Saints 1-2 Fulham - Match Thread

[Miltonaggro]

Some brief perspective from my seat today. Sulemana, the footballing equivalent of the scarecrow from the wizard of Oz, thick as fucking mince. Thought Ross Stewart did well and was tussling with their defenders, holding the ball up and battling throughout. Off he goes and it went to shit. His replacement,  Archer bottled every 50/50 ball and looked like he was half heartedly running training shuttles. Dibling’s bottom lip was out so far I doubt he could see his feet, totally non committed and stumbled around at walking pace. We all know a mass clearout is needed, but it needs to be root and branch. 

[Toussaint]

1 hour ago, HKsaint said:

Dibling is just a kid. We lost because he came out

I didn’t even know he was gay. 

[Saint NL]

10 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

to add to Brereton Diaz/Armstrong/Stewart/Carillo/Tall Paul/Mara

Christ, I'd forgotten he existed. Such a nothing player.

[HarvSFC]

Not too much to get excited about aside from the goal. Fulham completely dominated the match, they had 13 corners to our 0, 64% of the ball, damning stats for a home team.

Been saying it all season, if the team lacks quality, make up for it in effort and this team lacks both. Football shouldn't be this predictable, upsets exist, a lot of this team lost to Grimsby two years ago because they were more fired up for it than our "Premier League players" and this side are incapable of pulling off an upset and getting a shock result. Every time we had the ball Fulham swarmed us. Every time Fulham had the ball, our players backed off and gave them space. Only Flynn Downes is capable of putting in a challenge in this team. Watching the first goal back. Iwobi is able to scoop the ball into the box at ease. Emile Smith-Rowe is then able to bring the ball down in the box, he's then allowed to turn in the box and then get a shot off that deflects off Bednarek some yards away. The second goal, Dibling loses the ball too easily, which is become a common occurrence with him, Manning once again is nowhere near Traore, who puts in the cross and then it finds a Fulham player, of course and goes in.

Our players are just too slow to everything, jog around and can't compete in the Premier League. 

Dibling can't get a start for the worst top flight Southampton team of all time, nobody's paying more than £30m for him as when he does play he just goes through the motions. Far more talented players have seen their careers fall off a cliff as there comes a point where they can't just rely on their talent, just putting the warning out there...

Stephens and Bednarek need to go. If the next manager keeps Stephens as captain it will be a joke. He isn't good enough to warrant playing every week and his leadership skills are lacking if this season is anything to go by. Didn't have the difficult conversation with his mate Martin to say that his tactics weren't working and the players weren't capable of playing them. Didn't ensure the team maintained standards under Juric and has let us down time and time again while on the pitch. While, many say Bednarek is at least good in the Championship, but we've never had a good defence with Bednarek in the side, even in the Championship our defence was poor. The club tried getting rid of the pair of two years ago and they're starting every week. As for the forwards... Well, Sulemana doesn't have any end product and the others can't cause any problems for a Premier League defence.

KWP and Fernandes once again the only positives.

[Saint Fan CaM]

On 25/04/2025 at 13:31, malcolm waldron said:

Have you not watched the league games he's overseen so far this season....?!  

Yeah, it was a thing…sat back for a 1-1 and then some, playing 6 defenders! What a complete idiot.

Fernandes and Ramsdale were outstanding today.

Manning was poor and Dibling worse, although Dibling should never have been brought on if the intention was to defend a 1-1 draw….he's just too fucking lazy and can’t defend for toffee. Would have been better using Welington or even Smallbone ahead of Manning.

The rest of the team did OK. Fulham were fast and physical going forwards - once again were were not.

Rusk and Lallana are definitely not the answer based on todays last 10-15 minutes and then some, playing the subs chosen.

Edited Saturday at 23:38 by Saint Fan CaM

[Whitey Grandad]

3 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Yeah, it was a thing…sat back for a 1-1 and then some playing 6 defenders! What a complete idiot.

Fernandes and Ramsdale were outstanding today.

Manning was poor and Dibling worse, although Dibling should never have been brought on if the intention was to defend a 1-1 draw….he's just too fucking lazy and can’t defend for toffee. Would have been better using Welington or even Smallbone ahead of Manning.

The rest of the team did OK. Fulham were fast and physical going forwards - once again were were not.

Musk and Lallana are definitely not the answer based on todays last 10-15 minutes and then some, playing the subs chosen.

Aribo was on the bench and he brings on Bree and Dibling. 

[Monk]

You should’ve heard the noise that came out of me in Morrisons when I saw they scored the second. 
 

We all must of done something awful in a past life to deserve this. 
 

Whole thing is utter wank.
 

 

Edited yesterday at 00:04 by Monk
Typo

[SaintsBarry74]

Ramsdale’s been key to keeping our scores respectable all season. I dread to think how it would've looked with McCarthy or Baz in goal.

[die Mannyschaft]

29 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Some brief perspective from my seat today. Sulemana, the footballing equivalent of the scarecrow from the wizard of Oz, thick as fucking mince. Thought Ross Stewart did well and was tussling with their defenders, holding the ball up and battling throughout. Off he goes and it went to shit. His replacement,  Archer bottled every 50/50 ball and looked like he was half heartedly running training shuttles. Dibling’s bottom lip was out so far I doubt he could see his feet, totally non committed and stumbled around at walking pace. We all know a mass clearout is needed, but it needs to be root and branch. 

Apart from MF and AR I really don't think any club will be after anyone else. I suspect the £100m was a PR stunt as no bids have actually come jn gor tge player. Would any player apart from AR have a clause to leave if relegated? Very unlikely.  

[lambtiss]

36 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

With Onuachu seemingly injured,  Rusk tried a like for like in Stewart but he was absolutely hopeless

I thought Stewart competed well,  kept their centre halves occupied, defended corners well and had a good run into their penalty area when he seemed to be pushed. 

 

The difference when Archer (definitely not a target man) replaced him, was huge.

[bangkoksaint]

Fulham are not a great team and are pretty much just making up the numbers in the PL, but like many sides they’ve made us look bang average today. That said though I worry for the state of the PL and football in general with the way things are going. 
 

if you add the bottom 3’s points total together there are 9 teams who have a better total than the bottom three put together - that’s nearly half the league. Out of a possible 54 points available to the bottom three over the last 6 games they have totalled just 7 points and one win between them. It was probably pretty much the same last season and dare I say will be the same next. Things have to change because it’s not making for a competitive league. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, lambtiss said:

I thought Stewart competed well,  kept their centre halves occupied, defended corners well and had a good run into their penalty area when he seemed to be pushed. 

 

The difference when Archer (definitely not a target man) replaced him, was huge.

I was pleasantly surprised. I thought after 3 years out all of his conditioning would’ve vanished but looked alright. Not brilliant but offered more than Jeffrey Archer as I call him. 

[Micky]

2 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

I would only want to keep Ramsdale, KWP and Fernandes.  The rest are both shite and fucking lazy.

Brace yourself.  The three you want will be first out of the door after this clusterfuck of a season ends, the shitty lazy fucks will be the squad for next season, obviously. 

[Saint_Jonny]

I know it's easier to call the players fat, lazy, hateful, cunts etc etc. but just to add some semblance of balance to this thread; I didn't see a lack of effort from the Saints team on the pitch today. Until Stewart went off we at least had some balance and threat while we were able to get out and hold the ball up, and the team gave it everything throughout. Today was just another example of the huge gulf in quality from our squad to almost every other squad in the league.

Can't wait for this season to end. 

[Roo1976]

1 hour ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Aribo was on the bench and he brings on Bree and Dibling. 

Aribos not the answer, he just flaps his arms around and goes through the motions much like the rest.............................still another week of not watching match of the day to hear the pundits stick it to us.

[the colonel]

6 minutes ago, Saint_Jonny said:

I know it's easier to call the players fat, lazy, hateful, cunts etc etc. but just to add some semblance of balance to this thread; I didn't see a lack of effort from the Saints team on the pitch today. Until Stewart went off we at least had some balance and threat while we were able to get out and hold the ball up, and the team gave it everything throughout. Today was just another example of the huge gulf in quality from our squad to almost every other squad in the league.

Can't wait for this season to end. 

What he said.

No point to keep pointing the finger. we all know there is a massive gulf. Need to spend a couple seasons in the championship to rebuild and produce a team ready for the premier. Unfortunately, I think we will be down for a few seasons sorting this mess out.

[Appy]

Stewart was decent, gave Bassey and Andersen a few issues before he inevitably tired. 
 

Sulemana is god awful, hopefully we can get some sort of fee for him in the summer but if scouts take notice of his footballing intelligence he’ll be going nowhere. 

[trousers]

3 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Jeez, it’s almost as if sacking two managers has gotten us absolutely nowhere.

House!

[Pip]

Were people expecting us to suddenly morph into Liverpool today?  I thought Stewart gave us more of an outlet, the (most) players gave it their all and heads didn't go down and I was more entertained than I have been for quite a while.  But hey ho, let's keep slagging them off.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, Monk said:

We all must of done something awful in a past life to deserve this.

Did Hoddle have his views on past lives, before he joined us? Or did he just spend time here, and reach the obvious conclusion. 🙂

[obelisk]

I read that today's result makes it 28 points lost from winning positions this season. That's nuts. Can't believe we've taken the lead that often.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

37 minutes ago, obelisk said:

I read that today's result makes it 28 points lost from winning positions this season. That's nuts. Can't believe we've taken the lead that often.

I know. I can't believe we've scored that often, either.
🙂

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, Micky said:

Brace yourself.  The three you want will be first out of the door after this clusterfuck of a season ends, the shitty lazy fucks will be the squad for next season, obviously. 

I’m under no illusions that there is even the slightest chance those 3 will stay.  I would firesale the other useless c*nts though.

 

[Monk]

3 hours ago, Monk said:

You should’ve heard the noise that came out of me in Morrisons when I saw they scored the second. 
 

We all must of done something awful in a past life to deserve this. 
 

Whole thing is utter wank.
 

 

 

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, obelisk said:

I read that today's result makes it 28 points lost from winning positions this season. That's nuts. Can't believe we've taken the lead that often.

That just proves that being in the lead at some stage is not a winning position.

[macca155]

Business as usual really, Fulham are a tidy outfit and are well managed. Way too good for Saints.

I thought Sessegnon was outstanding today. No way Fulham keep him next year. Berge was a big bully who just owned the midfield. We had a bigger lump in Les but he hardly featured.

I thought Stewart did well, bodes well for next year. THB yet again was constantly out of position, reckless, and easily bypassed. Playing 5 at the back just invites trouble.

Fernades was marked out of the game. He'll have to learn to live with that.

Da Silva could see Saints were tiring so brought on 3 subs. Nothing special but they put our fading team under even more pressure. Time and time Fulham attacked Manning. He struggled to contain Traore and the crosses were firing in. He had zero support in front of him, and Stephens should have been pushed out to support him. Or maybe even play Dibling on the right where he can actually make a difference.

I'd have brought Wellington on to support Manning, and gamed that match out for the point.

13 corners to 0 tells you all you need to know really.

 

 

[Andrew Watson]

Smith Rowe must have thought he had hygiene issues,you should not get that much room in junior football. Spineless, useless losers, who will struggle in the championship unless we get rid of virtually every player on the pitch today, The better ones go of their own accord,the others are masquerading as professional footballers and are totally worthless.

[Oh no Mick Mills]

Lots of people were impressed with Stewart. 

Personally I thought he was poor. 

Pleased for him to come from his injury issues and he gave his all but from where I was sat in the Itchen centre, every long high ball he was jumping up 2 yards too forwards and the ball sailed over his head. 

He had an opportunity in the first half where he was through on goal but was easily caught by Fulham defender.  

Zero shots or headers if memory serves me correct.

Rather have Onuachu...they're all poor though. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

53 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Lots of people were impressed with Stewart. 

Personally I thought he was poor. 

Pleased for him to come from his injury issues and he gave his all but from where I was sat in the Itchen centre, every long high ball he was jumping up 2 yards too forwards and the ball sailed over his head. 

He had an opportunity in the first half where he was through on goal but was easily caught by Fulham defender.  

Zero shots or headers if memory serves me correct.

Rather have Onuachu...they're all poor though. 

Looked better than Archer which is pretty damning given it’s Rod’s first start in many months. Unfortunately I doubt we’ll get to see if there’s any semblance of a Prem player in there before the season ends, but he’ll be more useful in the Championship than Archer.

[OttawaSaint]

4 hours ago, Pip said:

Were people expecting us to suddenly morph into Liverpool today?  

No but a blind squirrel sometimes finds a nut. Even Luton managed a great 4-0 win in the EPL. Could we not hope for one emphatic result this season?

[austsaint]

9 hours ago, OttawaSaint said:

Utterly useless, his lack of any engagement or pressing let Fulham have plenty of time on the ball and won them the game.

Quite a few have praised Stewart, but I couldn’t see a player we should be putting much faith in next season.   A lumbering type, without speed - not much of a hold up game.    The run he made resulting in the correct non penalty ruling, was courtesy of an inch perfect KWP pass; Stewart had time to launch a shot but dithered and gave the CB time to recover.  
Not for the first time this season our subs weakened the team while Fulham’s did the opposite.   The arrival of Traore exposed the defensive frailties of Manning and upped the Fulham pressure for most of the second half.

Downes and Ugochukwu did well.   You’d have to hope Downes is with us next season, and Chelsea are going to be returned a much improved young midfielder in Les.   No surprise Ramsdale, KWP and Fernandes were Saint’s standouts again.

[Pamplemousse]

There are positives in that it was competitive but in the second half we had zero attacking threat. 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

10 hours ago, Pip said:

Were people expecting us to suddenly morph into Liverpool today?  I thought Stewart gave us more of an outlet, the (most) players gave it their all and heads didn't go down and I was more entertained than I have been for quite a while.  But hey ho, let's keep slagging them off.

Yes I agree. First half was the best we've played at home this season and like you said Stewart led the line adequately. Our forward options are dire. Archer is dreadful. Sulemana is a one trick pony and I never want to see Arma or Brereton-Diaz again. We are going to be stuck with them next season because we are not going to be able to give them away.

[macca155]

23 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Yes I agree. First half was the best we've played at home this season and like you said Stewart led the line adequately. Our forward options are dire. Archer is dreadful. Sulemana is a one trick pony and I never want to see Arma or Brereton-Diaz again. We are going to be stuck with them next season because we are not going to be able to give them away.

Stewart was adequate sums it up really. He's scored in the Championship before so there is some hope

The club have to address our woeful attacking options next year. I think we can assume Onuachu and Sulemana will be sold. Hope that Sheffield Utd win the play offs and have to buy BBD. Someone might buy Archer, you never know.

That at least will give the club an opportunity to bring in a forward and or give room for some youngsters to be brought on.

Whoever is manager has a massive job ahead of him.

[Whitey Grandad]

Sulemana was a disappointment again. Twice he was facing an opponent and all he could think of doing was just blasting the ball against him. What did he think was going to happen?

[John B]

15 hours ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

Load of shite

He sat on MNF and admitted he underestimated the Premier League.

Those were his words straight out of his mouth and then persisted with trying to play fucking triangles across the back of our own box when it was as plain as the nose on my face the players couldn't do it.

It's on him.

You and so many others are fucking deluded and not particularly bright to succeed in the PL we need decent players 

 

how many do we have three or four and results have not improved since Martin left

[spyinthesky]

The worrying thing if we put this team in the Championship next season, they might just scrape into the top six. Maybe.
Take out Ramsdale, KWP and Fernandes (in particular) plus Big Les and possibly Downes and THB and there is a Stoke/Swansea/Pompey type side, relying on our top rated scouting team to bring in loan players or 'bargains' within the £1-£3m range.
Whilst Edwards and Charles and possibly Edioze will arguably add a smidgeon of strength to the squad the return of Arma, BBD and Baz will only add to the wage bill.
There is a desperate need for a decent target man as has been the case for some time now.

[Lighthouse]

14 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

The worrying thing if we put this team in the Championship next season, they might just scrape into the top six. Maybe.
Take out Ramsdale, KWP and Fernandes (in particular) plus Big Les and possibly Downes and THB and there is a Stoke/Swansea/Pompey type side, relying on our top rated scouting team to bring in loan players or 'bargains' within the £1-£3m range.
Whilst Edwards and Charles and possibly Edioze will arguably add a smidgeon of strength to the squad the return of Arma, BBD and Baz will only add to the wage bill.
There is a desperate need for a decent target man as has been the case for some time now.

Why would you make up something like that? We spent over £10m each on Stewart and Charles last time, we'll clearly have the budget to bring in a handful of decent Championship players. If we sell AR, MF, THB and FD it'll be for significant money. Dibling could still fetch a decent price, even after a poor second half of the season.

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Why would you make up something like that? We spent over £10m each on Stewart and Charles last time, we'll clearly have the budget to bring in a handful of decent Championship players. If we sell AR, MF, THB and FD it'll be for significant money. Dibling could still fetch a decent price, even after a poor second half of the season.

Read that again and again and again and again.

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

29 minutes ago, John B said:

You and so many others are fucking deluded and not particularly bright to succeed in the PL we need decent players 

 

how many do we have three or four and results have not improved since Martin left

Shame Russell Martin didn't know that.

[Lighthouse]

9 minutes ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

Read that again and again and again and again.

I don't need to, I wrote it.

[tdmickey3]

9 minutes ago, ApprenticeBillionaire said:

Shame Russell Martin didn't know that.

Yeah but he was caught by surprise and was confident it would come good or something 

[Katalinic]

It reminded me of an FA Cup game where the clearly lower ranked team go ahead and then desperately look to hold on for 80 mins.  The gulf in class was evident on the pitch/respective benches. Don't blame Rusk for the set up, any other approach with this group of players who clearly are not good enough, would likely end in a hammering.

[saintstowin]

Mentioned before, but one run Stewart made in the 1st half and (sort of) got in behind but wasn't able to get away for a shot, he then did what we'd want from him or any front man (held the ball up, held off the defender).

And then the waiting started.

It wasn't exactly a super fast break, and I couldn't believe how long it took for anyone to get near him to support the attack. That's a sad reflection of effort, similar to West Ham's goal last week.

We're joggers not sprinters. I expect confidence affects this, but the effort isn't there either.

[SouSaint]

Fulham were in the Championship when our dogshit owners took control of this club, now they are so far ahead of us it's embarrassing. 

The 2nd half played out like a lower league opposition playing a PL side in a cup game. Our players are a bunch of absolute pansies whenever the going gets tough. The defending for both goals was people not doing the bare basics when defending, terrible positioning from Ramsdale for their winner as well. 

I fear for us next season. We'll have a good team on paper for that League but I can't say I'm too confident that we'll appoint the correct manager. I can see it being very similar to our 05/06 season. 

[gio1saints]

My thoughts: 

Stewart could have taken the shot but instead chose to fall over claiming a penalty via a push. Maybe Liverpool or a top team at home gets that penalty but on balance I think he should have trusted himself to shoot-and score..I’m frankly disappointed he decided to fall over. He got his chance- and he chose to fall over. Wrong decision for a winner imo. Someone desperate to make an impact after 2+ years  out does not take a rain check on a possible direct shot with good chance of scoring in the penalty area. I was in Northam 41 so had a direct down the pitch view of the challenge. It was at best a harsh maybe penalty but we don’t get those usually… he definitely had the opportunity to shoot and gave it a no thanks. He’s a #9 he’s there to shoot and score ffs! Not happy with his mindset there one little bit. 
PS. I am  not wanting to go OTT on him first start back long injury I know I know and he did run around a bit and it’s early days BUT, Me Stewart you must not act like a weak minded flake if you want to be our #9. Next time shoot, score, scorn the goalie rip off the defenders leg and throw it into the crowd on the way back to the centre spot and take your aclaim. Not roll around whimpering you fell over.. 

PPS. I 100% saw some of our players ducking out of 50-50 challenges. Unacceptable. 

Edited 21 hours ago by gio1saints

[Oldandtired]

1 hour ago, saintstowin said:

Mentioned before, but one run Stewart made in the 1st half and (sort of) got in behind but wasn't able to get away for a shot, he then did what we'd want from him or any front man (held the ball up, held off the defender).

And then the waiting started.

It wasn't exactly a super fast break, and I couldn't believe how long it took for anyone to get near him to support the attack. That's a sad reflection of effort, similar to West Ham's goal last week.

We're joggers not sprinters. I expect confidence affects this, but the effort isn't there either.

This…prime example was when we had a corner I think it was, they broke and THB, who was up in an attacking position near their pen spot, didn’t even bother to jog back, let alone bust a gut to stop their attack, just basically watched it all unfold as he strolled back down the pitch. Just one of a few yesterday I fear, how many times did we attack only for there to be a lone ball carrier with nowhere to put it but back.

Is it still a Russballsup hangover?

 

Edited 21 hours ago by Oldandtired

[Whitey Grandad]

2 hours ago, Katalinic said:

It reminded me of an FA Cup game where the clearly lower ranked team go ahead and then desperately look to hold on for 80 mins.  The gulf in class was evident on the pitch/respective benches. Don't blame Rusk for the set up, any other approach with this group of players who clearly are not good enough, would likely end in a hammering.

Of course I blame Rusk, who else is there? 

Packing our own penalty are with an endless string of last-ditch interceptions is only ever going to end one way. How manty times does it need to be said? Your defending starts in their half of the pitch. Playing five at the back is an admission of defeat before you even start. The extra defenders simply get in each other's way and leave the midfield undermanned. 

It is an abomination and anyone who champions it should be sectioned.

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, Oldandtired said:

This…prime example was when we had a corner I think it was, they broke and THB, who was up in an attacking position near their pen spot, didn’t even bother to jog back, let alone bust a gut to stop their attack, just basically watched it all unfold as he strolled back down the pitch. Just one of a few yesterday I fear, how many times did we attack only for there to be a lone ball carrier with nowhere to put it but back.

Is it still a Russballsup hangover?

 

Saw that too, and a good few other lethargic examples yesterday. Less Martin hangover more overrated players who don’t give a shiny shit about their coaches, current employers or our club. Total squad and cultural rebuild needed even if it means a water treading season in the championship to consolidate and become consistently competitive. Sport Republic must at least attempt to address the malaise that’s been hanging aroung SFC like a bad smell for a number of years now. 

[Football Special]

We love gifting late goals don't we. Is it fitness? Lack of attention? 

Ipswich 

Leicester 

Brentford 

Palace 

Fulham 

I'm sure there have been more scoring in stoppage time at St Mary’s this season, we've seen it time and time again