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Southampton At Bristol City The Verdict
at 17:08:47

So I have not been on for a while, well the last time we lost. I was so mad at that game in Spetmeber, that I told myself I would not watch another game until we lost again. Boom - 25 wins and a long wait for me. Credit to the team for such an impressive run. Now comes the test of character.

As I watched the replay and highlights, I thought we definitely didnt show up and our passing was abysmal. Even the announcer said he hadnt seem a Saints side give the ball away so many times. Teams win together and lose together, but I want to say one thing about Soulamana. We need to sell him in the summer as all he has is speed and he doesnt even know how to use that. So many times he slowed the game down and then tried tricks and gave the ball away or didnt pass the ball to the cutting player. He doesnt know how to pass and thinks he can beat anyone, when he rarely beats anyone. This is especially true when teams sit back and double their flanks with a midfielder to negate his speed. While he is a luxury he should not start unless we decide to play route 1 football.

Ok, now we will see if we are really up for the fight for automatic promotion or just playing of the playoffs. The lackluster performance last night can either be a blip or a true marker of our malaise. Looking for a big response against WBA and hope the lads realize that every game will be a fight no matter what position in the table the other team is. COYR
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Gavin Bazunu Needs Backing Not Sacking
at 16:31:54

Sorry but all the flack Baz gets for not saving every shot is ridiculous. Of all the goals conceded this season, he is realistically responsible for 4. All the other are due to our midfielders giving the ball away in horrible positions or our very poor defenders not doing simple things. 4 of the goals scored come from corner kicks with NOBODY marking the goal scorer, yet he gets blamed. He has made 4-5 saves in all our wins which would have resulted them to be ties. Sure, he can and should do better on some of the long shots, but not every shot can be saved. Unless you played as a goal keeper (I did for more than 20+ years, playing with/against former professionals), please dont think it is as easy as some of you are making it out.
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Southampton Set £30 Million Price Tag For Bella-Kotchap
at 15:46:13

Well I do agree that maybe 30M is a bit high, I also think that they way clubs are spending move, this may not be so unrealistic, especially since he has 2 years left on his deal (I believe). That Germany sees him as potential national team players definitely helps our side in the negotiations. I guess we will see come June 14, but if we can get 25-30M for him, I say sell him and hopefully re-invest in some others. It will be interesting to see who Saints try to keep and who they are willing to sell no matter what.
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Journalist Claims That Charly Alcatraz Will Stay At St Mary's
at 21:09:49

This would be good news if we can keep him. I fear that a team in one of the other top leagues such as Spain or Italy will come calling and offer $15M for him and Saints will jump on it. Only time will tell, but I think he could be key for us trying to get back to the Prem.
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Southampton V Liverpool The Verdict
at 16:31:44

Well it is done and dusted. On to the next phase of this club's history. It was an entertaining game to be fair. The only thing I will say is that playing from the back with players who can't do it is a disaster waiting to happen. I am disappointed that AM was in goal and worried that he will be around next season.

Now only time will tell if SR has learned anything or are just a bunch of fools. We have about 65 days until the next campaign and need to move quickly to get a settled squad.
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The Sport Republic Revolution Starts As Semmens Departs !
at 23:46:40

Nick, while this is a step in the right direction, SR needs to be a bit more transparent (if possible). I know somethings need to be done well behind the scenes, but others don's and SR has lost a lot of credibility with the fanbase over the last 4+ months. Again, if Ankersen is pulling strings and making choices (bad ones so far), then how does this bode well for the future as the same crap mistakes will be made. Only time will tell, but this is more like "neutral" news and one we all expected with the horrible season we have had.
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Southampton At Brighton The Verdict
at 14:05:11

Normally I would give the manager lots of wiggle room on tactics, but this game should me the RS has no idea of what he is doing and is/was not ready to be a manager (proving the SR tanked the season when they put him in charge). If he planned on playing a more defensive setup and not pressing, then he should have started tall Paul instead of Joe Aribo up front. Next, why the hell is he playing AM in goal. I fear that AM will take the pay cut and be our #1 next season because he knows he will not be able to get another job. If SR allows this, then this is truly a sign of their ineptitude. Next, while Theo's toe was offside, VAR had to call it to make their point that it is used correctly. With all the major errors this season, they need to improve their stats for "correct calls" vs "erroneous calls". Additionally, the refs in the VAR booth always seem to forget that key point of VAR - to help on field referees with "CLEAR & OBVIOUS ERRORS". This is how far VAR has fallen in its ability to help the game. I started out as a fan of VAR, but after this season, I think it has hurt the game more than helped it and unless they make major changes to the rules and how VAR is used, this will become more detrimental.

Finally, why is SR rushing to make Martin our next manager? They have screwed up so much in that department this season, you would think a sensible person would weigh all their options and then make a choice. It seams like the inmates are running the asylum. UGH
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Southampton V Fulham The Verdict
at 16:25:36

So it finally happened, but we all knew it was a matter of time. No need to beat a dead horse anymore as we all have laid out the mistakes that have happened. As I said in previous posts and Sainttaxidriver has pointed out, I think this was the plan of SR. They tried to spend money to save the season, but when NJ collapsed, they gave up and decided to tank it and do a rebuild after raking in millions from the unloading of most of the 1st team players. I read that one pundit thinks Saints will be able to make between 100-125M for all the valued players, maybe more. My biggest fear is that SR has not learned anything, will keep the same back room and worse off pick a coach based on analytics and not experience. These will surely be major reasons for concern. What's sucks for me is that I will not be able to watch the games any more as the Championship is not televised in the US. But then again maybe that is a good thing if SR doesnt get it's act together.
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Southampton At Nottingham Forest The Verdict
at 18:39:11

Well, I think we can all agree that there have been MANY mistakes over this season. Too many to name here. So looking forward, I think the big question is how many of our current players who will still be under contract for next season are going to look to move on. Then we can really see who is left and are they worth keeping. The one thing we need to do is get the right mix of youngsters and veterans. I think there are a few players who think they are better than they really are and will force a move (Bella-K, Salisu) and also some veterans who fancy a change (AA, CA, SA, KWP, Perraud, Djenepo and JWP). Add that Moi, Walcott, Caballero are out of contract, this will leave a lot of fringe players as our "core". Now add that Bazunu and Tella are being said to be sold, then it leaves even bigger gaps. All this shifting will mean the board will have lots of work this summer and if they screw this up, we are going to have problems for years to come. Cross your fingers and pray they get some of this right and give a fighting chance next season.
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Southampton At Newcastle United The Verdict
at 15:02:30

Well that was us in a nutshell - get the lead and then fold. Now it was to a NU team on a tear but still, we keep failing over and over. I think you all have said it - all the blame for this fiasco season lays at SR feet. BUT there will no changes, no backroom shake up. BNECAUSE they KNOW better then all of us - right??? Ho w does one become part of a backroom thinktank and make so many failure decisions and not get fired? I want that job. Again, like I said after the last game, expect 23 of the 30 current players to be sold/released/not signed. AND in 1 year, when we are not in the promotion race, SR will put Saints up for sale having made their money back from all the sales.
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Southampton V Bournemouth The Verdict
at 18:30:32

Dellboy Wally - you comment made me think of classic type captain's who are full of fire, passion etc., i.e. John Terry. I think that is one of the ingredients that we are missing this year. I dont know how JWP is view as a captain by his teammates, but from the outside looking in, I am not sure he has that charism to lead when the times are tough. He did show some during the Spurs game, but where was it last night or all the other mediocre games we have played? Just a thought.
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Southampton V Bournemouth The Verdict
at 16:50:51

Well that was one of the most pathetic displays in the last several weeks. A must win game, and they played at the Sunday league level. At least it is over, we all know we are relegated and there is no more illusion of the great escape. Time to sit all the dead wood and play the youngsters. As many of pointed out all the issues were laid to bare and it was just a culmination of all the mistakes SR made from starting last summer. This relegation lays solely at the boards feet, plain and simple.

My issues are that the players don't last confidence, they are just apathetic. With these performances, they are amateurs at best, not professionals. Selles started ok with a 2-2-2 record, but the last 5 games, shows he doesnt not have a tactical clue. In a must win game, he starts Che on the bench? He plays Moi every game yet, there is no quality product from Moi and Stu sits. Everyone know Bournemouth sit back and play a counter-attack style, so why didnt Tall Paul start for AA? Also Bournemouth have the second worst record of conceding goals form corners (behind use) and we play the first 4 corners short? This is all on Selles and he failed miserably.

So as some of you pointed out about our future in the Championship - Of the 30 players on the squad (not loaned out), I think we will try to sell/offload, non renew contracts and players requesting a transfer, a total of 23. Mind you we could keep some with the $50M+ parachute payment (like Burnley) but SR will want to cash in. Once these players are gone, don't be surprised if SR tries to sell the club. With this mass exodus of players, we will not bounce right back and will play in the Championship for a few years before having a chance to get back.

Well, the last 5 years has really been a slow, downhill spiral of death for us and at some point you have to pay the bill that has come due. Whoever is the last person out, don't forget to turn off the lights and lock the door.
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Southampton At Arsenal The Verdict
at 16:36:47

I agree with you Nick that any Saints fan would have taken a point before the game. My only issue with the subs was Big Paul. Stuwey was on the bench and would have been a better sub for midfield and have Sulemana as the forward/outlet with his speed. Also, anyone on here blaming our goalie for those goals has never played goalie in their life. Their 1st goal was unstoppable unless we are lucky. Their second was a world class goal taken by a world class player (with some poor marking). Their third - when a ball is struck with venom from only 10-15 yards away and low, that Bazuna even got a hand on it is impressive and that is was palmed back to the center is just back luck. If you think he should push it wide, with that much power on the shot, he would have pushed it to the back post and in, plain and simple. Their last two goals came down to us being tired and not marking well. So, Bournemouth will be out litmus test. We win and we might have a chance to survive. We tie or lose, then its over and start looking to next season.
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Southampton V Crystal Palace The Verdict
at 17:52:56

Well that was a waste of 2 hours to watch that game. To be fair, we played well in the 1st half and TW and JA should have both scored. The the error by Bazuna and we are done. I will agree that JWP has reverted to his old boring, safe passing and cant pass beyond 6 meters. Re-watching highlights, he slowed play down so much to make the safe pass. Also, WTF is Roman not starting at LB. Utter stupidity by RS. At natural LB who can cross, hmmm. Also, Sulemana should ride the bench and only be a substitute for punishment for all the balls he gave away. He never picks the right pass and seems to be trying to showboat so he can go to another club. Well since we can't score goals, all of this is pointless and I will find something else to do for 2 hours every time the games are on as it is not mentally healthy to watch this lot. I do finally see the plan of SR. They will sell Lavia, JWP, KWP, SA, Sulemana, Salusi, and Che to make about $150M and not re-invest in the club as they have a $110M bill due.
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Saints Have To Storm The Palace On Saturday
at 14:30:53

Yes this is a must win game, but with our ability to NOT score goals, there is little chance of a "win well" as you put it Nick. IF we win this game (a big doubt) then it will be a 1-0. While I am hoping for the best, I am a realist and know that we struggle in the goal scoring department, so dont hold out for much. But hey you never know.
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Southampton at West Ham United The Verdict
at 19:05:41

I think everyone here has made some very valid and accurate points. Like I said weeks ago, our issue is that we don't score goals (and/or enough goals) PERIOD, except for the Tots game. None of the players we bought in Jan have contributed except Alcazar (and why is he on the bench while Moi plays???). We have conceded 12 goals (most in Prem) from set plays/corners with 9 of them putting the other team ahead. I believe we have scored 1 goal from the same. This is unacceptable. After re-watching most of the game, I have concluded that one of our biggest problems is we move the ball to slowly. This slow possession game goes back to RH and is engrained in so many players and we have not broken that mentality. When a team sits back and parks the bus, the only way through is quick passing and movement. We did neither yesterday. So all of the other issues, problems and concerns we may have mean nothing is we can't score and WE CAN'T SCORE. One more weekend like this with all the other teams around us winning, then the gap will be too much and we will be done. Not sure if I can watch our slow spiral down where there is no fight left. So reality is seeping in and we will be in the championship next year.
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Southampton V Brentford The Verdict
at 15:30:55

So I think this was the game that will prove our downfall. I say this as a win would have put the pressure on all the other teams around us, which would cause them problems. Now they all look at us as a sure fire relegation team and will not give us another thought. Nick, I disagree with you, time has run out. Look at the teams we have to play and with our inability to score a goal(s), then we have little hope. We have scored the fewest goals in the league. THAT is what gets you relegated. As for the game, our inability to clear on corners is out there for everyone to see and how we dont have someone stationed in the front permanently to stop the flick-ons, is beyond me. Don't know why Selels chose Diallo or Moi, but it cost us. Also Sulamana has done nothing and only has speed which we are not using, so Stuey should be starting. Anyways, it doesnt matter as if we cant score, we can win.

Oh and Dell1964, you can click on the negative button all you like (as you did on everyone else's comments), but since you dont say anything, your opinion doesnt matter.
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Southampton At Leeds United The Verdict
at 18:44:42

Halftime - I think you are right, there is something going on in the background that we are not aware of.

As for the game, I will say that I think Selles got the tactics/players wrong from the start. With the speed that Leeds had down their left wing, KWP should have started. AMN was in shambles most of the game. Also, why is Moi still starting????? Stewie should start on the left midfield so he can come inside and shoot with his right. And why wasn't Alcazar not starting as he has shown he has good feet and can make the needle pass? I wont even start on Jan as all has been said. I think we sat back too much and didnt attack Leeds on the wings as we were doing a decent job of controlling the midfield. I think RP was the only one who crossed the ball in the first half with an regularity. Maybe Selles has a plan but we didnt execute it. Now my big issues was after the game, when Moi said that every game was like a cup final, YET you all are not playing with that intensity. Don't say something so stupid when the performance does not match it.

Finally, I came to the realization that we are a Jekyll and Hyde team. We seem to get yup for the "Big" teams and play hard, yet against all the teams at the bottom, we wither and become sheep. Now I dont have the answer for that, but it appears that some players fancy themselves at a bigger club, so they are using these games as auditions. Also, as someone before said the players have no confidence in their own game and its shows.

While I dont want us to be relegated, I find myself comes to terms with this reality and just want whoever is on the pitch representing Saints to fight hard and git it their all (Just like RP showed when he cleared the lines at Chelsea). Still hoping, but resigned to most likely future.
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Southampton At Chelsea The Verdict
at 16:28:19

Like I said on the player rating page, who saw this coming? GREAT TEAM EFFORT!. I agree I think that Selles went with mainly veterans to try and steady the ship and it worked. So glad to see Stu starting. While Moi didn't produce much in the attacking half, he had three passes that were just inches off being perfect and sending in our forwards. He did hustle the whole time and harried all their players on his side. Determination is a word that I would use to describe our play yesterday.

So for Leeds, maybe change Moi for Alcazar to give you more creativity and Jan for a bigger/taller CB as Bramford is no small forward for them. We need some size in the back to deal with the crosses that will be coming. Other than that I would start the same players as a reward and show that if you play well you will start. Maybe a bit harsh on KWP, but you can always move AMN to right midfield during the game and bring on KWP at right back. COYR and this Sunday is so much better than last week's.
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Southampton V Wolverhampton Wanderers The Verdict
at 16:41:50

Well it has happened and I think we can all agree that SR got it horribly wring with NJ. He is gonna and we must move forward. The best think to do is forget about him and move forward. SR MUST get the next manager right. Not for this season, but for the long term. The next one must commit to being the manager when we go down, so there is continuity. No need to comment on the game as it doesnt matter now. Let just try and get some confidence back and play a normal 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 to build on.
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