Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 365: Matchday Review: BEATING THE BLADES!
104 Plays7 days ago
Southampton – We managed a win! Was it the most decisive ever? Absolutely not! Is it enough to give us hope heading into the derby?....
Follow us on social media:
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/dailysouthamptonpod
X - https://x.com/DailySaintsPod
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@dailysaintspod
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DailySaintsPod
Instagram – https://www.instagtam.com/dailysaintspod
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/gspnsouthampton.bsky.social
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572875812052
Our Sponsors
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email us - dailysaintspod@gmail.com
Copyright | 2026 | Daily Saints Pod | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Saints' Victory and Lingering Issues
00:00:13
DailySaintsPod
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Saints pod. My name is Greg and as always today joined by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zach and mate, we won a game.
00:00:27
Zak
we We did win a game after... it just it just felt like it was never going to happen again. i'm not going to that you know It hasn't resolved all our problems. It hasn't hasn't solved everything. But it definitely is a better way to go into the South Coast Derby than...
00:00:48
DailySaintsPod
Definitely.
00:00:48
Zak
you know, it could have been, right? I think that there was a bit of a reaction tonight.
00:00:50
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, absolutely.
00:00:53
Zak
It wasn't the prettiest of games at all by any stretch of the imagination. I've absolutely no idea where six minutes about of added time came from. but But luckily,
00:01:01
DailySaintsPod
it's a joke. I mean, the referee for the entire game was an absolute disgrace.
00:01:04
Zak
yeah luckily...
00:01:05
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:01:07
Zak
Not that you have strong opinions about it. But luckily, like Sheffield United's finishing was as poor as ours has been. But yeah, it's I can't really complain.
00:01:16
Zak
like We won a game. was a tough game to win. We dug in. Let's remember that Sheffield United at the moment are below us
Lineup Changes and Surprises
00:01:24
Zak
anyway. So we did beat a team below us. So let's not get too hold your horses there.
00:01:28
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, but like a win's a win, and it's, like say, bit of momentum heading into the weekend where it's important, and it wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
00:01:28
Zak
But...
00:01:37
DailySaintsPod
And, I mean, look, let's let's take it all the way back to the start, mate.
00:01:45
Zak
You've got to start, start.
00:01:45
DailySaintsPod
Let's go right the way back to 6.30 this evening when we got the team news, and we played it back four.
00:01:46
Zak
That's crazy.
00:01:56
Zak
That was good. It's what we asked for. It's what we hoped for. It's what happened. Again, I was a bit surprised to not see James Bree even in the starting line at all. don't know if he was injured or what.
00:02:07
Zak
He wasn't even on the side, which seemed a bit weird that
00:02:09
DailySaintsPod
Maybe just not fully back yet. I don't know what the deal is.
00:02:11
Zak
I guess that's the case. like I guess they wanted to train and with him properly. If he came out Friday, maybe it is a bit early. But yeah, obviously we did see Wellington for Manning and I think he had a really good game. a really, really solid game.
00:02:20
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, I think it was excellent.
00:02:23
Zak
Stephen's in for Quasi and he seemed to be all right. You know, i think as there's still, we've always got the problem of passing around the back and messing about the rat back, but there we are.
00:02:31
DailySaintsPod
Hmm.
00:02:32
Zak
Gillette did solid and he managed to fall 90 as well, which I think has been a big big big thing recently, right?
00:02:35
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, I thought it good.
00:02:40
DailySaintsPod
Definitely.
00:02:41
Zak
which were Which was good. So, yeah, it was exciting.
00:02:42
DailySaintsPod
His fitness levels have been a concern. Yeah, it was good. It was good. Nice back four. And then two holding midfielders in front of that still with Yander and Flynn, but with a bit of freedom to to put themselves about.
00:02:52
Zak
Yep.
00:02:53
DailySaintsPod
I mean, Flynn almost set up Finnazzas if Finnazzas could finish from 12 yards. And Yander was in about it, but
00:02:59
Zak
Yeah, we'll have that discussion.
00:03:02
DailySaintsPod
And then, you know, a nice front four. Ross Stewart getting a start. Fully deserved.
00:03:07
Zak
Yeah.
00:03:08
DailySaintsPod
Made a nuisance of himself for the defence. Put himself about.
00:03:12
DailySaintsPod
Had a good game, I think.
00:03:12
Zak
Oh, that man was tired by the end that game.
00:03:15
DailySaintsPod
yeah
00:03:16
Zak
Good grief. He looked knackered. But yeah, no, I think it was it was good to it was good to see him get a run out.
Ross Stewart's Performance
00:03:25
Zak
It was good to see him not pick up an injury. That's always the bit that you're bit like, oh.
00:03:30
Zak
and And you know, he had a a couple of chances.
00:03:31
DailySaintsPod
The only time I've ever experienced at a football grounds, Zach, a player getting cheered for getting up off the floor.
00:03:42
Zak
But yeah, he had a good heading opportunity.
00:03:43
DailySaintsPod
a
00:03:45
Zak
But again, like it's one of those things where don't be too excited, but you know Sheffield United came at us at the later in the game. But for for a long time, it just seemed to be...
00:03:57
Zak
wasn't i wasn't really worried. They just weren't getting service to their strikers at all. We kind of locked them out of it. and yeah sure do i wish some of the finishing was better but again the three points are the things that matters and once again like okay sure it was kind of a deflection was it going in if it hadn't hit somebody probably not does that matter does
00:04:15
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:04:19
DailySaintsPod
No. Well, that's exactly right, mate, because look, we we can't have it both ways.
00:04:19
Zak
does
00:04:24
DailySaintsPod
We sat here after you know the game at the weekend and criticized Conda coming out and saying, but statistically, we weren't awful.
00:04:36
DailySaintsPod
But an out-and-out said, the only statistic that matters were the goal scored.
00:04:36
Zak
Yeah.
00:04:40
DailySaintsPod
And so, although the statistics were not as pretty tonight, and, you know, like you say, we should have been lot more clinical than we were, we still have to take it that the result is the only part that really counts, right?
00:04:55
DailySaintsPod
Like, be a bit of confidence through the team.
00:04:55
Zak
Yeah, this is true.
00:04:58
DailySaintsPod
It's just, the you know, getting back to to the right way. and And seeing out the game as well. Like, when was the last time we won a game 1-0?
00:05:09
Zak
I know. We talked about this a couple of days ago. and I swear it was it was like to
00:05:13
DailySaintsPod
It was a long time ago, i think.
00:05:14
Zak
it was like 2023, I think.
00:05:17
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:05:27
Zak
You know, misplaced pass here and there. And again, like if it had been a a bit more of a...
00:05:30
DailySaintsPod
It's like in the second half he forgot how to kick a ball. It was baffling.
00:05:46
Zak
Because, you know, we we definitely handed them a little too many opportunities, but even, like, everyone did their bit to try and keep things
Defensive and Midfield Analysis
00:05:54
Zak
out. We actually managed to defend the corners not terribly,
00:05:58
Zak
Like, you know, even if it's just getting it clear, that's all that mattered. I'd even say that when when Manning came on, he had he had a good little cameo towards the end. I was surprised. Maybe he's just absolutely knackered from playing as much as he's played. And that's kind of contributed to him not playing great. But, you know, he made a couple of of good interceptions and, you know, ferried the ball off a couple of times. But...
00:06:20
Zak
Yeah, I think, what what did you think of the, don't know, let's carry on with the lineup, right? Are you surprised? Obviously, you said a long time before that about, you know, you you kind of thought Azaz wouldn't start.
00:06:31
Zak
And again, like, I don't want to be too too harsh on a team that won, but it wasn't a nice flattering night for him, right? Yeah. but
00:06:41
DailySaintsPod
No, it it it really wasn't. And, I mean, Shea Charles, when he came on in place of him, actually, I think, did her a much better job, which is...
00:06:58
Zak
not particularly
00:07:00
DailySaintsPod
But, yeah, I don't know with Azaz. It's just... to just Where is the player gone that was like banging in goals for fun and like putting these incredible through balls in?
00:07:14
DailySaintsPod
It's just, it's really strange to me. It's just.
00:07:16
Zak
is it is it just confidence though like i think you've made you made the point a few times like i've seen a couple of people
00:07:17
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:07:23
Zak
you know, say, I don't really know what's going on. Obviously, Borough fans are happy to jump on the bandwagon and be like, oh, we told you this would happen. He goes missing stuff. And I think I even said to you, like, maybe he should have sat out this game.
00:07:34
Zak
We get the win.
00:07:35
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, 100%.
00:07:35
Zak
And then he comes into a team with, like, the positivity and the energy. Because I think you're just right. I think he's just a confidence player. And I think that when the the team performance, because because it kind of, there were shots that he took,
00:07:48
Zak
today that like had it been a couple of weeks ago, i think he would have just buried them. But today everything's just a little bit, a little bit too frantic.
00:07:52
DailySaintsPod
yeah one percent
00:07:55
Zak
and And I think that almost some of our team are a little bit guilty of like trying to help him get over that by, by passing to him when they probably should have shot. and And that resulted in, you know, us not putting it to bed.
00:08:07
Zak
But yeah, I was surprised and you're right, Shea Charles did come in and do a good job, but it wasn't his best game, but it also wasn't the worst performance I've ever seen out of Saints player. I just hope that now that we've got another win and we we' we're going into a spell of positivity, he can like ride off of that.
00:08:25
Zak
But yeah, I guess we just have to see. But that was one of the more surprising inclusions and, you know,
00:08:30
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, I agree. And and it it it was reasonably late in the game, waiting to take him off as well, because he...
00:08:36
Zak
I'm
00:08:38
DailySaintsPod
it just Yeah, it was there were points at the game where was very frustrated with him and his performance, and just his decision-making, really.
00:08:46
Zak
aware you might have shouted out a loud a bit. a bit like
00:08:50
DailySaintsPod
I definitely shouted some obscenities at him. Yeah.
00:08:52
Zak
so Turns out half a beer and no kids mate will do that to you.
00:08:57
DailySaintsPod
That's it, yeah. so But yeah, it's just it's just his decision-making sometimes is incredibly frustrating. And I mean, there were a couple of times where there was one opportunity where I'm like, if you just run, if you just keep running forward, you're the only player.
00:09:12
Zak
Yeah. and
00:09:13
DailySaintsPod
There's one defender in front of you between you know between you and the goalkeeper. Like back yourself, just run forward. Like that's the dream position to be in. And he didn't. He just stopped.
00:09:24
DailySaintsPod
And then there was another...
00:09:25
Zak
I think I remember the chance that you you talked about because it kind of, you just watched him follow the ball across and go and go out and it was just a bit like, all right, cool.
00:09:31
DailySaintsPod
yeah
00:09:34
DailySaintsPod
It's just, yeah. and Like say, like that there's obviously a good player in there. we have seen a good player in there this very season.
00:09:40
Zak
Yeah.
00:09:43
DailySaintsPod
It's just, it's strange. But I think really, maybe you maybe you touched on it. Like, confidence. And you said with Manning, like, playing a lot of games, coming thick and fast.
00:09:56
DailySaintsPod
Like, that does take an effect. And, you know, they're all tough slogs in all of our players. I mean, Leo, I think, gets kicked more than...
00:10:06
DailySaintsPod
His shirt... He came off the pitch with a green shirt.
00:10:07
Zak
Mate, he literally looked like he'd been in the war zone.
00:10:09
DailySaintsPod
He was...
00:10:10
Zak
Like, comparison, it was so funny when he was like, when he was embracing Jay Robinson, having a little chat in his ear, you're looking at the two kids, you're like, I get that he's played 60 minutes of football, but he hasn't played 60 minutes of rugby.
00:10:11
DailySaintsPod
Look...
00:10:22
Zak
Like, that's the royal thing about it.
00:10:23
DailySaintsPod
like yout you like He walked over towards us to take a corner and I'm looking at him and he's like bleeding from one leg like green shirt and I'm like
00:10:35
Zak
Bear in mind, he got absolutely clattered on the weekend. didn't realise how bad until all those pictures came out, right? where Where that was the foul that the ref wasn't even going to give.
00:10:40
DailySaintsPod
yeah
00:10:43
Zak
And like I feel like people kind of think that he's putting on a little bit. And I'm like, no, it just seems to be the only way that they're able to deal with him. I think it's what, like four goals and four assists now.
00:10:51
DailySaintsPod
well yeah
00:10:53
Zak
Like he's just...
00:10:54
DailySaintsPod
I mean, that shows because if you... I managed to just before recording, I managed to watch back the the highlights that they put out.
00:11:01
Zak
Hmm...
00:11:02
DailySaintsPod
And I'll tell you who all of our highlights came from. And it was the Leo Cienza show, mate. Like...
00:11:07
Zak
Yeah, and they they weren't able to handle him. And, you know, you could see that. And maybe sometimes that is that is the difference. And, you know, maybe when we talk about tactics and we over-conplicate everything, it's just, you know, maybe sometimes they know who to target and who not to and I don't know.
00:11:23
DailySaintsPod
Hmm.
00:11:23
Zak
They didn't really seem to change things up until quite late in the game. And then they kind of could smell all blood in the water.
00:11:28
DailySaintsPod
But that's theme that's the important thing about having someone like Ross Stewart or an Adam Armstrong in in full confidence mode, which he hasn't been up to this point.
00:11:29
Zak
But...
00:11:39
DailySaintsPod
And why Ross Stewart was so effective today is because when you've got Sienza on the pitch and you've got Fellows on the pitch, and Ross Stewart, who can not only hold the ball up, but can get on the end of a ball and just...
00:11:44
Zak
That's it.
00:11:53
DailySaintsPod
be a threat and a menace and not just a threat from holding the ball up, but if he's in the box and any of those players whip across into him, he is a danger man. He is likely to get on the end of it and score.
00:12:05
DailySaintsPod
And once you've got those, even, you know, you've got a Zaz on the pitch, even if you exclude a Zaz from that, you can't double up on all three of those attacking options.
Attacking Strategies and Key Players
00:12:17
DailySaintsPod
And so you, you find the space and then, you know, so sometimes it's Leo finding the space to cut in and have a shot and, you know He drew a fantastic save in the first half from from Cooper and obviously got the goal.
00:12:29
DailySaintsPod
And then there was the diving header as well. And yeah it came close time and time again.
00:12:33
Zak
Very good.
00:12:34
DailySaintsPod
And then if Leo was not, they were managing to quickly get the ball across. That was the important part. Leo would try and run down the line, hit a wall, turn around,
00:12:44
DailySaintsPod
run sideways and immediately switch the ball out to either Yola or Fellows, who would in turn find the other one. And then all of a sudden, that's a different attacking threat completely. You've got Fellows running at you and nobody wants that. I noticed that he was more keen today than I've seen him before to cut inside and try to shoot.
00:13:05
DailySaintsPod
And maybe with those attempts demonstrated why more often he goes down the wing to cross is, was probably fair to say, but still one-on-one with the ball running at a fullback, you fancy him every time. So it's,
00:13:22
DailySaintsPod
It's just having those all of those options available on the pitch is is what creates the space and creates those chances. And and we gained that by taking a centre-back off, right? like That's how we were able to push fellows actually up to a proper wing position instead of a wing-back position and and play with that attacking threat in mind.
00:13:46
Zak
Yeah. so It's not too to toot our horn little bit too much, though, because, again, like, we made it difficult. The second half, again, even you were like, i just don't understand, right?
00:13:56
Zak
We're never able to...
00:13:56
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, it was very, very tonder second half.
00:14:00
Zak
Yeah. and And it kind of like, yeah, okay, and the ball kind of got up there and... How do you feel about the substitutions? Obviously, we've we've touched on them a little bit, but what's your opinion? Do you they write?
00:14:13
Zak
who Would you have brought on anybody else? why Why did we not see Archer, cetera?
00:14:16
DailySaintsPod
I think...
00:14:19
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, no, i think I think the substitutions are fine. Obviously, Leo and Stuart, at the points they got taken off, they had to come off.
00:14:31
DailySaintsPod
They were absolutely dead on their feet. They had run their race for the day.
00:14:35
DailySaintsPod
And you know what? That's fine. Leo, like i say, it gets kicked more than any player. ever ever like more than uh jack greelish used to for aston villa i think he just every time someone kicks him uh and and like say he looked like he'd gone through a war zone and and ross do it was like notably tired at at the point he came off and and it's fine like he's getting back to fitness right he's never yeah he's never gonna be
00:14:36
Zak
had
00:14:56
Zak
Huffing and puffing.
00:15:01
Zak
It's just nice to have him as an option.
00:15:05
DailySaintsPod
three 90 minutes in a week roster. it I think that it's safe to say that. it it
00:15:11
Zak
No.
00:15:11
DailySaintsPod
He's the option. But you know what? Bringing Armstrong on against a tiring defense doesn't hurt Armstrong's chances. He was effective when he came on. He put himself about. He made himself a nuisance. and I think he was more effective in the half an hour he was on the pitch today than he was in the however many minutes he was on the pitch the weekend.
00:15:34
DailySaintsPod
He put himself about and made himself a nuisance.
00:15:37
Zak
but he he had a He had a shot better than not, I guess.
00:15:46
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
00:15:49
Zak
Obviously...
00:15:49
DailySaintsPod
but But that's what he loves to run back and drop deep and make himself a nuisance defensively as well. That's just part of his game because he's got an engine on him. And, uh, yeah, absolutely fine.
00:15:58
Zak
a
00:16:02
DailySaintsPod
No, no problems with them. Then there was, uh, BBC has it as Wellington for Charles and as as for Manning, but actually it was, you know, like for like swaps, uh, Manning came on at left back for Wellington.
00:16:12
Zak
Yeah,
00:16:15
DailySaintsPod
and, and like say, Charles came on in that number 10 role. That's like the more progressive midfield role.
00:16:24
Zak
yeah it was kind of surprised to honest.
00:16:26
DailySaintsPod
and And it worked. like i I would have absolutely no problem seeing that midfield trio again as the the first choice.
00:16:36
DailySaintsPod
With him pushing up as a number 10 and Neander and Flynn sweeping up behind, like he looked good. He looked fresh. He looked ready. It was nice see him back on the pitch.
00:16:49
DailySaintsPod
And then, yeah, fellows for Wood in the 92nd minute. I mean, that was a textbook. Waste some more time here making the substitution and get an extra defender on the pitch because the pressure's a bit tight with, you know, just stoppage time remaining. And I don't hate that.
00:17:08
DailySaintsPod
I mean, the important part was winning, right? So think...
00:17:11
Zak
Yeah, true.
00:17:12
DailySaintsPod
I think collectively, it's the most sensible set of changes we've seen from Tonda in a long time. How do you feel about it?
00:17:21
Zak
Yeah.
00:17:21
DailySaintsPod
Do you agree or do you slightly less convinced?
00:17:26
Zak
It's not that I'm ah'm less convinced. It's just like, what are the huge options would we have had, right? Like you you pointed out before, maybe we could have seen Archer in that number 10 position, but you're right. Shea Charles did fine.
00:17:36
DailySaintsPod
Yeah. but Or even Matsky, right?
00:17:39
Zak
It's... Yeah, but of mind wouldn't have minded him being on either, but like we don't really have that that depth, which is a thing that I think we've already all collectively are slightly worried about, especially where so far the only strong links we've had have been with under-18s from or of just 18-year-olds in various different leagues.
00:17:40
DailySaintsPod
like He likes to come on and put himself about.
00:17:59
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, although I've seen quite strong links with, is it Perrault?
00:17:59
Zak
Yeah, it's just...
00:18:04
Zak
Yeah, no, that wasn't...
00:18:04
DailySaintsPod
But I don't know where they're coming from.
00:18:05
Zak
well No, what what actually was is that the apparently multiple championship teams have gone in for him this this season because obviously he's not getting the game time at Leeds. And basically he was like, oh, I don't know if want step back down into the championship.
00:18:17
Zak
So it's it's one of those, in my opinion, nothing burgers where like we are one of the teams.
00:18:21
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:18:22
Zak
It it shows you that we have looked... for a quality striker, right? He was linked with us before I think he moved to Leeds, right?
00:18:27
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:18:29
Zak
If I remember rightly, because he came from Swansea because he was a Russell Martin boy.
00:18:31
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:18:33
Zak
So so i'm not really like surprised, you know, if, if, if we are supposedly not looking for a striker, we're supposedly looking for something that fits.
00:18:43
Zak
It shows you they have inquired and tried to get a proven championship goal scorer, right? They did also try to do the same with Ings. It's just that, you know, I'm kind of glad that didn't work out because looking at him playing for Sheffield United, it's not the player that...
00:18:55
DailySaintsPod
They got an interest in reception from the Northern Wall.
00:18:59
Zak
Yeah, like, he's not he's not the player he ever ever was when he was for us, right?
00:18:59
DailySaintsPod
Let's put it that way.
00:19:03
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:19:05
Zak
don't think he ever, his career ever quite recovered after leaving us, to be honest. But yeah, like, obviously Bamford at the end probably had the best chance and kind of fluffed it little bit. I will say that's a fantastic save from Peretz, you know.
00:19:16
DailySaintsPod
Good save. Yeah.
00:19:17
Zak
Yeah, really good save. Because you you said, yeah you couldn't see it, right?
00:19:18
DailySaintsPod
I've got to put it.
00:19:20
Zak
Because you being at Northern, you were like, you asked me, like, was that as was that good or was it not? Because you couldn't see it.
00:19:27
DailySaintsPod
Just far away, mate.
00:19:27
Zak
I would say it was good.
00:19:28
DailySaintsPod
They're all just ants to me.
00:19:28
Zak
Yeah, exactly.
00:19:29
DailySaintsPod
There was a penalty shout in the first half where apparently Fellows getting absolutely kicked in the shin isn't a penalty, but...
00:19:29
Zak
Yeah, at that point.
00:19:34
Zak
So... i he he Yeah, it's kind of it's one of those things where it was, the looks of it, the player had their other leg out.
00:19:36
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:19:42
Zak
And that was why it was kind of a a dodgy tackle. I think it's the fact that he carried on running before eventually he fell over. And the pundits were basically saying on Sky Sports, like, oh, yeah, it would be, you know, if he'd gone down, he probably would have had that given.
00:19:48
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:19:55
Zak
But considering, considering yeah, for sure.
00:19:55
DailySaintsPod
I hate that. a suck That is maybe my most hated phrase in football. If it's a penalty, it's a penalty. Like, if he's kicked him, it's penalty.
00:20:01
Zak
but it's not My opinion on it it is this, right? Maybe it went to VAR if it was the Premier League. Maybe we'd have got the penalty. Do I want that to be a world that I live in? No.
00:20:13
DailySaintsPod
Not even a little bit.
00:20:14
Zak
Would I even feel that way if we lost?
00:20:14
DailySaintsPod
Nah. Hmm.
00:20:16
Zak
No. Would I be annoyed that maybe we should have had a penalty? Yes. that That is what it is, right? Like, there is a lot about that game when it comes to throw-ins that were definitely ours and throw-ins were probably definitely Sheffield United and officiated wasn't great, but...
00:20:31
DailySaintsPod
From the first minute where the lino actually didn't manage to keep up with play to see the ball go out of play for a goal kick and played on. Just, yeah, baffling.
00:20:40
Zak
Yeah, so...
00:20:40
DailySaintsPod
not Just the basics of refereeing not seen through properly tonight. But yeah, still better than VAR, innit?
00:20:45
Zak
So like so maybe maybe maybe if he went down, it was given as a penalty. Maybe not. I am not going lose sleep over it, and i don't and I would much prefer that to be the outcome than us having VAR.
00:20:51
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
Refereeing and VAR's Impact
00:20:59
Zak
I'd even say the same as like as much as I was mad about that handball in the Norwich game, right? was still glad we didn't have to worry about VAR and sit there for 15 minutes. And we had we got a ridiculously large amount of added time added on anyway.
00:21:08
DailySaintsPod
Yeah, 100%. Oh no,
00:21:11
Zak
I don't know where they plucked six minutes from.
00:21:12
DailySaintsPod
where it came from.
00:21:14
Zak
Obviously, it made it very a very saintly ending. And obviously, that was when a couple of the the real big chances came in.
00:21:19
DailySaintsPod
That's what wound me up as well, mate, because every other game when we're chasing a goal and they add six minutes on when it should have been eight and then they time waste for three of those six minutes and then they blow the whistle bang on 96 minutes, this referee seemed quite happy to try and play on for the rest of eternity.
00:21:37
Zak
Yeah, it was definitely like 96 minutes. I think it was like 45 it ended. But that was where you do have to give Toddler some credit, as he did do his like tactical bringing Nathan Wood on for Tom Fellows.
00:21:41
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:21:47
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:21:47
Zak
And that was, you know, we we tried to do a little bit of that.
00:21:47
DailySaintsPod
Well, yeah.
00:21:51
Zak
Not not enough. Peretz needs to learn that. Rather just consistently giving it back to him.
00:21:55
DailySaintsPod
I want to i want to loop want to loop back to Peretz, actually, because despite some so questionable distribution in the second half,
00:21:59
Zak
Sure.
00:22:06
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:22:07
DailySaintsPod
I really like him as a goalkeeper. I think he brings a lot to the table that Baz lacked. And I don't know specifically, you know, I'm not a goalkeeper or expert. I don't want to talk specifically about shot stopping and whether Baz should have saved certain things, but there are characteristics and mannerisms in Peretz that are instantly noticeable in his, his vocals are evident. He's quite happy to run up and not shout at the defenders in like an aggressive way, but
00:22:40
DailySaintsPod
provide you know instant feedback and quite clearly communicate to them what he's expecting. and And his command of the box, from specifically from set pieces and crosses, is something that was was notably lacking from Pizzunu's game and that he brings
00:22:59
Zak
Yeah, but I think in Baz's defence, I think that expecting that, expecting so much from a young goalkeeper is probably part of the problem anyway.
00:23:10
Zak
And then expect then with McCarthy, it was like,
00:23:10
DailySaintsPod
yeah
00:23:13
Zak
just just the distribution and everything else and like the comical moments right uh and i it's one of those things greg where for me it's a good sign of him being a slightly better goalkeeper than we were what you used to because i didn't think about him much now that might be because sheffield i didn't test them that's keeper as much but he made the the key he made the key savers saves when it counted
00:23:33
DailySaintsPod
Well...
00:23:37
Zak
I just didn't have to think about that being a problem. It's not like we went into this game like we've had to the last couple of months and be like, oh, so the goalkeeper situation.
00:23:40
DailySaintsPod
Yeah. Like, it was...
00:23:46
Zak
It was just kind of like...
00:23:46
DailySaintsPod
it was It was evident to me very early on, in fact, from the first corner of the game, because he went out and called it straight away. Just set the tone there and then it's not going to be an easy night in the box for anyone.
00:24:01
DailySaintsPod
I'm going to come out and claim this.
00:24:01
Zak
Hmm.
00:24:02
DailySaintsPod
And and that's important. The command of the box is an important part of the game.
Peretz's Goalkeeping Review
00:24:08
DailySaintsPod
And yeah, it's probably as a not goalkeeping expert where I can't, you know, it' I said about Bozzuino a lot. Like, I don't know if he should have done slightly better with that. It's not like clear cut.
00:24:20
DailySaintsPod
But one thing I would have always said is that he needed to command his box better. And we see a lot of that. I just, yeah, needs to work on his passing. that sir That's the the criticism.
00:24:32
DailySaintsPod
But, you know, it's fine.
00:24:33
Zak
The the percentage percentage of his accuracy, apparently, to tonight was 43.2%. By the way, that is... Yes.
00:24:41
DailySaintsPod
I mean, frankly, i'm I'm surprised it's as high as that because it went into touch quite often.
00:24:41
Zak
Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:48
DailySaintsPod
And then there was one hairy moment in the first half where he he tried his best to do something saintly.
00:24:51
Zak
yes
00:24:55
DailySaintsPod
the But we we survived it regardless. And that's the important thing, right?
00:24:59
Zak
a
00:25:00
DailySaintsPod
Like, there are criticisms, there are positives, there are negatives. But but at the end of the day, it was enough So that's good.
00:25:10
DailySaintsPod
You know, it
00:25:11
Zak
Yeah.
00:25:13
DailySaintsPod
it's fine.
00:25:13
Zak
It's...
00:25:13
DailySaintsPod
Does it give us enough confidence heading into the weekend? My jury's out on that for me. what What do you think? How you feeling?
00:25:25
Zak
Well, I'm I'm Pompey Drew tonight. we're we're about to head into a South Coast derby where for the first time in a long time, there doesn't seem to be the vibe around it. i think you could see it build today. i think you could see it the crowd. You could see it with the songs being sung. You could sing. You can see it that now, I think that all of a sudden, because it's in a three-game week, right it's kind of like, whoa, it's come out of nowhere.
00:25:52
Zak
does it Did it give me the confidence to to go on and like think we're going absolutely destroy them no did it give me more confidence than like yesterday yeah a little bit you know i think to be honest I think the worrying thing for me is like the person that's given the best team talk in the run up to it is Sienzo's post-match interview talking about how going into this derby he's looking forward to it and it's a game that it's not one on tactics or anything like that we just need to fight it and as opposed to our manager who you would expect to hear that from more but we've already known that charisma isn't necessarily tonda's entire strong suit right but in the question of do i feel better about it slightly do i do i feel super confident about sunday no but
00:26:39
Zak
it's not really up to whether or not we feel confident about it, right? I'm sure, you know, the traveling support will be in full voice regardless of what our opinions are at the time.
00:26:43
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:26:48
Zak
We know how important the game's going to be.
Anticipation for South Coast Derby
00:26:51
Zak
Is this a sticky plaster over everything else we've been discussing nonstop? Yep. you already pointed out that they accidentally uploaded some highlights with the Sports Republic out banner in it.
00:27:01
Zak
that's That's club footage. That's pretty... You'd expect them to maybe not use that shot. But hey-ho.
00:27:07
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:27:07
Zak
You know...
00:27:08
DailySaintsPod
I mean, look, when these things come out as late as quick after kickoff as they do, I guess mistakes like that can...
00:27:14
DailySaintsPod
But yeah.
00:27:14
Zak
It's not even a mistake.
00:27:15
Zak
It's a sentiment that's being felt.
00:27:16
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:27:17
Zak
But but it was nice to enjoy a midweek Saints win that we were able to you know have this conversation at half 11 at night and not be absolutely emotionally ruined.
00:27:28
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:27:30
Zak
I do not feel like I wasted my evening.
00:27:33
DailySaintsPod
Excellent.
00:27:34
Zak
I feel bad for both your kids that couldn't be bothered to go and now missed out on probably first win in a hot minute.
00:27:34
DailySaintsPod
Oh...
00:27:40
Zak
So...
00:27:40
DailySaintsPod
They've got the long day tomorrow. I'll let them off on this occasion. It's fine. They've both got football training to be ready for tomorrow. The...
00:27:50
DailySaintsPod
the Last thing I would like to mention before we wrap up completely, I want to circle back because of it would be remiss of me not to mention Jack Stevens coming back into the team tonight, right?
00:28:01
Zak
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:28:05
DailySaintsPod
And I've just seen a post from Saints Extra about whether we're better with or without him and the the numbers that may or may not back up. And I think that If I'm honest, when I saw the team sheet, I i was like, oh, good, back four.
00:28:22
DailySaintsPod
Oh, I do you have a concern that the partnership of Stevens and Harwood-Bellis is the same partnership that shipped 453,000 goals in the Premier League. But they both good tonight. Harwood-Bellis looked solid, won more balls than they didn't, for sure.
00:28:39
DailySaintsPod
Stevens was also really good, had some good moments.
00:28:44
Zak
Yep.
00:28:44
DailySaintsPod
But yeah, our win percentage with him in the starting 11 is a shockingly low 37.5%. But without him in the starting lineup, it's an worse 25%. yeah. is I mean, that kind of, to me, fits the theme the theme that I'm taking from the entire show, Zach, which is... It wasn't great, but it was better.
00:29:11
Zak
It wasn't great. It was better. Hopefully it's enough for them to get it over the line Sunday. If not, I i don't know.
00:29:18
DailySaintsPod
Yeah.
00:29:20
Zak
don't know. Let's not think about that. let's Let's
Engaging with the Community
00:29:24
Zak
try and go into the mindset that, okay, we did right.
00:29:24
DailySaintsPod
hello Well, I'll tell you what, mate.
00:29:28
Zak
Let's hopefully win this game.
00:29:28
DailySaintsPod
we can We can have a wonderful time thinking about and talking about that tomorrow on our preview episode. But until then, that is all we have got time for tonight. I thank you, everyone, for joining us.
00:29:44
DailySaintsPod
And thank you very much, Zach, for staying up late with me tonight to talk about this game. Look, let us know your thoughts, your opinions, your feelings on getting back to winning ways.
00:29:49
Zak
Likewise, mate.
00:29:56
DailySaintsPod
We are Daily Saints Pod everywhere on all of the socials, on TikTok, X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, everywhere. Hit us up, let us know, or let us know in the comments.
00:30:09
DailySaintsPod
We love hearing from you. It really does make our week. Until tomorrow, though, everyone, have a wonderful day riding high from that wind, and we will see you tomorrow.