Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 235: Another friendly win!
0 Playsin 8 hours
Southampton – Another game, another win. Is it really this easy? Of course not! Lots to discuss today.
Follow us on social media:
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/gspndailysouthampton
X - https://x.com/GSPNSouthampton/
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@gspnsouthampton
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@gspnsouthampton
Instagram – https://www.instagtam.com/gspnsouthampton
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/gspnsouthampton.bsky.social
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572875812052
Our Sponsors
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and Use code GSPN2025 for 40% of your first month’s subscription.
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2025 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Nostalgia and Balloon Shows
00:00:09
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 joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
you doing mate? You alright?
00:00:22
Zak
Yeah, not too bad, mate. had a busy weekend. Started to feel it a little bit.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah? No, I'm right there with you.
00:00:29
Zak
But yeah, all good.
00:00:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, I had some proper Southampton nostalgia yesterday. i'm just going to derail us immediately.
00:00:34
Zak
Yeah.
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I went to a hot air balloon show just like back in the days on the common.
00:00:39
Zak
Man.
00:00:42
Zak
God. Where was that?
00:00:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
in Romsey. It was, yeah, it was amazing.
00:00:47
Zak
Dang.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
they They only had like four or five balloons because the weather was questionable. But man, the fact that none of them were shaped like Bertie Bassett was, it was still nostalgic enough.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, that's the right.
00:01:02
Zak
We're glad you had sign me.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Some real niche Southampton baseness out of the way.
00:01:07
Zak
Yeah, for sure.
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's bring it back to some more current affairs.
Southampton's Training Regime
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
We had a friendly. We played a game of football on Friday.
00:01:15
Zak
but We did. Valencians, right? I can never pronounce it right.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
sister club...
00:01:21
Zak
The French Sister Club.
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
French sister club. Yeah, that's that is how they will forever be known. Sports Republic owned, visited Staplewoods and we won and...
00:01:37
Zak
Yeah, and I saw people being like, I should have been much higher scoreline. And then like it was revealed afterwards, a thing that i' I'm sure we're going to bring up, that he made him run 9K the day before, and that's not something that they would usually do.
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Look, I mean, Will still has been pretty clear in his interviews that he has a structured plan.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the week three is you need to be able to run more because you don't run. Like, what am I paying you all this money for if you don't run? Almost like we've been saying for an entire season, right?
00:02:12
Zak
Look, as much as it's awful, right? Like, I feel bad for Paul Onoachi, but he's gone off to ah he's got off the Turkey, started pre-season training and just immediately picked up lingement injuries, right?
00:02:26
Zak
And like, it's not surprising to me that, you know, we've already got a couple of players have gone out with a few niggles because of the fact that, yeah, that from from in comparison to where they need to be, they're not quite there, right?
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's... Yeah, I mean, look, there have been some players that have suffered from it. I think that we saw that Downs had taken a knock and a couple of others were maybe iffy, but if that's what it takes to get the fitness up to scratch, then...
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's what it needs, right? Better now than smack bang in the middle of the season, right? Let's get, get that fitness built up, build up that resilience, get it going. I mean, you know, think back to the days of Pochettino when he was running like double and triple training sessions and running to build up the fitness, like something, something had to be done and I respect it.
00:03:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, in but under the same breath, uh,
00:03:20
Zak
Yeah, for sure.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, if you're made to run nine kilometres a day before a game and then go and play a game, you're probably not going to be firing on all fronts as part of that development.
00:03:34
Zak
yeah you know you got Yeah. But that's also so good because you can see who still is and who isn't and see who who maybe needs that extra bit of attention.
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... Yeah.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
Player Performance and Transfers
00:03:42
Zak
I think it's... Obviously, Obviously, we've got... Damien Downs that joins the... I think he's joining the pre-season training camp in Girona. So we've not really seen anything of him yet, but I think we really need to like figure out what the attack's going to be.
00:03:57
Zak
Because I think...
00:03:59
Zak
did you have you Have you seen any of...
00:04:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Archer keeps banging them in.
00:04:02
Zak
yeah archer Archer for sure, but have you seen... George Rees-Julian did an article, sort of like the five things we've learned. One of one of his points was about the front three still needs a lot of work, and that's very sort of...
00:04:13
Zak
of sort of evident in... It'll be very interesting to see who gets taken because from what I can... I don't know if you've seen, there a bit of back and forth about how, essentially, Bereton-Diaz really struggled and ended up having to commit a few fouls against Derek Abu, who was a guy that we let go, who has joined their team.
00:04:33
Zak
So he was let go from our academy and we've got, like, a striker we've spent a lot of money on struggling with a central defender. And, yeah, I just... is We have to see...
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, we we've said on the show a lot, right, that we're open to redemption arcs from everyone.
00:04:44
Zak
what start Yeah, it's slightly...
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That said, there are some players I don't see it happening for, and Ben Burton Diaz, from what I have seen from him in a Saints shirt, I'm not excited by the prospect of him being stuck with us, right? like
00:05:07
Zak
Just need to see what's happening, and I think that we'll start to see that with and potentially still a creative midfielder incoming. um Obviously, Dibling was out, I ah ah think, with a small sort of injury.
00:05:22
Zak
Matsuki was out again with a small injury. Apparently nothing nothing on towards there, which is good, especially Dibling thing, because you can't help but think with transfer speculation that if that's having an impact or what.
00:05:34
Zak
Probably not, especially sort of just the way that it is. But, but Yeah, it's kind of one of the other things is like still suggesting a little bit that Stevens will be a starter and Stevens once again giving away a goal.
00:05:48
Zak
I know that we've got the whole sort of, he springs so much character and stuff, but it is baffling to me that we've gone out of our way. we've got all of we've We keep buying defenders left, right and centre and he still seems to be the one that's kind of nailed on as a starter, which is like a little bit baffling.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I've watched back that goal a couple of times on the highlights. like I've watched the highlights two or three times because because ah because that's just what I do with my life, mate.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got nothing better to speak
00:06:14
Zak
Mate, we do a daily sports podcast. I don't think anyone's going to bat an eyelid here at the fact that we watch highlights a lot.
00:06:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
do. And I think that Stephens is the easy one to make it look like he's at fault for the goal. But actually...
00:06:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
he is the only centre-back in a centre-back's position. So ah think I think that he almost offers him up as himself up as a scapegoat there by actually being the only one there to pick either of the two of them up.
00:06:34
Zak
True.
00:06:44
Zak
Yeah, it's it's true. It's just, it's I feel like if you if you're one of the people that has been part of a defence that gives away goals for a lot of last season, you're still kind of doing it a little bit in pre-season. You can understand why people jump there, right?
00:07:01
Zak
Nathan Wood put in a really good account of himself. That's not something I thought would happen.
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:05
Zak
Like, don't it sounds really bad. i just kind of, with everyone else and all the hustle and bustle and
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every time I've seen Nathan Wood in a Saints shirt, he's putting a pretty solid effort. like There were a couple of shaky ones at the start of last season, but every time he's stepped in, I think he's stepped up.
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really think he's going to be fighting for a place. i don't think that Stephen's place in team is as guaranteed.
00:07:31
Zak
Yeah, ah i just yeah it's we have a lot of center backs at this point, right?
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
you take the old club captain, you take the old Kelvin Davis club captain role where, you know, he's there for personality and to be the leader but doesn't play every game, then, i mean, maybe that's where it's at, right? Like...
Preseason Strategies and Expectations
00:07:48
Zak
like Again, I understand that he, like Smallbone, is easily scapegoatable and has been...
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:07:56
Zak
I guess we are also technically sometimes part of that problem. It's just that, for me, if preseason's about building up what we've got, I'd like to see some of the other people get some more of a chance in preseason to see what they can do.
00:08:10
Zak
And I guess that will happen because we'll see we'll see if who gets taken like it's this preseason camp, right? Because they're apparently to trim down the amount of people that are currently...
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, look, we'll get to that. I've still got more to talk about about this game because one of these goals is definitely worth a little bit of talking about on its own. first, a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back. Before we move on and talk about Will Steal's selection for the Girona team, because that is a segment to itself, Zach. It's worth mentioning this goal that we scored because it was fluid, liquid football.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
it It might be one of the best goals I've ever seen a Saints team score. it's it It's this perfectly poised goal to give me exactly the right amount of hope that's going to devastate me later.
00:09:42
Zak
And that's the problem, mate. It's all pre-season though, baby.
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was good. It was like ticker-tacker, like all real quick, fluid passes, everyone in nice positions and then a quality finish. Like...
00:09:56
Zak
yeah like this is the thing. if if the if if the If the connections start to build a little bit, I think that we're going to... We have the... resources and personnel to have a really really good season and i like we're already starting to see it and obviously again like what i think you know we need to reiterate is this is off the back of him making them run a lot like 9k is a is a lot to run in a day and then be expected to play a full game of sports directly afterwards right like
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:27
Zak
So it it's all promising.
00:10:31
Zak
and But then also, flip side, Greg, we always talk about it. Preseason, it's just a big training course, isn't it?
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:38
Zak
so So realistically, it's just it's just it doesn't matter.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course it is. But even even in training to bring out something that looked as good as that. is enough to...
00:10:45
Zak
But weve we've we've seen some goals, like when they where they show us the training highlights, that and then it comes to the games, and we still like had five goals out of 100 whatever.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
is it
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
it it It's enough to get me the right level of excitement, Zach, honestly. I'm so ready for some fantastic championship action. but But right, let's move on to to it. the The quote from Will Steelworth that we're going have a much more, much clearer idea of what is happening to the squad.
00:11:17
Zak
and
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
As we move to the Drona thing, he's going to be taking a really trimmed down squad with him. So, I mean, who do you think makes that cut? Honestly.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's start on the back.
00:11:28
Zak
okay well archer okay start at the back right uh
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. do Do you think when he says it's good to speak volumes and everyone's going to have a clearer picture, right? Ramsdale, on the plane or not?
00:11:46
Zak
oh no because like he' we we know he's been linked. He wants to go back to the Premier League. He wants to go just waiting for someone to pick him.
00:11:59
Zak
Why would you send him and why would you try and build him into this squad and then have exactly the same thing that happened when Ward Prowse was in the team for the first game of the championship before he left? right Spring McCarthy and Pizzuno, if that's what you're going make your statement now.
00:12:13
Zak
Make your statement now, get us all used to it.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:15
Zak
you know We're all mad that we're not potentially getting another goalkeeper. i feel like he should be on it, whether I think he will actually, though.
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pizzunu... Pizzunu... Pizzunu not getting any minutes in that friendly against Valenciennes. Worth mentioning. Like... Went with Ramsdale and McCarthy.
00:12:31
Zak
Yeah.
00:12:32
Zak
Yeah, no, you're right. there's There's a couple. It's probably easier to even talk about who they're not going to bring me. So, Berriton Diaz. I know that they said that he was up for potentially ah redemption and that he's had a couple of games.
00:12:48
Zak
What do you think? Berriton Diaz?
00:12:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, not for me. Leave him here.
00:12:52
Zak
No.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leave him at Staplewood. I'd send him further away from Staplewood. Dump him on the Isle Wight. Like, not on the plane for me.
00:12:59
Zak
Okay, so defenders, if supposedly Sanders going back to the end of Kaya Sanders probably not coming. He's played a few games though.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:11
Zak
Charlie Taylor, I think, is going to be more involved than we initially thought because although there's transfer interest, he's been captained like twice now, right?
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true.
00:13:20
Zak
In like two of these friendlies. So...
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Seems to be well in the mix and has had some real strong words from Will Steele about his character and how about how good he is and experienced he is.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you know, we look for the balance. We've talked before how about going for youth entirely hasn't worked for us and we're going to need experience and he is experienced in this league.
00:13:47
Zak
Okay, so what about the the midfield? Because obviously we've got Eribo, Charles, Downs, Matsuki, who potentially, you know, in or out, but there's also been rumours that he might end up going back out on loan again.
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm. This is a really interesting one, right?
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:14:04
Zak
Matty Fernandes still hasn't been back yet, but imagine that they're going to want to put him on that plane in unless unless there's something going on that we don't know about.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Smallbone?
00:14:14
Zak
Smallbone has been involved in a few. has he been involved in all of them?
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:14:19
Zak
he played he played in He played in this friendly, right? So I could imagine that regardless of how everyone and we feel about him, I have a feeling that he will probably be on that plane.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, played in the 760.
00:14:29
Zak
So I'm kind of there like, is it all the midfielders? is the real Is the real thing that's going to be trimmed down the attacking attackers and the defenders?
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
e
00:14:38
Zak
Because that's where I think the most cuts are going to be made.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that it makes sense because I think that in the middle of the park is probably where we're arguably weakest when it comes to depth, right? So... Hmm.
00:14:48
Zak
Yeah, and like we haven't seen Jan Bednarok back yet, despite the fact that he's back with the squad. We haven't seen Taylor Harbour-Bellis. I know he's out on injury, so it might just be that he doesn't come because he's still out injured.
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:00
Zak
But that is going to be...
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not back till August, right? So, yeah. Makes sense to not go.
00:15:03
Zak
but that That's going to be bad for him either way, because he's going to have more work to do when he comes back. So, okay, then we're talking about attackers.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:12
Zak
We're saying Brereton-Diaz being left at home. does Does Fraser get into this squad, really?
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man, that's a tough one because he's really been putting himself about in these friendlies to show that he's still got something to contribute to the team. he's right on the cusp for me.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a tweener that could go either way.
00:15:32
Zak
Yeah, so then obviously Armstrong, Stewart, both have scored goals as well.
00:15:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:15:39
Zak
So that kind of makes sense.
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:15:40
Zak
Obviously, Downs is kind of...
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
A dozy.
00:15:42
Zak
Adozi's been doing well. And again, like one of the big options to him to go was Club Bruges and that door's closed since they replaced the transfer target, you know, that he was with somebody else.
00:15:54
Zak
I think I've heard anything about Rangers. We're probably going to end having to push our transfer Tuesday episode of Thursday just to wait for some some more news to come in So like...
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, I mean, the problem is za that all of my transfer sources have been replaced ah ah entirely by memes from this Coldplay concert of a CEO and his head of HR.
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That seems to be all that the internet wants to talk about right now.
00:16:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So transfers are just going to have to wait.
00:16:20
Zak
Oh, Greg, that's a shame. that Unfortunately, also so accurate.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:25
Zak
But yeah, so it's it's it's like, you know, ah it's it's hard because as you start to try and whittle it down, you kind of like, well, everyone's kind of done all right this preseason, but I guess we're trying to cut out...
00:16:39
Zak
Who's all right? But also, we don't know what's going on.
00:16:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to fascinating. and
00:16:42
Zak
We don't know what's going on behind the scenes with people leaving, right? With transfers and bits and pieces. And this might nail on, okay, by the way, these people are up for transfer now. So it might be that there's going to be people that we aren't expecting so not come.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to have We're going have a much clearer picture, and I can't wait. I'm excited because once we get that clearer picture, it's not just going to be of what the first squad looks like.
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to see some of these formations and things. you know was He said that week four is where he wants to start bringing things in that he might use in the season.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
right It's no longer just about fitness. We're going to be starting to try some things out. It's exciting. I can't wait.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
it sir yeah It's really exciting. Alright, well, look, we've got some other stuff to talk about next, but first a message from our partners at Zencastr.
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:17:54
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. Okay, and we are back. So yeah, some other bits as well, Zach.
Transfer Impacts
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
KWP now, Kyle Walker-Peters officially a West Ham player, joins up with James Ward-Rouse.
00:18:11
Zak
Yeah, so saw he was unveiled, saw that part of the conversation was apparently, this isn't the first time that James Ward-Prowse is trying to tap him up to West Ham, apparently. don't know if you read that bit.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:22
Zak
I thought that was very interesting.
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I did read that, yeah.
00:18:24
Zak
I was just like, oh, okay, good. I'm glad. I was like, is this the same James Ward-Prowse that spent half of his season out on loan in his second season at West Ham, yeah? Obviously, he seems to be liking life under Potter a little bit better.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:38
Zak
But like I think that any West Ham fan that's kind of like, thinks it's an underwhelming signing, it's kind of like, just makes me sad because I think that it's a really good signing for anybody. I think you you know even if even if he doesn't end up being like nailed on first place, right back, left back,
00:18:53
Zak
I think that he will be an extremely versatile and useful player. And I think that the prospect of, you know, it might be nice to live it out up in Turkey, but, you know, he he played in Tottenham.
00:19:04
Zak
He obviously must like London to want to go back to London.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:07
Zak
So kind of is a move that makes sense. But from a Saints perspective, you know, he was always a... Consummate professional. He left. He's you know got the probably the only player we thought would actually get a move to the Premier League, bar maybe Fernandes and Dibbling. And he managed to get a move back to the Premier League. not
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:24
Zak
Not before almost signing with the Turkish club, though, before he went, oh, no, actually, I've got a potentially a better offer elsewhere.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:31
Zak
so everyone doing a bit shrewd business. But yeah, power to him. But yeah, James Will Prowse supposedly tapping him up multiple times. Don't how I feel about that. stay Hands off, mate.
00:19:42
Zak
look You concentrate on scoring that free kick you still haven't managed to yet.
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, I'm choosing to focus on the positive side of that. the Kyle Walker-Peters was such a high-quality player that Ward Prowse remembered that from his time. He's going to make such a great addition here. I'm taking the silver lining and running with it. as but i mean As is my nature, to be fair.
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:20:12
Zak
it's It's very much that West Ham have now become what Liverpool were to us many years ago. And that's only, a admittedly, it's only two players. But they're two players that have have been extremely integral to us.
00:20:26
Zak
And when Liverpool did that, very, very similar things, right?
00:20:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes indeed I guess other bits floating about I don't know if you saw this a quote from Francis Benali sort of trying to tamper expectations a bit perhaps make sure that we're said the three preseason wins doesn't guarantee us a good start in the championship.
Managing Expectations for the Season
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
but her I don't know. How are you feeling about that?
00:20:56
Zak
I understand the need to... And also, he's he's right. like We are playing in pre-season. it doesn't We've talked about this before, but we could have won a game in pre-season 20-0. It doesn't really matter.
00:21:08
Zak
If anything, that would be worse because it just means that you know they're not practicing the things like defending because they're they're absolutely thrashing the opposition. So it's it's one of those things that... I understand the need to temper expectations, but like if we get four games in and we haven't won and there will be loot against Pompey, it doesn't matter what anyone's expectations are at that point.
00:21:30
Zak
there's going to be a lot of you know There's going to be a lot of backlash, and we should be doing well. We've got the supposedly the money, the the resources, the capability... Yes, they have to tidy up some of the confidence of the squad from last season.
00:21:44
Zak
He seems to already be doing that, especially by mixing in people that I guess haven't been tainted as much by the the trauma of last season.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:21:52
Zak
But like our first game, as much as you know it's against Wrexham, and you know ah ah know that they're the Hollywood club, but realistically, we should be nailed on favourites for it.
00:22:04
Zak
because they were a league one opposition that have gone up to the championship we we're a premier league that's gone down to the championship we should need to hit the ground running quite early on. And the idea of being like, oh, well, you know, it might be a struggle.
00:22:15
Zak
it might Okay, we might have a draw, a draw, a draw or something, right, for the first couple of games before we actually start.
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:21
Zak
so But we are going to need to get back to winning ways. And that is the expectation. They have all said, both the players, the staff, still himself, that we need to get back to the Premier League and that's the goal.
00:22:32
Zak
The idea of just just because, that you know, just saying, wow, you know, guys, it might but take a while. It's like kind of, you can't, I just don't like the mixed messaging, right? I understand it's probably just to protect the players and and guys at BM and stop us from going like Feral on day one if we lose to Wrexham or whatever.
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah
00:22:49
Zak
But at the same time, well... we're going to expect it. I'm sorry. Like we're going to expect a reaction to what was only, what can only be described as a horrific season.
00:23:00
Zak
And, uh, you know, so if we just end up losing like three or four games in a row again, it'd be like, well, we may well have just kept Martin then. And then, then we got to deal with all those people. and And I can't deal with that.
00:23:13
Zak
So it's, I understand it's a lovely sentiment. However, I humbly disagree. I think that we should go out, you know,
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
telling you, you're hearing it here 46 wins, that's it, that's the target I know, sorry sorry, I think Zach that I said we would draw one
00:23:27
Zak
Actually, I thought we agreed we we are okay to lose potentially one game. I can't remember what game it was we agreed. We definitely discussed that.
00:23:39
Zak
Right. Okay, that's fine. That's fine.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't don't see i don't see Saints losing. that's not That's not something that I can really bring myself to foresee.
00:23:44
Zak
Oh, okay. That's...
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even after last season, the the optimism, just the circle of hope, mate, is back in full swing. like It's only getting and you gets stronger.
00:23:57
Zak
and And to be clear, but by you said 10 for the expectations.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:24:01
Zak
I don't know how it's going to end up, but the expectations are always going to be do really well and
Season Predictions and Fan Engagement
00:24:06
Zak
we should do really well.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:08
Zak
And, you know, we've got some beautiful kits to play in this season and i want I don't want them to be like horrific memories attached to some really nice kits. Like the 2020 season or 2022 season.
00:24:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you're right. It's going be great. It's to be great season.
00:24:30
Zak
Look, we'll see.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Championship is the best league in the world.
00:24:31
Zak
bye bye By the time we're talking, we might know who's on that plane. ah the time we talk next, we might not. might have some transfer news. We might not.
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:24:40
Zak
Either way, mate, what it means is that it's now only like a couple of weeks away. and We're getting there, getting there slowly.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
mate it is it's really close uh first trip back to st mary's for me and the family is is the bright and friendly and that is that's coming real soon it's the the clock is ticking down and i can't wait
00:25:00
Zak
Nice.
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, that that is all we have got time for today, but we will be back tomorrow with something for your ears, Southampton related. Maybe I'll just do a full rundown of the balloon show.
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
you want that, let us know on the socials.
00:25:14
Zak
sure.
00:25:16
Zak
sure sure
00:25:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No news day. Why Who do you think is going to make the plane? Where are the surprises going to come from? Because I bet there's one that's going to be a real talking point.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know who it is yet, but we'll work out. We are on all the socials. We are on TikTok, x Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're watching on YouTube, you can check out Zach's wonderful new away kit that arrived real quick. Good stuff. Like I say, we'll be back tomorrow, but until then, have a wonderful day.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bye.