Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 264: Matchday Preview: Away to Watford!
158 Plays8 days ago
Southampton – Amidst all the transfer chaos, there is still a game of football to play this weekend! We do our very best to keep on track and think about that, but with potentially lots of business happening, it wasn't easy!
Follow us on social media:
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/gspndailysouthampton
X - https://x.com/GSPNSouthampton/
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@gspnsouthampton
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@gspnsouthampton
Instagram – https://www.instagtam.com/gspnsouthampton
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/gspnsouthampton.bsky.social
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572875812052
Our Sponsors
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and Use code GSPN2025 for 40% of your first month’s subscription.
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2025 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Hosts' Anxiety
00:00:08
Zak
Hey.
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and joined today as always by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zach, Daily clearly isn't fast enough for
The Chaos of Transfer News
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
the news that we're getting today, right?
00:00:30
Zak
say I'm genuinely stressed out. if i'm currently I'm currently on annual leave from my day job, right? And my poor wife just sat there as I'm watching my phone ping every couple of seconds.
00:00:44
Zak
I'm unlike you all over the social medias, all over the shop, just sort of within the last five minutes of when we started recording this, we've been linked with Jonathan Iconi from Florentina.
00:00:56
Zak
You've just told me that PSV are interested in Cameron Archer. Matty Fernandez has done the heel turn that no one really expected. Probably linked more to his agent. I know that the fears that you had of him wanting to play in the World Cup probably have come into, you know,
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. like It came up in the presser that the national manager might have had something of an input into his decision, so...
00:01:17
Zak
I still feel like it's probably Georgie Mendes. And in the nicest possible way, the last player that we had that went to West Ham to try and get into the national team did not get back into the national team.
00:01:30
Zak
it's so So where I'm at, it's like I understand it.
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well...
00:01:33
Zak
I think that turning a profit on a player that's been with us for a year at 33 million odd quid... is a bet is a good thing as much as i understand why people are upset i'm annoyed by it too i think it's a bit a bit snaky behavior but again i think a lot of that is down to the people around it and here's what it is nah
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, it is what it is. Being angry about it's not going to change it. But look, we've also got been linked with thousands of incomings. like Never mind true in the squad.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're signing about 30 players today from what I've been reading.
00:02:07
Zak
Greg, I did the clips late last night, right?
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:02:09
Zak
So I did the clips later than I usually would, because I said, on your leave, I've been busy. i did them quite late. And this was after when I was going through what we'd done in the episode.
00:02:20
Zak
And this and the other, i literally text you, didn't I? Going, oh, mate, kind of feel bad. We've missed some stuff out. Because, know, Finna Zazz, all that's kicked off this evening.
00:02:31
Zak
Man, I hope nothing else crazy happens. then the day we launch an episode about transfers, you're right. Daily is not quick enough because since then it's like Matty's potentially going.
00:02:41
Zak
Whereas literally we were like, well, they're not willing to pay the valuation.
00:02:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got... We're supposedly bringing... We're supposedly bringing three in the door today, one of which we didn't even manage to mention yesterday, which was Yander, Tomfellows.
00:02:53
Zak
Yeah, so so yeah so we we didn't even know. Tom Fellows is something we've talked about previously, but not yesterday because it wasn't they hadn't had't moved anything.
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:03:03
Zak
Casper Yander from Nuremberg, who apparently, can't remember who tweeted out, someone said, ironically, the way that Nuremberg fans talk about him is the same way that sporting fans talked about Matty Fernandes.
00:03:17
Zak
So that could be some good stuff. Obviously,
00:03:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic.
00:03:21
Zak
fellows, which again, we've talked about as as is progressing. i put a tweet out talking about how much we missed Greg, including that how I put, I put Fernandez drama and somebody replied with, Oh, I thought that was a new player.
00:03:34
Zak
I started looking for their profile.
Impact of Transfers on Games
00:03:37
Zak
So it's, I can only apologize because.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, and amidst all of that chaos and all of the chaos, Zach, we've got game of football tomorrow to talk about.
00:03:48
Zak
But, Craig, I didn't even get to get to my punchline. that's As much as I think that Fernanda's drama is is a bit of a stretch, we literally have a player called Wellington. So, like... So, you know, like, there it is. But you're right. There is actually a game. But the problem greg is, Craig, is that we need to talk to this preamble and get out the way, as much as you don't like it.
00:04:09
Zak
Because half of these players could be in the starting line-up come Saturday. So, like...
00:04:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah good luck with your predicted lineups boys like
00:04:15
Zak
Yeah, it's like, oh, okay. Well, let's just nail down the ones we think will definitely be the right, and then we'll go from there. Cool.
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:27
Zak
You know, at this rate, it's like, well, actually, Arch has to start. He scored a goal, and it might be that Arch is gone. Like...
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do what the most upsetting part is? Is that we really put ourselves in as good of a position as we could to try and get all of this nonsense out of the way early.
00:04:43
Zak
Oh,
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's still come down to two, three days before the end of the window.
00:04:44
Zak
dumb, isn't it?
00:04:49
Zak
what but The problem is, is like why is that? Is it because the money that they needed to reinvest from, say, like a dibbling transfer? Because, again, when when the interview happened with Solek, if you remember rightly, Greg, the the three confirmed transfers was a winger.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
who Yeah.
00:05:08
Zak
Well, like a number 10, right? It was it was a centre-back.
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:12
Zak
can't remember what the other one was.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was a striker, which was Damien Downs.
00:05:15
Zak
Right, so Damien Downs was, yeah,
00:05:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we got Quasi and we got Damien Downs and we were waiting for an attacking midfielder, creative midfielder.
00:05:20
Zak
So one of these would have happened, right? And then the dibbling transfer happened.
Complexities of Football Transfers
00:05:24
Zak
And from what I've seen...
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you were if you assume that the creative midfielder that we went in for was, from what we've seen, likely Spurzian, And obviously you've seen all of the filibustering and nonsense that's gone on there.
00:05:34
Zak
yeah but
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
it it kind of sheds light onto why everything is is as as it is in this late right. Because although that is a particularly extreme example of how complicated a transfer is, it's not just as easy as, you know, it's not like,
00:05:40
Zak
You're right.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
delegate to associates, get an email back tomorrow. Like, oh, we've got this. It's not video game. Like, these are humans and people and things take time.
00:06:03
Zak
but that's the big thing right is it it's not as simple as like you just get somebody to agree oh we'll just pay whatever they want okay well then if if that's how it worked you know we would sell all our players like i think that it's we've we talked about it before right like paid evaluation or not negotiations have happened and now two players have gone collectively for about 84 million so
00:06:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's...
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you talk about Yeah. And then you talk about like bringing in all of these foreign nationals as well. And then there's a whole added layer of complexity with like work permits and visas and stuff that, you know, it doesn't even get talked about or thought about.
00:06:38
Zak
visas and yeah.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just assumed it's a done deal, but like, it's not simple. It's not easy. And that's why it comes down to this mad rush. And, you know, by this time, uh,
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
probably not tomorrow on match day, hopefully, but by this time on Monday, when we're sort of heading into deadline day, it's we're probably going have been linked with eight or nine more players and maybe lost two or three others that we weren't expecting, right?
00:07:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, it's it's going to be slightly chaotic, and it is upsetting because we put ourselves in the best position we could to not deal with it, but yet here we are dealing with it
Debate on Transfer Management
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
anyway.
00:07:18
Zak
like So genuine question to you then, because I know my thoughts on it. Do you think this is entirely down to Sports Republic? Is that the problem? Is it that sports could have gone? Could we have done business earlier?
00:07:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably not. like and not
00:07:32
Zak
Yeah.
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
like The valuations for the players that we're selling were not met. you know Arguably, still probably not been met to what they were holding out for.
00:07:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and if You know you can't can't force the hand on that. That happens when it happens, right? like We've gone in for the three signings that have been approved.
00:07:50
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've sold Suleymane and Tallpool and reinvested some of that, bought in a goalkeeper and another couple of young players and right back, you know, and then sold Yuki and or put Yuki out on loan because of all of the the stuff going on with his national team. And it's, it's, it shows that they've been prepared at every juncture, right? Like bringing in a right back as a replacement for Yuki before Yuki officially went out the door.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It shows that they have, being as ahead of the game as I think is possible in this chaos that exists, right? Like they've got foots in doors and things in motion. And the fact the matter is that even with like spurts, yeah, like I say, we clearly went in early for that.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
That, that deal is probably dead in the water now, but it's, it was in and about when we were trying early doors, it's still, even if it does happen, gone all the way to the wire, it's just the nature of the, the beast, right? All of the,
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
The chain move in and all of it. It's all part of the puzzle. But feels like we're prepared. It's fine.
00:09:10
Zak
I get caught up in the noise a bit more than you do. And I know you're aware of that.
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:09:22
Zak
And it just makes it, it's just the whole thing is a little bit more difficult, right? we want it to be. And the whole thing has not gone the way that we want it to be.
00:09:34
Zak
Everyone wanted it all to be done and dusted early. And I think that, there have been a lot of expectations around replacing Jason Wilcox with a new director of football who's going to get everything done. and And that that doesn't mean that it's going to be done to the level of efficiency that I think that we want.
00:09:51
Zak
And that has been shown today.
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's still complex, mate. I don't know what people expect, right?
00:09:56
Zak
But it's, yeah.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, it's not...
00:09:58
Zak
when the door When the window slams shut and we get to a retrospective, we'll see how happy people are.
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:04
Zak
I think just
Will Still's Approach to Transfers
00:10:05
Zak
a lot of people are emotional in the moment for understandable reasons.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:07
Zak
But, you know.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, is what is, but I like Will Still's attitude about it from the presser. He said, look, what's going to be is going to be. We'll be given whatever puzzle pieces we get given from upstairs, and it's my job to make them shiny and good.
00:10:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I don't want to say that that's a comment on last season's team being like polishing a turd, but that really is what that reflects to me. like But he's just going to roll with it and and make it look good and and it be good.
00:10:39
Zak
the
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all going to come to play. It's fine.
00:10:44
Zak
our former director of football mate and our former manager from the periods before are overseeing possibly some of the worst most humiliating regimes going in at the moment right like I didn't I didn't know and didn't know how you know Rangers losing 9-1 on aggregate
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. It could be so much worse. At least we're not Rangers.
00:11:06
Zak
And then you've also got Manchester United. You've got their manager literally playing with magnets down in the dugout, hiding after losing to Grimsby. So it's it's one of those...
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Shouldn't have even gone to penalties, by the way. They should have lost in open play. They had a goal wrongfully disallowed. So, you know, could be worse, mate.
00:11:21
Zak
Yeah, so so say say what you want. it could it could be It could be worse than that.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
At least we're having fun.
00:11:26
Zak
And that was what we were dealing with. But again, that does, I guess, raise questions about Sports Republic.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
right Right, Zach, we need to rope this
Sponsor Break and Watford Preview
00:11:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
in. we are going to have a break and hear from our partners at Bionique, and then we are going to do the match preview that this episode is about.
00:11:34
Zak
Yeah, yeah.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're talk about Watford, whether you like it or not, mate. That's the exciting bit. I don't care about transfers.
00:11:45
Zak
Oh,
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm here for the football. We're going to hear from our partners, and we'll get back to it.
00:11:48
Zak
how?
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, we are back. Yes, in the midst of all of the noise, there is still the thing that we care about, the football to be played. And we have a game this weekend, three o'clock on Saturday in the championship against Watford.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they've had a bit of a shaky start to the season.
00:12:49
Zak
Yeah, it its I think, again, like they were one of the ones that I told you about that, admittedly, I don't put a lot of lot of trust in the Opta supercomputer, they were one of the ones predicting to go down.
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:13:02
Zak
Obviously, they got rid of their manager last season. That is an ongoing joke about Watford as a club. And, you know, we we we're coming into them off of a pretty decent win midweek.
00:13:14
Zak
So I guess it's a positive thing, but I'm not really...
00:13:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I mean, technically on the same points as us, but they beat QPR, which I think is to be expected, but they lost to Cholton on the opening day in the You know, with the promoter club getting the win, what can only really be described as a bit of a shock, and then a draw with Swansea. I just, I feel like this, I don't want to say it's a must win this early in the season, but this is really, we should be winning this game, right?
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that the vibe you're getting?
00:13:44
Zak
yeah do we want to head into an international break with everything going on as it is you know without you know without having a
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even with all the the discourse and sort of discontent around the squad currently, we should still be winning, I think.
00:14:07
Zak
when And when we get a draw or a loss, there's going to be a lot of chaos, a lot of worry. And then we've got probably one of the most important games of the season coming up after, right? And that means that, yeah, we do do need to, in my opinion, comfortably beat Watford to put us on the front foot for our best.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:31
Zak
the actual game that's going to be be super important. But considering we're supposed to be hitting automatics, that's what we've predicted. That seems to be what they want to do The idea is that we get back into the Premier League.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:43
Zak
Yeah, okay, it's only been a few games, but like we we're currently sat mid-table alongside them. And that means that you know i would like us to be able to
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:54
Zak
stamp the level of quality that we have whether that's new quality old quality or just supposedly you know ah were called the other day they they a can't remember who it was that said that our because i remember it was a very clickbaity title where it was like southampton squad called a joke but what they meant was that the depth that we had was a joke which is funny because when i look at ben beret diaz i don't see a lot of depth there but there we are
00:15:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll do plenty of joke though, mate, so it's alright. Yeah.
00:15:22
Zak
So, so yet I think don't I get what you're saying. You don't want to say it's a must win, but I do think it's important that we move on from Stoke very quickly in the actual championship and go, hang on guys, where we're, we're meant to be like getting promoted this season.
00:15:38
Zak
you like prove that please?
00:15:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. don't want to do full predicted lineups today, but before I move on to ask a bit about who you think might line are I've obviously, I've got some stats, right you know, I love, love the little preamble from the ah from, or at least from my little stats website. I use footy stats.org, uh, shout outs.
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, it, it says, uh, that clean sheets are unlikely, uh,
00:16:09
Zak
No way!
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
which, uh, which might be the kindest way I've seen it put, to be honest, it but, uh, But if we're looking at history, we've played 22 times in the last, I think, 12 years is the cutoff it uses.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of the 22 meetings, how many do you think we've lost?
00:16:31
Zak
like seven or eight?
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's three, mate. We should, look, if you're looking at historic data, this should be a win.
00:16:36
Zak
Okay.
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've lost three.
00:16:40
Zak
one of the And one of those was for a handball.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. We've lost three, won ten and drawn nine. So, you know, the history's in our favour. We should be should be taking the win.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, let's let's get to it.
Tactics and Lineup Prediction
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we're going to change the line-up, I think it's pretty clear right that Will still isn't happy with the form formation, this sort of three at the back, five at the back.
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's asked about it in the press conference every week, and he says... The same thing. like you've just got The important thing is being pragmatic and winning and playing with what we've got.
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so whilst I think it is likely to change as the season progresses, this probably isn't the game we see it, right? Like, we're going to be going for some level of stability.
00:17:15
Zak
yep Yeah.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
As stable as we can get. And that's that's going to be a back three, right? it's going to be Stevens and probably Wood.
00:17:34
Zak
Yeah. What's... done a good job. Again, I think we'd all like to see it. And again, it could change because of we might have new personnel through the door, right?
00:17:46
Zak
And I think that genuinely, if we have like such a packed strike force at that point, it probably might change to a four at the back, but maybe it will not be to start with, right?
00:17:58
Zak
Maybe to start, you're right.
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:59
Zak
It will be sort of, you know, Nathan Wood's
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think, look, Wood, Stevens, I think both pretty clearly on the team sheet for me.
00:18:06
Zak
Yeah.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
who who would you stick in there with them? Harwood Bellis back in the mix, or or Quasi?
00:18:11
Zak
Probably was Ian Ludwood's again.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ronnie Edwards?
00:18:16
Zak
were kind of big worries at Norwich if we get caught like that again. and I know that there's no way that they're going to get better without the match experience. or maybe having one of them in between sort of would and Stevens might help out a little bit, but I don't just don't know if it's worth the risk at the moment.
00:18:34
Zak
is where I'm at. But then again, I guess when is a good time to bed them into the team? That's the issue. <unk> Like, and also like, who knows?
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't know. I don't have the answers for that.
00:18:44
Zak
Edwards might be a bit unsettled with the whole, I don't know if you saw a apparently QPR put a bid in for him. I know when it was talking about transfers, but yeah, but that might be one of the reasons that he's a bit all over the place is, you know, he had a really good loan spell with him.
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
sort of that got rejected as well, yeah.
00:18:58
Zak
So who knows? But yeah, I think Rorosev gets another start.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that...
00:19:03
Zak
Manning Manning is our only left back other than Charlie Taylor now right so
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So yeah, Rosliev I think brought a really calming presence on Tuesday, so I think yeah think it will do well to to stick with him. Yeah, Wellington now out for a couple of months, so you'd presume Manning or maybe Charlie Taylor?
00:19:21
Zak
that's that's really really bad It's really, i don't know, maybe we might end up bringing someone else in because again, like Charlie Taylor is going to be the backup to Manning surely, but I don't know if that's really his game and Manning can't do it all.
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:19:34
Zak
And so, yeah, I think it's, it's less than ideal. I feel really bad for Wellington personally, as we said, we kind of did a profile in him because he looked to be one of the breakout stars if he got, you know, the chance. And then it turns out that, you know, an injury that kept him out for a long time in his youth career has kind of come back. So yeah.
00:19:52
Zak
Yeah, less less than i ideal, but hopefully whoever steps into his shoes will be able to to fill him. And I think Manning's doing it that a stellar job. It's just how many games can he play?
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it.
00:20:03
Zak
It's the problem, right?
Key Players and Goals
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Moving up to the midfield, Shea Charles, sticking with two holding midfielders, do you think? Shea Charles, Flynn Downs? I mean, it might be a case of not much choice, right?
00:20:12
Zak
Shea Charles, yeah. Yeah, that's kind of where I'm at.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you would otherwise stick Matty in and you presume that he's probably not available if he's off the West Ham, so...
00:20:20
Zak
I... Well, again, like him not being around Tuesday for no other reason than being rested and then supposedly disappearing to go and have a chat with West Ham on yesterday, which would have been the 27th.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:31
Zak
I wouldn't play him Saturday, whether or not it goes through or not at this point. I think that, you know, you need to take a step out. So who?
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who comes in, Matsuki or Fraser?
00:20:39
Zak
who Yeah, mate. but
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%.
00:20:42
Zak
That's that screamery school the other day. You tell it me he doesn't deserve to in the game.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah hundred percent I'd love to see it.
00:20:46
Zak
Come on.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then a guess, what's the front three? I'd like to see Cameron Archer, Ross Stewart, and I presume Jay Robinson gets in the fold too, gets back in the mix.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's a potentially lethal front three. I'd like to see that.
00:21:04
Zak
Yeah, just then Matsuki's had a full game, so you swap him out Fraser at some point. I don't know, maybe swap out Stuart for Downs because I know that Downs has been a bit shaky.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:14
Zak
I think it's going to take him some time to bed in a little bit more. only thing with Stuart is that I don't think I can watch him miss another open goal, mate. Really, i mean i know
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ought They all just need a goal.
00:21:24
Zak
i don't i know that Downs missed like two sitters, but it's not like with Stuart at the moment, it's just getting infuriated. But Cameron Archie needs there.
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just that they're all... They're all in the right places. But yeah, ka I think Cameron Archer needs to start. He got the goal. He's going to have that momentum. He's going to have that confidence.
00:21:40
Zak
It's
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think playing him alongside a a big target man like Stuart is going to play to his strengths because he's not going to be wanting to be left up there on his own. he can sort of go outside if he needs to and come inside when he wants to then as well. It sort of frees him up a bit.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just feel like that's what needs to happen to
Importance of Performance
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
get the goal.
00:22:02
Zak
a bit a
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, look, if we're... I don't want to give too many spoilers away to what way my prediction's heading, but if we're two or three goals up and then we bring Damien Downs on, there's a lot less pressure to deliver the goal. And then if he gets it, even better for his confidence, right? Like, it's just...
00:22:21
Zak
Yeah.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all going to fall into place. I've just got a vibe, mate. in In the midst of all of the chaos that's going on behind the scenes, I'm just feeling like notoriously calm through it.
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it can only be a good thing to get that vibe.
00:22:37
Zak
It would be a solid statement, right? It would be a good thing to and I know I think i've I've mentioned that for most of the games we've talked about, it being a it being a statement, but I think this one is key because once the window slams shut, whoever's left in the building is who's left in the building, right?
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:22:53
Zak
And then that that will be it. And that is, that it will be that team and up to that team to prove to, you know, us, the fans and the, the, you know, their, their coaches and this, then the other, yep. We're, we're the ones that are going to get us promotion. And if we end up flagging and become a mid level, mid table site, like team this season, that dream of playing the premier league is going to go away.
00:23:17
Zak
And those players will be considered not great. Uh, but also I think, you know, Greg tempering expectations slightly, we We were the bottom team last season for a reason.
00:23:30
Zak
We've started to show that a little bit.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:32
Zak
And that's why, as we talked about in our keep, sell, whatever it was episode way back when, if we lost most of them, would we be that sad about it? We agreed kind of the only one we'd really be sad about was Matty.
00:23:46
Zak
I think that Fraser is basically a new player this team. If Stuart and Archer and Arma just need goals,
00:23:56
Zak
having a new essentially sort of midfield to deal with that and new wingers that are not tainted by last season, which is where it seems to be going, is going to be nothing but but beneficial because I think that we need to, we talked about how we needed to cut a lot of you know, the dead wood out of the squad, but I don't just think it's that.
00:24:17
Zak
I think we need to ah ah cut some of the psychological trauma out of this squad.
00:24:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:22
Zak
And that a lot of these players are probably going to have to try and go elsewhere to build rebuild their careers anyway. So...
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's kind of that weird situation, right? Where we had pre-season and up until this point where the window slams shut, it's almost just like extra pre-season.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
like There's still so much uncertainty and so much unknown.
00:24:39
Zak
Yeah, but that's what's infuriating about it. That's why it needs to be sorted long before.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's horrible.
00:24:44
Zak
It it should not should not be able to have like three or four games where, like obviously, we had this the last time we in the championship.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:50
Zak
It's nuts.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:51
Zak
awful for Awful for everybody involved. You can't build the momentum that you want to build.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:56
Zak
And then what happens is at the end of the season, those 9-12 points can be the difference, right? That's genuinely how it is.
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:02
Zak
This is how close it's been nowadays. Yeah. I guess we'll have to see Greg, but I want to be, I want to be, as I keep saying, quietly confident or, but I don't know, I guess, I guess I'll find out.
00:25:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
look like we We will get on to score predictions and find out how much of that confidence manages to shine through for you after a message from our partners at Zencaster.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform and Zencaster came out the clear winner with 4K video recording from your phone, and AI editing that automatically removes all those uns and ahs.
00:25:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's super easy to start podcast. It sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster. All right, mate.
00:25:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
As is tradition, it's bus time. what What do you think? What's your score prediction for the weekend?
Hosts' Game Predictions
00:25:58
Zak
Right. I would also would like to see goals. I also don't see us not conceding. Despite the fact we we kept the clean sheet the other night against Norwich. Again, it was a heavily rotated side from both ends.
00:26:10
Zak
Ironically, McCarthy kept that clean sheet. i Actually played pretty well. But I don't think McCarthy's going to play. And I don't think Pizzoli's a bad keeper. I just think that it's going to be a wobbly, shaky game. We'll probably go one down. But then I'd like to see us score three.
00:26:26
Zak
I don't really care where they're from. I just want to see us score more. I don't want us to go too long being down, right? Or I'd like to see us maybe score two, then get back one and then I'll score another because I think it would do absolutely wonders for everybody for us to like go up in the league and stay up in the league in a game.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would be nice not to concede first for, I think, the first time this season in the league.
00:26:52
Zak
yeah Like, we're not even playing not even playing Martin Ball anymore. It's still happening. It's now becoming a Southampton thing, not a Martin thing, which is upsetting.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:00
Zak
We need to would need to change that. So even if they do end up even if we do end up conceding, like, having that couple of goals, having maybe a cushion or so would be lovely. Whether it's the correct...
00:27:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So 3-1, is that what I'm hearing?
00:27:10
Zak
Yeah, there go. three one 3-1.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
who Who gets goals?
00:27:14
Zak
As I said, I don't i don't care. I genuinely don't mind. Another, another, let's see another screamer from Matsuki. I'd love to see one. Uh, ironically, i think that we're going to have this entirely review with Strikeforce and it would be like Rorah Slevin, Taylor Harwood, Bellis or something in it.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:27:27
Zak
Let's face it. Like, it's
00:27:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll have three goals from players who at time of recording are not even officially Saints players.
00:27:35
Zak
just...
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not outside the realms of possibility, let's be honest.
00:27:40
Zak
that is also That is also potentially true, mate. So I guess. what's yours? You going to go for a 7-0? A 9-0? 25-0? Hmm.
00:27:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, look, I'm not...
00:27:47
Zak
twenty five new
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, I'm not feeling unreasonable.
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think... I just think 4-0. Like, I just think that's fine. ah ah clean sheet and four goals just cruise through Watford...
00:27:52
Zak
one
00:28:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
build all the momentum in the world heading into the most important game of the season so far up next after the international break. Just going to... Just all going to start clicking into place and yeah just going to smash it.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
just Just the vibe I'm getting.
00:28:21
Zak
Okay. 4-0, mate.
00:28:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:24
Zak
That's a bit disrespectful to Watford, isn't it?
00:28:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I don't know. No.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We... the
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
This a game we should be winning comfortably. and yeah, it's just time to start putting them away. One goal for each striker.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just, yeah, go from there. Just...
00:28:46
Zak
but Now the real question is, mate, do I clip that so we can get torn apart by Watford fans at the weekend? Do you have that much of confidence in yourself?
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
is I really do, yeah.
00:28:58
Zak
Okay, okay.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
i just i'm really really feeling good about this weekend, heading into into the game, and think yeah i just think we're going to smash it. I've just got such good vibes, and really no justification for it whatsoever.
00:29:07
Zak
Nice.
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just vibes. But that's that's how we roll, you know that.
00:29:18
Zak
Well, it certainly will be a game. Football is going to happen.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's not just transfer news. There is an actual game taking place, and that's the most exciting part of what we live for.
00:29:27
Zak
Look, that is true. But for for some of us, Greg, the transfer-y bit when you play football manager is the most exciting. And I think sometimes that translates to real life a little bit too much.
00:29:39
Zak
And you're right.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:29:40
Zak
You forget these are actual people.
Personal Side of Transfers
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Will Steele, I liked, again, loved Will Steele in the presser when he was asked about like the most stressful bit of the transfer market in ins and outs. And his genuine and real life response was, well, I've had to move house and I've been at work, so my wife's done it.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was pretty stressful. She's not very happy. And I love that. That's human, isn't it? Like, it's just, yeah. Yeah. not just a transfer. There's stuff that comes with it, like moving house and potentially moving country. It's just not as easy as everyone makes out. You can't just bang. Let's play pay 25 million to Norwich for Josh Sargent. It's just not realistic. like The player wants to have to come. The club has to want to let them go. has to be It's just too many factors. It's not as clear-cut as everyone wants it to be.
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not that simple. But that's it, mate. Rant over. Look. On to the weekend for a big win. That's what we're hoping for. Look, that is all we've got time for and then some today.
00:30:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zach, as always, thank you very much for joining me. And thank you, everyone, for listening. Let us know your score predictions in the comments or on the social medias. We are on all of them. We are on X, Blue Sky, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook.
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know your score for predictions. Is it going to be as easy as I think it's going to be? you think we're on for a a bumpy ride? Let us know. we look forward to hearing from you. We will be back on Monday, whatever happens, whether it's good news or bad news.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will be here and we will be covering all of it. And I cannot wait. We hope you'll have a wonderful weekend and a good winning weekend for Saints. It's all we can ask for.
00:31:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will see you then.