 | News
Comment | Jose Fonte Announces His Retirement
at 15:43:28
Not sure of the background on Fonte's leaving, but with VvD as the new CB shining star I got the feeling that the manager of the day wasn't overly keen to keep him, which was a shame as Jose had shared half-a-dozen good partnerships during his time with Saints.
VvD's injury (an off-the-ball clogging from Vardy) was enough to put him out for 6 months, leaving us with 3rd and 4th choice CB's in Yoshida and the (then unproven) Jack Stephens who to their credit DAJFU to their best ability, but were often outclassed by some of the Prem's big guns. Jose was a really good example as player and captain. |
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Comment | A Thank You To Tonda Eckert
at 07:43:03
Haven't seen a serious poll on the fan reaction, but it seems the fan base is split on this.
Both arguments has some validity, but it terms of results Tonda had a good half season with a run of 20 unbeaten games, not to mention two Prem. scalps in the FA Cup.
Not sure if there maybe still be some "EFL punishment" further down the line on him (personally) which would be the third punishment handed down. IF he were to stay, you can be sure that there would be 23 other supporter groups next season who wouldn't let him forget everything as soon as he set foot on the pitch. Individual players "getting the bird" from fans is one thing, but even more harassing for a manager in every game.
IF he were to return to Germany, (or even Italy,) there would be a queue of clubs wanting his services in countries where such activities are part and parcel of the footballing world.
Losing him would be bad enough, but the person brave enough to replace him would be unlikely to retain the "dressing room adoration" that TE has generated in just 6 months.
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Comment | Now Spygate Has Calmed Down Where Do Tonda Eckert And Southampton Stand
at 12:12:00
here are several issues to be addressed here.
1. will Tonda get away with a fine / ban or get his fingers smacked over his role in the event.
2. assuming point 1 is positive...will the players be happy to continue their 20 match unbeaten run into next season with him as manager, or must we seek another name.
3. Of course some eventually players will leave, but if the dressing room is happy, then the fans should be - despite the split in comments seen on-line so far. Some will inevitably go o about it forever and a day, but a settled squad is the most important factor.
4. once the dust has settled the club should make clear statements, and see everyone pull together before the pre-season period.
5. A new manager?..will inevitably sack all the wrong players and change the proven win-formation that worked so well during Tonda's time, but please don't bring Will Still back.
What are we all worried about, what on Earth could go wrong ??
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Comment | Southampton Issue Club Statement On Their Position
at 16:46:20
The "crime" itself (if it can be called that ), goes against the EFL rules and deserves to be " punished (if that's the correct word) but the EFL judgement is totally disproportionate to the "offence". The EFL expects teams to be " fair and honest ", and claim that "it's just not cricket" (which thankfully) -it's not.
The rule states that teams should not be "spied on " in the last 72 hours before a game ..suggests EFL they know darn well that such antics are endemic in the game. The fact that the lad (who allegedly got the goods) on Boro' didn't know what day of the week it was, does nothing to denigrate the practice of "spying," which they seem to think takes place only once every 6 years (!).
Despite the obvious " guilt "in the situation, Saints attempted to leave the matter until the enquiry, whereas Boro' went out to the media / social media stoking up their case in some sort of "kangeroo court" with outrageous statements coming from all and sundry, including some who carry some sort of ancient grudge against the club.
Not much has (predictably) come from Tonda Eckert (only at the club since last summer) as to his role in the "spying" which (not unsurprisingly) appears to be endemic on the Continent and regarded as a part of the pre-match preparation. Despite his success in guiding the team from the drop zone to a play-off slot, I fear his days may be numbered, but he will likely get many offers from clubs back in his home country.
Regardless of the outcome, I fear that many people will continue to refer to" spying " as part of our successful strategy, instead of seeing that results were the outcome of many good displays, from some talented footballers who didn't win by pics. from an I-phone.
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Comment | Ross Stewart Picked For Scotland World Cup Squad
at 13:28:03
Well done Ross. Having been without his services for almost 2 years with a variety of injury problems, at last we are seeing the player we had hoped to get in the first place.
The tactic of the ongoing substitutions between him and Larin has clearly benefitted both players, and their current good form has come precisely at the right time. |
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Comment | Southampton V Arsenal The FA Cup Preview
at 15:47:18
looking at the league tables and Arsenal's record this season, the result may look like a forgone conclusion, but in the FA Cup anything can ...and occasionally does happen. COYR .. (or in this case blue/ golds). |
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Comment | Arsenal Have Injury Issues After the International Break
at 12:15:15
re: headline. Not surprising Nick. Arsenal have played a lot more games this season and a player's fitness doesn't always hold out until the last match.
Arsenal are still chasing 3 trophies and we aren't the strongest opposition they will meet before the end of May, so we can't expect them to field their strongest side. |
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Comment | International Break Comes At Welcome Time For Southampton
at 15:15:06
a lot of effort for the players since New Year so a good rest is deserved (not that they won't be training) but it maybe less stressful for a short while. (like a mini pre-season)
Will be interesting to see what sort of line-up Arsenal may put out for the FA Cup match.
Of course they have a lot of talented players to choose from, but having lost the League Cup Final they are still chasing 3 trophies and (on paper) Saints look to be the "weakest" opposition they face before the end of the season. |
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Comment | Southampton V Oxford United The Preview
at 13:09:45
Although Oxford are roughly in the same position as they were on Boxing Day, we must be aware of the dangers coming when up against sides who are fighting for their very survival.
The recent West Brom. game was surely a lesson to be learned from, as when going to Oxford on the back of a good run with the " new Tonda regime" it wasn't the walkover we expected and even with 71% possession and 19 shots we managed to made a right pig's breakfast of the whole thing and lost a very poor game.
This should be a game to help us improve our goal difference (against the lowest placed team we still have to play this season). Let's not underestimate it and get a good win.
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Comment | Southampton Find New Adam Lallana
at 12:03:49
Although I wouldn't disagree with your comments (Nick above) regarding Azaz it has taken a while for him to come on board as a playmaker, and some of his close play is indeed an eye opener is beginning to look like a good influence and scoring goals into the bargain.
Ironically, I had another player in mind as a developing talent namely.. Cam Bragg.
There is something about his physical appearance and passing style that reminds me of ..the " Young Prowsey". He quietly moves around the pitch, and his passing stats. must be impressive, and although he isn't a regular starter yet, he gets game time quite regularly although there are a few other who get priority at the moment. It also occured to me that as he is already a Scots U21 player, and showing up so well, he might also be a good bet as a "wild card" member of the Scottish Word Cup squad, and although may not get on the pitch, the experience of the trip might auger well as "one for the future " Scots team. |
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Comment | Southampton V Norwich The Verdict
at 14:20:42
Agree with 98% of your comments (Nick) and most of the other contributors above.
Referees like this one make a very good case for VAR at every match in the four leagues.
regardless of how well a team may play, some of his decisions could make a break anyone's promotion / relegation issues overnight. Agree with most player comments, buying Peretz must be a no-brainer for sure, and Sam Edozie has finally matured after a couple of sad seasons. Given the chance Matsuki may develop into the type of gritty midfielder I can recall back in the day. It's taken 6 months for Azaz to develop into the player we had hoped for, and Downes will improve even more, if he stops arguing with referees.
Now that we have made it into the Top Six, we must be sure to hang in there and go on to win the third place spot, although IF we beat Arsenal ... it could make for an interesting few weeks until the end of the season. |
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Comment | Southampton Confirm Date Of Arsenal FA Cup Tie At St Mary's
at 08:12:17
A home tie against Prem's top side is the best test for the team to prove their abilities.
It also occurred to me that - in beating Arsenal - in the EMIRATES FA Cup, we would also be beating one of the Emirates top sponsored sides.
IF that were the case, might Saints be wearing Emirates-sponsored shirts next season ? - regardless of which league we are in. |
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Comment | Southampton At Coventry City The Preview
at 10:55:03
lots of other chat items in your text (Nick) but one thing that comes to mind is that following the "argy-bargy" episode after the home game v. Coventry, Frank Lampard was reported to have said Leo Scienza was outstanding and a difficult player to play against. (no news to us,) but it does mean that both teams will have a Plan B to consider if we are without Leo on Saturday. We may be more dependent on goals coming from the midfield (who have barely scored more than one goal each so far, and hope that our back line can convert more chances from free-kicks and corners.
It's good to have both Stewart and Larin fit enough to play, but neither of them looks to be goalscorers on a regular basis, and neither Fellows or Archer have made any impact there.
We can hope that our defence continue their heroic efforts to try and keep a clean sheet, and create enough to pinch a goal from the right opportunities.
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Comment | Southampton At West Bromwich Albion The Verdict
at 16:25:30
when I wrote a comment in your preview of this match (Nick) a couple of days ago, I didn't realise how close to the truth it would become. West Brom. are fighting for their Championship existence and they fought with every challenge and every tackle, with blood spilt on both sides before they scored the inevitable goal in those killer moments just before half time. We didn't see any improvement after the break, with players like Downes and Bree holding off from tackles, in case they were yellow-carded and ending up banned before Saturday's battle with Coventry.
Right up till the last minute it looked like West Brom might even get a second goal that would kill the game, but a tricky run from Edozie and the cross that gave a headed-goal from Larin gained us a vital point and so we didn't finish the match empty-handed. The second time this season (after our trip to Oxford) we learned that (sometimes) the toughest games are not against top teams, but those at the bottom struggling for survival.
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Comment | Southampton At West Bromwich Albion The Preview
at 14:01:08
The sort of game that seems easy enough " on paper", but teams at the bottom will fight like crazy for survival. Memories of the Boxing Day nightmare at Oxford, show how easy it is to control a game (71%) and 19 shots, but still come away empty-handed and without the 3 points that everyone expected. You might guess that we know what is expected for the game at Coventry, but these sort of games can be both uncertain and unsettling at a time when we have hit such good form. |
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The FA Cup Verdict
at 11:06:14
to echo several of the (above) I also think that Peretz is a breath of fresh air, and looks confident and acrobatic (compared to many who have gone before). It has taken a few matches (11 to date) to come to terms with those in front of him, but the back line has been more stable of late - and his 5 clean sheets have not gone unnoticed by many.
the end of the season seems a long way away, but with the futures of McCarthy, Ramsdale and Bazunu still uncertain, I hope Peretz will be one in our goalie squad next season.
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The FA Cup Verdict
at 11:05:57
This is "the CUP" ....and after Bree's extra time winner v. Leicester, and now Stewart's last minute penalty we are beginning to look like a side who can win by late goals.
Hope the luck holds out a bit longer. |
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The FA Cup Preview
at 10:12:33
By the 5th round people are beginning to take notice and harbour thoughts of a trip to Wembley - even if it's only for a semi-final match - and now the competition begins to get interesting with a game against Fulham. A mid-table Prem. side, unlikely to win anything but still seemingly good enough to survive at the highest level every season.
This is the first real challenge for Eckert's new look side to test their abilities to beat a top tier side. Both teams are likely to start with a strong side, and a few young talents whilst leaving their big names on the bench, ready to boost the side if they appear to be flagging a bit after the hour mark.
It's notable that Harrison Reed is still a regular name in the Fulham line-up, 10 years or so after his graduation through Saints' Academy, (and like several others) had to kick-start his career elsewhere whilst the Saints sides were dominated by the likes of Bertrand and JWP, which meant they had few starts, when they ought have been playing every week.
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Comment | Why Not Have A Non League Day On Saturday At AFC Totton
at 08:14:19
Historically, Saints have had contacts with some local non-league clubs in various ways and the use of Eastleigh's ground for U21 / Women's matches are prime examples, and Totton's recent promotion has given them a push up the ladder, where - at present - they seem to be keeping their heads above water in a very competitive league.
A nice gesture to give a plug for them (Nick) and we can hope that a few Saints fans will make the trip to cheer them, on an otherwise "blank day" in Saints' League programme. |
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