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Episode 317: 2 IN A ROW! Matchday Review of Wednesday at home!
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Southampton – 2 IN A ROW?! We'd almost forgot what it felt like! We have plenty to talk about!
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Transcript
Southampton's Unbelievable Back-to-Back Wins
00:00:15
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 and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zach, for the first time since we started doing this podcast 317 episodes ago, we have won two games on the bounce. How you feeling, mate?
00:00:38
Zak
Since April 2024, we have finally won two games in a row. Back-to-back wins. Absolutely insane, mate, isn't it, really?
00:00:51
Zak
i said we should go out and batter them because as much as I feel sorry for their situation, we should still do that. We pretty much did that.
00:00:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:59
Zak
i
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:01:00
Zak
You could question where these performances have been all season. The fact that Tom Othello has passed to Azaz and he scored.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:09
Zak
It's like, what?
Player Combinations and Management Decisions
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, look, it has to be said that we have not seen that particular combination of Yander, Sienza, Fellows...
00:01:11
Zak
What?
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Azaz all on the pitch at the same time at any point until today.
00:01:27
Zak
So was the problem Will still?
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, I don't know if it was, but, I mean, two wins in two.
00:01:36
Zak
Two and two is like, because where I'm at.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Levan's toned a record with 100% rate. Like...
00:01:42
Zak
I would like to think, right, that but the work has been done and now we're at a stage where that that's with the roots of the labour are being so like sowed by other people.
00:01:54
Zak
But I don't know if some of the substitutions and some of the line-ups would have happened under Stil.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:02:00
Zak
And I think that that has a big contributing factor to us winning, right?
00:02:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:06
Zak
Like...
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's good though. Well, actually, my action was sister-in-law raised a very good point you'll go to the games with. And she she put it very eloquently, which surprised me tremendously.
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But she said, when we go back to these interim managers... We benefit
Focus on Basics by Interim Managers
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
because we just do the basic things better.
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
like we just It's almost like, well, we trusted you enough to pay you thousands of pounds a week to kick a ball around. You should go out there and kick the ball around instead of listening to this wildly convoluted tactical system.
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we play better. It's crazy, isn't it?
00:02:47
Zak
but but But that's interesting because that was the entire reason we supposedly brought in Will Steele, was that he didn't really have a system.
00:02:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:53
Zak
The entire point was we were supposed to win games and go from there.
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:57
Zak
Like, i will I'm not going to lie, mate, there a bit more of a spring in some of their steps, right? They moved the ball a lot quicker after the back of, like, literally weeks of Steele being like, hey, move the ball quicker.
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Definitely. Yeah.
00:03:08
Zak
They were like, now we're just going to lump it up to big man at the top, big man at the barmstrom.
00:03:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, And look, yeah is that because they are now playing more for the manager? I don't know. is it because they you know got the monkey off their back and got the win in the week, so they're looking a bit confident?
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. Is it just because, with all due respect to Sheffield Wednesday, you know they are not in a good position at the moment?
00:03:34
Zak
The league's punching bag, aren't they?
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:35
Zak
like they're on They're on minus four points and I had to explain to my wife why they're in such a horrible position. and like it It sucks from like outside of...
00:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. look all of the players, all of the players that are there are there because they care about the club. But let's not forget that at the start of the season and to that bearing in mind, they've only been able to bring in loans.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
They had 11 total senior players in the squad. So, you know, it's, it's hard to point out exactly what has changed, but we,
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right, under Will Still, is that another Swansea game where we where we struggle and don't put it over the line?
Playing Against Pressing Teams
00:04:19
Zak
Yeah, because...
00:04:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I mean, it also has to be said that Wednesday came and played and tried to put pressure on and play at us, which actually, i think, it suits us.
00:04:24
Zak
Yeah, they played a game.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
We don't like to play against a team that's sit back on a low block. That's not us at all. They were willing to go at us and put the press on, and we were like, yeah, this is exactly what we want to play against. Cheers.
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bish, bash, bosh. Bang, there's your goal. I mean, it took us plenty of attempts.
00:04:46
Zak
Well, yeah, it was...
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:48
Zak
hundred Yeah, like it wasn't... It didn't fit. It still felt sense-y until the second half, where to be perfectly honest, the second half kind of like we got towards the end. And like other than other than sort of a kind of a late fight back and some injuries from us. And by late fight back, I mean like they they made a couple of attempts at that point. you know Kind of, it felt comfortable. But like the obviously the first half, we went two up and I was like, we're two up. Because I remember screaming at my wife being like,
00:05:16
Zak
literally texting me from the other room being like, Hey, how are you? Are you joking? Like, and I'm like, no, no, no, no. We are, we are genuinely tuning up. And I knew it wasn't going to last. Right. Like we talked about how, well, straight after usually a goal, like it's like a four minute period after where we, we kind of drop our heads and then they score.
00:05:37
Zak
And, and this time it was about eight minutes. Right. but But we still, we still kind of did a little bit of a messing about with the back and then,
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we it it was just so clear was coming because we were like, oh, we're tuning up. Great. Let's start knocking it
Defensive Mishap Costs a Goal
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
about at the back in our own box. And it got it got noticed by the Northern end.
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they like, oh, what are we doing? And then we take a goal kick short. We push it back across the box against two players, pass it out to Manning, who has no options or space to pass it in. I can't fault him for not being able to squeeze past three players.
00:05:57
Zak
Yeah, I'm sure it did.
00:06:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he hoofs the ball out to try and get the big wide switch over to Fellows, but it falls short, gets intercepted, and then, i mean, does McCarthy save that shot?
00:06:25
Zak
not doing this again. well ultimately, yeah, you're right. It's silly to give the ball away like that. And also, it like, Baz probably should have got hand to it. but These are both fine statements to say, right?
00:06:38
Zak
These are both things that are observations.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:41
Zak
He will probably be annoyed as much as the next guy. The problem is, is we didn't let them, capitalize on that much.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:47
Zak
And we managed to get to half-time.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:49
Zak
And then we came out and scored a fantastic goal.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:51
Zak
But, like,
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
there were There were still some nervy moments. There was one moment I specifically remember where I don't know if Baz didn't shout loud enough or would just ignored him, but they nearly took each other out and nearly conceded in the process.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But But I mean, they that was, I think, were from one of the long throws from the Sheffield Wednesday, lad, who which were...
00:07:09
Zak
Yeah, though that to to be fair, that was that that felt like free kicks.
00:07:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
wo
00:07:12
Zak
It was mad. like that guy has a That guy has a throw on him.
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
but It was... Genuinely, are watched, I'm like, their throws are scarier than their corners because all of their corners were going short and going wide. I'm thinking, we're going to get another one of these Boaz Myhill memes where Baz is going to be put under pressure and he's going to kick it out for a corner so he doesn't have to deal with another one of these long throws.
00:07:33
Zak
Oh, God, what world.
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, it was just insane.
00:07:35
Zak
Time to be alive.
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah But, yeah, I mean, yeah it's just it's nice. Just good vibes.
00:07:42
Zak
Yeah, let's let's like let's not take, like, to be clear, just because we're, you know, we're talking about the game.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nice to have a win.
00:07:46
Zak
I would love to sit here and do nothing but celebrate the win for the the next 20 minutes, but...
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
but with We just don't know how to do it, mate, because it's just not something to
00:07:53
Zak
hit What if we ever die twice in a row? Like, usually it's like, the best we ever had was, like, I think a win and a draw before then.
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's never...
00:08:02
Zak
Or it's been like a win, then maybe we had a cup game that went all right. Like, it's... it's
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it really it really puts it into perspective, right?
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
317 episodes, and this is the first time we've had back-to-back wins. It's just...
00:08:16
Zak
Well, the fact that again, back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since April 2024, mate. Like, that that shows you how out of his depth Russell Martin was in the Premier League, how we basically didn't recruit well.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:29
Zak
And, like, so far in the Championship, again, like, I have nothing but respect for Will still, but and I feel feel sorry for him more than anything else, but, like, the the the reality is, as you pointed out, our interim manager's He managed to in like fourteen
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:45
Zak
So if we are unless unless we plan to draw the next 12 or whatever, which I'm really hoping isn't the case, you know, it was just it was just nice to have...
00:08:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
that We've got face Nathan Jones next, so who knows what's going to happen at this point.
00:08:53
Zak
don't know, they got beaten today, so we can take a little bit of solace in that.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, mate. I want to talk to you about
Unexpected Fireworks Interruption
00:09:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
the manager. to But before we get to that...
00:09:04
Zak
Oh, good. I'm sure that's to go down well with the...
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's have a little chat. Let's have a little break and hear a word from our partners at Bionique.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, we are back. If you can hear the bangs in the background, don't panic. I do apologise, everyone. I haven't moved to Essex. We're just recording in the evening and there's fireworks. Don't panic.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're all good.
00:10:06
Zak
Oh, right, yeah, that movie's roughly on.
00:10:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
We heard from the Northern Wall today one opinion that was very clearly marked, right?
00:10:18
Zak
Well, we shouldn't have an ex-Portsmouth player as our manager.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not like not Yeah.
00:10:21
Zak
No, we probably shouldn't. like Because if you think that we turn on people quick now, you know we we' like there was a lot of people turned on Damien Downs and he just hasn't scored a goal.
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
white
00:10:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not just the next Pompey.
00:10:33
Zak
A manager that actually played for our rivals that talks about how good they are, not even that long ago, it talks about how we'd love to go back, coming back.
00:10:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:40
Zak
Like, no, we did this once before. We saw how that ended. No, thank you.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:44
Zak
I don't care about how practical, how pragmatic it is. At the moment, one of the main things is morale. if If they have to deal, the players, with us screaming at the manager every game, it's not going to be good for anybody.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:58
Zak
so hopefully, hopefully
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with that,
Potential of Interim Manager Tonda Record
00:11:00
Zak
they'll listen.
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
with that said, right, we saw at the end, uh, after the, you know, after the final whistle, the celebrations, I don't know if you managed to see it from where you were, but right in front of me, Leo Sienza and Jack Stevens, both effectively dragging Tonda in front of the Northern wall to make it to, uh,
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
to let him do the fist bumps and the cheers. And there was some good camaraderie. Now, I am not saying that Tonda record should be our next permanent manager, right?
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's, let's get that out of the way because I don't, because I don't know, because I don't know.
00:11:32
Zak
Why?
00:11:33
Zak
no but genuine question, but why? Okay.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's, it's a risk, right? We want someone with more proven. I think it's too early to have say one way or the other. I'm just saying Maybe we're not in as much of a rush as we initially thought we were, right?
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he he gets another three or four games, you know, we've got another three-game week when we come back from the international break. If he gets those three games as well, I don't think anyone's going to be upset about that.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, while we wait for the right candidate instead of rushing and appointing someone silly. And if he wins all three of those games... It's a very tough argument to make as to why you would put someone in place over the top of him, right?
00:12:17
Zak
Yeah, i think I think that's a very very good point. my My worry is that they aren't just going to leave it for the international break because I think they're going to want to get somebody in who has enough time with the team to start the the ground running.
00:12:29
Zak
Because if not, what you're talking about realistically is we have a three-game week, see how those results are, and then all of a sudden you're then trying to drag somebody in for four days and then everybody questions why we didn't bring him in during the international break when it made the most sense.
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, which is fine if the name is right. I just i don't know if the right candidate is out there.
00:12:45
Zak
So...
00:12:48
Zak
I just don't think there's, because to be honest, like I wouldn't be surprised if Gary O'Neill goes now to Middlesbrough because we're starting to see, we're starting to see that like deck of cards collapse now, right?
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:56
Zak
So where, where Wolves have lost their manager, you've now got probably, i imagine someone like, you know, like Rob Edwards going to Wolves. So then Middlesbrough going to be open.
00:13:07
Zak
and So who's going to Middlesbrough? Potentially Gary O'Neill, if not somebody else could replace him.
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:13:14
Zak
well we'll see what happens. Like there's talk of Carlos Corcoran having a dodgy time in Spain and supposedly coming back. And, you know, I know quite a few people have jumped at the chance of having him.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would take him in a heartbeat as someone who watched his football, uh, uh, at West Brom through family.
00:13:24
Zak
There you go.
00:13:29
Zak
so yeah.
00:13:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would be very happy with that as a, uh, as an appointment.
00:13:33
Zak
But I think I agree with you is like i don't know i don't think that you want to sign someone on like a three-year deal off the back of two games. right We did that with Sellis when he won a game at Chelsea, and that proceeded to be the only game he won, bar a really, really nervy game against Leicester, which I still joke about to this day, right because that was the game where pretty much I would have bet £100,000 on them scoring, and somehow they didn't.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:00
Zak
It was like us at Swansea. And that was it, right? That's the entirety of the seller story. So, like, i i but I am kind of in agreement with you that, like, okay, if we play Charlton and we win against Charlton, and then that's three on the bounce, and that's that's the, you know, just see how it goes.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah why Why, if it, if if it, I mean, that if that does happen, if he's still in charge Charlton and we beat Charlton, let's not forget that that would make him the second most winningest manager of Sports Republic managers.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right?
00:14:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like... pint. Yeah.
00:14:33
Zak
At least we have level one mate at least I can go play pigeon shooting after match day
Young Talent: Barnaby Williams' First Team Debut
00:14:44
Zak
like I know we've we've kind of not even really launched defences. We've launched understandings, right? We have launched literary understandings of why a business runs like they do.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:54
Zak
But when we put it in that way, that currently but since everybody this manager is one win away from being the second most successful manager under the Sports Republic, is insane.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:05
Zak
Actually insane.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, but look, right.
00:15:06
Zak
man.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in, in his defense, right. I know just an interim manager. He is an experienced assistant manager. His record with our youth team this year has been impeccable. five Five, was it four wins, one draw, one loss in the league, and then a draw with Real Madrid's under-21s.
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
is you know That's a decent record. We're seeing him bring some of these youth players up because he's new with their play.
00:15:34
Zak
Yeah.
00:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
right Barnaby Williams was a name that I did not know before the week was out. I heard in the press conference.
00:15:41
Zak
I'm going lie, mate. I saw that team sheet and I was like, i don't know who that is on the bench.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Like, like I heard in the press conference him say, oh, Cam Bragg's out. So we've brought Barnaby up to the first team. didn't. And then he brought him on at halftime, presumably because Flynn has taken a knock of some sort. i can't think possibly that that was ever part of the plan.
00:16:03
Zak
I don't know, you might me he might have might have had a dodgy tummy again, right? Like, at this rate, I don't even joke about that.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
and do you know, yeah.
00:16:08
Zak
I genuinely think we're just to have to deal with the fact that he has immuno issues.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:11
Zak
Like...
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, But he was solid. He came on.
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
He he got stuck in. made some good tackles. Made some decent b blocks.
00:16:15
Zak
Yeah.
00:16:18
Zak
so Some people saying things... So here's some of the here's some of the stuff I thought was a bit weird, mate.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He didn't look...
00:16:22
Zak
People being like, should have brought a rebo on instead. He rebo offered so much more. He didn't offer a lot. And I'm like, a rebo in six months' time is not going Saints player.
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the reason we didn't bring...
00:16:30
Zak
This lad has come through the academy...
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the reason we didn't bring a Rebo on at half-time is because we wouldn't be able to see him run for 45 minutes. the The cameos we've seen from a Rebo, he is a man who is not in match shape.
00:16:38
Zak
That is also true.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I don't think he's got a half of football in him.
00:16:46
Zak
right. We'll potentially, after two weeks, mate, have Rumeu back, which is absolutely insane.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:50
Zak
and We should probably talk about that and just a little bit more of the game after a break, right?
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's good, because...
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, sure. You're right, but... Yeah, and and how we're running out of full-backs really quickly, right?
00:17:02
Zak
LAUGHTER Yeah, classic injury crisis. Classic right back injury crisis that's still going on 10 years down the line.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
and You're right. let's Let's have a break and hear from our partners at Zencaster and then let's get to that. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those uns and ours, it's super easy to start podcast. It sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster....well using AI editing tool
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright, and we are back.
00:17:44
Zak
Oh, yeah.
00:17:46
Zak
Mate.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's let's talk about the game. some Some goals. Yander gets his first goal in another one that could nearly have been, a oh, well how has he not managed to score yet?
00:17:51
Zak
Mate.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
He keeps getting so close.
00:18:03
Zak
Look, you were talking about shooting practice beforehand and you said, why is it that no one puts power in their shots? And he obviously put enough power in that shot to make the goalkeeper go back into the goal a little bit, which is which is a win.
00:18:15
Zak
Because obviously, as soon as that referee's wristwatch buzzed and everyone knew was a goal, happy days.
00:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:20
Zak
Because until then, no one really wanted to celebrate.
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
film
00:18:22
Zak
And that was...
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got say, from the northern end, I'm stood there squinting and I'm like, is it goal?
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it not goal? Did it go in? And then one half of the crowd cheered and then they didn't and then we cheered again. I'm like, guess it was a goal, yeah?
00:18:34
Zak
yeah a be Bear in mind, that was either har from was just before just after as well. They scored what would have been an absolutely incredible own goal. And somehow the guy that almost scored it managed to sky it, just managed to get it out sort of off the line.
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just after...
00:18:49
Zak
Right. And they had a moment like that a bit later on as well, where they, you know, we, we managed to somehow, I think it was like as much as we can sing the praises of fellows and as ours today, that that was a That was what would have would have been an open goal, but they managed to hit a defender instead of hitting the goal.
00:19:05
Zak
So, yeah, but, mate, three...
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You finally got the touch of luck and it went in.
00:19:08
Zak
So, so what's he? Yander's goal.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Yander's goal.
00:19:11
Zak
So nice. Like, happy days. Finally got one.
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:13
Zak
And he deserves it because he has worked hard.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
man And then Sienza made a wonderful run across the pitch and passed it to Fellows who got down the wing and then he cut back inside made another beautiful run, took on a player, found a pass, and Azaz hit it first time with a shot on target that went in the back of the goal.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
What more can you ask for?
00:19:36
Zak
so So we questioned him his inclusion in the lineup. like We were like, oh, swapping him out for Robinson.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:19:42
Zak
That's a bit. That's a bit. war Sure. Okay. And I think that you know up and until this point, we have questioned what he has brought to the team. You could start to see a glimmer of that today, right?
00:19:52
Zak
like It's going to be, hopefully, wonders for his confidence.
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:55
Zak
And it did, because he started to feel a bit more present at that point afterwards.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It really did. Not 10 seconds before that moment, I have to hold my hands up and, you know, full disclosure, I turn around and I said, Azaz hasn't really done anything to prove to me yet that he's not rubbish.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then he scored, and then all of a sudden, just like a player reborn, he... came back with full confidence and was suddenly this like conduit in the middle of the park, picking up the ball, picking the ball on him and Leo just connect in a wonderful way. And, know, all of a sudden we've got three to four players who are happy to pick up the ball in the middle park and drive with it and drive forward. And then the defenders just don't really know what to do. Do they cover the pass option or do they cover the run? Cause you've got Sienza fellows, Yander,
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Azaz, who are all more than happy and more than capable of picking the ball up and just going for goal. You know, every time Sienza got on the ball, there were cries to shoot.
00:20:54
Zak
They're thorough threats.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Some of those times, he was in our half. Like... It's just...
00:21:03
Zak
but Look, we know that what the man scored a worldie, but come on, we can maybe get a bit closer.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think
00:21:08
Zak
But again, like I think it's it's better than the opposite, where boat you know even you thought for Armour's goal, he held on to it a little bit too long. And there were couple of times that that kind of has taken place. But again, like it's just the confidence. And you can say, yeah it's Wednesday, and yeah, it's QPR. And yeah, you're right.
00:21:24
Zak
But at the same time, when you're
Tactical Adjustments Boost Performance
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got give credit.
00:21:25
Zak
when you're bereft of confidence like that, it doesn't really matter.
00:21:28
Zak
It just matters about, you know... gaining some traction and a back-to-back back-to-back wins is traction. That is, that is something to build on.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And full credit to Armstrong because he kept getting in and making those moves the entire game.
00:21:38
Zak
Yeah.
00:21:42
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:21:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And at one point I texted you and said, oh, he looks a bit leggy. Maybe we should take him off and put on downs. And then we didn't take him off. And after downs came on, he still kept making those runs and making sprints and getting in behind and looking dangerous and you know putting the ball in dangerous areas for for downs as well. And it's just, yeah, great.
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
is is It just feels like it's all...
00:22:01
Zak
we's now had He's now had five goals this season. So he's now our top goalscorer for the season. We have a striker as our top goalscorer, which is just wonderful to hear.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah it just
00:22:09
Zak
like no No longer is it no longer it is a jack of all trades or a defender.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
it just it feels like it's all started to click together like I say I don't know if it was something magic where the sort of chemistry's come in I don't know if it was just changing it the shape around a bit and sort of playing Harbour-Bellis slightly wider and bringing Stephens and Wood back into the team because they're are you know more of a solid two with the giving Harbour-Bellis freedom.
00:22:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that unlocking Tom Fellows to go and do the attacking stuff. I don't know if it's just they've gone back to basics a bit and are just moving the ball that bit quicker because it's simpler.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
just But something's working and it's great to see.
00:22:50
Zak
Yeah, like i think I think that's what I'm baffled by. is I'm just baffled by what the... Is it that with the Preston game, we truly hit rock bottom and they decided they wanted to not be like that? Because I i was saying it all of last season, right? I was like, at some point, professional pride has to kick in and you have to realise this is what people will think of you and this is how you will go down and how you will be remembered. and how were You talked about it, I think, after that game where like there are some players here that currently will not be remembered.
00:23:18
Zak
as playing for Southampton, regardless of how many games they've played, because like their impact has been so negligible. And that is, that's upsetting. And I'm sure nobody wants to hear that, but unfortunately with like the state of results, like that's true.
00:23:30
Zak
Like it's going to be weird trivia questions as to who's been in that Southampton team where they had the worst points tally ever. And, and, And you're you're genuinely going to think that you know the answer and then you're going struggle to miss out names.
00:23:41
Zak
And like now we're starting to actually see like the fruits of labour. I just baffled as to what changed. Is it as simple as, OK, Romelu's coming back and they've realised that the standards are going to have to raise?
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:23:51
Zak
Is it that the manager going, they felt collective guilt because it probably wasn't his fault and decided to step up? Is it like after Nathan Wood swore at fans, realized that maybe they had a point? Like, I don't know what it is that's clicked in the space of two games. And again, like it might just be as simple as maybe but behind the scenes, you know, I know that I don't think there are any personal issues with Will Steele.
00:24:15
Zak
Maybe they are. They were just struggling to get on with going from this tactic to that tactic to this tactic to that tactic. And basically just top colt got told by a guy, hey, guys, just like play football.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And like I said, back to basics, right? All of the substitutions were kind of like for like with the exception of Mads Roslev who had to come off and we had to put on Kwasi who did his best.
00:24:40
Zak
Who decided to keep trying to play striker.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
say
00:24:44
Zak
The amount of about times he was in their box, except he wasn't doing like, he wasn't doing like set pieces.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah But I mean, that was that was that was the job of the wingbacks, right? Get in there. And then I saw him come in the box with the ball, where his feet in the goal.
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I saw the thought cross his mind of, what do I do now? This isn't my position. And everyone, everyone around me was like, everyone around was like, why didn't he shoot?
00:25:03
Zak
Yeah, exactly that.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm like, you realize he's a, he's a center back, like a young center back. He doesn't know what he's doing in the box. like He got there and wondered where he was, but credit to him.
00:25:17
Zak
no
00:25:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, you know, he came on and dealt with it, but,
00:25:18
Zak
yeah exactly that
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, like the changes were, you know, we I talked a lot about how Will still used to like those changes that sort of went either way, where it was either football genius or football idiot. And more unfortunately, more often than not with us, it went the other way and just looked ridiculous.
00:25:38
Zak
He's going to be remembered for swapping out Stevens for Sienza.
00:25:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And like, yeah. And you know, sometimes... just going back to the basics and this is the way I want to play. And it, you know, it was it wasn't a traditional formation. It was definitely like a crooked four slash five back, whatever you want to call it. You can put it on the board with magnets, whatever.
00:25:41
Zak
That's basically that's the sad state of affairs, right?
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Harwood Bellis was like half center back, half right back. And fellows were sort of half wing back, half winger. And it was, but you know, you stick the players and say, oh that's how we're going to play. And then you make likeful like for like subs and you stick to that way. And,
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
even towards the end of the game when they sort of had a go at us and started coming and putting pressure. There wasn't any of this like we saw on Tuesday where they were panicking. There was actual, like, composure on the ball. And, you know, we managed to get the ball down and make a few more attacks and, you know, almost catch them on the break a couple of times. And it was just... It was the most complete calm from the players I've seen in literally years.
00:26:45
Zak
I don't know. I think at one point Woody tried to put the ball out and Baz jumped to save it like it had been shot at the goal to make sure it was a throw in and not a corner, which is funny because you also pointed out that their throwings are more lethal.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:59
Zak
But yeah.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but but that's still calmer than it's been, you know? Like, there's still...
00:27:04
Zak
No, you're right. It was better than the QPR game, which was just like, it was just manically making the ball get away from the box no matter what, regardless of if if it was actual football or, you know, wrestling.
00:27:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even down.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:27:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I kind of wish we'd have bought Damien Downs on 10 minutes earlier and given him a proper chance to settle in because I feel like it's the sort of game he had a proper chance to get a go in and get a striker and get a goal.
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But actually, don't think he put a foot wrong when he came on. didn't really give the ball away. He challenged the ball. He made the keeper think about things. He even did some good hold-up play and put past the ball back. And, you know, I'm pretty sure he had 100% pass completion rate. I don't think he gave the ball away at all. And,
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, it's good because he is looking more confident, even being chucked on for 15 minutes at the end of a game when he's probably not going to get a proper opportunity. And, yeah, I just...
00:27:56
Zak
if that's If that's what they need to do to build his confidence, I'm fine with that. Because again, like I know we probably still need to go out and maybe get another striker. I don't know if you heard the reports, so apparently we we went in for Danny Ings in the summer and it just didn't play out.
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:08
Zak
don't know if you heard about this, Greg, but obviously...
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did not, but we're getting the band back together, boys.
00:28:13
Zak
yeah Well, well that that that by the sounds of it, we did actually go in for him. But instead, by the looks of it, he picked Sheffield United. And, you know, that's going down well.
00:28:23
Zak
Well, either that he weren't willing to pay whatever extortionate wages he wanted. So, you know, i think that it's probably still a thing we need to pursue for sure.
00:28:33
Zak
But also, if you slowly build his confidence, you might see a player yet, despite the fact that I think that there's still a very, very negative sentiment towards him. I've still seen...
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I think there's...
00:28:43
Zak
I've seen tweets going out there like, oh, well, he gives me hope I can still be a professional footballer. And I'm just like...
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I think there's a good footballer in there. for sure. It just needs the opportunity and the time.
00:28:53
Zak
just He's just currently scared, man.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
you Yeah, like, you call them you can't come on and impact a game that you play your 3-1 up with 15 minutes to go. You can come on and mess up a game where you're 3-1 up.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
you don't really get the opportunity to come on and put a positive spin on it, right? It's nothing. Nothing occurs, right? There's only negatives. So the fact you can come on and not do that is good.
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think there's a player in there for sure. And I hope that we get to see it before the season's out because I think that with the right confidence and the right development, he could be a very good player.
00:29:31
Zak
I agree.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
hope I hope so anyway, but.
00:29:34
Zak
Right. One last point, mate, that you wanted to make. We're rapidly running out of wingbacks. wingbacks. So, are our right backs now Tom Fellows and Ryan Fraser?
00:29:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
what
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so, yeah. Yeah, I don't know if Yeller will be back after the international break.
00:29:50
Zak
I doubt it doesn't sound like it. Raw Slev now probably out for a little bit longer because he went down, got back up, ran back on the pitch, but then also needed to immediately go back on.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. Yeah. Wellington...
00:29:58
Zak
So, God knows what happened there.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
i From where I was saying, looked like he popped his knee. It didn't look nice at all.
00:30:03
Zak
Yeah, nasty. so So, yeah, we after joking around that situation about a decade ago where we were playing James Ward-Prowse at right back because Nathaniel Clyde and whoever else, Cedric, everybody else was out.
00:30:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wellington will be back. He's on the... well and Wellington's left-sided player, right?
00:30:17
Zak
We've got now...
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it'll be wellington and Wellington's left-sided, right?
00:30:19
Zak
Sorry?
00:30:22
Zak
Wellington's left-sided, so is Manning. so that's that's okay. So then it's just the right side that's the problem because you've got Fellows and Fraser...
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, let's just stick Harbaugh Bennett out there. It's what we did today. kind of worked. don't know. Like... eat cuts
00:30:37
Zak
Again, it'll be interesting. It's not like they didn't come for a game. And I think you know i think that at this point, Wednesday, just happy to have a club that still exists. And they're not out of the woods yet. But at the same time, they don't have a terrible owner.
00:30:48
Zak
So power to them.
00:30:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair play to their fans because they were vocal for the full 90 minutes. I heard plenty of them.
00:30:53
Zak
Yeah.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was good.
00:30:56
Zak
don't I don't have a bad thing to say about them other than the fact that, sorry, we beat you.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:31:00
Zak
But also, I'm not sorry.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but and but that said, it's a team that we should be beating that we managed to beat.
00:31:02
Zak
but
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
onwards and upwards. And even better than that, mate, I know that Carlsberg don't do Saturdays, but also Pompey lost. So, a little cherry on the cake, innit?
00:31:16
Zak
a
00:31:19
Zak
and i met and and Nathan Jones' team lost to Wrexham, which are a team we beat this season. a
00:31:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. It's all coming good. It's all coming good. But I meant to put, you know, a real pooper to the party. Now we've got to deal with an international break.
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we all know my feelings on that.
00:31:36
Zak
It's fine. Well, at least we're going into the international break in 17th and not 21st, mate.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it almost comes at a bad time, right?
00:31:43
Zak
That's where I'm at.
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it would be nice to kick on and make the most of this momentum. But there we go.
00:31:48
Zak
Look, look wait it's been a weird week. We both had like, what, like the of the last a week ago, we had like probably the most, but the loss that really felt the worst for most people, right?
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:00
Zak
And then it was like, then we'll still have fired on the Sunday for our third firing before or during an episode.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:32:08
Zak
And then obviously randomly Monday, it all went away because everyone's like, apparently we're signing Rubeu. And I was like, that's ridiculous. And then, oh no, we are. Okay, it's already done. Perfect.
00:32:18
Zak
And then obviously, beat QPR.
00:32:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just saying, and since we brought Romelu back, 100% wins. Crazy times.
00:32:26
Zak
You say we put him in the manager's foot. We put him and Adam Alana
Celebrating Wins and Listener Engagement
00:32:30
Zak
and maybe we bring Danny Innes back as a striking advisor, right?
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a week.
00:32:33
Zak
No, no, no, that's not happening.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Indeed. Indeed.
00:32:35
Zak
But yeah, it's just been been such a hectic week to have like lost win-win like that.
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
c create the kind
00:32:41
Zak
It's just what what a week. What a week to be a Saints fan.
00:32:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
what week
00:32:44
Zak
And now you're right.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
indeed
00:32:45
Zak
You get a bit of a break from it. Oh,
00:32:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guess could watch England.
00:32:51
Zak
oh right. Yeah, sure.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, look, that is all we have got time for today. Thank you everyone for joining us for this celebration for the first episode once again in 317 episodes where we've been able to celebrate back-to-back league wins.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh...
00:33:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zach, thank you as always for joining me. Let us know in the comments on the socials how you feeling. Who do you want as the job? Do you think Tom DeRecca should get job? Let us know.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
All comments on the socials. We're everywhere. We are on X, Blue Sky, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram. Everywhere. Hit us up. Cannot love hearing from you. Really cannot wait to see what you think.
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will be back to talk more about football tomorrow. But until then, everyone, have wonderful day. And get in there, Saints. Come on.