Swansea 0 Saints 1

[Give it to Ron]

That last 6 minutes was the most stressful thing since birth my 2nd child it seemed like a week

Against Everton went for a walk last 10 tonight I sat until the end heading, kicking and hacking at any Swansea player.

Job not done yet.

Bloody hell McCarthy save was outstanding.

0-0 Sunday please in the 89th I might relax.

 

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[kpturner]

How do you work that out?

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Just woke up from getting back from the game at 1.30.... knackered but very very happy.

The noise in the stand when we scored was the loudest i can remember and my ears are ringing like i have been

to a rock concert.... fantastic stuff

The singing at the end was brilliant, it felt like we were never gong home as it went on and on...

 

Great team effort by all, hats off to Hughes did a great job.....

[Forester]

Ok moan out of the way to start with...the bloody M4 in Wales is shut on the way home every time we play Swansea!!!!! I suspect no link to Hotelgate though!

 

But what a night, and for all of us that were up at Everton with that sickener it made it very sweet. The best Saints away atmosphere since Plymouth.....we talked about it feeling like a play off and recalled that wet night at Derby and the dreaded penalty shoot out!

 

Hughes should be given three year deal within seconds of Sunday final whistle. Reminds me in managerial approach of Koeman, tactically flexible, a pragmatist and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

 

Finally I don’t believe there is a more in form keeper than Alex right now. Our best since Niemi?

[LGTL]

Away end last night was fantastic. Brilliant noise and the goal was absolute bedlam, old woman throwing themselves down rows, old blokes 10 deep in the aisles and limbs absolutely everywhere.

[rallyboy]

I felt a bit sorry for Swansea, in a nostalgic way.

They looked like we did before we appointed a manager who grasps the basic principles of the sport.

 

They were toothless, jittery, with feeble performances all over the pitch, and even when things were desperate they couldn't muster a proper attack.

It was like watching us play against our old selves - which gave me confidence that they would never score.

I don't know if Hughes is the man to build a club around long term, but if you are in trouble, forget the old Pardew, Pulis and Allardyce gang - there's a new daddy in town.

[Shropshire Saint]

Good luck with the surgery. Hope all goes well. If you have the op in Southampton General they are one of the very best.

 

Thank you for your good wishes. Yes I am having it done at Southampton General. 55 years of watching Saints has taken its toll on my heart! Hopefully I will be back in my seat in Block 30 for the first match of next season!

[Secret Site Agent]

Thank you for your good wishes. Yes I am having it done at Southampton General. 55 years of watching Saints has taken its toll on my heart! Hopefully I will be back in my seat in Block 30 for the first match of next season!

 

You forgot to mention In The Premiership

[Kingsland Codger]

A huge pat-on-the-back for our defenders in recent away matches. After the catastrophe at Newcastle and then the Olympic Stadium, things improved (slowly) but the last three away games have seen us go through 285 minutes (plus) and we have only conceded one goal (and that took a heavy deflection). This at a time when suspensions disrupted the selection.

 

As I watched on TV last night, the commentator pointed out how the stats showed Saints were vulnerable to crosses and the main Swansea tactic was to put this to the test. And our lads passed with flying colours. Those last few minutes didn't seem nearly as scary as I was expecting and, as others have pointed out, Swansea looked a bit like we used to - trying the same tactic time-after-time when it was clear this wasn't going to work.

[GarrettIvo]

Hughes should be given three year deal within seconds of Sunday final whistle. Reminds me in managerial approach of Koeman, tactically flexible, a pragmatist and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

 

As good a job as he has done SO FAR, it's not yet finished. And I would prefer the club did due diligence on other potentially better options as well.

[John Boy Saint]

My overriding thought from last night is having a manager who when replacing an injured defender, was metaphorically sat at the poker table and having the minerals to push all his chips into the centre of the table.

That was a ballsy play, sticking a striker on who has splinters in his backside, that must have caused a moment of confusion for Swansea “hang on!? their defender is going off injured they are replacing him with a 3rd striker but they still have a defence”. Just seemed to stick an already under pressure Swansea into a position where they couldn't decide whether to stick or twist.

We haven’t seen that kind of management for quite a while.............that’s confidence in the cards in your hand you have to play!

Just shows what Mark, Eddie, and Mark have achieved in an unforgivably short space of time.

[Toadhall Saint]

As good a job as he has done SO FAR, it's not yet finished. And I would prefer the club did due diligence on other potentially better options as well.

 

Sorry I’m with forester on this

[OldNick]

I didn't hear until late last night that the Police escort didn't turn up, but also is it correct that the coach wasn't allowed ner the ground until Swansea arrived. MH got off the coach and got the players to walk to the ground????? ALso is it also correct that he said something about that he was pleased that Marriot cancelled, as he thought it was a grubby hotel lol

[Matthew Le God]

Southampton FC‏Verified account @SouthamptonFC 8m8 minutes agoMore

 

 

Just some feedback... #saintsfc

 

[Shroppie]

My overriding thought from last night is having a manager who when replacing an injured defender, was metaphorically sat at the poker table and having the minerals to push all his chips into the centre of the table.

That was a ballsy play, sticking a striker on who has splinters in his backside, that must have caused a moment of confusion for Swansea “hang on!? their defender is going off injured they are replacing him with a 3rd striker but they still have a defence”. Just seemed to stick an already under pressure Swansea into a position where they couldn't decide whether to stick or twist.

We haven’t seen that kind of management for quite a while.............that’s confidence in the cards in your hand you have to play!

Just shows what Mark, Eddie, and Mark have achieved in an unforgivably short space of time.

Great post. Yes, this was the defining moment and demonstrated what a bold, proactive manager can do. There was a collective gasp round me when we saw it was Gabbiadini coming on.

 

Have been conditioned after months of MP to expect unthinking, like for like subs.

 

And after he scored he was brilliant holding up the ball and finding neat little passes. Really helped take the pressure off and unrecognizable from the player he's been most if this season.

 

Still think he might be off but would love to see him regain his confidence and stay.

 

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[Professor]

As good a job as he has done SO FAR, it's not yet finished. And I would prefer the club did due diligence on other potentially better options as well.

Please, No! Not another unknown foreign manager with questionable performance stats in some overseas league who would struggle to make himself understood by our players. After Puel and Pellegrino, both of whom must have looked good on paper, surely a lesson has been learned.

[Toadhall Saint]

Please, No! Not another unknown foreign manager with questionable performance stats in some overseas league who would struggle to make himself understood by our players. After Puel and Pellegrino, both of whom must have looked good on paper, surely a lesson has been learned.

 

One would hope so.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Enjoying the moment but not getting too cocky or carried away. As somebody once said "football's a funny old game".

[shurlock]

My overriding thought from last night is having a manager who when replacing an injured defender, was metaphorically sat at the poker table and having the minerals to push all his chips into the centre of the table.

That was a ballsy play, sticking a striker on who has splinters in his backside, that must have caused a moment of confusion for Swansea “hang on!? their defender is going off injured they are replacing him with a 3rd striker but they still have a defence”. Just seemed to stick an already under pressure Swansea into a position where they couldn't decide whether to stick or twist.

We haven’t seen that kind of management for quite a while.............that’s confidence in the cards in your hand you have to play!

Just shows what Mark, Eddie, and Mark have achieved in an unforgivably short space of time.

 

We were going to have to roll the dice at some point - its clear that we needed a win and there wasn't a clear like-for-like option on the bench. What were going to do? Bring a raw Mcqueen on and shuffle Bertrand, one of our best attacking threats, over to the third CB?

[Greenridge]

Side-tracking a bit but was Boufal in any of the post-match celebrations? Couldn't see him.

[Maggie May]

I think Swansea will have a hard time beating Stoke, who are draw specialists like us.

[Window Cleaner]

Side-tracking a bit but was Boufal in any of the post-match celebrations? Couldn't see him.

 

Might not even have gone to Swansea.

[shurlock]

Side-tracking a bit but was Boufal in any of the post-match celebrations? Couldn't see him.

 

Did he even travel? Good to see Lemina looking happy though.

[Greenridge]

Did he even travel? Good to see Lemina looking happy though.

 

Maybe he got dropped off at the Marriott en route.

[Chewy]

Southampton FC‏Verified account @SouthamptonFC 8m8 minutes agoMore

 

 

Just some feedback... #saintsfc

 

 

Love this

[shurlock]

Maybe he got dropped off at the Marriott en route.

 

Boufal certainly is toxic. Would figure.

[derry]

A really professional performance. Nice to see a more professional game management at the end. Putting the ball in row Z is sometimes the smart play. Play down the lines and keep the opponents having to put the ball out of play. Gabbiadini, Long and Austin at the end gave Swansea problems, us an outlet and more aerial power.

 

It's nice to have a British manager again who believes in effort and fitness. In none of the last four games have we had more possession but are unbeaten with two and nearly three wins. Puel and Pellegrino were obsessed with possession which only works if there is pace and a cutting edge throughout the team. For most team it results in few goals and an inability to beat good teams. The football is more enjoyable with Hughes and he needs to be given the job.

[GarrettIvo]

Sorry I’m with forester on this

 

No need to apologise.

[John Boy Saint]

We were going to have to roll the dice at some point - its clear that we needed a win and there wasn't a clear like-for-like option on the bench. What were going to do? Bring a raw Mcqueen on and shuffle Bertrand, one of our best attacking threats, over to the third CB?

You missed the point I was making Shurlock, I wasn’t questioning the decision, I was standing up and applauding it (just read Shroppies reply).

After the safety first risk assessment managed football we have endured over the past two seasons, with the game obviously in the balance at 0-0 even though we were the better team, what an absolute breath of fresh air to make such a (as it turns out) match winning decision (even the sky commentators were caught off guard by it) , when under Puel and MP McQueen would have been drafted in and the shuffle you suggest possibly made to hang onto the draw.

Actually I very much doubt any of the so called top team managers playing away, at 0-0, would have replaced an injured defender with a striker (especially with what is at stake).

[GarrettIvo]

Please, No! Not another unknown foreign manager with questionable performance stats in some overseas league who would struggle to make himself understood by our players. After Puel and Pellegrino, both of whom must have looked good on paper, surely a lesson has been learned.

 

Not suggesting that. Just saying I would prefer the club to make sure it goes through a proper process and appoints the best manager to take us forward. Perhaps that is Hughes, and he should certainly be capable of ensuring this squad (or what's left of it) has a more comfortable season next time round.

But I'd rather the board did things with its head than its heart. Not that they've done a lot of great work lately anyway.

[Saint_John]

For me the important change was bringing on Shane Long in the 64th min.

 

Swansea took off their regular left back/wing back (Olsson ) in the 62th min and asked a winger (Clucas) to play that role.

Within 2 mins Mark had brought Shane on and we then hit long ball out to the right for him to out jump Clucas every time. This gave us an "out ball" which we did not have until then (Austin was being out jumped by their 3 centre backs until then). He also won the first header in the box for the goal by coming around the back.

[The Cat]

Away end last night was fantastic. Brilliant noise and the goal was absolute bedlam, old woman throwing themselves down rows, old blokes 10 deep in the aisles and limbs absolutely everywhere.

 

Love this post. It was right up there with our best away end celebrations. Our fans were great all night.

[Verbal Kint]

A huge pat-on-the-back for our defenders in recent away matches. After the catastrophe at Newcastle and then the Olympic Stadium, things improved (slowly) but the last three away games have seen us go through 285 minutes (plus) and we have only conceded one goal (and that took a heavy deflection). This at a time when suspensions disrupted the selection.

 

As I watched on TV last night, the commentator pointed out how the stats showed Saints were vulnerable to crosses and the main Swansea tactic was to put this to the test. And our lads passed with flying colours. Those last few minutes didn't seem nearly as scary as I was expecting and, as others have pointed out, Swansea looked a bit like we used to - trying the same tactic time-after-time when it was clear this wasn't going to work.

 

I'm going to have to disagree here. I thought the centre halves, Stephens and Hoedt particularly, were awful once again. Both of them continually get out muscled, they lose initial headers, Hoedt's distribution is appalling and he's extremely slow. There was a moment near the end where they knocked a long ball into Abrahams (hardly the biggest striker) and he was able to back into hoedt, chest it down, turn and shoot unchallenged. It was horrible to watch but it happens time and time again with hoedt and stephens. Can't fault their effort and determination but neither are good enough for this league

[nta786]

sorry guys, but could someone explain the hotel fiasco further?

 

Hughes said 'the Swansea Marriott was one of the worst we stayed at', so does that mean we had a 2 day booking in Swansea? so we stayed there first night, and then they kicked us out and didn't get a second night?

 

I just thought we would have one night in Swansea and it was that night at Mariott which got cancelled- hence the move to the Vale- but then why does Hughes say that it was 'one of the worst we stayed at'?

[OldNick]

sorry guys, but could someone explain the hotel fiasco further?

 

Hughes said 'the Swansea Marriott was one of the worst we stayed at', so does that mean we had a 2 day booking in Swansea? so we stayed there first night, and then they kicked us out and didn't get a second night?

 

I just thought we would have one night in Swansea and it was that night at Mariott which got cancelled- hence the move to the Vale- but then why does Hughes say that it was 'one of the worst we stayed at'?

In the past with Stoke I assume. No it would be the one night

[nta786]

In the past with Stoke I assume. No it would be the one night

 

oh i see- in which case if Hughes had the hindsight then and if he is charge of the travel plans maybe we should have stayed elsewhere anyway

[edprice1984]

I can honestly say that the last 20 minutes of last night was probably the worst I have ever experienced in my life - not just in sport. I am not ashamed to admit that I simply couldn't stomach the first 65 minutes, I watched the first 5 and was nearly sick. I turned back on at 65, we scored and then couldn't turn it off (although I really wanted to). I measured my heart rate after the game and it 148 bpm, god knows what my blood pressure was and I would love to know how much adrenaline was in my system at the end too. I didn't go to sleep until nearly 2am.

 

It sounds counter intuitive now but not beating Everton may have actually helped in the end. Would Sparky have put Gabbi on if we had a two point lead on Swansea? We could have been caught between a stick or twist scenario (like Be'er Sheva last season).

 

Personally I hope Swansea stay up, always had a soft spot for them since my uni days and being witness to their 'Great Escape' from total oblivion back in 2003. They need to focus on Huddersfield, just win the game and hope the Terriers don't pick up a point. Even for the most pessimistic Saints fan, we are not going to see a 10 goal swing.

 

As others have said, we should never be in this situation again - a clear out of some players who clearly do not want to be here (Boufal) and a return to the formula that has worked so well - offer ourselves as a stepping stone, to attract the best young/undervalued and tenacious players and give them the opportunity to impress a get a big move. Invest in the academy and add solid players as you go.

[doddisalegend]

We were going to have to roll the dice at some point - its clear that we needed a win and there wasn't a clear like-for-like option on the bench. What were going to do? Bring a raw Mcqueen on and shuffle Bertrand, one of our best attacking threats, over to the third CB?

 

 

Yep it felt more like the decision that was taken out of Hughes hands to extent rather than some stroke of managerial genius. I doubt he was particularly thrilled at the thought of leaving just Hoedt and Stephens at the back but the bench was pretty light on defensive options last night so his choice was limited.

 

I'm not convinced that Hughes would have dropped the three at the back if Jan hadn't been knocked senseless. More likely he would have just swapped Austin for Gabbi instead imo.

[trousers]

Even for the most pessimistic Saints fan, we are not going to see a 10 goal swing

 

Call me Mr Irrational, but I'm yet to convince myself! Hopefully its just me playing my usual reverse psychology card...

[doddisalegend]

I can honestly say that the last 20 minutes of last night was probably the worst I have ever experienced in my life - not just in sport. I am not ashamed to admit that I simply couldn't stomach the first 65 minutes, I watched the first 5 and was nearly sick. I turned back on at 65, we scored and then couldn't turn it off (although I really wanted to). I measured my heart rate after the game and it 148 bpm, god knows what my blood pressure was and I would love to know how much adrenaline was in my system at the end too. I didn't go to sleep until nearly 2am.

 

It sounds counter intuitive now but not beating Everton may have actually helped in the end. Would Sparky have put Gabbi on if we had a two point lead on Swansea? We could have been caught between a stick or twist scenario (like Be'er Sheva last season).

 

Personally I hope Swansea stay up, always had a soft spot for them since my uni days and being witness to their 'Great Escape' from total oblivion back in 2003. They need to focus on Huddersfield, just win the game and hope the Terriers don't pick up a point. Even for the most pessimistic Saints fan, we are not going to see a 10 goal swing.

 

As others have said, we should never be in this situation again - a clear out of some players who clearly do not want to be here (Boufal) and a return to the formula that has worked so well - offer ourselves as a stepping stone, to attract the best young/undervalued and tenacious players and give them the opportunity to impress a get a big move. Invest in the academy and add solid players as you go.

 

 

In a strange masochistic way the end to this season has been far more entertaining than finishing upper mid table of the last few seasons. The last few games every game has felt massive, the highs and lows are so intense and the sheer adreline of it match is pretty crazy. I'd forgotten what relegation dog fights were like..

[red&white56]

For me the important change was bringing on Shane Long in the 64th min.

 

Swansea took off their regular left back/wing back (Olsson ) in the 62th min and asked a winger (Clucas) to play that role.

Within 2 mins Mark had brought Shane on and we then hit long ball out to the right for him to out jump Clucas every time. This gave us an "out ball" which we did not have until then (Austin was being out jumped by their 3 centre backs until then). He also won the first header in the box for the goal by coming around the back.

 

You hit the nail on the head. Clucas had been involved in a lot of their offensive work, with Long on he was back pedalling the whole time. He couldn't handle him.

[John Boy Saint]

sorry guys, but could someone explain the hotel fiasco further?

 

Hughes said 'the Swansea Marriott was one of the worst we stayed at', so does that mean we had a 2 day booking in Swansea? so we stayed there first night, and then they kicked us out and didn't get a second night?

 

I just thought we would have one night in Swansea and it was that night at Mariott which got cancelled- hence the move to the Vale- but then why does Hughes say that it was 'one of the worst we stayed at'?

They shafted us before we even left home.

Think you might find that was more of a case of taking the opportunity to post his TripAdvisor review live in person to the nations media, given their part in the underhand shenanigans. They already have bad press over it may as well heap a bit more on them.

By contrast his review of The Vale was most complimentary.

[Saint Pete]

As good a job as he has done SO FAR, it's not yet finished. And I would prefer the club did due diligence on other potentially better options as well.

 

No thanks. In my opinion, the last few months already provides enough "due diligence" that Hughes can do the job and take us forward from here. Do you really want Les/Ralph to go into weeks/months of farting around pretending we have a chance of getting someone like Tuchel/Emery whilst Hughes buggers off and then we end up with some no mark who wants to park the bus in every game again (but who "fits the club philosophy perfectly?"). I would much rather we get Hughes signed up with no messing about (assuming he wants it) and get straight on with the important job of strengthening the squad after the damage that has been done in previous windows.

[spyinthesky]

I reckon that the stress level after we scored was very similar to the time I was waiting for a specialist to advise whether test results would show I had an aggressive or benign tumour..

 

Fortunately both results came out the right way.

 

However this comparison makes me realise how ridiculous my long term obsession with the Saints is.

[Sheaf Saint]

No thanks. In my opinion, the last few months already provides enough "due diligence" that Hughes can do the job and take us forward from here. Do you really want Les/Ralph to go into weeks/months of farting around pretending we have a chance of getting someone like Tuchel/Emery whilst Hughes buggers off and then we end up with some no mark who wants to park the bus in every game again (but who "fits the club philosophy perfectly?"). I would much rather we get Hughes signed up with no messing about (assuming he wants it) and get straight on with the important job of strengthening the squad after the damage that has been done in previous windows.

 

Very much this. The last thing we need now is yet another summer of managerial uncertainty.

[Charlie Wayman]

The main factor in selecting a new manager is, is he cheap and available (i.e. out of work). No doubt Hughes meets both requirements in the close season so everyone should be happy.

[mrfahaji]

Yep it felt more like the decision that was taken out of Hughes hands to extent rather than some stroke of managerial genius. I doubt he was particularly thrilled at the thought of leaving just Hoedt and Stephens at the back but the bench was pretty light on defensive options last night so his choice was limited.

 

I'm not convinced that Hughes would have dropped the three at the back if Jan hadn't been knocked senseless. More likely he would have just swapped Austin for Gabbi instead imo.

 

I think that's partly right. I think he would have perhaps made a striker-for-defender swap at some point, but later in the game. Bednarek getting injured forced his hand. I imagine his thinking was that a) we might have to go for it at some point, so why not now? and b) if I bring on a defender, I only have 1 more sub to make later.

 

So while the timing may have ended up being somewhat fateful/fortuitous, Hughes still had to make the call and he went for it, I don't think it was 'out of his hands'. It was a call Pellegrino would never have made.

[Cascadia Saint]

As good a job as he has done SO FAR, it's not yet finished. And I would prefer the club did due diligence on other potentially better options as well.

 

Fact is, Hughes was seconds away from getting 3 wins out of the last 3 games - something we all said was needed but impossible. Not only that, but he’s shown a passion for the club and a real knowledge of the players at his disposal.

 

Sometimes a manager just fits a club, and even after this short period I think he fits us perfectly.

[egg]

The main factor in selecting a new manager is, is he cheap and available (i.e. out of work). No doubt Hughes meets both requirements in the close season so everyone should be happy.

 

Hughes won't be cheap. He has a decent record on the whole as a premier league manager, and what he's done here is nothing short of remarkable. His stock will have increased further. Summer negotiations will be more us persuading him that we can match his expectations on and off the pitch rather than him selling himself to us. He's proved himself the right man so give him the job, and a budget to get the right players.

[derry]

Fact is, Hughes was seconds away from getting 3 wins out of the last 3 games - something we all said was needed but impossible. Not only that, but he’s shown a passion for the club and a real knowledge of the players at his disposal.

 

Sometimes a manager just fits a club, and even after this short period I think he fits us perfectly.

 

Well said. He deserves a permanent contract. Besides after two years of watching sideways and backwards crap I was going to jack the ST in. Not now, this is more like it.