo for the foreseeable.