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Comment | Southampton Confirm Date Of Arsenal FA Cup Tie At St Mary's
at 08:12:17
A home tie against Prem's top side is the best test for the team to prove their abilities.
It also occurred to me that - in beating Arsenal - in the EMIRATES FA Cup, we would also be beating one of the Emirates top sponsored sides.
IF that were the case, might Saints be wearing Emirates-sponsored shirts next season ? - regardless of which league we are in. |
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Comment | Southampton At Coventry City The Preview
at 10:55:03
lots of other chat items in your text (Nick) but one thing that comes to mind is that following the "argy-bargy" episode after the home game v. Coventry, Frank Lampard was reported to have said Leo Scienza was outstanding and a difficult player to play against. (no news to us,) but it does mean that both teams will have a Plan B to consider if we are without Leo on Saturday. We may be more dependent on goals coming from the midfield (who have barely scored more than one goal each so far, and hope that our back line can convert more chances from free-kicks and corners.
It's good to have both Stewart and Larin fit enough to play, but neither of them looks to be goalscorers on a regular basis, and neither Fellows or Archer have made any impact there.
We can hope that our defence continue their heroic efforts to try and keep a clean sheet, and create enough to pinch a goal from the right opportunities.
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Comment | Southampton At West Bromwich Albion The Verdict
at 16:25:30
when I wrote a comment in your preview of this match (Nick) a couple of days ago, I didn't realise how close to the truth it would become. West Brom. are fighting for their Championship existence and they fought with every challenge and every tackle, with blood spilt on both sides before they scored the inevitable goal in those killer moments just before half time. We didn't see any improvement after the break, with players like Downes and Bree holding off from tackles, in case they were yellow-carded and ending up banned before Saturday's battle with Coventry.
Right up till the last minute it looked like West Brom might even get a second goal that would kill the game, but a tricky run from Edozie and the cross that gave a headed-goal from Larin gained us a vital point and so we didn't finish the match empty-handed. The second time this season (after our trip to Oxford) we learned that (sometimes) the toughest games are not against top teams, but those at the bottom struggling for survival.
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Comment | Southampton At West Bromwich Albion The Preview
at 14:01:08
The sort of game that seems easy enough " on paper", but teams at the bottom will fight like crazy for survival. Memories of the Boxing Day nightmare at Oxford, show how easy it is to control a game (71%) and 19 shots, but still come away empty-handed and without the 3 points that everyone expected. You might guess that we know what is expected for the game at Coventry, but these sort of games can be both uncertain and unsettling at a time when we have hit such good form. |
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The FA Cup Verdict
at 11:06:14
to echo several of the (above) I also think that Peretz is a breath of fresh air, and looks confident and acrobatic (compared to many who have gone before). It has taken a few matches (11 to date) to come to terms with those in front of him, but the back line has been more stable of late - and his 5 clean sheets have not gone unnoticed by many.
the end of the season seems a long way away, but with the futures of McCarthy, Ramsdale and Bazunu still uncertain, I hope Peretz will be one in our goalie squad next season.
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The FA Cup Verdict
at 11:05:57
This is "the CUP" ....and after Bree's extra time winner v. Leicester, and now Stewart's last minute penalty we are beginning to look like a side who can win by late goals.
Hope the luck holds out a bit longer. |
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The FA Cup Preview
at 10:12:33
By the 5th round people are beginning to take notice and harbour thoughts of a trip to Wembley - even if it's only for a semi-final match - and now the competition begins to get interesting with a game against Fulham. A mid-table Prem. side, unlikely to win anything but still seemingly good enough to survive at the highest level every season.
This is the first real challenge for Eckert's new look side to test their abilities to beat a top tier side. Both teams are likely to start with a strong side, and a few young talents whilst leaving their big names on the bench, ready to boost the side if they appear to be flagging a bit after the hour mark.
It's notable that Harrison Reed is still a regular name in the Fulham line-up, 10 years or so after his graduation through Saints' Academy, (and like several others) had to kick-start his career elsewhere whilst the Saints sides were dominated by the likes of Bertrand and JWP, which meant they had few starts, when they ought have been playing every week.
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Comment | Why Not Have A Non League Day On Saturday At AFC Totton
at 08:14:19
Historically, Saints have had contacts with some local non-league clubs in various ways and the use of Eastleigh's ground for U21 / Women's matches are prime examples, and Totton's recent promotion has given them a push up the ladder, where - at present - they seem to be keeping their heads above water in a very competitive league.
A nice gesture to give a plug for them (Nick) and we can hope that a few Saints fans will make the trip to cheer them, on an otherwise "blank day" in Saints' League programme. |
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Comment | Caspar Jander Predicted To Be Hot Property In Summer Transfer Window
at 11:39:38
After a few games he began to look like a good investment with some attributes of a promising midfielder, but there is a downside in that as " a typical lightweight", he gets more than his share of knocks and has been rested a few times with minor injuries.
He's made a fair job of adapting to "the English game" but (with a longer season than in Germany and no winter break), it's a big ask for him to become a 100 % starter.
I'm not sure we would miss him if he moved back to his homeland, and now with Cam Bragg already in the mix, I'm sure it wouldn't harm the balance of our squad.
With a queue of interested clubs growing by the week, and a goodly fee being bantered around - I'd say a move away for him would be a win-win situation for club and player. |
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Comment | Southampton At Sheffield Wednesday The Verdict
at 11:24:31
The result was earned, but we looked a bit shaky at times. Overall, the back four were our best players, but not just because of the goal tally, but defended well-most of the time.
The midfield combination of Charles (still not 100% fit) and Bragg (who DAJFU in his occasional games) seemed to work well enough, but with 15 shots, the strike force might have managed one or two more goals. It's not fair to expect Scienza to be MoM in every game, but Matsuki has improved a lot, and is a good alternative to Fellows (who hasn't quite gelled yet , nor has he scored either). Good starting line-up, by "protecting " our regular names who have put in a shift in recent matches.
Once again, am glad we have Bree back in the fold, (which is more luck than judgement by loaning him out and not selling) ..when Still " cleaned house " in the summer and sent away several of our most experienced Championship players. |
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Comment | Southampton At Sheffield Wednesday The Preview
at 13:38:28
agree Saints Paul (above) after a great win against QPR (a mid table side like ourselves) the prospect of a game against (already relegated) Wednesday almost seems like another high scoring game, but we must humbly remember our Boxing Day fiasco game v. Oxford.
Already in the drop zone then, Oxford turned the game on its head and we lost despite over 70% possession and 19 shots .The Wednesday players, who are already in the mix for next season's League One listing have nothing to play for - except their pride, but that in itself may be a dangerous situation if we take our foot off the pedal whilst still recalling the joy of Tuesday's result. This is (theoretically) the " easiest" fixture we have for the rest of the season, if we cannot put this game to bed PDQ, it will make the rest of the fixtures even harder to mount a real challenge for the play-offs.
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Comment | Southampton Lining Up Move For Modern Target Man Striker In The Summer
at 17:27:21
and apparently Bodo-Glimt beat Inter Milan 3-1 last night with Hoge scoring their 3rd goal.
The return leg in Milan should be interesting, although if I were Saints I'd be keen to look and their defenders, if they beat Man City AND Milan and only conceded once in each game. |
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Comment | Will Southampton Invoke Extension Option For Ross Stewart
at 09:20:26
As a response to your headline (Nick) ..Saints would be daft not to - don't you think?
The transfer fee was not insignificant, and successive injuries made things worse, but in recent games he's beginning to look like the player we wanted in the beginning.
His input of late has been very good. His " cheeky" opening goal in the 4-3 revival at Leicester (and a couple of assists) showed he still is a force to contend with.
Ironically, the transfer of Adam A. seems to have opened up new opportunities with the arrival of Lerin, and now we have 2 big men available up top for the first time in a decade.
If he stays reasonably fit, is managed well and isn't forced in to 96 minute games every week, I'd say, the answer is the proverbial " no brainer". |
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Comment | Southampton Look For Another Home Draw In FA Cup 5th Round
at 14:15:35
home draw against one of the "smaller fish" still left in the competition would be nice, but
when it's down to the last 8 sides, it really gets interesting. Those who were around in 1976 might recall that by the semi-final stage the whole city wanted a ticket for the Final. |
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Comment | Southampton V Leicester City The FA Cup Verdict
at 16:28:07
Not a classic game in terms of Cup football and the lack of familiarity between players was obvious at time but nevertheless we held out in the first half. Edozie's persistent runs were rewarded with a penalty, converted by Larin who seemed quite relaxed about taking it.
As noted above, Cam Bragg strolled through the game with almost faultless passing and good movement around the pitch. I won't criticise "the other Cam", who clearly looks like a man out of form despite his energetic input. The later introduction of other Academy lads seemed to settle the side, unsurprisingly as they play together regularly in the U21's.
NOT letting Bree leave in the summer was either a masterstroke, or a fortunate oversight after Will Still dismissed the experience of JB, Charlie Taylor, BBD and Ryan Fraser in favour of the " foreign imports" unfamiliar with the complexities of this league in England.
A good outing for the new young names who all "passed the test" and who may appear again on the bench periodically before the end of the season. Eckert's half-season with the U21's (before his sudden promotion) had given him a good look at our promising young talents and he wasn't afraid to give them game time, and this game was the perfect opportunity.
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Comment | Southampton Defender Set To Miss The Rest Of The Season
at 08:15:48
Suddenly RB is a role that is overloaded and the return of James Bree complicated the issue, but clearly Bree is the best of the bunch. However as this post is about Mats Roerslev, it should be noted that a.t.m. he is a minor piece in the game and his unfortunate injury does help solve the selection problem. On paper he is a useful member of the squad. A 26 y.o. international, who cost just 3 million on a 4 year deal. After his surgery there will be rehab and a pre-season which (hopefully) will make his a major asset next season. |
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Comment | Southampton V Watford The Verdict
at 12:01:17
Not best game of the season, but 3 points, a stable back 4, and yet another clean sheet. Agree with highfield 49 (above). You only see the real ability of players when they are played in a formation that suits them. A high ball into the box should be meat and drink for tall strikers (and so it was recalling the likes of Pelle, Lambert and even Beattie).
Good showing from Sam Edozie, back in the reckoning with a new chance to impress. Both he and Scienza give more left-sided options up front, and supported by Welington who really has come on in the last month. What a good decision to recall James Bree, he really looks the part, and we have real defender who can DAJFU.
The departure of Adam A. maybe lamented by some, but his long "dry spells" were always worrying but suddenly it feels like a whole new squad. Hope this new form stays, before we start talking up "the P-word" too soon, (but there are still 45 points to play for.)
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Comment | What Do Southampton Do With A Problem Called Edozie
at 09:37:31
I think you are a bit unfair (Nick) calling Sam -- a problem. He was in the young group that came from Man City's Academy in 2022. It took time to settle and Sam signed while still a teenager, and although he showed up well at times, and scored goals, but obviously lacked the consistency expected of more experienced players. Like everyone, he wants to play every week, but when managers come and go, it's easy for anyone to fall out of favour.
Sam has been a victim of that, and some unexpected injuries, (or maybe the fellow who has his position in the team deserves the spot because he's playing better at the time).
We have the rest of the season to analyse the now 23 year old Sam, who is another man than he was as a newcomer. He may move on, but might become a future squad asset. |
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Comment | Are Saints Arguably Stronger At The End Of The Transfer Window Than They Were At The Start
at 08:58:04
Difficult to say that we've made any big strides this window, but (unlike some) I'm enthusiastic about Peretz's, and although he's not totally faultless, he is mobile and not afraid to get involved. One or two saves reminded me of Niemi's acrobatics.
Somewhat sad that Armstrong has gone, but Larin fits the bill regarding physique and experience, but we need to see him in our formation.
For the rest, youngsters who need to test themselves in "the man's game" may improve , or they will end up in L1/L2 in a year or so, but we still have a large group of "square pegs " from previous managers who must go in the next window. |
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Comment | Southampton Confirm Adam Armstrong Departure
at 08:16:20
It has to be said that at a time when the club was yo-yoing between leagues, Adam was one of the few names who earned his place and - given the chances - did score goals.
Like all strikers, had periods when his form likened the proverbial sauce-bottle.. (long dry spells, and then all at once). This season was typical, when it took 11 games before he got his first, but then he scored 6 times in 5 games, after which he had blank 10 games. Has reached an age when he is still a first-choice candidate to play, and even if Wolves get relegated, he is experienced in the Championship where he is known to succeed. Overall, I must admit he DAJFU, even in the worst times, but I just hope we don't have to face him too often. good luck Adam. |
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