CWD

And there was me hoping that self-isolation over Christmas would be made less dull by Saints games. Patient play is all well and good but we need to have another gear we can move into.

He’s playing like a 16 year old again. Vs Newcastle he was just running straight at defenders at pace. Not a lot of skill or finesse, just driving. Sometimes it made things happen and sometimes it didn’t, but it’s great to see. And he’s such a brilliant ambassador for the club. So articulate and passionate. I just hope this early enthusiasm doesn’t fade because I love having him back and would love it to be a success long term.

I’m happy for the media to focus on the opposition “not turning up” for as long as we can get away with it. I think it takes the focus of our game plan. take Che’s goal today, or his one against City, or Ings v watford last year (there are loads of examples). Everyone focuses on Almiron trying to do too much, Zinchenko dallying on the ball, Foster poor throw etc etc. The truth is we force these mistakes with our incredibly clever and well rehearsed pressing game. Almiron had nowhere to go as KWP and Theo cut off his options, Armstrong approached Zinchenko on his blind side - the list goes on. We’re like the red arrows reforming as soon as we lose possession. for me though as long as this is highlighted as defensive mistakes the better, because we’ll continue to catch defenders by surprise. I just love watching this team, love it.

You chose a VERY good time to become a Saints fan! Welcome and enjoy the ride

Awesome night. JWP was my MOTM but special mentions for Romeu and Adams too. We should've been out of sight earlier in the game but never looked like losing. Extra shout to Djenepo tonight too, who I think was tactically deployed to be more conservative and protect Stephens. Really stuck to his task well and a beauty of a flick which should have given him an assist. Top of the Premier League. Just brilliant.

What an odd, OTT reply 😅 Trousers is simply voicing a question we all have. Why do the club insist on being so coy about something that if they were just honest about, fans would accept? Clearly Salisu had a relatively serious injury problem when he joined, hence why he's been unavailable for over 2 months. The insistence that he's "building fitness" is nonsense - he's been out longer than a usual preseason and hasn't even appeared for the B's. At no point has trousers or anyone else claimed to be an expert on anything. Like all of us, he just wants a bit of honesty from the club. You have to admit it's all a bit weird?

Anyone else suddenly feel much more pessimistic after reading this?

So the the “Big 9” could vote through proposals with a two thirds majority? Two thirds of 9 is 6. That’s not a coincidence. The usual suspects would still have all the power.

No it’s just the replica shirts that will be supplied by a 3rd party for this season. UA are still our kit manufacturer.

Ralph's just caused panic amongst the media department 😂

Main takeaway for me is how much fitter the team looks since the Palace game. There are a few issues still but the fitness edge was our main advantage after the restart so I'm happy that seems to be coming back. Final ball needs work, and sometimes we have a tendency to overplay. Dare I say I thought Ings could've been better today, he seemed to look for passes when you want your main striker to just pull the trigger. KWP was excellent. So often he turns his way out of trouble and finds himself in space to drive us forward. Early days but looks very similar to Clyne at his best. Overall how great to win comfortably, at home too. Oh and Vestegaard. He's like the opposite of Samson. Cut off his hair and he's suddenly not shit 😅

Agreed. We won by virtue of being the less shit team but the important thing was 3 points and a monkey off our backs! Weird performance from Djenepo wasn’t it? Looked a different player to the Spurs game. Never attempted to beat a man or try anything vaguely risky. At one point in the 1st half Bertrand seemed to have a go at him, telling him to move out the way as he was basically standing two metres away from him not doing anything. Odd.

No Sims in the B team game tonight so possibly in the squad for Saturday? I think we all know he's not the long term answer but he does have the ability make an impact off the bench - something our current back up options seriously lack.

We know that momentum can be carried over from the end of one season to the start of the next (see Leicester) and with Saints apparently treating this period as more of an extended break than a preseason you would hope we would come out all guns blazing on Saturday. On top of that the team is settled, our record at the ground in question is excellent, and with the League Cup being played over consecutive weeks there’s a real chance to build a serious head of steam for the first couple months of the season. On the other hand, it’s the first day of the season and it’s Southampton FC. With all that in mind I’m going for a dominant 1-1 draw.

If we are playing a friendly today, it makes the lack of info coming out of the club all the more strange. Apart from one probably prerecorded interview with JWP, there’s been hardly any content. Usually we’d have (Admittedly beige) interviews with players about the break, images of VO2 max and fitness testing, pictures of new players, interviews with Ralph etc. Etc. I know it’s only been a short break, but tbh I thought they would want to capitalise on the good feeling around the club at the moment by engaging as much as they can. Probably nothing to worry about and maybe the sponsor issue is the main problem, but it does all feel a little odd.

My Dad was invited to one of these Q and A sessions for local businesses at the back end of last season, and Ralph and RB were on the panel. He said Bertrand seemed nervous to start with (understandable as it was bunch of old guys in suits staring at him) but eventually spoke well, seemed intelligent and most importantly what came across was his huge amount of respect for Ralph and his methods. He also put that post on Instagram when RH first joined didn't he? Think he was injured but said something like "finally a clear game plan". You can see that as disruptive if you want but I reckon 99% of fans felt the same! I've always been a big admirer and defender of Ryan and think he's consistently been up there as one of our best players over the time he's been here. being made Captain didn't do him any favours, he's not a overtly passionate bloke, and I'm glad that burden was lifted. Really, really hope he stays.

Have you seen a lot of Maehle and Zeefuik? I don't know anything about them really other than their position. Would be interesting to know their strengths. For me KWP is a no brainer. He's had time with Ralph, with the team, playing our style, and proved he's (at the very least) capable at this level. With all the risks we've taken with players from abroad that haven't paid off I'm surprised anyone would think it's a bad idea.

Max Aarons may be too expensive, but seems to fit all other criteria we look for. Young, good on the ball, big potential, and can play both RB and LB. In an ideal world I'd sign KWP and Aarons, and let Valery toughen himself up in the Championship for a season. Buendia is an interesting one too. Seems to have a bit of the Tadic about him. I'd take him. Probably better than Boufal anyway.

Should have won based on that second half, and would have done but for a wonder save and a couple of good blocks/poor finishes. One thing the dramatic improvement in the second half proves is how important solid, fit, attacking fullbacks are to our game. KWP made a huge difference, even just with his energy and ability to win and keep hold of the ball. Argument to say even if KWP does sign permanently, we still need two more fullbacks. Also Adams? Decent link up play sometimes, but doesn't have the pace or energy of MO or Long, and for someone who got 22 goals last season, he doesn't seem to be a natural finisher at all. Still hope it works out for him but not sold. Ings is King.

We lose so much bite when Armstrong is out of the team. Smallbone is tidy but doesn’t seem to want to run at defenders like Armstrong does, don’t think RM/RW is really his position. good to see Vokins getting a start, but Redmond doesn’t have the understanding with him that Bertrand does. Would like to see JV attack his man a bit more. oh and £60m for Hoibjerg and Panic Vestegaard? Get near that, and Semmens deserves a knighthood 😂

Very hard not to like Ole. Seems like a really good bloke

Very satisfying. Injury time goals at OT aren't exactly rare, but to get one as an away team is very, very sweet! And how great that we're showing intent and not limping to the end of the season. Bertrand superb today. Utd got nothing down their right. I know he can divide opinions sometimes, but he's such a consistent performer and we've been very lucky to have a player of his quality for so long.

Weren’t we close to signing Andy Reid from Forest before he went to Spurs?

Enjoyed that! Ings was excellent and easily MoM. He does so much work for the team, as well as scoring goals. Such an important player for us now. Great to see us hit the ground running, bar a dodgy first ten. Norwich were complete shite but you can only beat what’s in front of you. Now looking forward to Enjoying the mini-season pretty pressure free! still not convinced by Valery, seems to be a bit of a liability at times, but he’s still young. Obafemi needs to show this pace he’s supposed to have a bit more.

Looked really rusty first 10 (understandably) but we've eased into it. Definitely should be ahead