Southampton 3-1 Leeds - Match Thread

[Lone ranger]

Watched highlights of Newcastle 2 Saints 1 on Sky last night (2022) Even though Jones was in charge it was actually enjoyable to watch. Fast forward focused football. Of course the defence was weak ( but not as hopeless as this season) but it was actually enjoyable to watch. How we have declined. 

[StrangelyBrown]

Listening to the presser it seems that RM is committing to a better performance with more intensity, that training has gone well, etc - if it's more of the same this week then he's just full of hot air and should go without delay.

[Baird of the land]

I hate that phrase 'outcome oriented', horrible management speak. Hopefully he's out the door if the result is as expected/feared today.

Also makes me chuckle imagining telling my manager 'you can't be outcome oriented' to any task i've been given to complete.

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

I hate that phrase 'outcome oriented', horrible management speak. Hopefully he's out the door if the result is as expected/feared today.

Also makes me chuckle imagining telling my manager 'you can't be outcome oriented' to any task i've been given to complete.

Air Accident Investigator to pilot: "why did you crash the plane?"

Pilot: "why are you focusing on that, did you not see how gracefully I deployed the flaps on approach?"

Edited 30 September, 2023 by trousers

[hypochondriac]

26 minutes ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Listening to the presser it seems that RM is committing to a better performance with more intensity, that training has gone well, etc - if it's more of the same this week then he's just full of hot air and should go without delay.

I think it would be easier to swallow a loss today if we saw a bit of what you mention and signs that things will be turned around. If we lose narrowly but give Leeds multiple opportunities to score a hatful, look terrible without the ball and just as leaky and error prone at the back, then the fear is that we have settled into a rut with no sign of things getting better. I'll feel better about things if we show aggression, look more organised and solid and create some chances even if we end up losing. 

[macca155]

I think we're all pretty much prepared for a defeat today.   Leeds aren't anything special, but they'll probably have enough to capitalise on the inevitable mistakes from Saints. If luck goes our way it may be a draw.

I can live with that if there are improvements to be seen. Less errors, more intensity, sensible management. The team needs to start forging out an identity and some self belief.

Needs to happen fast as well, or this season is going to be grind, with the prospect of the play offs the only vague target.

However for the moment COYS, batter the dirty northerners.

[rallyboy]

Right, nearly time to paint on a smile, stick on my positive face, applaud when things go wrong and try not to be part of the problem.

We all know it's been shit, but today we need to pretend to the players that we haven't noticed.

#positivity

COYR 

 

[Exeter Saint]

I know I’m out of kilter on here but I’m hoping for a win today. Come on you Saints!

[sfc4prem]

Shall we try not to lose today, boys? 

Is how I imagine Russ's pre-match pep talk will go.

Piroe sure to score. The question is: will we?

[Chez]

1 minute ago, Exeter Saint said:

I know I’m out of kilter on here but I’m hoping for a win today. Come on you Saints!

i'm with you. Hope we get a win, things start to fall into place and we push on. I never `want us to lose' so that a manager gets sacked in the hope that it will achieve a greater end result. 

[Chez]

1 minute ago, sfc4prem said:

Shall we try not to lose today, boys? 

Is how I imagine Russ's pre-match pep talk will go.

Piroe sure to score. The question is: will we?

Can't be any worse than the game at Elland Road last season, which was one of the most pathetic and toothless displays I have ever seen...can it?

[Fan The Flames]

Who are we losing to today?

[East Kent Saint]

Home  advantage ! We fans will take us over the line 😁

Ryder cup showing strength togetherness (and from different  countries) who'd have thought it 😳

[revolution saint]

We stand a really good chance of winning today.  I've bet on both teams to score, Saints to lose and Piroe to score - 5/1.

 

[Saint Billy]

Hopefully at least we'll see some sensible football from saints today with a sensible team selection and not the clusterfuck of the last four games.

[saint lard]

I woke up with unbridled enthusiasm and optimism. 
watched the Martin presser ….its all downhill from here. 🤷🏻‍♂️

lose today …I want the cunt gone. 
And Will be difficult to find any love for anyone at the club. 
since ‘75 I’ve done my bit…..but I struggle now to  muster any love towards Southampton FC. 
It is what it is.  
a clusterfuck. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[gio1saints]

Seems like there’s a major incident near me in Bitterne just as I’m about to leave for sms…I e  counted 3 engines 6 ambulances 5 emergency y cars all sirens blazing and a helicopter hovering atm. Pray it’s not a coach and there’s no fatalities ..🙏

Edited 30 September, 2023 by gio1saints

[Master Bates]

3pts today.

 

Kick off 

Half Time

Full Time

[Danbert]

Leeds have barely anymore points than we do, and aren't any better player for player - if we can fix the defense we can make a game of it. COYR

[Toadhall Saint]

2 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Listening to the presser it seems that RM is committing to a better performance with more intensity, that training has gone well, etc - if it's more of the same this week then he's just full of hot air and should go without delay.

He says it all the time “really pleased with the intensity in training this week” we the go and lose by a boat load. Fraud

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

Can't be any worse than the game at Elland Road last season, which was one of the most pathetic and toothless displays I have ever seen...can it?

Hate to say it but it could - not that I want it to but taking the last few matches into consideration…….

[Saint_clark]

At the stadium, not feeling the enthusiastic optimism I used to. Hopefully they can change that.

[disconnect]

6 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

At the stadium, not feeling the enthusiastic optimism I used to. Hopefully they can change that.

Hope you have a great day and enjoy a good match of football and big Saints win

[trousers]

...

Edited 30 September, 2023 by trousers

[LeBizzier69]

Leeds fans I’ve seen so far seem to be carrying an imaginary case under each arm.

Concede first it’s going to get toxic. Need to score first to have any hope imo. Hard to see that happening though.

[CB Fry]

I think that line up might just work. 

[trousers]

[CB Fry]

I forgot about Piroe. Fucking hell.

[SNSUN]

Happier with that but Martin definitely loves Willy.

[danjosaint]

There front 3 will pull us apart

[Jazzfunk]

At least Ayling isn't playing. He always seems to do well against us. And Gnonto obviously a bonus omission

[suewhistle]

37 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Seems like there’s a major incident near me in Bitterne just as I’m about to leave for sms…I e  counted 3 engines 6 ambulances 5 emergency y cars all sirens blazing and a helicopter hovering atm. Pray it’s not a coach and there’s no fatalities ..🙏

Wondered what the ASR helicopter was doing hovering for 20 minutes. Cheers.

Hope no casualties but looks serious. Helicopter now back at base: Lee on Solent.

[AlexLaw76]

Guess Charlie now understands the complicated system we have...

[derry]

So much for pressing and intensity. No Holding midfielder and two mincers in midfield.

Edited 30 September, 2023 by derry

[disconnect]

Would've definitely had Charles instead of Smallengine and feels a bit harsh on Edozie, but Sulemana and Alcaraz should be starting every game when available, so good to see them starting this one. Saints to win a penalty for sure...!

Edit: powderpuff midfield again, so expecting a bit of a goal fest with two teams running at pace at each others defence. 

Edited 30 September, 2023 by disconnect

[Block41 Saint]

Once again, that midfield 3 is woeful and will get torn a new one defensively. 

[AlexLaw76]

Remember, the training has been brilliant, Flynn is ready to go, and we will see loads of aggression and tempo

[Ed Rooney]

How shit does smallbone have to play to get dropped, the current day Ely 

[trousers]

With Charles on the bench we have no recognised DM on the pitch, although I suspect Downes assumes that role? Good to see some of our better players (on paper) starting but our midfield looks way too soft... 

Edited 30 September, 2023 by trousers

[Mixedkebab]

I suppose this is 4-2-3-1 with Alcaraz behind AA?

I don’t mind it personally but who fucking knows anymore 

[Saint_clark]

Downes and Smallbone need to just sit in midfield and not get any further forward than about 10 yards into their half. 

[Colinjb]

We are going to get torn apart...... again.

[Saint_clark]

Edozie being dropped makes even less sense now, I assumed he was dropped last game to be rested for this one.

[RedArmy]

4 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Downes and Smallbone need to just sit in midfield and not get any further forward than about 10 yards into their half. 

That’s not going to happen is it 😂

[for_heaven's_Saint]

7 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Downes and Smallbone need to just sit in midfield and not get any further forward than about 10 yards into their half. 

Agree but we’d surely be playing Charles if we were going to set up like that?

I look forward to seeing them break with 4 players through on goal from one of our own attacks. 

[notnowcato]

Interesting that Charles doesn’t make the starting line up, thought he’d be there alongside Downes. 
 

Fuck me we need a result today. Come on you Saints!!!!

[RedArmy]

Piroe to score 2 or more is 12/1 if you want to make some easy money. 

[gio1saints]

Nice improvement with the vibrant forest taproom concession in the inner foyer. 😊. Generous free samples ( oops I’ve had theee already) and the Black Forest Porter pint in front of me is delish. £6. 
I think that’s made an important contribution to the pre match discussion. 😃

[suewhistle]

It was. And if it had been better advertised I might not be in the pub right now. 

[stknowle]

25 minutes ago, Block41 Saint said:

Once again, that midfield 3 is woeful and will get torn a new one defensively. 

This is my main take on that team. Oh that and the fact the Armstrong is back at CF where he has consistently proven woeful all season. Oh well, as ever, sit back and hope for the best I guess.