Project Restart 2022

[Dusic]

No friendlies or trip abroad currently confirmed.

Players back training today. From the pics I didn't spot KWP, Tino, Lavia or Stu.

Massively important to get KWP back for the start of Jan otherwise I would sign a full back on loan as soon as the window opens as we can't go much of this winnable run with Lyanco or Elyounoussi playing out there, its too important.

Hopefully Lavia is ok. They said after the Liverpool game it was just cramp...we will need AMN to share minutes with him anyway as he isn't going to play 90mins every game and stay fit.

Good to see Morgan involved.

[Victor]

Morgan?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Jimmy Jay and not Schneiderlin 🙂

[LiberalCommunist]

This thread has reminded me what a welcome distraction the WC has been. I'm not looking forward to the restart at all. 

[Toussaint]

13 hours ago, LiberalCommunist said:

This thread has reminded me what a welcome distraction the WC has been. I'm not looking forward to the restart at all. 

The opposite is true for me so far, the WC is leaving me stone cold up to now,  that may change as England bumble their way through the knockout stages.  Right now, In the  depths of winter, I'm really missing Saints and the live PL games. On the upside it gives NJ his own pre season to get things sorted. 

Edited 29 November, 2022 by Toussaint

[Sunglasses Ron]

14 hours ago, LiberalCommunist said:

This thread has reminded me what a welcome distraction the WC has been. I'm not looking forward to the restart at all. 

With you there, an opportunity to unceremoniously sweep our cow pat of a league season under the carpet until after Christmas.

You live in hope that we'll see a completely different team when we return.

[Dusic]

2 minutes ago, Sunglasses Ron said:

With you there, an opportunity to unceremoniously sweep our cow pat of a league season under the carpet until after Christmas.

You live in hope that we'll see a completely different team when we return.

Unfortunately without a couple of new players I'm not sure this group can be completely different.

Opportunities defensively and in midfield for certain but in attack the players try hard enough they just aren't in most cases of the quality needed.

Players like Elyounoussi and Adam Armstrong will never worry defences at this level (and part of the problem is that I think they know it).

[Toussaint]

22 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Unfortunately without a couple of new players I'm not sure this group can be completely different.

Opportunities defensively and in midfield for certain but in attack the players try hard enough they just aren't in most cases of the quality needed.

Players like Elyounoussi and Adam Armstrong will never worry defences at this level (and part of the problem is that I think they know it).

I remain blindly optimistic that NJ will get more out of the squad than Ralph did over the last year, and the club will pull a rabbit out of the hat regarding adding to the squad, there is too much at stake for them not to take decisive action.  

Edited 29 November, 2022 by Toussaint

[West end Saints]

37	ARMEL BELLA-KOTCHAP
2	KYLE WALKER-PETERS
15	ROMAIN PERRAUD MOUSSA DJENEPO (73′)
22	MOHAMMED SALISU
24	MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI
45	ROMÉO LAVIA JOE ARIBO (60′)
8	JAMES WARD-PROWSE (C)
9	ADAM ARMSTRONG LYANCO (86′)
27	IBRAHIMA DIALLO
10	CHE ADAMS

My cut and paste struggled, but this team played great against Chelsea - can a fresh start, and fit Lavia get us back to that level? And hopefully for more than one game? 

Ive got a feeling the new manager will get more out of Edozie and Mara. 

I'm at the optimistic level, not as far as confident, but even without any additions it is possible to pull away from the relegation area quite quickly. 

If we get a couple of early wins I think we will be fine. 

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, West end Saints said:

37	ARMEL BELLA-KOTCHAP
2	KYLE WALKER-PETERS
15	ROMAIN PERRAUD MOUSSA DJENEPO (73′)
22	MOHAMMED SALISU
24	MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI
45	ROMÉO LAVIA JOE ARIBO (60′)
8	JAMES WARD-PROWSE (C)
9	ADAM ARMSTRONG LYANCO (86′)
27	IBRAHIMA DIALLO
10	CHE ADAMS

My cut and paste struggled, but this team played great against Chelsea - can a fresh start, and fit Lavia get us back to that level? And hopefully for more than one game? 

Ive got a feeling the new manager will get more out of Edozie and Mara. 

I'm at the optimistic level, not as far as confident, but even without any additions it is possible to pull away from the relegation area quite quickly. 

If we get a couple of early wins I think we will be fine. 

Jones couldn't have asked for a better first few games

Lincoln H 

Brighton H

Fulham A

Forest H

Palace A  (FA Cup)

Everton A

Villa H

Brentford A

Wolves H

Chelsea A

Leeds A

Leicester H

10 games against clubs of our level and a lower league team with only one top club and even they are struggling. We need to be getting minimum 16-18 points from those games with a tricky April to come after that.

[Sunglasses Ron]

6 hours ago, Dusic said:

Unfortunately without a couple of new players I'm not sure this group can be completely different.

Opportunities defensively and in midfield for certain but in attack the players try hard enough they just aren't in most cases of the quality needed.

Players like Elyounoussi and Adam Armstrong will never worry defences at this level (and part of the problem is that I think they know it).

Don't worry, we're signing Gakpo in January right! Right?

[Turkish]

6 hours ago, Dusic said:

Unfortunately without a couple of new players I'm not sure this group can be completely different.

Opportunities defensively and in midfield for certain but in attack the players try hard enough they just aren't in most cases of the quality needed.

Players like Elyounoussi and Adam Armstrong will never worry defences at this level (and part of the problem is that I think they know it).

Remember Ralph said Elynounoussi isn't there to worry defences, he's there for his ability when he doesn't have the ball.

[Lighthouse]

42 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Remember Ralph said Elynounoussi isn't there to worry defences, he's there for his ability when he doesn't have the ball.

TBF he's hardly going to slag off his own player in public, especially with so few decent options to choose from. It'd be like telling your own son, "TBH Jimmy your art work is sh*te and I wouldn't stick it to the fridge door in a mortuary."

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

TBF he's hardly going to slag off his own player in public, especially with so few decent options to choose from. It'd be like telling your own son, "TBH Jimmy your art work is sh*te and I wouldn't stick it to the fridge door in a mortuary."

He's gone mate, get over it, even the board disagreed with you on Ralph in the end.

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

Remember Ralph said Elynounoussi isn't there to worry defences, he's there for his ability when he doesn't have the ball.

i.e. in Scotland.

[Lighthouse]

27 minutes ago, Turkish said:

He's gone mate, get over it, even the board disagreed with you on Ralph in the end.

My comment wasn’t personal to Ralph in any way. Replace ‘he’ with ‘no credible manager in his right mind, Ralph, Jones, Pompey’s manager or otherwise…’

[The Left Back]

Got my tickets for Lincoln yesterday.  Having another go at the leather ones in block 31.  Can't wait to get back inside the stadium and see what a Jones team is all about.  It's a great way to build up for the real fun and games the other side of Xmas

[JRM]

9 hours ago, The Left Back said:

Got my tickets for Lincoln yesterday.  Having another go at the leather ones in block 31.  Can't wait to get back inside the stadium and see what a Jones team is all about.  It's a great way to build up for the real fun and games the other side of Xmas

I'm holding off until tomorrow to buy additional season ticket holder price ones, quite a few I know want to go which hopefully is a good sign there will be a big crowd in for Jones first game. 

Surprised we haven't announced any friendlies but probably better just to do those behind closed doors without too much fuss. Everton going on tour of Australia for example seems a bit over the top. 

[Charlie Wayman]

Remarkably little information coming out of Staplewood since Jones arrived. What' s going on down there?

Even if they had a couple of weeks off as it was alleged surely some training is going on that is worth a picture or comment or two?

Freezing out fans at a time when they need us to get behind them more than ever is not going to help at all

[jawillwill]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Remarkably little information coming out of Staplewood since Jones arrived. What' s going on down there?

Even if they had a couple of weeks off as it was alleged surely some training is going on that is worth a picture or comment or two?

Freezing out fans at a time when they need us to get behind them more than ever is not going to help at all

Erm....

 

[Charlie Wayman]

7 minutes ago, jawillwill said:

Erm....

 

Thanks for that, just made an arse of myself.

Jones seems like a miserable git! Surely he could manage a smile if only for the thought of the pile of dosh he is racking up

Edited 30 November, 2022 by Charlie Wayman

[trousers]

1 minute ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Thanks for that, just made an arse of myself.

Only "just"...?

#banter

[Professor]

On 28/11/2022 at 19:04, LiberalCommunist said:

This thread has reminded me what a welcome distraction the WC has been. I'm not looking forward to the restart at all. 

I feel we should be grateful for the break. Chance to clear up some injuries and for the new boss to settle in, getting to know the players without the pressure of matches.

As for the WC, I’m finding it hard to get interested. I’ve got the tickets for the match against Notts Forest. I’ll be more excited about that game than I am in the WC, although if England get to the final, that would be different.  

 

[FarehamSaintJames]

4 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Remarkably little information coming out of Staplewood since Jones arrived. What' s going on down there?

Even if they had a couple of weeks off as it was alleged surely some training is going on that is worth a picture or comment or two?

Freezing out fans at a time when they need us to get behind them more than ever is not going to help at all

What’s your conspiracy theory then? 🙄

[FarehamSaintJames]

22 hours ago, Turkish said:

Jones couldn't have asked for a better first few games

Lincoln H 

Brighton H

Fulham A

Forest H

Palace A  (FA Cup)

Everton A

Villa H

Brentford A

Wolves H

Chelsea A

Leeds A

Leicester H

10 games against clubs of our level and a lower league team with only one top club and even they are struggling. We need to be getting minimum 16-18 points from those games with a tricky April to come after that.

If we don’t get ten points from those games we will be gone.

Other teams around us look much stronger than us this season, and the way it’s started is looking like the season we’ve finally been caught out.

[Turkish]

Just now, FarehamSaintJames said:

If we don’t get ten points from those games we will be gone.

Other teams around us look much stronger than us this season, and the way it’s started is looking like the season we’ve finally been caught out.

more than 10 we need to be getting 16-18 IMO.  We should be looking to win the home games Brighton, Forest, Villa, Wolves, Leicester then pick up a win and a few draws away. It's as good a run of fixtures any new manager could hope for.

if we only get 10 points we'll be on 22 with 11 games left. In April we play City at home and Arsenal and Newcastle away, nothing from those games meaning we'd have to beat Bournemouth and Palace to give us any chance.

[Master Bates]

Still no friendlies confirmed?

[FarehamSaintJames]

28 minutes ago, Turkish said:

more than 10 we need to be getting 16-18 IMO.  We should be looking to win the home games Brighton, Forest, Villa, Wolves, Leicester then pick up a win and a few draws away. It's as good a run of fixtures any new manager could hope for.

if we only get 10 points we'll be on 22 with 11 games left. In April we play City at home and Arsenal and Newcastle away, nothing from those games meaning we'd have to beat Bournemouth and Palace to give us any chance.

Oh I completely agree.

I don’t see us getting that many points. We’ve proved we can make chances but not take them, and that has been the problem of the last few years.

I think this year will come back to bite us.

[CB Fry]

1 hour ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

If we don’t get ten points from those games we will be gone.

Other teams around us look much stronger than us this season, and the way it’s started is looking like the season we’ve finally been caught out.

I think if we get only 10 from that lot we're gone.

If I'm honest I think we're gone. This is the season.

[FarehamSaintJames]

54 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

I think if we get only 10 from that lot we're gone.

If I'm honest I think we're gone. This is the season.

Agreed.

Cant wait for all the “we tried our hardest” and “we were unlucky” interviews.

The fan base has seen this coming for a long time now.

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Agreed.

Cant wait for all the “we tried our hardest” and “we were unlucky” interviews.

The fan base has seen this coming for a long time now.

Seen it coming = largely compliant

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Agreed.

Cant wait for all the “we tried our hardest” and “we were unlucky” interviews.

The fan base has seen this coming for a long time now.

I’m just grateful for every second we spend in this fabulous league. Sooner or later we will return to our rightful place of being the young kid with their nose pressed up against the window of the local pub staring in at all the older, cooler kids having fun, hoping one day we will be welcomed in again. When we go down of course it’ll be sad but we shouldn’t be sorry it’s over we should be glad it happened 

[S-Clarke]

Just 10 more points out of that lot will probably have us relegated by April. We'd need to get wins against Spurs, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle away, Brighton away etc if we were sat on 22 points by the end of March.

In my opinion we need to be sat on 27 points at the very least by the end of the Leicester game to still be within the realms of safety, anything less and we're a bit fucked.

Edited 30 November, 2022 by S-Clarke

[egg]

11 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Just 10 more points out of that lot will probably have us relegated by April. We'd need to get wins against Spurs, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle away, Brighton away etc if we were sat on 22 points by the end of March.

In my opinion we need to be sat on 27 points at the very least by the end of the Leicester game to still be within the realms of safety, anything less and we're a bit fucked.

I think that's about right. We're in a tough position for sure. We need points quickly after the restart to avoid being cut adrift. 

[Charlie Wayman]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

I’m just grateful for every second we spend in this fabulous league. Sooner or later we will return to our rightful place of being the young kid with their nose pressed up against the window of the local pub staring in at all the older, cooler kids having fun, hoping one day we will be welcomed in again. When we go down of course it’ll be sad but we shouldn’t be sorry it’s over we should be glad it happened 

Serendipity at its best and first class click bait!

[ally_uk]

Selling Romeu without a suitable experienced replacement a stupid decision. 

Not properly replacing Danny Ings and starting this season with a Striker who is proven at this level or similar another stupid decision. 

I look at the squad 

Where is the creativity? 

What player is also capable of scoring on a consistent basis? 

Adam Armstrong - no end product 

Che Adams - Needs 10 chances 

Ward Prowse - backwards passing specialist.... 

Elyonoussi  - not sure what he offers

Walcott - Past it 

Aribo - not impressed so far 

.................................

 

Going forwards I would. 

Least get Jay Morgan a run out against weaker teams can't be any worse than what we have. 

Get a Targetman in mentioned it numerous times until I am blue in the face we are crying out for a focal point. That 6.7 lad at Genk who is banging them in would be my pick. 

Make room for a tricky, creative midfielder who can actually link up the attack I don't care if it means shipping out Adam Armstrong, Elyonoussi, Walcott or Djenepo just clear the decks and bring a upgrade in.... 

 

If we fail to do any of the above or similar we are in the Championship dress it up all you want.

[Saint86]

27 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

Going forwards I would. 

Least get Jay Morgan a run out against weaker teams can't be any worse than what we have. 

Get a Targetman in mentioned it numerous times until I am blue in the face we are crying out for a focal point. That 6.7 lad at Genk who is banging them in would be my pick. 

Make room for a tricky, creative midfielder who can actually link up the attack I don't care if it means shipping out Adam Armstrong, Elyonoussi, Walcott or Djenepo just clear the decks and bring a upgrade in.... 

 

If we fail to do any of the above or similar we are in the Championship dress it up all you want.

So you're saying that we're going to be in the championship unless we play a 16year old Jay Morgan... Because that's what our premier league survival hangs on? 🤣😨...

Edited 1 December, 2022 by Saint86

[Fitzhugh Fella]

19 hours ago, CB Fry said:

I think if we get only 10 from that lot we're gone.

If I'm honest I think we're gone. This is the season.

Not often you and I agree but I think you are right. I am trying to lose my inherited pessimism but unless we pull a big rabbit out of the hat in January’s window I don’t think Jones’s undoubted enthusiasm and dedication will be enough to haul us clear. The Board seem to be complacently pleased with themselves still (judging by that interview in the Athletic) and those of us who have witnessed previous relegations can clearly see the writing on the wall. I just hope my pessimism is misplaced. 

[Saint Garrett]

On 29/11/2022 at 15:04, West end Saints said:

37	ARMEL BELLA-KOTCHAP
2	KYLE WALKER-PETERS
15	ROMAIN PERRAUD MOUSSA DJENEPO (73′)
22	MOHAMMED SALISU
24	MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI
45	ROMÉO LAVIA JOE ARIBO (60′)
8	JAMES WARD-PROWSE (C)
9	ADAM ARMSTRONG LYANCO (86′)
27	IBRAHIMA DIALLO
10	CHE ADAMS

My cut and paste struggled, but this team played great against Chelsea - can a fresh start, and fit Lavia get us back to that level? And hopefully for more than one game? 

Ive got a feeling the new manager will get more out of Edozie and Mara. 

I'm at the optimistic level, not as far as confident, but even without any additions it is possible to pull away from the relegation area quite quickly. 

If we get a couple of early wins I think we will be fine. 

TBH, they've both now had half a season at the club, and some game time in the premier league. I'm also pretty certain Ralph would get more out of them in the second half of the season too.

January is absolutely massive for us, on and off the pitch. We have a bunch of young players who have had a few months to adjust, and also a month off to review their performances in the first half of the season. 

But regardless, we need a striker and hopefully they're through the door and ready to hit the ground running by the time we play Forest on the 4th Jan.

[John Boy Saint]

On 30/11/2022 at 09:54, Charlie Wayman said:

Thanks for that, just made an arse of myself.

Jones seems like a miserable git! Surely he could manage a smile if only for the thought of the pile of dosh he is racking up

Probably thinking “Hmmmm I wish this steaming pile looked as good as the training dome” 

😜

[JRM]

2 hours ago, ally_uk said:

Selling Romeu without a suitable experienced replacement a stupid decision. 

Not properly replacing Danny Ings and starting this season with a Striker who is proven at this level or similar another stupid decision. 

I look at the squad 

Where is the creativity? 

What player is also capable of scoring on a consistent basis? 

Adam Armstrong - no end product 

Che Adams - Needs 10 chances 

Ward Prowse - backwards passing specialist.... 

Elyonoussi  - not sure what he offers

Walcott - Past it 

Aribo - not impressed so far 

.................................

 

Going forwards I would. 

Least get Jay Morgan a run out against weaker teams can't be any worse than what we have. 

Get a Targetman in mentioned it numerous times until I am blue in the face we are crying out for a focal point. That 6.7 lad at Genk who is banging them in would be my pick. 

Make room for a tricky, creative midfielder who can actually link up the attack I don't care if it means shipping out Adam Armstrong, Elyonoussi, Walcott or Djenepo just clear the decks and bring a upgrade in.... 

 

If we fail to do any of the above or similar we are in the Championship dress it up all you want.

Agree we should try and get Wood from Newcastle on loan 

[Dusic]

Still no sign of Lavia in any of the pictures. Wonder if it was more than just cramp he was suffering from at Liverpool. At the time it looked more like a recurrence of his injury.

Edited 1 December, 2022 by Dusic

[ally_uk]

No I'm saying give Morgan a run out and see how he fares.... can't be any worse than the crap we have up top currently.... 

[John Boy Saint]

So they are off to Spain on Monday for 7 days in Andalucía

https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-12-01/winter-training-camp-southampton-football-club-mens-first-team-2022 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Seems there’s a behind closed doors friendly against Bristol Rovers this week before the squad flies to Spain for a training camp and more friendlies. I hope that NJ doesn’t get all warm and cosy with the thought that there’s enough striking talent in the squad to see us safe - can’t help but think we’re heading for a quiet January wrt incoming players.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

22 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Agreed.

Cant wait for all the “we tried our hardest” and “we were unlucky” interviews.

The fan base has seen this coming for a long time now.

If by this you mean that every single season people on this board are convinced we will get relegated, then yes 😄

[Master Bates]

4 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Seems there’s a behind closed doors friendly against Bristol Rovers this week before the squad flies to Spain for a training camp and more friendlies. I hope that NJ doesn’t get all warm and cosy with the thought that there’s enough striking talent in the squad to see us safe - can’t help but think we’re heading for a quiet January wrt incoming players.

Don't Rovers play Bolton tomorrow?

[Daft Kerplunk]

5 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

 I hope that NJ doesn’t get all warm and cosy with the thought that there’s enough striking talent in the squad to see us safe - can’t help but think we’re heading for a quiet January wrt incoming players.

That Athletic interview was worrying.  I think Semmens believes we’ve got the players, and maybe not signing anyone means we would be less in debt if we were relegated. I would imagine relegation budget exercises are on the agenda. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 hour ago, Master Bates said:

Don't Rovers play Bolton tomorrow?

Ah, must be Bristol City then which makes sense as they’re Championship. Managed by a certain ex-Saints manager too.

[woodsaint1]

5 hours ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

If by this you mean that every single season people on this board are convinced we will get relegated, then yes 😄

Sad thing is, there will be some on here that will be itching to dig out their posts from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to tell us all that they warned us and they saw relegation coming. Weirdos