saintant

They lost 2-1 and are now just 3 points ahead of us.

Their stand out player looks to be Femi Azeez so we'll need to keep an eye on him.

Yeah, I think I'm right in saying he never collected two yellows in one match during his time with us.

I agree with much of this and I was very sceptical of Tonda based on him being only 32 and the coach of our U21s. My sceptism has been replaced by respect and admiration after our performances in the last two games. Of course it could be a false dawn but I don't think it is. The clever tweaks he has made all over the pitch have worked brilliantly. His attention to detail is clear and it is obvious he works tirelessly to get the team playing how he wants. In a few short weeks we have gone from a ragtag bunch who had zero cohesion, no shape and a look that they weren't enjoying playing to a well drilled unit in which everyone knows his role. The players are smiling again and the team spirit is back in abundance. Some of the football has been a joy to watch, fast, creative and with a clear aim to get the ball up the pitch and not constantly recycle it. We all know it could come crashing down but it doesn't have that feeling so I'd like to thank Tonda for giving me back the feeling of enjoyment and excitement when watching Saints play which has been missing for so long - I'm certain many others think the same and, if it goes pear shaped, at least we've had our hopes raised for now. Our long suffering fans deserve this to be the real deal.

I've a feeling Tonda may start Oriol for this one. He'll have now had a good look at him on the training pitch and maybe he's seen enough to decide he can trust him alongside Caspar with Downes suspended. He did give quite a big smile when Adam Blackmore asked if it was good to have Oriol in the dressing room and his reply was along the lines of 'it's good to have him on the pitch also'

Maybe I'm reading the room wrong but I don't buy into Tonda needing an old head to assist him. He'll have made many contacts in the game so, if he's given the job, I think he should be allowed to select his own team some of whom may be guys who have worked with him for the U21s. There will be people he knows and trusts who he thinks would be the right fit for him, let him decide.

Tonda loves London. His 3rd win there in a row coming up. 3-1 Saints.

He's already a Saint.

Under Tonda we've scored 13 goals in 4 games - keep that up and Baz will be more than adequate 🙂

It could be that the new work permit he'd need to become our manager is holding things up.

Tonda must be on Liverpool's radar right now 🙂

Is he any good with his feet?

Nothing whatsoever to do with Southampton FC.

Crazy as it seems but, after only 4 games, I'm beginning to wonder just how good this team could be and I never thought I'd remotely consider that when Eckert stepped in. The improvement in performance levels, given that Tonda has only worked with the team for 4 matches, is exponential. It's got me thinking how good will we be when we've a longer run of games under him and are even more well drilled in what he requires. Knowing us of course it could all fizzle out and be a false dawn but imagine how good the side will look if the upward trajectory continues. Exciting times.....maybe.

Good to see we are now among the top scorers in the Championship. Coventry are way out in front with 47 then it's Ipswich and Hull on 28 and us on 26. If current form continues we'll certainly outscore Ipswich and Hull.