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Episode 243: Club News!
131 Plays5 days ago
Southampton – Lots out of the club in the last few days! We talk about outgoings, new food, player sponsorships, tv moves and much more!
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Transcript
Introduction to Daily Southampton Podcast
00:00:10
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 as always today, joined by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zach Inger Finch.
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
How mate? You alright?
00:00:24
Zak
having a day mate it's almost over but i have had a day um it's it's not going well so let's let's talk about things that hopefully aren't absolutely terrible right maybe good
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. It's fine.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Er... Yeah, sure. All right. We've got loads of news from the club.
00:00:40
Zak
good
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're just going to rattle through some of the more interesting interesting news points that we've had in the last couple of days and go from
Aaron Ramsdale's Transfer to Newcastle: Concerns and Implications
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
there. So Ramsdale's gone.
00:00:51
Zak
Yeah, just seeing this play touchdown in Newcastle, that was quick. Renegated with four clubs. Hopefully not going to be a fifth now, but I'll tell you the thing that's that's really weird for me.
00:01:03
Zak
So so one, shout out to our club for getting apparently reported £4 million pound loan fee with obviously a right to buy at the end of the season, plus full wages being paid for.
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hm.
00:01:16
Zak
So so that's that's really good. But what i can't quite understand is Part of the reason he said he wanted to go to Southampton was that he wanted to play football and didn't want to play second fiddle Arsenal.
00:01:27
Zak
And he's basically been told he's going to play sick second fiddle to Nick Pope, right? Like, the reports have come out that he's basically just going to play as a backup goalkeeper. So... What?
00:01:37
Zak
like I mean, it's fine for us. I think it's left a lot the fan base in disarray, the idea of Bizzunu and McCarthy being the only keepers. And I've already seen people start suggesting names to Adam Blackmore and Alfie House to like put to the club, which is mad. ah ah But yeah, it's it's not to be like we expected it, right?
00:01:56
Zak
doesn't stop it from stinging a little bit, but it just seems a bit of a weird move to me if he's not moving to a place to be number one.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:04
Zak
That's kind of where I'm at. but you know,
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh I mean, it depends what comes with being number two, right? Because Newcastle have European football, so number two might mean just being like their continental keeper or something like that.
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
You don't know the the details or the sort of real fine print of the the agreements or what's going to be happening, but know I think we said it early on that we broke our wage structure to pay Aaron Ramsdale's wages. And even if there, I mean, if there wasn't a relegation clause in his contract, then that's a huge mistake on the club spot anyway. But even with a relegation clause, his wages are probably going to be more than we want to take on into this season anyway. So it, you know, it felt, it felt,
00:02:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
like it was a necessary thing that was going to come. It felt like an inevitability. And um to be honest, just glad it's of the way early.
00:02:59
Zak
I think that's the only, like one of the, I say only, it's one of the saving graces of it, right? Is that if we do decide we want to go for another goalkeeper, whether or not we do, who knows? You know, we have time to do that now.
00:03:11
Zak
is It isn't taking place after the first or second game of the season.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:14
Zak
so we're not like scrambling to do it late. It has happened really, really, really quickly, and we've made potentially money out of it. So not like the worst thing in the world.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:25
Zak
It's just that, you know, it's a stark...
Southampton's Relegation Reality and Player Moves
00:03:29
Zak
reality of the fact we've been relegated and the fact that we've also got links to some of the other players we don't want to leave is another stark reality of the fact that, by the way, as much as we are going to be one of the supposedly stronger relegation sides, we have actually been relegated. Last season did happen as much as we want to be positive about the next. And yeah, all the power to him. He stuck with us for as long as he could hack it.
00:03:51
Zak
Basically, seemed like a good personality around the club, but is.
00:03:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I understand the move. I mean, the whole point of signing Aaron Ramsdale, at least from like the board perspective, right, was that it was a risk-free signing, right, that was always going to pay off for us financially in the end.
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not not a surprise to anyone that he's gone this summer, but he's always. News of the club's act that we have signed another keeper, though.
00:04:18
Zak
oh yeah
00:04:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Dylan Moody, young 17-year-old keeper, joined his with his first professional contract, keeping him under wraps until 2028. So maybe
00:04:27
Zak
Yeah, so that... i saw that he
00:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe that's the plan
00:04:29
Zak
I may ah feel like considering people are already commenting about Bozzunu being too young, right? Especially where goalkeepers go on a little bit better. The idea that a 17-year-old who should probably be playing development football is going to suddenly jump into the first team seems a bit ludicrous to me, but it's a good move. He was obviously part of the training squad to go out to Torona as well. So, you know, it's it be good to have, you know, be around the sort of first team and get a taste of what it's like in the future but again it's just it's more positive academy news right which is what we always want to hear
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
Yanni B's Departure and Legacy at Southampton
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, yeah, always good. In other outgoing news, i know we talked about it a bit on Transfer Tuesday, but now, since then, it's officially official and Yanni B's gone, gone.
00:05:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you?
00:05:14
Zak
Yeah, I think I i already said why unnecessarily salty is ah I'm at.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you feel about that?
00:05:21
Zak
Like, there's no reason for me to really be cross. He's been here for a ridiculously long time by any stretch of the imagination for a footballing career at this point, right?
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:05:29
Zak
that we Like eight years, maybe longer, i think it was.
00:05:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:32
Zak
You know, he's played... all different tiers. And I think, again, it's my fault for believing that when somebody signs a like signs a contract for multiple years, that's actually what it means.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
feeling
00:05:44
Zak
And like where I'm at is that you know you you were right, I think, in saying that he's been part of like better defences and he's been part of some of the worst defences at Southampton. And maybe it's time to see what defence without him looks like.
00:05:57
Zak
And, you know, he's been, he's sort of co, he's sort of stepped up to be a captain when a lot of the captains have been out and, you know, his influence I'm sure will be, be missed a little bit, but he'd obviously made up his mind and it's now weird, isn't it?
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:10
Zak
Ivan Juric, Jan dean su lamana and ah Russell Martin, all playing Champions League football, mate, after being
Former Southampton Players in the Champions League
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:18
Zak
part of the second.
00:06:19
Zak
So there's me saying, you know, oh all these pet players are going to go, but they're not going to, you know, who's going to want to take it? Turns out a lot of plant lot clubs are happy to take people that have had the second worst Premier League season of all time.
00:06:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:31
Zak
Apparently including Lucasso. Like, so do we know. You know, it's last.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it is. is a strange one. All right. I've got lots of non-signing related news to get through. But first, a message from our partners at Bionique.
Off-the-Field News: Food and Sponsorships at St. Mary's
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. So, yeah, more news from the club. Zach, we talk a lot on the podcast about the nostalgic tint of all of Saints fans and how there's almost too much of it.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, look, it's been arsed for for a long time. We're finally going to see the comeback of Gabby Adini to St. Mary's. in the form of a pizza shop.
00:08:00
Zak
yeah ah ah I'm going to lie, mate. When you initially sent this through to me, i thought it was a joke.
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:07
Zak
Like, until I realised... Hang on. I recognise that. That's actually the club fun. So, yes, Gaffi Adini's the... The pizza joint, which is part of Northern and Itcham North, you know, concourse.
00:08:20
Zak
Sure. I'll happily have pizza on match day, as long as it's not disgustingly expensive.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:26
Zak
It seems like a good...
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be.
00:08:27
Zak
i I just want him to come and visit. and then like Do you reckon they asked him? Does he know?
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I don't know.
00:08:32
Zak
is somebody Somebody tweet him and maybe let him know. By the way, mate. like
00:08:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gabby Deeney's.
00:08:38
Zak
they
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it'd be brilliant. That's a perfect tie-in for the start of the season, right? Uh, have Gabby Deeney come to visit, cut the ribbon on his pizza joint.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, but yeah, that and a couple of other restaurants as well. The Northern grill serving all new burgers, uh, and SFC serving saints fried chicken. Uh,
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all part of the new deal with the the the new group. Is it Oakview Group who are going to be doing the food?
00:09:06
Zak
Yeah, so this is this was the Wembley, right? They do Wembley, don't you? So they also did West Ham, sorry, Man City.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, they do all sorts. they I think they do the new Everton Stadium as well. So like they're quite well versed in catering and it's nice to see that the the options are ah ah increasing. It'll be interesting to see what the prices are, but
00:09:30
Zak
Yeah, i think I think that's one of the things that, obviously, when when you sent me this message, and I was expecting it to be like, you know, when they're like, our ah from our friendly onwards, we'll be able to benefit from a completely new Overcourt Concord experience. And, like, when when I heard the name Benefit, I was expecting suddenly there to be like, and season tickets cold as get, blah, blah, blah. No, it's just like you can pay a ridiculous amount of money for over chicken, burgers, or pizza.
00:09:57
Zak
But it's it's better than just Bovruch, it was basically...
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:00
Zak
what the vibe is.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, look, there have been times where there's just been bad pies on offer, right? And, you know, the it the food has needed an overhaul for a while.
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's nice that it's getting it. What the prices will be, we'll wait and see. But, I mean, some people are still going to pay it, right?
00:10:19
Zak
I just look forward to seeing it on that football scrambling. Yeah, people are going to pay it. that's that's That's ultimately where it's at. But like just hoping it's not like £15 for like three bits of chicken and some fries.
00:10:30
Zak
It probably will be.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:32
Zak
But I guess we'll find out and see, won't we?
00:10:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
well Well, that's the fun thing, Zach, is we will find out at as early as the Brighton Friendly, because that is when these new food offerings start. So we can have a match day food review if the game's really dull.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:10:47
Zak
I'm hoping it's not. Hoping we win. but But you're right, it might dull the pain.
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sticking on the... That's it. Sticking on the theme of... interesting ways to bolster the club's finances. You can now sponsor a player.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you see that?
00:11:03
Zak
I think that that to me is mad because that is a thing that smaller tier clubs do, right? Like it is absolutely incredible to me.
00:11:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:10
Zak
So like when whether you go to like an Eastern game or like in like Totten and things like that, and it's like this player is but if sponsored by DF Roofing Limited.
00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:20
Zak
And like the idea of, you imagine if they have to go out and it's like, you can sponsor your player for as little as £20 a month. And you go got out there and it's like, Tyler Dibbling, sponsored by John, Chris, Dad.
00:11:31
Zak
And like, but how long is it going to take to announce all of that? So obviously that's not what it's going to be.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:35
Zak
But it seems like a...
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
What happens if you like sponsor like Matty Fernandez for the season and then he's gone by game one because West Ham sniped him up?
00:11:43
Zak
but like Well, like what want to know is it...
00:11:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that like sponsorship Harry over?
00:11:46
Zak
Is it going to be like when you adopt a dog or like sponsor a dog and then you get little updates as to how they're doing? so it's like, it's like fit because of you, Tyler Diplin was finally able to upgrade his Volkswagen Golf to a Mercedes G-Wagon.
00:11:59
Zak
yeah you Your donation is so important. like That's what I want to know. because obviously like we are we yeah These players are not earning a lot money. it's It's so weird to me. like I understand it at a lower level. I think it's a really good way of getting revenue up. But that's because you know a lot of these clubs are struggling to make costs. But we're making a profit. The idea of like getting fans to pay is a bit cheeky, mate.
00:12:23
Zak
like I understand it would probably be more likely business and stuff. But the idea that you could just realistically invest...
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah opportunities, the the packages start from as little as £1,000. So this is this is obviously ah a corporate offering to try and get presumably more sponsors and relationships in.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you know benefits include things like a LinkedIn announcement highlighting your player sponsorship, oh big screen branding at St Mary's, access to an exclusive meet and greet with your sponsored player,
00:12:41
Zak
Yeah, but it's it's one of those things.
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and a signed first team shirt presented to you by your player. Yeah.
00:12:59
Zak
i just I just feel so bad for the media. like what The media of those players, like what happens if they... know They must have a cap on them, surely. Because if all of a sudden, a thousand people overnight decided to sponsor a thousand, that's like...
00:13:13
Zak
three slots a day of having to randomly go and meet like some guy who just wants a picture and a photo. Like, it's just, I know.
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:22
Zak
It's, it's one of those, it's one of those parts of like, don't want to say, I don't want to moan about the modern game more than we already do, but it's just really weird to me that it seems to be appropriating,
00:13:33
Zak
something that's used to actually keep lower tier football like clubs up. Because like theoretically, that's taking away... you know you could have something Instead of doing that, go and sponsor your local team at Eastleigh.
00:13:45
Zak
Because like also, you're more likely, for example, to to get business from from those clubs as well.
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
i even more than that like go and go and sponsor a grassroots team or like pick up a ah ah youth football team they're always calling out for people to do you know people who rely on sponsorships to like buy their kits like
00:14:04
Zak
Yeah, because cause they're talking about how it's going to be incredible. Okay, so you get to do this one measly post on LinkedIn, right? You put this this this measly post on LinkedIn, as if most people are getting clients on LinkedIn nowadays. It depends what your job like your business is. But like I'm thinking you know if someone's like a scaffolder or a builder or stuff, you know that's that's kind of useless to them. But like you you put that you put that up on the big screen at St. Mary's, is it going to be like that guy that got like tattooed in adverts?
00:14:29
Zak
right where you're like, yeah, I'll pay for for an advert of Coca-Cola, and then the guy's wearing a T-shirt all the time, so you never see the tattoo. It just feels a bit... It's just a bit gross.
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:39
Zak
like Stop picking for money. You have enough. like Figure out a better way to make money, or alternatively, at least feed it down the chain.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
good and
00:14:47
Zak
like We have really good relationships, basically. I feel like it should be one those things that we we feed that grassroots, because you're right, youth view football specifically, like this is is an episode on its own, right? But like... you're a you're a dad, your son plays football.
00:15:01
Zak
you've You've told me it's actually all right, pretty reasonable, realistically, but there are people out there that want to break into football that genuinely can't afford it because it is too expensive.
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:11
Zak
They're expensive. They're too expensive. For example, like you're also a dance dad, right? if if you want to go to That is pricey. And you will miss out on people being able to get into the sport because of that lack of sponsoring the grassroots and this and the other.
00:15:26
Zak
So the idea of going, oh, yeah, that club that barely makes any money, they make money out of that.
00:15:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:31
Zak
Let's do that ourselves. It's like you could you you don't have to sponsor a play. can just sponsor the club if you've had enough money. I just... I don't know. i just don't I just feel like it's a little bit gross, Greg. And it seems like it's like... Also, for £1,000, the idea of having your business plastered in St. Mary's for like maybe two 30-second stints on a match day, and then then'd having it a LinkedIn post, it's not good return on investment.
00:15:54
Zak
If you want to pay £1,000 to meet your player and have them sign your shirt, sure. like If you want to pay that, that's on you, but... i feel I feel like it should it's it's just a bit of gross way of making money from a club that doesn't need to make money that way.
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. I think it's... I'm a bit baffled by it. It's a bit of a strange one. But look, I've got a couple more talking points to get to. yeah But first, a message from our partners at Zencaster.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. with 4k video recording from your phone and editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs it's super easy 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 zane caster
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay and we are back so uh a couple more points of interest to to talk about zach uh The first one, speaking of you know ways to grab money, seven fixtures moved for the benefit of Sky TV.
Fixture Changes and Fan Challenges
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, interestingly, now they give much more notice, at least, is one, ah guess, positive of these moves. None of the games have actually changed dates either. They've all just moved times.
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So now, you know, I'm going very quickly reel them off. Swansea at home is now at 12.30. Bristol away is now at 8 Charlton away is now at 12.30. Leicester at home is now an 8pm kick-off.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Norwich away is now a 12.30 kick-off. And Birmingham away on the 29th of December is at 8.15. So, you know, shuffling about on the day instead of changing the dates slightly better than the norm.
00:17:40
Zak
Sorry, did you say Birmingham away at 8.50? Is that PM?
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
At 8.15pm on a Monday on the 29th.
00:17:46
Zak
Okay, 8.15 on Monday. Admittedly, it's Crimbo Limbo. But still, the idea that away fans need to go to Birmingham at 8pm...
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
What time do you think the last train home from Birmingham to Southampton is? Because let me tell you, it's going to be before that game finishes...................
00:17:56
Zak
yeah
00:18:00
Zak
yeah Yeah, well, there you go. So then, you know, you're going to have to rely on either driving up or staying, and it all gets a bit more expensive. I think it's it's good that they provide notice. I ah don't understand why they can't figure these things out before the season starts. I understand there's stuff to do with TV, but, like, I think from a fan experience perspective, just figure out from day one. Like, you release the fixture list, you know when the fixture list is coming.
00:18:25
Zak
That means that there should be a deadline for everybody, including, you know, 10 weeks.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you're right. Like, realistically speaking, like, between now and Christmas, what has changed between them selecting these TV dates this week and when they announced the fixtures, what, three, four weeks ago?
00:18:41
Zak
yeah
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, nothing. Nothing has changed that's impacted their decisions.
00:18:43
Zak
<unk> Is it based off of statistics to see which would be best to watch on TV? Because if that's the case, it's BS anyway. Because half the time you go they put something on TV, you think it's going to be exciting, it's nil-nil. right but so Don't bother doing that.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:55
Zak
Just pick it early on. but make sure But the other things that kind of annoy me, somebody tweeted out about it, and it really made me think about it and how much of an impact it is. for like If 12.30 kickoffs, you know that means that sometimes kids now need to decide between going to see games,
00:19:10
Zak
and playing sports because they are not going to be... you've've i remember the level of stress that you've had where you've had to drive back from like Port Solon to St Mary's, probably maybe breaking some speed limits, Greg, to get to St Mary's, then essentially catapult your children into the stadium to start watching at 12.30 when they've played a game themselves.
00:19:31
Zak
They're knackered. tired,
00:19:32
Zak
And ah all again, like the the antisocial... sort of eight quarter past eight for a city in the Midlands that's like at least a three-hour drive. That's if you're bombing it and there's no traffic. It's just...
00:19:46
Zak
Figure this stuff out early, but also I don't really understand why it's such a problem. i this is This brings me back to get rid of the idea of blackout-like rules, right?
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but again yeah
00:19:57
Zak
Scrap them! Make life easier for everyone! Why you changing? you know If you're changing these things for TV, it's because those archaic rules are still in place. I don't really think they serve a purpose.
00:20:08
Zak
I don't think that people that go to those games are not going to go to... and know i don't think that so Saints being on TV means that people aren't going to go Eastleigh games for a fact.
00:20:19
Zak
it Most people will watch it one way or another. you know they'll They'll do what I do, fly to Moldova for the afternoon back. like It's just frustrating me. And I think that the the the notice is better, but what is even better is...
00:20:35
Zak
not having to change it after the season's already started or like after the the announcement for this season has already started and also not having to make really really anti-social times at all by fixing a broken system in the first place.
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. agree.
00:20:51
Zak
don't how controversial that is.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know you're right.
00:20:53
Zak
That's my opinions on mate.
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, some of those home games getting moved to 12.30 are going to be causing me some some headachy Saturday mornings. But we'll cross that bridge as and when we get to it.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
The last thing, Zach, that I want to touch upon is not actually news out of our club, although it does relate to it, and that is that Portsmouth have announced that the away fans for the Southampton game will only be able to arrive at the stadium in effectively a bubble, right, from
South Coast Derby Logistics
00:21:25
Zak
What?
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
club-endorsed coaches.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:21:27
Zak
Why does that surprise? That shouldn't surprise anyone because the the idea of Southampton fans walking through Fratton at any point unattended is only going to cause trouble.
00:21:39
Zak
And if if you're so like if your stadium is in the middle of a council estate that is primarily full of the fans, I know that we've got, like I guess, the benefit of having St Mary's in like more of an industrial park. Obviously, you actually have the borough of St Mary's, which you know is is residential, but there can be enough separation i yeah Yeah, it makes a lot of sense to me that... Because if not, there's going to trouble regardless, right?
00:22:05
Zak
That's why they've...
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah they're just trying to mitigate it as best they can right like tensions are gonna boil over it's been such a long time since it's happened it makes complete sense uh
00:22:06
Zak
Yeah, it's going to be annoying, but like...
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um saw two I saw two comments on social media, the only two I've actually seen on the matter.
00:22:18
Zak
that's there
00:22:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the first one was, doesn't matter, people are going to drive and train down regardless of what you try to put in place. It's just the nature of it. And the second comment was a response to that and went, no way they're going to be able to get a train down there on a Sunday, mate.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've seen Southwestern Rail.
00:22:40
Zak
you
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that summed up beautifully for me.
00:22:43
Zak
yeah I mean, accurate. Like, again, when they are when they considering it's the it's the service that was renationalised, right?
00:22:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah.
00:22:52
Zak
And the first nationalised train was a replacement bus service.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:55
Zak
And I see far more buses at Eastleigh train stations than new trains nowadays.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:00
Zak
Yeah, that's not going to happen. And, like, the idea... People are just going to, like, wander... If you try and wander through Portsmouth in a small group on game day, what do you think is going to happen? Like, the last time this happened, somebody punched a horse.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:11
Zak
So... There's going to be some crazy stories that come about it. There are going to be people that want to cause trouble. There are going to be people that don't want to cause trouble that are probably going to get involved in trouble.
00:23:20
Zak
If you want that not to happen, we need to undo like 200 years of history, which isn't going to happen to anytime soon. So it makes sense for them to do that, considering that their stadium is in the middle of the council estate.
00:23:33
Zak
Like, what else did anyone expect?
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So that's it. They're going to be shuttling Portsmouth fans into Southampton by coach only.
Significance of the South Coast Derby
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And how that's managed after that, I guess we'll wait and see. But it's going to be, look,
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's going to be an interesting game because it's going to come at the most interesting point of the season as well, right? Our first game after the transfer window closes being South Coast Derby for the first time in in a decade is...
00:24:02
Zak
oh, it's going to be it's go to be tasty.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:24:03
Zak
We're going to have you able to talk about it. And then again, like i'm not I'm not saying, as I told you before, we could win all of the games and then we lose that and then that's still his job on the line. But it's incredibly important. Like, so important.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:15
Zak
And, you know, I think maybe my plans on it it flipped and I thought initially, but you can see,
00:24:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:21
Zak
how much it means to people. And you can see that, you know, I've seen people that have managed to get, so talking about the other week when we were we were talking about people struggling to get tickets and also people, your opinion, having too much access to tickets.
00:24:32
Zak
Like, you know, somebody booked a flight back to watch it for the first time in sort of a couple of years and has sorted out with their accommodation and stuff like that.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
you Yeah.
00:24:40
Zak
Like, that's how important it is to people. Like, people are taking mini holidays to go and watch it. So... It's going to be tasty, mate. That's so we can put it down to you, right? like It's going to be stressful, tasty, interesting.
00:24:53
Zak
Just hope everyone stays safe for the people that want to stay safe and have fun, right? but That's where I'm at.
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Okay. That is all we have got time for today. Look, the excitement really sets in tomorrow. We are headed back to St Mary's this weekend for the the final stop on our pre-season tour.
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tomorrow is our first pre proper preview. Looking forward to that. We will be back then as we look ahead to that Brighton game. Thank you very much for listening but but to us today, Zach. Thank you very much for joining me.
00:25:26
Zak
Bye.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm waffling about some fun Saints news. Always a pleasure. What are your thoughts? Player sponsorships, good thing, bad thing? How many Gabby Adini's pizza slices are you going to be chucking down your throat before games?
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know on all of the social medias. We are on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Blue Sky. We're everywhere. Go and drop us a line and let us know. We cannot wait to hear from you.
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like I say, we'll be back tomorrow with a match preview. But until then, have a wonderful day, everyone.
00:26:06
Zak
Thank