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Episode 355: Championship Round-Up!
2 Playsin 12 hours
Southampton – From controversial postponements, to last minute winners, another week of Championship action that had just about everything for us to discuss!
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Transcript
Zach Takes Over: A New Hosting Dynamic
00:00:13
Zak
Can you tell that I used to do voice lines for a phone system for an undisclosed company? Welcome back to the Daily Saints pod. I am your host today, Zach Ingo Finch, mixing things up because Greg, you're dying, mate.
00:00:26
Zak
How are
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
i am I am here in body and and just about in spirit.
00:00:31
Zak
doing?
Back to School: Challenges for Greg
00:00:35
Zak
Uh, yeah, so so Greg is one of those people who have children, like a lot of you probably out there, which means that his kids have gone back for one day, and like a lot of the people we work with, are it's probably going to be off sick towards the end of this week due to the fact that all of them of caught whatever illnesses are floating around.
00:00:52
Zak
So yeah, it's going to be me hosting today, which means expect a lot more waffle and failure to transition.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:58
Zak
Luckily, we don't have any of that that nonsense in the middle anymore, so... Who knows? Can I call it nonsense? Nah, it's not true.
Podcast Independence Announcement
00:01:06
Zak
GSPN were good for us, but as we if you haven't heard, and this is the first time you've tuned in and why we are, we are now an independent podcast going forward. So yeah, please like, subscribe, all that jazz. But we'll kick off with
Championship Roundup: Birmingham's Impact
00:01:19
Zak
what we're doing today. So, Championship Roundup. because poor Greg probably doesn't have the philosophy skills currently to go through the trials and tribulations of of being a Saints fan.
00:01:33
Zak
And on top of that, like we want to talk about transfers, but we just want wait maybe a day, just just let some more things happen because there's lots of stuff on the cards right now, right? But it's all on the cards.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let letting the dust settle a bit. It'll all come to fruition, I'm sure. We've got plenty of time to talk about transfers...................
00:01:47
Zak
Exactly that. So let's start at the start, which at least this time round, I don't need to go Friday early, but then going into Sunday or whichever way you explain it. I'm just going to read out, Greg, the the games that have happened and the scores and hope that they're in order. And if they're not,
00:02:07
Zak
all about professionalism here, as we always have been.
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's paying attention? That's the real question.
00:02:11
Zak
Exactly that. so Birmingham City 3, Coventry City 2. How do you feel about this one, Greg? Considering, you know... Yeah.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, look, that was that was a big game, right? As a result for Birmingham.
00:02:23
Zak
Does
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
is I mean, it makes our draw at home to them look slightly better. Away to them, sorry. Home for them, away for us.
00:02:34
Zak
it...
00:02:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's how games work.
00:02:35
Zak
that it
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, look, they beat Coventry, who are banging form and and flying at the top of the league, and and we held them to a draw. You know, they are force to be reckoned with at home.
00:02:47
Zak
True.
00:02:50
Zak
This is also true.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been, what, like 39 home games since they've lost there now? Like, it's it's crazy.
00:02:57
Zak
Damn.
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I guess maybe it puts into perspective some of the the stuff for from us, but... Yes, a huge result for them. And... mean...
00:03:14
Zak
It's kind of...
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
What game? 3-2, lots of goals. Like...
00:03:16
Zak
it's it's one of those yeah It's one of those things as well where, like obviously, when we played against them, they had an out-of-form striker and they didn't play their out-of-form striker and he scored twice today.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:26
Zak
And, you know, to to like sort of an early goal and then immediately hit with another early goal. Coventry then go 2-1 up, then it's two two Like, sorry, Coventry then equalise and then you end up with three two and then they managed to hold out right to the end where Coventry get player sent off. so it's kind of...
00:03:43
Zak
Just a bit of a weird one, really, but like fair play to Birmingham. And I don't know if it really makes us look better because of, you know, the team set up. But also Coventry probably, as we've discussed over the Christmas period, are like also tired, right?
00:03:58
Zak
And I think Frank Lampard even said in the the post-match interview, like, look, we just kind of let our our eyes slip off the ball a little bit and that's less than ideal. But, you know,
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, but again, if you look at the stats of the game, though, Birmingham showing that, you know, they're happy to not have the ball and come at you and cause chaos. And that's not the sort of team we particularly like playing against anyway.
Rising Teams: Wrexham's Hollywood Journey
00:04:22
Zak
No, and like we we we will be able to talk about a team later, mate.
00:04:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Coventry has seven. a percent possession. like the e And yeah, it's that's the only like lopsided stat. like To have 24.3% of the ball and still manage nine shots and four shots on target and score three goals is just insane.
00:04:41
Zak
Yeah, no, you're right. like it's Again, like they're the ones that I think you... I predicted Wrexham to do better out of the promoted sides. I think you were the one that said Birmingham would probably do a bit better. and And they are.
00:04:52
Zak
And arguably, inc they're above us, mate.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Only just.
00:04:59
Zak
Only just, but still, considering we're, you know, us and Leicester, ex-Premier ex- pray League teams that have gone down, right? and And Birmingham is above them. Also, Sheffield United, you know, had had odds on to win the league this year. They are also now below Birmingham City. So,
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good old AI. Yeah.
00:05:16
Zak
I guess...
00:05:17
Zak
good Yeah.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:18
Zak
The Opta supercomputer, mate, not just a i
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
00:05:23
Zak
But, so yeah, fair play to them. Like, I think that, you know, considering they came up with Lofty Ambitions, they're probably... I don't know if they're happy with where they are or not, but I think i think personally they should be. I guess Wrexham being above them is probably not great for the Hollywood look, right? But...
00:05:40
Zak
You know, as you as you said, a a point, and like managing to get three points from the league leaders. Very, very good show.
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:47
Zak
And especially considering their form before that was a lot of draws and losses.
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
big note
00:05:51
Zak
So, you know, whereas Coventry seemingly sort of dropped off a little bit, right? Lost or loss. Not quite the sort of level of head loss we've had.
00:06:02
Zak
But then again...
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like you say, mate, like there they're a team who who are going to struggle was it as these fixtures get this busy, right? Because how can you maintain that level of momentum and that sort of level of settledness when you're playing four games in 10 days? It's just not reasonable.
00:06:20
Zak
Yeah, no, you're right. Well, that's probably a sitting commentary for you. Moving swiftly on, QPR 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0. I just feel bad, man. At this point, it's just like bullying, isn't it?
00:06:38
Zak
Do you not feel bad a little bit about it?
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do, I feel every time we do this championship roundups, I just feel really bad for Sheffield Wednesday. And, you know, just kind of is what it is, but you still got to go out there and beat them.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, QPR did that decisively. Fair play to them.
00:06:58
Zak
True. Ex-Saint,
Dramatic Matches: Charlton vs Blackburn
00:07:01
Zak
Nathan Redmond, still playing football, mate. He came on as a sub for Sheffield Wednesday in the 57th minute. And i don't know if you saw some news about, i think it's Harry Amass, who's a Manchester United youngster. i think there's going to go back.
00:07:14
Zak
And like, there's a lot of people, especially on our side of social media, basically knocking around being like, ooh, maybe we should get him out on get him out on loan and say goodbye to Ryan Manning. so So, who knows? I doubt just because we want something to happen, it will happen.
00:07:26
Zak
But apparently there are like two or three clubs interested.
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah,
00:07:29
Zak
But yeah, you just got to feel bad for them. Like, I think that they know their season's over right at this point.
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh yeah I mean, minus seven points, 20, what, 23 games left to play.
00:07:35
Zak
But,
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, is what it is with the position and the hand that they've been put in by their former owner. So, I mean, what can they
00:07:48
Zak
This is true. Did you see that guy's terrible attempt at banter to use using a Jan Valerie sticker to scrape the ice off of his window?
00:07:59
Zak
Because, you know, and he then he started to try and be like, oh, yeah, it's minus seven. Because obviously they have minus seven points. And if it sounds awful in the delivery that I've just given, Greg, that's because that's how awful the attempt at banter was.
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it was. Yeah. yeah I mean, if if you're if you're a fan of football in any way, then you're not enjoying seeing what's happening to to Sheffield Wednesday.
00:08:13
Zak
I don't know why that popped into my head. Mainly because the straws, but...
00:08:23
Zak
OK.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's simple. Even Blades fans have come out and said that it's not a position anyone wants to see or anyone wants to be in. Yeah. And, you know, it almost ruins the competitive of the league because it's effectively dropped the relegation places to two places. It is sad. It's a shame.
00:08:40
Zak
but I concur, mate. It's sad. I hope that you know next season they can bounce back a little bit. But yeah, so QPR 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
00:08:53
Zak
So moving swiftly on to Sheffield United, Oxford United. Incredible game, Greg. It didn't happen.
00:09:03
Zak
Postpunement. Frozen pitch. Not the only one so far. We'll talk about another one later.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, probably the least dramatic of the postponements, right? Like, just it it happened. Fair enough.
00:09:15
Zak
Yep, no one got that mad or upset about it, but here we are now. we that There'll be some others that aren't like that. But yeah, no game there.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:25
Zak
So then, moving swiftly on, Blackburn Rovers 2, Charlton Athletic 2.
00:09:33
Zak
Considering, like what, Blackburn early on were considered for... relegation right i think they're relegation candidates to a lot of people they are currently sat in 20th space place chelton athletic sat in 19th a draw probably doesn't really help either of them they're both kind of sat languishing near the bottom uh time will tell if uh norwich can turn things around or oxford likewise
00:09:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:10:00
Zak
But yeah, I don't really know what to say about this game. draw Because it's like one those things where it's like a thrilling draw. But also, is it? Because i are any of the draws that we've really watched recently that thrilling?
00:10:09
Zak
I think I've just become so numb to them from all of the draws we've had so far this season.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
well, I mean,
00:10:14
Zak
Just made me miserable.
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, Charlton bottling a 2-0 lead is is like talk worthy, right? And it's something to be said for you know Nathan Jones and his his seeing out the game ability.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I mean, look, entertaining draw.
00:10:28
Zak
Yeah.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, Nathan Jones not happy with throwing away a 2-0 lead. Just is what it is, isn't it? Just just championship things.
00:10:40
Zak
Well, yes. they After his like physically feeling sick or whatever comments it was after Portsmouth loss, right?
00:10:50
Zak
where Where they lost 2-1 or whatever it was.
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:10:53
Zak
And they lost in the last minute. Is it really like the worst thing for them to at least manage a draw this time around? I guess throwing a 2-0 lead away is is awful. But I feel bad for Chalvin because they they did have a really strong start to the season. right and light and Luckily, that strong start to the season is probably the thing that's currently kept them out of the relegation zone. and With like Norwich having a new manager in...
00:11:20
Zak
I expect them kind of to turn around and then it will be a bottom fight, scrappy fight at the bottom, which to to be honest, mate, we're not that far away from, right? Like Charlton have like four less points than us.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, not a million miles away from.
00:11:32
Zak
And and that is, it's really worrying that we're we're now back in that stage after feeling like we had an inevitable rise to the top. Yeah.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looking down instead of looking up. Look, Cholton, I think, especially at the start of the season, and they'd have felt like they were overperforming based on, you know, they came up as the playoff winning team, don't forget.
00:11:42
Zak
Yeah.
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it was always going to be a bit of a struggle for them.
00:11:53
Zak
They're always going to be up against it.
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Their squad is inevitably smaller. So to come out with with that oh you know almost unscathed is is probably good for them. And then...
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know See if they can kick on from that to, like you say, put a bit more of a battle in. But, you know, let's start pushing them as clear of the relegation zone as they are.
00:12:25
Zak
one
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's doing them favours, for sure.
00:12:32
Zak
Yeah, 100%. Do you think they're to sign James Bree? Yeah.
Playoff Surprises: Preston's Consistency
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably. don't see... I mean, he seems he's been such a key player for them. mean... i mean it Are we going to want him back? Do we want him back?
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. i feel like there's a mixed opinion about that across the fan base. I always liked Bree. I thought he was was pretty decent, but...
00:12:57
Zak
It depends. Are we ever going to play with right backs again?
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah,
00:13:01
Zak
Do we need a show-stopping actual defensive player? Or are we going to persist with this three-at-the-back situation? Overway.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, only time will tell.
00:13:14
Zak
Blackburn 2, Charlton 2.
00:13:16
Zak
We move on to to Preston, still doing uncharacteristic Preston things, or at least uncharacteristic for Preston before this season. They have now beaten Bristol City 2-0. Bristol City being a team that were really dropped out form, right? They were sort of in the playoff places and were really hoping to sort of push on like they did last year.
00:13:41
Zak
And obviously they they lost their manager who disappeared off to to Norwich, who had an extremely unsuccessful spell.
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:13:48
Zak
But that they're very like, at least there's no there's no draws in between for Bristol City, right? It's either loss or win. yeah they They're throwing their all into it. I suppose you could at least give them that. But fair play to Preston. like i just don't I just didn't think that we would see them be this good and this consistent this like so for the whole of this season. And yet they have managed to do it, right?
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, pushing on. They're on a nice little run now. That's a couple of wins on the bounce. Still right up there in amongst it in the playoff positions. Fair play to
00:14:21
Zak
yeah And again, not leading to like dominate the ball. It's a lot of these... Some of these sort of... What we would used to consider smaller sides, right? Who are being able to show you like how good counter-attacking football is.
00:14:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:31
Zak
And why the the like possession-based meta that you absolutely despise, Greg, is I think is going to go out of fashion. right We're seeing it seeing it across the board now.
00:14:42
Zak
that like just Teams... You just can't hold that up unless you have like the budget of a Man City. And they can't seem to do that themselves at the moment. so
00:14:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bring back four for two. Just saying. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's classic for a reason, right?
00:14:56
Zak
there's your
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:14:58
Zak
Exactly that. But either way, fair play to Preston, who continue their sort of sticking to the playoff places. The next game is a classic where a saint the former Saints player scored, Greg. I say it's a classic. I don't know why. Derby Wrexham is not a classic. Yeah.
00:15:18
Zak
good It's not... they They're not two Welsh sides coming against them. But I think the most exciting thing, Greg, is Ben Browder-Diaz scored the only goal for Derby. So that's like another goal to his tally playing for them.
00:15:29
Zak
But unfortunately, they were beat by Wrexham 2-1. Wrexham, who now sit ninth in the championship, who are slowly beginning their ascendancy. i said at the beginning of the season, yeah,
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Four wins on the bounce. a er Flying.
00:15:42
Zak
I said at the beginning of the season, if they were able to click and get everything working together, they could be a you know be a force to be reckoned with, especially where they had such good moving parts already, right?
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can they be shot?
00:15:52
Zak
Like if you compare them to us, which I know feels a bit weird, but obviously like, you know, we've given them the stick for the Hollywood bits and pieces.
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:59
Zak
You know, we did that a lot the early season. But if you compare them to us in the sense of our core base, I think a lot of people seem to think there is a problem with, as in like the base spine of our team because of the success of managers and the success of problems.
00:16:15
Zak
Wrexham's core base has been success. Mullins is obviously coming back from Wigan. It seems to have they've decided to they don't want him for the rest of the season. Whether or not will we'll see him, who actually knows. But obviously they've they've kept some of their... They've managed to keep some good players. Even Jay Rodriguez got the pitch at the end of the game, mate, if you want a little bit...
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I did see that came on in the 90th minute.
00:16:39
Zak
19th minute. So, you know, them doing really, really well is a result of the work they've put in, but also the Hollywood money, right?
00:16:49
Zak
This is like key good ownership.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it.
00:16:52
Zak
Like people thought, can they do it in the championship? but And so far, like if survival was the aim, they're they're surviving better than the others,
Controversial Postponements: Hull vs Watford
00:16:59
Zak
including us at the moment, which is slightly depressing.
00:17:01
Zak
But I guess we'll see what happens. There's a lot of the season to go still. But yeah, on the Derby side, the the inevitable, sort of supposed to be absolutely incredible Derby, who, to be fair, or still doing okay.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:17:14
Zak
They're not languishing in relegation spots, which is what
00:17:18
Zak
So our previous boss, Nick Britton, thought that's what, you know, he He was trying to tell us that they're absolutely awful and then they had pretty good season so far.
00:17:30
Zak
And yeah, one of our loanies doing well. You know, something like that. A goal during the January transfer sub window when potentially there are eyes elsewhere for his... It's nothing but a good thing for us, right?
00:17:42
Zak
wait' so what We might sell him.
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
it. that's it
00:17:45
Zak
Anyway.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, someone's got to want him, right? you know
00:17:49
Zak
So mean.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
friend
00:17:52
Zak
Rexxum 2, Derby 1.
00:17:54
Zak
Okay, so this is the one that's a bit more controversial. So, Hull City postponed. Watford postponed. This is the one where it was supposed to be at Hull, right?
00:18:04
Zak
And...
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was 10 minutes before kickoff, right?
00:18:07
Zak
Yeah, it was the one where fans had already like arrived, everybody was waiting to play the game, and then they called it off because of like safety concerns. And Hull City came out we like, yeah, everyone, it's just because of safety concerns, it's been a problem. And it turns out that that wasn't the case at all.
00:18:22
Zak
Watford were like, nah, we didn't agree to this postponement, and we didn't agree to to not play and and play the game. So a little bit little bit of confusion there, and obviously like it's not exactly small away trip, is it, either?
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's it's not good look for whether it was the referee's decision. So the that what's come out right is that it wasn't the playing surface. It was the bits around the pitch that were frozen. Now, you've probably seen the social media clips of them literally blow-torching the ice to try and melt it in those areas around the pitch, which were just...
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
incredible, but like whether it's the referee's decision and he like overlooked it when he did his pitch inspection and then saw it, or whether it's Hull that have taken the decision, it's not good luck that late before the game.
00:19:09
Zak
it It's not a good look, but also considering we have had a number of tragedies over the last couple of years of dangerous, you know usually non-league grounds, right, where where there's like concrete blocks around and players have got severely injured.
00:19:25
Zak
Some people have unfortunately died. Like, I could understand from a safety perspective if they're worried that someone is going to slip on ice and crack their head open.
00:19:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. But also, that block of ice would have been there when they did the pitch inspection.
00:19:34
Zak
But it's...
00:19:38
Zak
Yeah, the the the flip side is that like plan better.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not... if not It didn't... it didn't It didn't appear out of nowhere. like It was must have been there the entire time. so like although yeah the Ten minutes before kick-off is absolutely ridiculous. and All of those travelling Watford fans should be reimbursed in full for their travel because it's it's a joke, honestly.
00:20:02
Zak
Agreed. And unfortunately, our next game is Middlesbrough 4, Southampton
Victories and Frustrations: Middlesbrough's Triumph
00:20:08
Zak
0. If you want to watch my mini meltdown, I certainly don't like watching it back, but hey-ho.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:16
Zak
You know, go go watch our our episode covering that. We had some choice words about everything.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We covered it in depth, let's say.
00:20:22
Zak
covered it Covered it in depth and it led to us whinging about the state of managers in football in general. So, yeah, that's that. And then Millwall 2, Swansea 1. So like a very sort of late winner. We've a couple of late winners. We'll be talking about another late winner soon as well.
00:20:38
Zak
But, you know, really good for Millwall, I guess, like getting back to, especially after their draw against us, you know, they've now not lost in four games. They're still comfortably sat in the playoff positions, which is, again, like somewhere where you predicted. I remember not thinking they would do great, but they've really they're really pushing on this season. Again, it's like...
00:20:59
Zak
that kind of difference making of getting that like goal right at the end and not, not stopping until, you know, you, you get a result, right. Which I think we severely lack some of that sometimes. So yeah, fair play to them.
00:21:13
Zak
Greg has stopped having a coughing fit. Mate, any thoughts on the Swansea-Millwall game?
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fair play to Millwall. Like you say, i predicted them to do quite well this season and they're proving me right, showing me that I know maybe something about football occasionally, which is nice, but...
00:21:31
Zak
Another sort last-minute winner at the den as well, right? like you know whether That's have a proper proper home form.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. And it shows their willingness to push on. They've had a pretty good festive period. Two wins, two draws. So they'll be happy with that. And right up there in the playoff style. So yeah, fair play.
Stoke City's Comeback and Sam Gallagher's Role
00:22:06
Zak
sort of try and regain their form, right? Because they were they were really, really doing well for a long time.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:11
Zak
You thought they were sort of battling for third. They were definitely in the playoffs and now they they dropped out a little bit. They had a little loss, draw, loss and then they've won their last two of the bounce. So good for them.
00:22:22
Zak
More woes for Norwich who just seemingly... We're doing a little bit better, but then, you know, I've dropped points in the last two, gi like sort three games. They managed to win in between.
00:22:34
Zak
But yeah, like the problem is, is it's not enough of them to get out
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
wonder I wonder what team would possibly break their streak and let them get a win in. Who knows?
00:22:42
Zak
Let's not talk about it, mate. I'm still still unhappy at the just the amount of points we've given to people underneath us. It's just upsetting. But yeah, fair enough. like Stoke tried to try to do things, get you know get things. But I think it was Sam Gallagher's first goal in 10 months, apparently, which is nuts.
00:23:00
Zak
So yeah.
00:23:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
crazy. Yeah, fair play.
00:23:02
Zak
But fair play. you know It's always good to see a former Saint go on and do do good, in my opinion. i would be better if they always did good under us. But Sam Gallagher was always one of those ones where you know it was kind of sad when he left.
00:23:15
Zak
at everyone everyone It was a likeable guy, right?
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
00:23:17
Zak
So it's nice to see him do well elsewhere. I don't really have much else to say about that. Obviously, Norwich probably lamenting the chance to escape the the drop zone again. They're going to have to deal with that probably for the foreseeable.
00:23:30
Zak
Moving swiftly on to Portsmouth versus Ipswich. Oh, wait, no. They also had a frozen pitch.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
uh this was there the that I I on social media have seen lots of uh Lots of calls about how tin pot it is when the sun is shining to have a frozen pitch at Fratton Park in 2026.
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I've also seen the counter-argument from lots of Pompey fans that maybe they only put, like, a thin sheet of frost protection out, seeing as how many players they've got out injured at the moment.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's probably, if anything, done them a favour to have the game postponed. so
00:24:08
Zak
Even so, like at least you didn't do what... like i don't like to give it like i don't like to give our rivals credit, but at the same time, at least it wasn't like five minutes before the game kicked off.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:18
Zak
It was at least a little bit of time.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did see someone post on social media that their over-soil heating system had failed them with a picture of just one electric heater and a skip. So... Yeah.
00:24:33
Zak
you're right. The only way that you'd have consumed any content about that would be through Facebook groups of the Saints Facebook groups. So moving swiftly on to our last game because of how many
West Brom's Misfortune: Unlucky Losses
00:24:44
Zak
postponements were. And despite the fact it's our last game, I've still managed to drag this whole podcast out for 26 minutes. My bad, Greg. It'll be shorter for you. greg Poor Greg did have a c coughing fit in the middle of it.
00:24:57
Zak
But the last game, the the nail in the coffin for the Ryan Mason reign at West Brom, despite the fact they dominated most of that game. Leicester 2, West Brom 1.
00:25:08
Zak
As a person with Baggies fans in the family, mate, how do you what do you make of that game?
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man, West Brom just did their best Saints impression, didn't they? They absolutely dominated Leicester. At the point that Fatahou scored his absolute wonder goal, that volley from the edge of the box, in the 94th minute, that was Leicester's second shot on target.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, like, it's just crazy.
00:25:36
Zak
it's it's mad considering, considering as well, like they made six goalkeeper saves, which means that like West Brom came out, West Brom had like double about touches in the opposition box as well.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they absolutely dominated.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that they were incredibly unlucky. And I think that, to be fair, it can be said that that has been the case in several of their games recently where they have, you know, not got the result they deserved.
00:26:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But to results-driven business, and Ryan Mason's found that out, I mean... There were talks of him going sort of as early as when we played them in December.
00:26:13
Zak
Yep.
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So not really a huge surprise to anyone.
00:26:15
Zak
Well, so I think
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:26:19
Zak
Carlos Corboran might be available now. So I wouldn't be surprised if if there's some sort of sensational return because they didn't really want him to leave in the first place, did they?
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no he he left off his own back to go to Spain, right?
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, I could potentially see that on the cards.
00:26:30
Zak
Yeah, so...
00:26:34
Zak
alternatively, you know, do you feel like it's a bit Will Steele situation where like he tried his best and it just didn't work out? How do you, how do your family feel about it? Because like, I know that, you know, I've seen a couple of sort of tweets and bits and pieces with people celebrating that finally his reign is over.
00:26:49
Zak
So like, but then again, that was kind how a lot of our Saints fans felt about Will Steele and every other manager ever had.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah like it's a bit of a tricky one. like Obviously, he was he was struggling, and maybe there's you know some thoughts that he was a bit out of his depth with it and not quite experienced did enough to take on the role, really. But they're in a tricky position at the moment where they've only recently been taken over by new owners, so they're struggling with...
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
financial fair play rules. And that's, you know, why we were able to get Tom Fellows for such a good deal, because we paid enough of an amount up front to them for that deal that you effectively kept them like not getting a punishment for breaching the rules.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they'll be hoping that once that, I think that it's, it's something that happened a couple of seasons ago that sort of caused this closeness to the cap for them.
00:27:35
Zak
Yeah.
00:27:48
Zak
Hmm.
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I believe it expires just in time for the summer transfer window. So, you know, they'll just be hoping to stay afloat and push on and and and see if they can build something for them. So, you know, whoever they bring in next, presumably will be brought in with that in mind and look into the future. So at least they've got that, this sort of end of season time to bed in and work out what they need ready to sort of build again and go next season.
00:28:17
Zak
Yeah, sort of a a similar trajectory to to us in the sense of they've just had a much worse season than it was expected of them, right? Like sitting 18th, they're just above Charlton, below Swansea. That isn't where I think anyone's expectations are when you're a team that usually are pushing for promotion playoff places most years.
00:28:37
Zak
So, yeah, I guess we'll have to see what happens with them. But let's not take away from the fact that that goal was an absolute wonderstrike.
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:44
Zak
assuming you've seen it, Greg.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable. Yeah, watched the game, or at least the second half of the game last night. Just unbelievable. i But like say, West Brom just so unlucky, as they have been, which which i mean should give them confidence that you know where they are in the table probably under-represents their team.
00:29:03
Zak
I mean, no, I'd love to agree with you there, mate, but I remember a time where we were really, really unlucky the beginning of the Premier League under multiple games under Russell Martin.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:13
Zak
right There were games we should have won, maybe like the Wolves game where goals should have stood and things like that. But you're honestly telling me that you know it didn't represent where we were supposed to be.
00:29:24
Zak
Yeah.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I think that there's enough quality in their squad that they won't be down and amongst the relegation come the end of the season they'll be at least comfortably mid-table I would assume right there alongside us as comfortable mid-table fodder that's all it is mate
00:29:32
Zak
yeah
00:29:37
Zak
Well, that's that's all we've got time for today.
00:29:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:29:51
Zak
But you're right. The reality of the situation is at the moment that that is where Southampton sit. So, yeah, thank you Thank you for joining us today. Sorry we've been a bit all over the place.
00:30:01
Zak
My hosting skills just aren't up to par with Greg's anymore because when we used to sort of do it one after another, it wasn't as bad. I just have no sense of time semblance of organisation.
00:30:11
Zak
So I guess this is a chance for me to thank you, Greg, for for not only you know being here, despite the fact that you you died a little bit, but but also being a consistently good host who is able to remain non-hocardial
00:30:29
Zak
Jumbled is the only word I can use for the entirety of the podcast. Much different to your real life.
Looking Ahead: Transfers and Managerial Changes
00:30:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fair.
00:30:38
Zak
Right. Thank you to everybody for listening. We are on all the social medias. We're on Facebook. We are on X, the Everything app. We are on Blue Sky. we are on YouTube. We are on TikTok. We are on Instagram.
00:30:52
Zak
Hit us up. Let us know what your thoughts were on the Weeks to Championship Weeks action. Continue to flood us with all of your thoughts on... You know, the situation at Southampton, what is going on?
00:31:07
Zak
What could we do? Will we be a back three forever? And all of the different managerial changes that have taken place over the last week. I find it fascinating to see everyone's different view on it. And I believe that is everything for today.
00:31:20
Zak
we will be back tomorrow, probably to talk about transfers, Greg. I think we've decided on if there's enough to talk about. Yeah.
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure there will be. There always is.
00:31:29
Zak
yeah So that's that. And until next time, thanks for listening and goodbye.