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Comment | Can Southampton Poop Everton's Party
at 08:31:25
IF I recall correctly, our wins at Goodison were numbered in decades until recently, and even one of two drawn games in between were with via help of some dubious refereeing.
Now that we've reached the 12 points we've been praying for, we really have nothing to play for other than a win instead of laying down and letting Everton have some glory in their last game.
An interesting footnote to " the last game " is the story that Everton will not be forking out the many millions for the demolition of the ground and that it will be given over to the Everton's Women's team, although it may sound a bit hollow when their (average 2,000 crowd) has the entire 40,000 arena to shout about. |
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Comment | Joe Aribo's Performance Against Man City Has Saints Fans Asking Questions
at 10:57:10
RUSK has done well / better than Juric, but I don't see him as a managerial prospect anytime soon, and pulling Les off on Saturday when he did was a sensible move.
Ugochukwu has been a good loan, and if it wasn't for Chelsea's potential asking price, I'd take him for next season, but he is still young and was lucky to still be on the pitch at HT. His lack of experience shows, having picked up 3 yellow cards in the last 6 games.
Last week's subbing of Fernandes (57 mins.) upset a some fans but Rusk said he had returned from Portugal (after attending to personal issues), and TBF didn't look 100% and being 0-2 down at HT there wasn't much point in flogging a tired stallion who had been crocked by several Leicester players who went on unpunished by a sub-standard referee.
Joe Aribo will certainly move in the summer, as (like many others), he won't want to be in a Championship side when the World Cup comes around. Giving him minutes also gives potential buyers another look at him, but we also need to see some of the "bench players" getting game time, and I thought both Bree and Welington DAJFU and showed up well.
Now we've got to 12 points (sounds a daft thing to say), but I'd expect some others to get minutes if they are to stand a chance of playing next season.
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Comment | Southampton V Manchester City The Verdict
at 16:38:30
Considering that City could have won with the players they left on their bench, they were
" outclassed " on the day, and it must be our best defensive performance in many moons.
Dias tried to complain that we didn't try and play, but he should realise that they needed to let us get have ball - if he expected that. 26 shots to our 2 shows why they didn't win.
A good showing by everyone on the day, and even Bree and Welington showed that they were worth their places when they often end up sit on the bench. we got past the dreaded 11 points, and somewhere inside it almost felt - like we won.
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Comment | Manchester City At Southampton In Pictures
at 11:28:03
with City still fighting for a CL place, and only a few games left, we can't expect any mercy from them, and yet I seem to recall that in past seasons Pep always went back to Mancunia with the points, without leaving some comment about Saints as tough opposition and being glad for the win. Whilst City ate fighting for wins, we are still chasing that elusive ONE point. |
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Comment | Southampton Apparently Not Up For Sale At £125 Million
at 11:23:27
I go along with Block 8. Those people who make claims about us not being as selling club are still wearing rose-coloured glasses. There are perhaps half-a dozen clubs in the Prem. who spend £100 million every season without blinking an eye, however when we spend that sort of money we buy 4 or 5 players for that amount and don't always get good deals.
If we hadn't sold Lavia and Livramento ..and later JWP and Co. when we did , we would never have the finances to go out and spend anything at all. Dragan was courageous in buying into the club, but he won't be spending multi-millions every season, and the sale of our best prospects must be available to cover the eventual costs of new signings.
To be fair, every ambitious player wants to play at the highest possible level (for them) and no-one in our fan base should complain if we lose our best at the end of the season.
I think of players like Ross Stewart who must have wished for a better time with Saints, and no amount of salary (even when injured) can replace two lost years of an all-too-short career span at the higher levels. A pause for thought, when we " less-wealthy clubs" go out and spend really big only to end up with a player in rehab for a year or more.
I'd praise Dragan if he sticks with us, but we know that everything has a price - even clubs.
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Comment | Johannes Spors Shakes Up Southampton Backroom Team
at 16:03:08
Nor sure if "shake-up " is the right phrase (Nick). Seems to me that a few have already left, or had a sideways move. Hopefully Spors is putting together a team from his past and (unlike Trump) selects people who actually have some experience in the areas we need.
Both Academy sides have finished their seasons well and so those former Saints who are coaching them at present may well be unchanged, (unless THEY get better offers).
The new names might suggest we will see players from various parts of Europe coming in
and that Spors will have a big say in the final choice of the new Manager and it's someone who will fit the set-up he has in mind, and not choose a "wild card" like Nathan Jones.
The financing of the new Manager and " his team" will be crucial (contracts, etc) at least we are likely to see some people on the Board who actually "know a bit about football".
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Comment | Dom Ballard And Forgotten Man Boost Saints First Team Claim
at 13:40:21
Another good crop of U21's. Dom Ballard along with Dibling, Robinson, Bragg and Payne all came through the Academy together and may be the backbone of a future Saints side, as the Championship can provide them with game time without the challenges of top-tier football when they come up against international players in every week.
Looking back to a generation when; JWP, McQueen, Stephens, Sims, Targett and Reed were the mainstay of that generation's Academy. They all made it to play Prem. football (albeit not always with Saints). It would be nice to think we might have another group who grew up together and have made their mark. IF they win their Final it provides the club with a group of talented youngsters who have already played together for a decade. |
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Comment | Southampton At Leicester City The Verdict
at 12:30:35
Same procedure as LAST WEEK. I think you do a good job of trying to ice the cake (Nick) but this column still sounds like that old cracked LP after every game. No criticism of you personally, but clearly .."the team " (If I can call them that) just aren't up to it, and who can blame them. Three managers, and countless tweakings of the system hasn't improved things, and I don't blame Rusk and AL more than anyone else who had gone before.
Those people who previously commented on the return of Captain Jack, added more fuel to their argument, and his removal at HT was too late to affect a game already lost.
Can't think of too much to comment on the game, once again blighted by "the Curse of Vardy" as I'm sure he's scored more times against Saints than many other Prem. strikers.
A closer look at our three remaining fixtures doesn't auger well for the chances of getting that ONE face-saving point or conceding more goals in more embarrassing scorelines. Roll on August.
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Comment | The Rumour Mill Suggests Southampton FC Are Up For Sale
at 08:47:27
Any club looking for success needs a billionaire backer who is not afraid to spend money.
Dragan's assurance that he loves the club and wants it to prosper is fine rhetoric, but the big question is ..where will the next £100 million come from? because we need it...ASAP.
As NIck noted above, Mr. Gao and later Dragan put their money where their mouths were and tried to improve the club but successive managers who changed everything on the pitch and for the most part, had a Plan B when it was most needed. Don't get me wrong,
even big spenders don't buy automatic success (Spurs, Man. U) and the constant changing of managers with their own ideas, formation / tactics only compounds the issue.
Buying a good player (s) who fits the bill in one club doesn't mean they are ideal choices in another set-up. Our present staff includes players who have served under 5 managers, and a few have become "square pegs" and deliver much less than everyone hoped for.
No-one has come close to Koeman's all-too short successful sojourn with us, and his many successors have (for the most part) failed miserably,and we finally ended up with a Board who " weren't football " who have made some very poor decisions.
So we are back to square one, or in this case (the Championship) we will see another massive turnover in the playing staff, and a new manager.. .and perhaps even a new owner?, and that's an awful lot to change in one season.
After 60 years as a Saints fan, quite frankly ...I'd be glad to finish above 17th next season but (hope for better), and the best I hope for is doing the double over Po*pey.
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Comment | Southampton V Fulham The Verdict
at 10:44:35
Sadly another game that reminds one of ..deja vu. A half-reasonable start, some good /lucky defending and even a goal up at the break. At 70 minutes was beginning to think we were in with a chance, but their first goal struck Bednarek and altered the trajectory of the ball, leaving Ramsdale helpless. How many times have we seen that this season?
KWP and Fernandes caused most problems (and got regularly crocked for their troubles), and I thought that the ref. had left his yellow card in the dressing room. The little we saw of Ross Stewart was somewhat encouraging, and Sulemana looked good, until he got into the final third. Ugochukwa puts himself about in MF, but sadly we are unlikely to see him again after the summer, especially after Shea Charles returns.
Losing points in added time has worked for us just once, but losing matches by a late goals has been our big misfortune. By my count we have dropped points / lost in added time 6 times this season and lost 11 games - by a one goal margin. It's easy to blame defenders, but regardless of that we have been woefully negligent in front of goal.
Worst of all it seemed that every Fulham attack involved 5 or 6 players going forward. We started the season with 4 front-line strikers (plus the often-injured Stewart), and none of them have got past 5 goals. The loan outs of AA and BBD only worsened the situation since when we have start many games with Archer, or Onuachu as the one striker option.
Whatever else we do in the massive clear out that is clearly on the cards, we MUST get at two good strikers who are consistent strikers, even if it means dipping into League One.
I'd even consider seeing Danny Ings return on a free transfer if it means getting an experienced head to lead the line for next season. I can't see any of the existing names producing 20 goals a season, and with the soon-to-be promoted sides clocking up 70 + goals we need much more fire power up front. OH... for another Lambert, or Pelle.
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Comment | Southampton V Fulham The Preview
at 11:33:27
At least Juric tried to "undo" that defensive-minded RM methodology, and Simon Rusk has seemingly convinced the players that they can mount attacks throughout the game without playing half-paced for the entire time. Basically we are looking for that one point more to avoid that mention in the record books, and have the chance to learn how to play attacking football again.
West Ham may not have played their best, but we did and (with more luck) might have come away with all 3 points. Whether we get a victory on Saturday, or next week remains to be seen, but we should start with Archer, and / or even Stewart, so that we can see if they are best-suited for our Championship season, and with Onuachu coming off the bench (if needed) to ring the changes to justify the fee we will demand when he leaves.
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Comment | Southampton Have Their Best Chance To Avoid Unwanted Record On Saturday
at 13:04:47
Historically, some of our best results came against high-flying sides with unbeaten records who had little else to play for. Man. City only managed one goal against us on their home turf, and despite losing we were worth more from the October trip to the Emirates.
Given our record against Leicester, it's about time we got one back on them, especially as we will be playing them again next season. Our wins against Everton at Goodison were measured in decades until last season, but a point there is almost as good as a win.
Fulham were all over us in the away game, so the one point there was quite impressive.
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Comment | Could Southampton's Loaned Out Players Return To Play This Season
at 12:48:45
a lot of conjecture about " early returns " here (Nick). Assuming they had a recall clause ?, then they could be brought back. Armstrong seemed to enjoy working with Tony Mowbray (again) but as HE has now been sacked that situation is no longer a viable alternative.
The real question is...are we happy to see Adam continue, or let him move elsewhere?
Bearing in mind neat season, there is no mention of our other on loan-ers, BBD (who may move to Sheff Utd), the promising O'Brien-Whitmarsh, and Dom Ballard whose goal tally in the U18's left Tyler Dibling in the dust whilst they played alongside each other.
Shea Charles has had a v.g. season with Sheff. Wednesday, so he should walk into our new line-up without too much discussion, (and maybe bring his brother Pierce with him which might help solve our goalkeeping dilemma next season).
If THB leaves (likely) Edwards should be good enough to DAJFU in the backline along with Wood-Gordon, which leaves Capt. Jack and /or JB ..depending on their futures.
NO, it was an interesting discussion point, (Nick) but I don't see it happening as we have nothing else to play for - apart from that one elusive point to help us avoid disgrace.
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Comment | Southampton At West Ham United The Verdict
at 07:51:42
I agree (Block 8) that the passing game presents problems for lesser teams, but our squad is the product of 5 managerial changes (all who used different formations) and to be fair barely a handful of them are even close to mediocre Prem. standard.
Maybe that formation works for Arsenal but look at their squad and financial backing.!
Perhaps if our lads had played with Rusk's formation (and attitude) earlier in the season, we might have avoided the drop, but this squad has done its time, and the new manager will likely start next season with a load of new names and we'll be lucky to save the best. |
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Comment | Southampton At West Ham United The Verdict
at 11:24:26
(basically).. the same squad but Simon Rusk finally banished that infamous Russell Martin formation with an attacking performance as good as anything we've seen all season and with Sulemana unlucky not to get on the scoresheet by HT.
A lot of good displays in different areas, and a determination not to surrender after going down so early after the break and getting a result at the death.
I almost made Downes my MoM with his best display in months, (and a chance to show WHam what they missed when they let him go). A first Prem. goal from Lesley Ugochukwa who might have scored our Goal of the season, (especially as there have been so few to choose from) and he would be a good buy for next season - if we could find the cash ?.
A good word for those travelling fans who haven't totally deserted the team despite all those poor results in (perhaps) the most horrendous season we've had in many a year.
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Comment | Southampton At West Ham United The Preview
at 09:08:34
(to Colburn (above) seemingly Brereton Diaz has lost his early success, but he came on in the final quarter and secured the game with a late goal for the Blades, who made hard work of a match against struggling Cardiff.)
BUT as this thread is about the WHam game. Always an interesting fixture, and we've had our share of good / surprise results over the years, although the Hammers have often stolen the game with a late goal. It will be unusual to see us playing AGAINST Prowsey, but hopefully can edge past that "hoodoo points Prem. tally " we have been longing for.
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Comment | Forgotten Men Could Play Crucial Part For Saints Next Season
at 19:10:05
Those players you mentioned (NIck) are just the overflow that Russell Martin ignored after deciding they didn't " fit his style" . Strange after his love affair with Ryan Fraser and persuading him leave his unfinished contract with Newcastle, he then totally ignored him.
Can't believe that Charlie Taylor was so much worse than Manning (another RM regular) and ABK had little or no game time to show up, and rarely even making the bench.
With a fit Larios, and the return of loan players like Shea Charles, Edwards and Sam Edozie we have the makings of a good Championship squad after the obvious candidates leave.
I don't expect either Adam A. or BBD to stay longer term and with the likely departure of Onuachu, then we have only Archer and (a fit) Ross Stewart as a strike force (!)
Definitely a need for 2 or 3 established strikers with a good goal tally behind them, or we will fail at the first hurdle.
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Comment | Everton V Southampton Game Moved
at 18:51:37
This is nonsense. The last game at Goodison will be ..the last time they play a game THERE.
Unlike Saints ...Everton will still be a Prem. club next season, so why this obsession with changing venue for no obvious reason.
If fans want to see Goodison for the last time, then let them in on another day and they can take turf from the pitch, seats from the stand and diverse items from the arena - like the signs for those obnoxious toilets.
It will be karma ... if Saints end up beating them on Liverpool's turf, (unless they are really just afraid of losing the last game at their beloved stadium).
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Comment | Manchester United, West Ham And Leeds Circling Over Southampton
at 16:35:39
(Nick).. you mentioned 4 or 5 players likely to leave ( I think we'd all have the same list) but this article seems to centre on goalkeepers. YES ..Ramsdale will certainly leave for A.N.OTHER Prem. side who have a better defence and hopefully there will be an "auction" otherwise we will make a big loss on the whole deal. I recall the catastrophic year that Sunderland were relegated with record goals against and their keeper was (one) Jordan Pickford. He went to Everton, kept them up every season and also won 70 England caps.
Bazunu seems to have a lifetimes contract (in some eyes) but with Lumley OOC in the summer, and McCarthy with one year left - to sit out on our bench - we can expect some new names in "the keeper dept." Not sure how Bazunu has performed on his loan out (?) and unless they are really keen to keep him (?)...he will be back with us after the summer.
With Shea Charles returning from his loan with Sheff. Wed. we might just see his goalie brother coming too - especially if Danny R. gets the managers job. Of those names above mentioned, they might just DAJFU in the Championship, but we really need " another type of Ramsdale"- if we are to get promoted again and be capable of staying up - longer term.
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