VectisSaint

Mate's nipper is the Reading keeper. Mate is a Skate though so don't feel too bad.

That was the rumour, but McCarthy's contract was "outed" by the official FA information, whereas there was no evidence of Stephens' new contract. The fact that he hasn't even made the last couple of matchday squads would suggest to me that he is not in the picture for next season. Will please many on here (maybe he is going to ManU as an upgrade to Maguire).

Perhaps they could arrange to play Wolves beforehand, ridiculous situation that the play-off has been arranged 3 weeks after the last league game (especially when you consider the league was originally supposed to have finished about a month ago) and not only that arranged for a 3rd-rate venue geographically distant for both teams. Totally amateurish level of organisation at this level of the women's game. Sooner we win the play-off and move up to the Championship the better.

Cardiff on Sunday (last League game) then 3 weeks of nothing.

As fans "we" voted Chris Baird better than Gareth Bale, suggests he was rather better than you seem to credit. he was outstanding for us in central defence, converted from a LB, had the leap of a salmon.

When will people understand, we (Southampton) have not made a choice that McC is the better keeper. We offered both keepers a deal to remain, one accepted and one rejected. That's not stating a preference.

🤣

And why do you believe the Torygraph? It's a rag, and they have zero information on Saints, a bit like their knowledge of anything.

The trouble is that ultimately they have not won the League and Cup double (yet), that will only happen when the play-off against Wolves takes place. What we have done so far is won the League Cup and the Southern Premier Division. Shame really that the play-off is after our last home match of the season (assuming Liverpool is rescheduled before 22 May which it has to be).

So you do care who we pick.

Poacher turned Game Keeper

Spot on, though I would go further, CM is actually the highest priority. We have been found out, and when our 2 CMs are not at the top of their game we are easily outplayed, not least by opponents outnumbering us in the middle. We need to be able to go 3 in the middle at times and for that we need another 'first choice' as well as a decent backup (Diallo is not that player, good as he is). Our CBs are all mediocre (including Salisu who has shown recently to be as error prone as any), but on their day with good cover in front of them are adequate. Our strikers are not really the issue either, it is the lack of service as much as anything. Adding in CM (not replacing) with quality has to be top priority over the summer, if nothing else we need to have the 2 in every position that is often talked about but for some reason seems to be overlooked in these crucial positions.

Result yes, performance no. That was a shockingly bad performance. The only players that came out of that with any credit were Perraud, KWP and Forster (though Valery got better as the game progressed after a very shaky start). Apart from some very short spells we seemed unable to pass to a teammate and our back three reverted to passing it across the back because no one was making any space or making runs for them to get the ball to. Romeu apart from the 2 sitters he missed was way off his game as was JWP, we desparately need some alternatives in the DM area, on their day the pair are superb but we need options for when they are off form/injured/suspended. Stuart Armstrong had a complete mare, which is highly unusual, though he did at least demonstrate that we have players who can take corners as well if not better than JWP. I'm thinking that we can conclude that Stephens is on his way out after not even making the bench last night, it was a game that he was more suited to than others (for getting stuck in and shithousery), yet Valery got the nod.

Not quite. He developed thigh injury during the Brighton game, but didn't (apparently) inform the coaching staff that he was in trouble and stayed on the pitch while almost immobile. Ralph rebuked him for being unprofessional immediately after the game, though later he appeared to withdraw his criticism. Macca has not been seen in a squad since but does appear to be back in training. It was said his injury was hamstring, but now being reported as thigh problems, which might make some sense since hamstring issues in themselves tend to clear up quicker than this one.

Surely the Skates were a top side when they won it. I' sure they told us they were "massive", maybe I just missed the last word of the sentence. It really is no surprise that two thirds of the finalists are Top 6 sides (assuming this means the current Big 6), though 22 years ago there wasn't a Big 6, and not really sure there is now. Man U, Arsenal and Liverpool have always (well post War) contributed to the FA Cup finals massively, teams like Everton, Leeds, even Villa and Forest and maybe Derby were all top teams in their day. If smaller teams made the Final more than 1 in 3 times then it wouldn't really be a surprise/shock, would it? That said we all know they rig the draw these days so its no surprise anyway.

What happened to the Albanian bloke we were reportedly in for last Summer? Forster is gone, we offered him a contract for significantly less than he is currently on (allegedly) and he turned it down (presumably because we couldn't or didn't want to afford his considerable current wages). It would suggest that we are looking for, or more likely have already agreed a replacement who will be on less that Forster and more than McCarthy. I suggest that what will happen in the Summer is that we will offer Willy a one year contract, Forster and Lewis will bid farewell and go to pastures new that they have already sorted (after knowing for a year that they are on their way) and a new keeper will come in ostensibly as first choice, probably from a European League. The only slight doubt in my mind is whether McCarthy might be sold as well, since he fucked up with Ralph when he was injured, I do feel that his absence since then is a little fishy, it has gone on for too long to be just a hammy, especially for a keeper, Ralph's seeming desire to keep Willy suggests this might be the case.

It's what happens when you offer someone a contract and they turn it down. Reckon he has next season sorted already and has had for some time. To be honest up to the game where he got injured McCarthy was absolutely fine. Then he made a complete twat of himself. Wouldn't surprise me if we move Macca on as well as Forster and the other guy who's name escapes me, and go with Willy as a backup to a new no 1 next season.

Yes, because the Watford goal has been disallowed and then it wasn't, fuckin VAR

KWP and Perraud playing in their correct positions is good to see. Would have preferred to go stronger in CM with a 3, but it looks like Diallo is injured (not even on bench), highlighting our major weakness, options/backup in CM. To me it is the most important area to strengthen in the Summer, we can't continue relying on Oriol/JWP putting in superstar performances week in week out, we need strength in depth, 2 for every position to start and options to go 3 in the middle to avoid being overrun against some teams.

Because other teams have sussed us out by overloading us in central midfield. Our losing streak started with Villa out playing us with 3 in the middle including Coutinho and it has carried on since. To counteract being overloaded in CM we have to sacrifice one up front.

Think Eric Martin was the best 😀

About the only thing I can think in their defence is that the game is going to be played much later than would have been originally scheduled due to all of the postponements. Many grounds will be closed for summer refurbishments.But that's a feeble excuse. With due respect Stockport County are not even a full member club (haven't checked if they have a Ladies team), was supposed to be held at a Professional Stadium. Still, sure that Saints will win, whatever the venue.

Have never heard that said about Mane.

3-0 and no passes.

This is where things have been going wrong for me, starting with Villa. Teams have sussed us out and know that unless Romeu and JWP are absolutely at their best having 3 in midfield opens us up like a sardine can. Coutinho completely wiped us out, and Chelsea did the same in MF yesterday, and I think Everton did as well. Its not a case of our strikers being woeful (thought they are), or even our defenders (though the current Salisu and Bednarek are woeful), we lose matches in midfield. I said all season that we needed more midfield players, we have 2 in every position apart from CM where we really only have 3 players for the 2 places. Having that extra player would allow us to have 3 in the middle at times when it is needed, obviously Diallo could play in there but it leaves nothing on the bench to make changes. What did happen to Romeu yesterday, why was he subbed? Even at their best (and they can be very good) JWP and OR can be completely overrun by an effective 3, when one or both of them are having off days we have no hope.