Saints 1-0 Leicester - Match Thread

[Saint Garrett]

2 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

Let's be honest, we've got no hope. We can't defend and we can't score.

We’re worse than that, we basically kick it in for them every game ! 

[Kaiser Soze]

Alvarez has done nothing, not sure why everyone wants him in the side??

[OttawaSaint]

What's the fucking point?

[Crab Lungs]

5 hours ago, Pilchards said:

A serious question for anyone going on Saturday.

Why?

Honestly is it a drug that you feel you have to go as you’ve paid for your ticket or maybe it’s because you enjoy meeting your mates for a pint etc.

We have the worse home record for two seasons in the football league. The players are utter fucking useless that are coached by yet another shit manager who was selected by a bunch of knobs that operate the football club.

WHAT’S THE POINT OF GOING?

0-2 Leicester

 

 

Morbid curiosity now, that’s all.

[IFHP]

Should these match day threads not be moved to the Muppet show pages ?

perhaps a MOD could move it

[Pamplemousse]

5 hours ago, Kaiser Soze said:

Alvarez has done nothing, not sure why everyone wants him in the side??

He did score last time at home

[Galway saint]

42 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

He did score last time at home

I think alcaraz has looked poor when he has played. I wonder who makes the decisions on who we sign and what evidence they base decisions on as most of our signings haven’t improved the side. We are at a point when Theo Walcott looks like the best forward we have 

[Forester]

Would like to see 433 or 41221 out of possession as follows 

Bazanu

AMN, Bednarek, ABK, KWP

Lavia

JWP, Stuart

Walcott, Kamaldeen

Tall Paul

[a1ex2001]

Dear god we are so awful that people are now listing Walcott as a starter when two weeks ago everyone was saying he should retire!  The only thing that will really make a difference is if someone finally manages to light a fire under the players which I’m not sure the nice guy in charge is capable of!  Every player involved in last night embarrassment should be doing shuttle runs until they like this morning they were out played and out fought by some league two cloggers ffs!

The real shame is we were already down after the Leeds game so last night was the biggest game left this season for us and the team just couldn’t be bothered….

[kwsaint]

34 minutes ago, Forester said:

Would like to see 433 or 41221 out of possession as follows 

Bazanu

AMN, Bednarek, ABK, KWP

Lavia

JWP, Stuart

Walcott, Kamaldeen

Tall Paul

Deckchairs on the Titanic springs to mind

[Morse]

3 minutes ago, kwsaint said:

Deckchairs on the Titanic springs to mind

Exactly. It doesn't matter what combination you shuffle this pile of shïte laughably referred to as a squad, you're not going to get a functioning football team out of it. 

[100%Red&White]

29 minutes ago, a1ex2001 said:

The real shame is we were already down after the Leeds game so last night was the biggest game left this season for us and the team just couldn’t be bothered….

Tbf (and it's kind of understandable) neither could us fans - in numbers or 'support'. We're a mess top to bottom.

[JRM]

25 minutes ago, 100%Red&White said:

Tbf (and it's kind of understandable) neither could us fans - in numbers or 'support'. We're a mess top to bottom.

Yeah Saints fans can never complain about the club not taking cups seriously when so few fans bothered to turn out for a 5th round home tie 

[Wurzel]

10 hours ago, Pilchards said:

A serious question for anyone going on Saturday.

Why?

Honestly is it a drug that you feel you have to go as you’ve paid for your ticket or maybe it’s because you enjoy meeting your mates for a pint etc.

We have the worse home record for two seasons in the football league. The players are utter fucking useless that are coached by yet another shit manager who was selected by a bunch of knobs that operate the football club.

WHAT’S THE POINT OF GOING?

0-2 Leicester

 

 

See you there then 🤣

[SaintJakko]

If nobody turns up, and we get the stadium buzzing like it was around the covid times when we had no fans in the stadium. Maybe just maybe..the pressure will be off and our delicate minded players can play well at home? 
 

God I’m so down. But still itching for just something to put a slight smile on my face. Saints is that girlfriend that keeps screwing you over, giving you a tad of hope to change, gets you to come back only to throw it in your face time and time again. Toxic is the word. But goddamn, why do I still love you. 

Edited 2 March, 2023 by SaintJakko

[Saint Fan CaM]

38 minutes ago, JRM said:

Yeah Saints fans can never complain about the club not taking cups seriously when so few fans bothered to turn out for a 5th round home tie 

I know it’s an old hobbyhorse for many, but decimating the more vocal home support in the Northam is a recipe for a quiet game. Those in the ‘home end’ galvanise the rest of the ground or at least they used to. The “we’re the Northam over here” chants were a bit Noddy perhaps, but at least the home support sounded like it had a voice. Last nights lack of attendance, the take over of the Northam by the Grimsby fans and the resultant lack of home support voices made for an atmosphere as bad as I can remember ever.

[Whitey Grandad]

5 hours ago, Crab Lungs said:

Morbid curiosity now, that’s all.

Because we’ve already bought the tickets.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, a1ex2001 said:

Dear god we are so awful that people are now listing Walcott as a starter when two weeks ago everyone was saying he should retire!  The only thing that will really make a difference is if someone finally manages to light a fire under the players which I’m not sure the nice guy in charge is capable of!  Every player involved in last night embarrassment should be doing shuttle runs until they like this morning they were out played and out fought by some league two cloggers ffs!

The real shame is we were already down after the Leeds game so last night was the biggest game left this season for us and the team just couldn’t be bothered….

I don’t think we were. We were just dragged down to their level.

[obelisk]

2 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

I know it’s an old hobbyhorse for many, but decimating the more vocal home support in the Northam is a recipe for a quiet game. Those in the ‘home end’ galvanise the rest of the ground or at least they used to. The “we’re the Northam over here” chants were a bit Noddy perhaps, but at least the home support sounded like it had a voice. Last nights lack of attendance, the take over of the Northam by the Grimsby fans and the resultant lack of home support voices made for an atmosphere as bad as I can remember ever.

Said at the time St Mary's was being built that the Gasworks End (as I called it back then) should be two-tier with the away support hidden away upstairs with a crap bar and still have easy access to their coaches. The home end could then make a lot of noise underneath, bike-shed style.

Apparently that wasn't allowed for some reason or other and now we have a soulless stadium that away teams and supporters enjoy coming to.

[badgerx16]

Imagine how bad things would look if we hadn't taken 6 points off Chelsea.

( How on Earth did we beat them twice, and knock Man City out of the League Cup ? )

Edited 2 March, 2023 by badgerx16

[macca155]

I'm really struggling to raise the spirits for this one.

However if I went to the Gillingham game after losing 3 2 at home to Bristol Rovers and being bottom of League one on -1, then I guess I can raise the spirits for this one.

I 'd suggest

McCarthy

KWP ABK Salisu Perraud

Sulemana Lavia Diallo JWP

Ballard Onuachu

Lyanco for Salisu if he isn't fit.

I've gone with Ballard because all other options have proven to be crap. He may well benefit from Onuachu's lay offs. I mean he can do no worse really.

 

[Archers Road Stand]

1 minute ago, macca155 said:

I'm really struggling to raise the spirits for this one.

However if I went to the Gillingham game after losing 3 2 at home to Bristol Rovers and being bottom of League one on -1, then I guess I can raise the spirits for this one.

I 'd suggest

McCarthy

KWP ABK Salisu Perraud

Sulemana Lavia Diallo JWP

Ballard Onuachu

Lyanco for Salisu if he isn't fit.

I've gone with Ballard because all other options have proven to be crap. He may well benefit from Onuachu's lay offs. I mean he can do no worse really.

 

Why? He's comfortably the worst CB at this club and would struggle to get in most Championship sides. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

3 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Said at the time St Mary's was being built that the Gasworks End (as I called it back then) should be two-tier with the away support hidden away upstairs with a crap bar and still have easy access to their coaches. The home end could then make a lot of noise underneath, bike-shed style.

Apparently that wasn't allowed for some reason or other and now we have a soulless stadium that away teams and supporters enjoy coming to.

Absolutely. Thing is, even if your team is not doing so well, the joy of going to a home game is soaking up the atmosphere and feeling part of something bigger, whether you go with mates or just on your own. One of the reasons I’ve given up my ST of many years and stopped going is because I just don’t get that feeling of inclusivity from the club or a match day anymore. Add in the other inconvenience of Sky/BT Sport re-arranged games meaning missed games and the decision was an easy one.

[badgerx16]

Seeing as no Saints striker has scored in any of our last 9 league games, why not play without a recognised front man ?

( During that time, in cup games, they have managed 6: Che 3, AA 2, and Mara 1 ).

Edited 2 March, 2023 by badgerx16

[Mr Nimbus]

The formations seem irrelevant because the payers either A - can't implement what they are instructed to do  B - The plan is too predictable or worse C - A mixture of both.

I expect a comfortable afternoon for Leicester which includes huffing and puffing from us, crosses nowhere near our incredibly tall CF and defensive  mistakes from our laughably inept defenders.

1-4 Leicester 
 

Edited 2 March, 2023 by Mr Nimbus

[saintdaz]

12 minutes ago, Mr Nimbus said:

The formations seem irrelevant because the payers either A - can't implement what they are instructed to do  B - The plan is too predictable or worse C - A mixture of both.

I expect a comfortable afternoon for Leicester which includes huffing and puffing from us, crosses nowhere near our incredibly tall CF and defensive  mistakes from our laughably inept defenders.

1-4 Leicester 
 

Another 9-0 for Leicester

[macca155]

15 minutes ago, Archers Road Stand said:

Why? He's comfortably the worst CB at this club and would struggle to get in most Championship sides.

I think Bendarek is an absolute liability,  plus he is playing for himself not the team.

Until DCC keeps his hands to himself he is equally a liability.

Lyanco is reckless at times, but he does at least intercept well and has a modicum of pace and can pass.

I totally concede,, I'm clutching at straws here. I'd have the Grimsby No 6 over them. Hexham calm and at measured.

Do you really think we'd notice a difference with any of them?

 

 

[richardc]

Given that we cant change the pool of shit players we can choose from and given we will not change the manager - I would at least like to see a change in formation to a 4231 - to give us some width and someone to provide some creativity in attack (possibly Stu)

and at the very least I would like to see a change of attitude - to see some urgency like the chelsea away game and god forbid some forward positivity - even yesterday JWP spent most of his passes backwards or sideways even chasing the game with a few minutes to go

if someone makes a run in the channel or an overlap on the wing then pass them the fucking ball - its not that hard a concept to understand

[ChrisR]

if we lose 9 nil again do you think the club would stick with the manager or would we be looking for our 4th manager of the season, perhaps we can challenge Watford for the most PL managers in a season.

I want to see us have a go and score from open play more than once and given that Leicester are poor at the back (because they dont play Vestegarrd) we should be able to score I think it will be 2-4.

In all seriousness if I see JB and ME on the team sheet I am staying in the pub.

[Chewy]

18 minutes ago, ChrisR said:

if we lose 9 nil again do you think the club would stick with the manager or would we be looking for our 4th manager of the season, perhaps we can challenge Watford for the most PL managers in a season.

I want to see us have a go and score from open play more than once and given that Leicester are poor at the back (because they dont play Vestegarrd) we should be able to score I think it will be 2-4.

In all seriousness if I see JB and ME on the team sheet I am staying in the pub.

I guarantee you’ll be staying in the pub then. None of us would pick them, Selles definitely will play at least one, probably both

[SotonianWill]

1 hour ago, SaintJakko said:

If nobody turns up, and we get the stadium buzzing like it was around the covid times when we had no fans in the stadium. Maybe just maybe..the pressure will be off and our delicate minded players can play well at home? 
 

God I’m so down. But still itching for just something to put a slight smile on my face. Saints is that girlfriend that keeps screwing you over, giving you a tad of hope to change, gets you to come back only to throw it in your face time and time again. Toxic is the word. But goddamn, why do I still love you. 

sounds like something rasmus would come up with

[Micky]

I doubt it will be a match.  Fairly soon it will be compulsory for somebody on the bench to bring a white towel. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 hours ago, JRM said:

Yeah Saints fans can never complain about the club not taking cups seriously when so few fans bothered to turn out for a 5th round home tie 

Do you blame the fans though? Week in and week out it's the same old shit. Our home form has been gash for well over a year now. I went yesterday, did I enjoy it? No. I seriously cannot remember the last time I enjoyed watching a game at St Mary's. Probably the West Ham cup game. Other sites like the UI have the cheek to criticise our support, with Illingsworth banging on about it all the time. Football for a family isn't a cheap thing and if the football is absolutely shit, I can see why people don't bother anymore. 

[Archers Road Stand]

Just noticed Jamie Vardy is on a bit of a scoreless run (12 PL games)

We know what comes next. 

[Saint_Jonny]

14 hours ago, Pilchards said:

A serious question for anyone going on Saturday.

Why?

Honestly is it a drug that you feel you have to go as you’ve paid for your ticket or maybe it’s because you enjoy meeting your mates for a pint etc.

We have the worse home record for two seasons in the football league. The players are utter fucking useless that are coached by yet another shit manager who was selected by a bunch of knobs that operate the football club.

WHAT’S THE POINT OF GOING?

0-2 Leicester

 

 

It's purely because I paid my money so I don't want to see it go to waste at this point. My old man clearly doesn't like going with me as all I've done is bitch and moan for years now, I fucking hate going to St Mary's these days. I hate the team, I hate the trumpets before the game, I hate the Pompey obsessed cunts that stand behind me, I hate the walk to the ground from the car, in hate the drive from Winchester and sitting on the avenue taking in Southampton City Council's absolute shitshow traffic management, and most of all I hate how every away fan in the country at this point has had more good days out at St Mary's than the paying fucking home fans. 

[FarehamSaintJames]

Makes me glad I haven't had a season ticket in years. I'm quite content watching the odd cup game for cheaper, watching on TV or listening on the radio.

It doesn't make me any less a fan, it's just what is financially better.

Fair play anyone that does continue to go and support the odd players that do try.

I've been quite content betting money against Southampton for the last year and will continue to do it for this game and the rest of the season.
I've not been angry about Saints for ages now, I've just got used to it, and decided that I may as well make some money from it to soften the blow.

Leicester will win 3 or 4-1. Heads will drop, eyes will roll, normal service will resume.
It doesn't matter what team Selles puts out (and that's me being optimistic), the players already look defeated and done with this season. Mathematically we're well in it still, but the weak mentality from the team will continue to cost us.
 

[hans gruber]

At “Fortress St Marys” Leicester have no chance

[BotleySaint]

I'm on board with playing Paul and Ballard up front. You sense that at least Ballard would work hard and try things even if we just give him the first 45. Might play well off the knock downs. 

He has at least scored a goal more recently than the rest even if it is at a lower level. The problem with most of our players is confidence is so low they don't believe anything will come off. 

[OldNick]

4 hours ago, ChrisR said:

if we lose 9 nil again do you think the club would stick with the manager or would we be looking for our 4th manager of the season, perhaps we can challenge Watford for the most PL managers in a season.

I want to see us have a go and score from open play more than once and given that Leicester are poor at the back (because they dont play Vestegarrd) we should be able to score I think it will be 2-4.

In all seriousness if I see JB and ME on the team sheet I am staying in the pub.

I think they both were rested (JB cup tied) so probably in the plans!!!!

[Whitey Grandad]

4 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I think they both were rested (JB cup tied) so probably in the plans!!!!

JB was cup tied.

[Osvaldorama]

I agree with the above about St Mary’s. 
 

Away games are the only games worth going to. St Mary’s is fucking dead now days. League one and championship, even with less people in attendance, there was a real buzz about the place, top banter and songs. 
 

Now it’s just fucking awful. We never score any goals to celebrate and the ones we do score get overruled by fucking VAR after ten minutes of standing there getting bored. Then even if we do score a goal, the oppo will score a late equaliser and then a last minute winner anyway. 

Stewards tell the home fans to sit down but let the away fans do whatever they like. 
 

Plus I can’t stand the team, I can’t stand the football, I can’t stand the Semmens and Ankersen and their disdain for the fans. It’s just a joyless, horrendous experience supporting this club at the moment. 

[Pengi]

I have a theory that some of our players are more likely to perform when we play a top team - so that they put themselves in the shop window. 

[bangkoksaint]

5 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Do you blame the fans though? Week in and week out it's the same old shit. Our home form has been gash for well over a year now. I went yesterday, did I enjoy it? No. I seriously cannot remember the last time I enjoyed watching a game at St Mary's. Probably the West Ham cup game. Other sites like the UI have the cheek to criticise our support, with Illingsworth banging on about it all the time. Football for a family isn't a cheap thing and if the football is absolutely shit, I can see why people don't bother anymore. 

Completely agree. Would you pay top dollar week in week out to go to the theatre if the actors were forgetting their words or the staging and props kept falling over? I do want a modicum of entertainment, it’s not much to ask. I can’t remember the last time I came away from a game having thought that. I’m resetting for next season and not wasting anymore money on this team. Call me disloyal or whatever you want but in over 40 years of supporting this club this is yet another low point and god knows there’s been a few. 

[Disco Stu]

The last couple of games have been about as bad as we've seen in terms of a lack of quality and fight. Those games have made it clear to me that the players are done for the season and if the players have given up then so have I.

I've got a season ticket but I genuinely can't be arsed to travel in again to witness another defeat.  I've been a regular season ticket holder since our first season at St. Mary's, I sat through both 9-0 defeats and I kept turning up to games this season with the moronic belief things would eventually improve. In fact, things have got worse.

I hate going to the football. There's no enjoyment in it anymore. I've been to every home league game this season yet I've only seen us win once last August. Where's the graft, the aggression, the determination to fight on when things aren't going our way? We can't defend and our heads drop after we concede (every home league game so far this has happened) which is a fatal combination. This is why we're the easiest fixture on every clubs schedule. We're weak in every department. Weak mentality. Weak quality. Weak leadership. And if the club want to continue to treat those of us still going with contempt, they can get used to attendances like last night.

Edited 2 March, 2023 by Disco Stu

[SaintJakko]

31 minutes ago, Pengi said:

I have a theory that some of our players are more likely to perform when we play a top team - so that they put themselves in the shop window. 

I personally think this is mental attitude they have to games like this and more to do with pressure. Big games against the top six is basically a free hit for a club like Southampton. We are expected to lose. There is also the added fact it then makes the opposing team who’s expected to win play more attacking and less defensive opening up opportunities on the counter. We are awful at breaking teams down. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

33 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

Completely agree. Would you pay top dollar week in week out to go to the theatre if the actors were forgetting their words or the staging and props kept falling over? I do want a modicum of entertainment, it’s not much to ask. I can’t remember the last time I came away from a game having thought that. I’m resetting for next season and not wasting anymore money on this team. Call me disloyal or whatever you want but in over 40 years of supporting this club this is yet another low point and god knows there’s been a few. 

I feel sorry for my lad who I routinely drag along. He says he still enjoys going, but for how much longer? The club is in stark danger of losing the next generation of fans with performances like the drivel we are subjected too. 

[Toussaint]

I think we’ll win.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

People may ask if the sky is blue on the planet I live on, but I think we'll win too. Leicester are crap and while I don't dispute we're crap too, it's fine margins at this level. Think DCC may have blown his chance but the defence is ok and as long as AA is nowhere near the lineup, Sulemana or Tall Paul must be able to conjure up something between them. The fat lady is still gargling her mouthwash and not singing just yet 🤞

[JRM]

Some views from Leicester, they seem quite negative but not sure they realise how bad we really are: 

https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/131201-up-next-southampton-away/

[Hawkswood]

27 minutes ago, JRM said:

Some views from Leicester, they seem quite negative but not sure they realise how bad we really are: 

http

Bloody hell this is brilliant, Nearly makes me feel confident. It's better reading their forum than ours, they're actually making me feel better about being a saints fan.