Football Special

Ipswich fan i work with "We had 6 points off you last season and I see no reason why we won't do it again. McKenna will have the better of Martin" I get they don't like Martin due to his Norwich connections so will be keen to get one over him again.

Agree, atmosphere has been rubbish so far. Forget the first 4 games, season starts now , got to be up for it and really get behind them for once.

I'd agree with most of that. Lallana can offer us something like Christian Eriksson for Man Utd, help control the game and lead theyounger players, fitness will be an issue. No complaints with line up last night, nice to still be in the Cup but more importantly gave the team a lift, looked like they were buzzing at the end, important to take that into Saturday Still don't know where our goals will come from though.

He's a completely different character to JWP , personality wise Stephens is more of an old-school captain

How many did we score in the last round? This comp might be where we use up all our goal allowance

I've given it some thought and won't be too fussed if Martin just throws out a weakened team, the football league themselves have completely devalued the competition allowing for seeding in the draw under the guise of European fixture congestion but really just helped them and the tv companies achieve their aim of big clubs reaching latter stages ensuring viewing figures / advertising revenue We're just making up the numbers in this charade.

We played well, absolutely, excited about Dibling, but where will the goals come from? They won't. Think I'd be more confident with Che Adams and Stu Armstrong than some of our current options. Swapped Mara for Archer. Diaz isn't what we need. Martin might be new to this league but as a fan base we've seen plenty of it and can see where this squad is short compared to what we've had previously. Think most of us feared after play off final that this season would be like this.

For the doomsayers can you explain how this team will score enough goals to stand a chance? Even with a change of manager the players aren't good enough. I'd love to believe we can do it but honestly cannot see it, going to be a painful season unfortunately

I think those of us brought up on a diet of Le Tissier, Beattie, Lambert where a penalty usually = a goal find it hard when we see such lame efforts. The miss yesterday had all the ingredients for a shit one - different player holding the ball wanting to take it - long wait due to VAR I assume - penalty taker even looked like he had no confidence as be stood waiting for keeper to retreat to his line

I actually think Everton looked good, very comical managing to lose again from a 2 goal lead but they are scoring /creating and certainly look much more capable than we do in my opinion. Tuesdays carabao will be interesting, I think Everton will edge it due to home advantage and Dyche will take the Cup more seriously than Russ.

Not really, as someone who goes in both ends the type of fan in each is quite different. But I agree without the away fans nearby it's taken the edge off it where songs would go back and forth. Miss the Itchen North , club had been looking to cleanse that area for years to make it more suitable for corporate champagne bars and safe standing plus moving away fans was a masterstroke by the club, made it look like the fans decision to move from there.

I agree we started off well, no complaints first 30 mins , but surely even the most optimistic saints fan can see we won't score anywhere near enough goals to have a chance of survival. It's a miserable season making up the numbers , the new Northam wall hasn't got going either, subdued today

Not sure, bloke near me today was Stephens this and Stephens that, cheered when he was sent off, must be a coping mechanism to deflect from the defeat, just blame Stephens

Thanks for calling out misinformation like that post, so many clueless fans who would repeat it and become fact, plonker next to me cheered when Stepehens got sent off today unbelievable

Is it Everton, Ipswich, Bournemouth? Definitely games we need to show we can actually defend in , a chance to play without pressure of including Stephens. I personally don't think he's that bad to be honest.

I don't think anyone who Martin plans to play against Ipswich will feature in this game. Definitely Wood and Edwards at the back., Bree and Manning or Taylor, Smallbone, Aribo probably SAA. Who knows up front, think a start for Stewart is likely.

Sack him the evening after the Saints Legends v Russell Martin XI game

Everyone I go with is resigned to relegation, there's no goals in this team, could be record low points , such a shame we couldn't stay in the championship

At least we should be able to put out a strong side at Everton on Tuesday night Turkish window closes tomorrow? Surely Onuacho goes by then

Think you're probably right unfortunately, unless Ross Stewart comes in so fired up with a point to prove and scores a screamer and we somehow battle out for a 1-0 win, Russ turns into Ralph sobbing on the touchline at the end.

Were there many left?

I've seen quite a few people sharing on social media and echo also featuring it so you've all done a good job of raising awareness, good work chaps https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24573296.southampton-fc-pay-tribute-young-referee-elijah-khaira/?ref=rss

Will be sad to see him go, hope they invite him back to play for Saints Legends v Russell Martin XI next month. End of an era.

You can buy tickets now directly from the club on the exchange assuming you have a booking history