Big Ron fan

12 points from our 4 matches v Chelsea/Leicester, 12 points from our other 30 games.

You've missed the win over Arsenal last season

Match Day 17: Our 2-1 defeat at Fulham leaves our comparisons as follows... Match Day: -5 points; -7 GD H-2-H: -8 points; -1 GD Match Day 18: Forest up next. Last season, MD 18 was the brilliant 3-2 Boxing Day win at West Ham, a game in which we took the lead 3 times. Elyounoussi, JWP and Bednarek scored for Saints. As Forest came up through the play-offs, I will use Norwich, who finished bottom of the Premier League, for the H-2-H comparison. On the last Friday in February, we comfortably beat them 2-0 at St Mary's, due to a first-half goal from Adams and a late goal from Romeu. That took us to 35 points and to within touching distance of the European places. Little were we to know that, after this game, the season would implode (the next league game was the 4-0 thrashing at Villa). I am not going to be able to keep this thread updated during January, but will return for the February games. I hope someone can take it over in my absence and that the change of contributor brings more of a change in fortune than the change of manager has. If there are no takers, I will retrospectively update it in early February. Here's hoping 2023 is much better on the football and non-football fronts than 2022 was!

In previewing Match Day 16, my performance was as shambolic as the team's turned out to be on the pitch! MD 16 last year wasn't Leicester at home (that was MD 14), but instead the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal. Our 1-3 defeat to Brighton has therefore left the comparisons as follows: Match Day: -4 points; -6 GD H-2-H: -8 points; -2 GD The latter is particularly depressing. Match Day 17: On MD 17 last season, we drew 2-2 at Palace. After conceding early an early goal by (inevitably) Zaha, we were 2-1 up by h-t, thanks to goals by JWP and Broja. Palace equalised through Ayew in the 65th minute. H-2-H: Fulham were promoted as Champions last season, so for the H-2-H comparison I will use Burnley, who finished 18th in the Premier League last season. We lost 2-0 at Burnley in mid-April, both goals coming in the first half. There seems to be nothing but doom and gloom on the football front, but I wish all Saintsweb users a Happy New Year. Things can only get better...

I was wondering that too

Apologies, I realise I didn't say that the Saints v Leicester game finished 2-2 last year, although I expect most of you will have remembered anyway!

Match Day 15 The 3-1 defeat at Anfield leaves our comparisons as follows: Match Day: -4 points; -7 GD H2H: -7 Points; level GD Match Day 16 Boxing Day sees us host Brighton, with whom we drew 1-1 last season, as discussed in the previous post. Match Day 16 last season was Leicester at home, a game in which we twice took the lead in the first half through goals by Bednarek and Adams. I'm usually a glass half full man, but I find it difficult to be optimistic about the second half of the season. In any event, Happy Xmas to all Saints fans!

22

Match Day 14: The 1-4 defeat to Newcastle finished Ralph off and has left our comparisons as follows: Match Day: -3 points; -5 GD H2H: -7 points; -2 GD Match Day 15: Liverpool away up next. Last season this was the 4-0 thrashing I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Game 15 last season was Brighton at home. Broja gave us a first-half lead but, after dominating and missing loads of chances, we conceded a 98th minute equaliser. You may remember that it resulted from shambolic defending and communication, with McCarthy injured and JWP unsure whether to go back on the goal line for a free kick. I've made two trips to see Saints at Anfield. In 1984, we drew 1-1 thanks to a very late equaliser from Joe Jordan, who poked in from a couple of yards out and stood in front of the Kop giving them the two-fingers with both hands. (They were not amused!) The other was the League Cup semi in 2017. I hope those of you making the trip end up with similarly happy memories.

I have a mate who is a Luton fan and goes regularly. Although their fans love him again after his return there, my mate reckons it's an odd choice and is surprised that Saints are after him. Although Jones has done well there, he hasn't seen anything to make him think that he would succeed at a higher level. My QPR mate says their fans loath him (something that surprised me). Apparently this is not because of any particular falling out with Rangers, but because (more than any other manager in that division) he whines and makes excuses for every defeat, even if its been a 5-0 thrashing! It sounds like his demeanour will be very different to Ralph.

Match Day 13 The 1-0 defeat at Palace leaves our comparisons as follows: Match Day: -2 points; -2 GD Head-to-head: -7 points; GD Nil Match Day 14 On MD14 last season, we drew 2-2 at home to Leicester. Bednarek and Adams twice gave us the lead, but goals from Evans and Maddison meant it finished all square, the last goal coming in the 49th minute. H2H: Newcastle at home was the rather controversial COVID-19 postponement that was eventually played in March, Newcastle winning 1-2 with both goals coming from their new signings, Wood and Guimaraes, the latter being a brilliant back-heeled volley. It was a close game in which Stuart Armstrong had given us the lead. I'm expecting another close game on Sunday, particularly if Lavia is back. I just hope we can somehow find the net! Enjoy it if you are going. Unfortunately I won't be, as I'll be at Twickenham. Bloody fixture rearrangements!

Match Day 12: The well earned point v Arsenal has left our comparisons as follows: Match Day: -2 points; -5 GD Head-to-head: -6 points; +1 GD Match day 13: Last season, game 13 was the 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool, where Ralph unexpectedly switched to a back 5 and we were 3 down after 37 minutes. He admitted afterwards that it had been a mistake to change formation! At Palace last season, we conceded very early to Zaha but were ahead at half-time thanks to goals from JWP and Broja. Ayew equalised for Palace on 65 minutes and we finished 2-2. I hope those of you going enjoy the afternoon and that travel is not too onerous.

Match Day 11 - The 0-1 win at Bournemouth means both comparators are unchanged: Match Day: -3 points; -6 GD Head-to-head: -4 points; +2 GD. Match Day 12 Last season was the dreadful 2-1 defeat at Norwich, where we lost after taking an early lead and were hopeless in the second half. Head-to-head: We somehow beat Arsenal 1-0 earlier this year, our only win in the last third of the season. Bednarek scored with what I think was our only chance, but my main memory is of an unbelievable save from Forster in the first half. With injuries to four of our better players, it will be tough to get much from Sunday's game, but I always live in hope!

Match Day 10: The 1-1 draw at home to West Ham leaves us with the following comparisons: Match Day: -3 points; -6 GD Head-to-head: -4 points; +2 GD [unchanged] Match Day 11: Next up Bournemouth away, live on Prime. Last season on Match day 11, we had a Friday night game, in which we beat Villa 1-0 thanks to A Armstrong's great strike after 3 minutes. A very similar game to last Sunday's v The Hammers: we could have been further ahead at h-t but were crap in the second half. However, we managed to hang on for a win rather than a draw. Head-to-head: This is our first game against a promoted side this season. Bournemouth finished second in the Championship last season, so I have matched them up against Watford, who finished 19th last season. The comparison is therefore (as for the match day comparison last weekend) our 0-1 win at Vicarage Road. With key players injured, I fear we may have to wait until after the World Cup for a significant improvement in our comparators.

Match Day 9 - The 4-0 defeat at Man City leaves us with the following comparisons... Match Day comparison: -1 point; -5 GD Head-to-head comparison: -4 points; +2 GD Match Day 10: Match Day 10 last season was the 0-1 victory at Watford, Che Adams scoring in a game where we should have won by a lot more. On the head-to-head, last season was a dull 0-0 at home to West Ham. I'm not sure what Ralph will do to try to improve things (particularly in midfield, without Lavia) but I am going to remain positive. I've been through enough relegation battles in my 60-odd years to get seriously worried only when a big gap opens up between us and 17th place. Also, due to the various fixture rearrangements and World Cup, this will be my last game before Boxing Day, so I'm really hoping for a very early Xmas present!

Match Day 8 The 1-2 defeat to Everton has put a dent in both our comparisons. Match Day comparison: Last year was the 1-0 win over Leeds, so we are now level on points and -1 GD. H-to-H comparison: Last year was a 2-0 win, so we are now -3 points but plus 6 GD Match Day 9: Last year was the 2-2 draw at home to Burnley, a game I'd largely forgotten until looking up the details. After conceding early, we went ahead just after half-time thanks to goals by Tino and Broja, only for Cornet to get his second shortly afterwards. Man City away was of course the 0-0 where we had the ridiculous VAR decision to overturn our penalty. We've had some good performances at City in recent years so it will be interesting to see if we can do anything to halt Haaland. It will be difficult with a big Lavia-sized hole in the midfield and a keeper (after an encouraging start) whose confidence looks shot. I hope the travelling fans have something to cheer!

Match Day 7 The shitshow at Villa actually improved both our Match Day and H-2-H comparisons, if only the GD. Match Day comparison - last year was the 3-1 defeat at Chelsea, so we are now +3 points and +1 GD. H-2-H: we remain level on points but +9 GD Match Day 8 was our first win last season, Broja scoring in a well-deserved 1-0 win over Leeds. On the H-2-H, last February we had a comfortable 2-0 win over an Everton side that barely mustered a shot. Goals were from Armstrong and Long. Everton now seem to be the sort of well-organised side that we tend to struggle to beat. I hope Ralph can sort out the centre-midfield and that he shakes up the attacking players too. Since the last half-hour v Leeds this season, I've enjoyed our home performances. The last two results have made me very cautious about getting too optimistic though!

Match Day 7 re-boot! With the cancellation of the Brentford game, Match Day 7 will now be Villa away. We have therefore gone from a fixture where it would have been difficult to improve our H-2-H record to one where it will be very difficult not to! Last season's dreadful and unexpected 4-0 defeat at Villa was the catalyst for our late season implosion. In particular, having missed the game, Salisu returned and for the rest of the season largely played like a non-league player, having been one of our better players previously. Like last season, we go into the game in decent form (despite last week's loss). In Lavia's absence, I think the key will be the midfield. If Ralph and his coaches can get the right personnel in there to stop Villa's creative players, we will have a good chance of the points and of sending Stevie G on his way too. I hope the Friday evening travel goes well for those attending.

Match Day 6: Every game against Wolves seems to go the same way... a tight game that we lose after either missing a sitter or conceding a crap goal (or sometimes both, as on Saturday). At least there are no terrible VAR decisions for us to complain about. On the match day comparison (last year was 0-1 at home to Wolves), we are still at +3 points and level GD. Our GD has improved on the Head-to-Head (last season was 3-1), so we are now level on points and +6 GD. Match Day 7: Last season this was the last match of our opening winless run of 7 games, being a 3-1 defeat at Chelsea in which JWP got a red card. On the Head-to-Head, last season saw us beat Brentford 4-1 at home, our biggest home win for several seasons. However, that was against a team on a terrible run with key players out with injury, so we will be meeting a very different Brentford this time. I'm looking forward to what should be an entertaining game.

Match Day 5: After last night's brilliant win, our match day comparison (last season was 0-0 at Man City) is now +3 points and level GD. The Head-to head comparison is obviously greatly improved, now standing at level on points and +5 GD. Match Day 6: Wolves away up next. Last season, in a game chiefly memorable for JWP's unbelievable free-kick, we almost equalised at the end before they got a late goal to win 3-1. It is also Wolves in the match day comparison, last year's game 6 being a 0-1 home defeat. My main memories of a relatively tedious game are the goal being due to a poor Bednarek error and the dreadful rolling around and time-wasting from the Wolves players, which was worse than anything I've seen from Richarlison or Gordon! Wolves seem to be similar to last season: difficult to break down but struggling to score. Even a point would put us into positive territory on both comparisons, but the way we are playing we must have a chance of getting all 3. Let's home Lavia's absence doesn't affect us too much.

I'm not really a fan of these 'clap in the 10th minute'-type tributes. As one of our greatest players in our greatest ever team I think he deserved a minute's applause before the game. It would be much easier for those of us who remember him to focus properly on his loss than to try to do so while the game is going on.

Elanga

Match Day 4 After yesterday's narrow defeat to Utd, our Match Day comparison is now +1 points and -1 GD [Last season was Saints 0-0 West Ham]. Our team-by-team comparison [last season was 1-1] is -3 points and -2 GD. Match Day 5 - Tuesday night sees us play Chelsea at home as our tough run of early season fixtures continues. Last season was the very creditable 0-0 at Man City, which we would probably have won without the bizarre VAR overturning of our penalty. Few who were there will forget last season's Chelsea home game, when we were 0-4 down after 32 minutes and they had also hit the woodwork four times by then. The final score was of course 0-6, but the solitary highlight of the game was when a young fan ran onto the outskirts of the pitch near the end, slipped evading a steward and was then serenaded with "Are you Gerrard in disguise?" by the Chelsea fans. Whatever happens on Tuesday, we will hopefully at least improve our team-by-team GD! I'm hoping for better though as our young team should be gaining confidence from recent performances.

I thought someone should bring this thread up-to-date for the 2022/23 season - I'm sure Minsk would want that. Match Day 1: Spurs 4-1 Saints. Last year we lost 3-1 at Everton on the opening day. Like this year, conceding poor goals and getting overrun after taking the lead. Match Day comparison - level on points, goal difference -1. On a team-by-team (TBT) comparison, following our great 3-2 win there last season, we are -3 points and -4 goal difference. Match Day 2: Saints 2-Leeds 2. A terrific last 20 minutes to pull back a two goal deficit after a change of shape and substitutions. Match Day comparison: we drew 1-1 at home to Man Utd, with a Fred o.g. cancelled out by Mason Greenwood. So still level on points and -1 GD. TBT comparison: Last year we beat Leeds at home 1-0 in match day 8, our first win of the season thanks to Broja. TBT comparison is therefore -5 points and -5 GD Match Day 3: Leicester 1-2 Saints. Again a great comeback, this time two Che Adams goals securing the win and, like against Leeds, several of our new players looking good. Match Day comparison - Last season we drew 2-2 at Newcastle, JWP getting the equaliser after 96 minutes after they had just taken the lead. This season's result therefore improves the match day comparison to +2 points and zero goal difference. TBT comparison: After last season's 4-1 stuffing (partially due to inept refereeing), this season's win means we are now -2 points and -1 GD. Match Day 4: It should be an exciting game against a revitalised Man Utd. Let's hope we can start how we have finished the last couple of games. Match day comparison - Last season was a dull 0-0 draw at home to West Ham. TBT comparison - As mentioned above, we drew 1-1 last year at home to Man Utd.

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