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Episode 239: Friendlies, Tickets and Kits!
120 Plays16 days ago
Southampton –We had some techinically difficulties with today's recording so it is audio only. We talk about the friendly resuls, the lack of creativity it implied, Bazunu's performance in goal, goalkeeper kits and Portsmouth tickets!
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Transcript
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 today, as always, joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you doing, mate? You alright?
00:00:23
Zak
Yeah, um I'm not too bad. ah finn's Everything's been going pretty well last week, which is always nice. Hayfever's still wrecking me. Saints made me a little bit sad yesterday, but I'm sure we'll get into that.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
We definitely will get into that.
00:00:42
Zak
We are barreling down the river that is pre-season.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:00:47
Zak
And although we took a little bit of a break yesterday, want to talk about some more, Greg, anyway?
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. ah but I don't know if barreling is the word, Zach, because it was, a ah frankly, a rather toothless one-all draw, I think is how I would describe it.
00:01:02
Zak
but We are limping down the Oregon Trail that is pre-season.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah but
00:01:09
Zak
It looks like a couple of the players have caught dysentery or something.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:01:12
Zak
it I don't know
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
one-all draw where the only goal scored by us was our own goal by the opposition against the team who finished 17th in the second league of Spain last year.
00:01:26
Zak
Yeah, true, true. But what i would like to point out from the from the from the beginning, which is what I said to you last night when you were like, who is that they did also beat QPR in a pre-season friendly 6-0. Are QPR that much worse without Ronnie Edwards? Apparently so.
00:01:40
Zak
um Does that mean anything? No. Again, preseason. But the the concerns around lack of creativity and this elusive transfer market where, again, i was convinced July was going to be where it's at.
00:01:57
Zak
July has indeed not been where it's at. And we keep being told that stuff's going to happen and subsequently nothing is happening. LAUGHTER
00:02:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been, like, upsettingly quiet, right? Like, it's been weird.
00:02:12
Zak
We have sold two players and bought two players. And like, I know that we wouldn't expect the total squad overall, right? Like even still said, he's not going come in and like replace everybody as much as, as much as, uh, during our buy, keep sale, we were like, you know,
00:02:29
Zak
if they all went, that would be how it is. But it is, it is starting to be sort of one of the, a point of concern that there are a couple of players now that, uh,
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:39
Zak
that don't really seem up to it, that probably are going to be part of the squad. And I guess Steele is trying to manage that as best we can, as best he can. But the lack of confidence from last season, especially in the attacking third, is evident and has been evident so far in pre-season.
00:02:58
Zak
Again, these games might just be fitness, but like if we're struggling to score in made-up games, essentially, it's one of the things I'm a bit worried about, I'm not going lie.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So this is my question for you, Zach. Is it actually a point of concern or is it just that, you know, day three of training camp, they would have ah thought imagined with the high level of fitness that Will Steel's demanding, they probably worked quite hard day one, day two.
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So should we actually be concerned or should we just take it for what it is that it's just a fitness run out and actually the rest kind of doesn't matter? It's all sort of just a case of feeling it out and and getting minutes running about behind you.
00:03:42
Zak
A bit column A, bit column B, right? Is that ultimately we spend probably more than the average Joe looking into what is happening at Southampton Football Club, right? We do a daily podcast where we talk for half an hour.
00:03:55
Zak
We talked amongst ourselves a lot, always about this one subject. And like, you know, maybe we overthink things a little bit. I know for a fact that I do. ah However, yeah you know, the the fact that we...
00:04:12
Zak
beyond we we I think it's because we want like a visible spark and a visible connection. You want to see like two more than two players at one time linking up like once or twice, right?
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:04:21
Zak
like Archer bagging at 1.3 and 3. is is a is a thing that you can point to from preseason that's like, oh, that might mean that he's doing well and that gives us like some hope. But it's like the kind of a bit lacklustery things that are making us feel, and I guess cautious optimism is probably a word for it.
00:04:40
Zak
And, you know, ah think somebody even tweeted that out, not to completely steal it, but it is it's it's true. It's like, we should do okay. On paper, we should do okay.
00:04:52
Zak
We've got a squad that... yeah Okay, they should be five in the championship, theoretically. But I think it's we kind of expected more. But as you pointed out, flip side is preseason, isn't it?
00:05:05
Zak
they just They're just training.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it.
00:05:07
Zak
They are, you know, if you if you if you if you would you take into account kickabouts at the park, they don't help themselves by charging people to watch it and like making it, it makes it feel slightly more competitive.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:05:17
Zak
So if you go out of your way to watch it and then we get 1-1 draw and everyone and then you're like, you start thinking, and oh, this is ridiculous. and Like by commercializing essentially the training space, that means there is almost a expectation to be more entertaining.
00:05:32
Zak
um The expectation to be more entertaining then means that when a game just ends up being one-all like it was, then we kind of like start to ask these questions. So lots of factors, in my opinion, anyway.
00:05:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah To come back to one of your points, a very wise man once said, we've got a great team on paper. It's a shame the game's played on grass. But it's ah yeah it is it's just preseason, isn't it?
00:05:55
Zak
True that.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's impossible to tell what the targets of the game are. ah Do you take a positive at least from a a decent assist from Bember and Diaz? Yeah.
00:06:10
Zak
Yeah, like to be I think you you made the joke when I texted you that it like the we'd scored with our favourite striker from last season, own goal.
00:06:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:22
Zak
And you made the point, well, to be able to get an own goal, we must have been crossing it in the right attacking positions for them to be able to boot in their own net. And, you know, yeah.
00:06:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is better than last season, right? So...
00:06:34
Zak
And from, you know, to Ben Perrotton Diaz's credit, whether or not it should have been cleared or whatever, he's the one that crossed it and then they booted it into their own net.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:45
Zak
So, you know, and that means that he must have...
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah It was pretty very spectacular in goal, if I'm honest. It was...
00:06:50
Zak
Yeah, it's impressive. it was It was good fun as own goals go.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:06:53
Zak
It wasn't an accidental rollover into the goal. it was It would have been... If that was a strike, we'd have called it magical. like
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:07:00
Zak
Like, simple as that, right?
00:07:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%. I want to move the focus to the other end of the pitch. ah But first, a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. ah Yeah, I want to switch to focus up, Zach, and I want to take a positive. And Puzunu looked to be on absolute fire, making saves to their fighting center.
00:08:02
Zak
Yeah, yeah, yet yeah, the game. I know it's weird because I've already seen people criticise it, which is slightly bizarre. i think, again, like you've got for some people that just don't have, start fans of particular players, right?
00:08:14
Zak
And it was sort of like, oh, you know, yeah accidentally kept that one out. if he'd If he'd actually jumped and got it on target, it would have been a much better. And like, well, it doesn't matter. The goal, the ball stayed out of goal and that's what what actually counts.
00:08:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:25
Zak
It doesn't,
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is his job, right?
00:08:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:08:27
Zak
ah Yeah, so so if it's a piece of his game that he's working on and like clearly, you know, for him...
00:08:34
Zak
it's got to be a thing that he knows he needs to improve on and is is working hard to improve on, then happy days. And like we might need to face the reality that that he is one of um if you know our primary choice goalkeepers if Ramsdale goes.
00:08:45
Zak
Not that there's been any interest or movement on that front whatsoever. And one of the targets of, like I think it Leeds, have picked up a new goalkeeper. So that probably makes it slightly less likely that he would move there. But that doesn't stop the fact that, you know,
00:08:57
Zak
Baz has got to do his best to earn his space as well and that he might end up being the the primary goalkeeper for the season. So yeah, i think it's I think it was a a positive.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:08
Zak
i I know we talk about him being Irish, but it always throws me off when they interview him and he speaks for an Irish accent. And I'm like, don't know why I'm surprised by that. I think it's because there's quite a few players like Smallbone and Russell Martin who like have sort of like who say they're Irish and say they're Scottish and ah play through like a grandparent.
00:09:25
Zak
And then I'm like, oh yeah, forget. I forget Baz is Irish. like Good for him, though. But, like, yeah, I'm happy i'm happy you yet had a decent game. um And I think it's, you know, is' making it it gives a slight bit more confidence, right?
00:09:39
Zak
Because what a lot of people are remembering is a championship season that was pretty and miss, and then a severe injury towards the end, and then, like, an okay loan spell before getting injured again.
00:09:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:50
Zak
so
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. He's a proper young'un as well. Like, there will be development in his game. You can't take at face value what you've seen in the past from him because he is still, you know, youthful.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Especially for a goalkeeper. He's basically a babby. like Like, compared to Alex McCarthy.
00:10:07
Zak
It's 23.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:08
Zak
It's 23, mate.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:10:09
Zak
And not only that, he was part of City's set-up, right? And it's it's one of those things that say so what you want.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:14
Zak
I don't think you get into the academy of a quite, you know, of a, I'll say quite big, of a big club ah if you are bad at what you do.
00:10:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:24
Zak
there a reason we pilfered that entire academy, right? Some of them have worked out, some haven't. But, you know, he has to he has, I think, you know, a lot of potential going forward. And I do think that he's harshly judged by us as well.
00:10:38
Zak
But yeah, when you when you point out how old is he, he's 23, mate. He's always almost a decade younger than you and me. it's nuts, isn't it?
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And about 80 years younger than Alex McCarthy. It's really impressive. Um...
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
hey
00:10:52
Zak
yeah
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh d Poor Alex McCarthy really takes some stick for us, but it's all with love. ah Do you make much of Rambo not being in the line-up yesterday at all?
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It being Pizzuno and McCarthy?
00:11:05
Zak
No. Not particularly. He's been out on the bike today. Saw the photos of their recovery day. where they always They always do this like once per pepper like pre-season.
00:11:17
Zak
right is you You get like at the recovery day where they go out on bikes and then they, for some reason, like to take photos of other football players on bikes because it's like, i look, they're not kicking the ball.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:11:26
Zak
They're cycling. and i don't know why. I always find it incredibly amusing. But I don't really take... too much of him not being involved. He's come back after a big sort of gap, right?
00:11:38
Zak
He's only very, very like early into it. And again, maybe still just being realistic about, okay, what are the chances that he's going to be here? Probably should test out the two goalkeepers I'm going left.
00:11:49
Zak
you know, at all alternatively for any other reason. It's like, I don't take too much to the fact that we've got a few players out injured because apparently they're due to like rejoin the squad. I think according to Alfie House, there was like, he put out an article today talking about preseason so far.
00:11:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:03
Zak
And in that, he said about how... um Apparently, you know the only two that are actually technically missing from the pre-season training squad are Armour Bullock-Ochap and Jan Bednarek. So I don't really read too much into it because until we start hearing some movement, I'm starting to be slightly more confident that he might stay a bit longer because if goalkeeper's a position you don't target the day before the season starts, right?
00:12:28
Zak
And a lot of these places that he keeps being linked with are now have now bought or are buying goalkeepers.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
did I know, mate. I mean, you say that, but him coming to us was, what, deadline day last year or very close to it? Like, it was it was real late in the window.
00:12:40
Zak
Yeah, but there was still a big sort of talk around the squad that we might end up keeping for Zulu as the main first-choice goalkeeper, which people were mad about, but they were also mad about it when we went into the championship.
00:12:54
Zak
And Russell Martin had that thing at the fan zone, like fans, I need fans for him, where I think he was questioned on that. And he just went, I have no, you know, we have a we have a really good goalkeeper. What's your question?
00:13:05
Zak
Next. Next. So... swing so i just I'm just thinking about the the profile of the clubs that would look to buy him seem to have purchased goalkeepers.
00:13:17
Zak
So unless he's going to go last minute to Turkey or like the Belgian League or something like that, which seems mad... Because the entire point, I think, from him was that he wanted to move into the Premier League, right?
00:13:29
Zak
That's the big thing about it.
00:13:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:31
Zak
So if he's just going to swap out the English second division for like a division that's ranked lower or just about the same, I would be slightly confused. And we don't need to sell him.
00:13:42
Zak
We don't need to get his wages off our books necessarily.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:13:46
Zak
There are probably...
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, see, that's that's the unknown factor, right? Because we broke our wage structure to pay him. Does that mean that next year we're going to have problems if we keep him? It's...
00:13:56
Zak
But then surely he would have had a relegation clause as well that would have dropped his pay. At least that's...
00:14:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:02
Zak
You'd assume so, right? um and that and Or unless somebody else wants to take him. But again, nobody's put a bid in, so we need to kind of work on the assumption that the he is going to be staying.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:13
Zak
But again, it's just like... If anyone listening in has any idea of where they think he might end up, please point out, because ah I'm kind of at the, like, the the kind of places I, the obvious places I thought he'd go seem to not be where he's going to end up.
00:14:28
Zak
So, swings roundabouts.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, is Sunderland completely off the cards now? I thought that that was still sort of pretty pretty close.
00:14:37
Zak
No, but then there's been absolutely no word about it since. So maybe you're right. But I just, I just, how many relegations could one man take?
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:47
Zak
Like, that's where I'm at. Like, eventually you're going to have to just stay at a club.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you're right.
00:14:53
Zak
So yeah, it's, it's, I don't, I don't read too much into it um at the moment. we'll start to see how the next couple of days, maybe weeks ago, because apparently there's going to be transfer movement in the next seven days.
00:15:07
Zak
But also we were told that by the, yeah but also by we were told by the time that we went away to, you know, we, we almost, we almost had an episode planned around who was going to make that plane.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
believe it.
00:15:17
Zak
And it turns out everyone reason being is that I'm guessing a lot of people that deals that were potentially going to happen, didn't happen or what, but are you going do?
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it is... It's getting closer and closer to crunch time though, isn't it? like we're ah It feels a lot like we're in the calm before the storm.
00:15:35
Zak
16 days as of recording.
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
16 days till the season or 16 days for the transfer window?
00:15:43
Zak
16 days before the for the season. But you're right, the transfer window, and we and we have been caught by those sort of late transfers in the past, especially in the first championship season we had in a long time.
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:54
Zak
But I don't know, I'm just um just looking at like the talent to pilfer from our team this time round, and you're looking at Ramsdale, you're looking at Matty Fernandes. Is there really anything else? There's a couple of other players that have showed interest in leaving.
00:16:10
Zak
ah the problem i i think the problem we're going to have is that the players the they want so the players that people are going to want to take are not the players that we're going to want to sell.
00:16:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:16:20
Zak
And that's going to be that's going to be the bad thing about it. As always, being a Saints fan, right?
00:16:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you're right.
00:16:27
Zak
Don't get too attached to anyone ever.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Alright, well... We're going to pivot on to some other news, but first a message from our partners at Zencaster. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automat automatically removes all those thumbs and R's, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back. Some other bits of news from around the club, Zach. Goalkeeper kits are on sale.
00:17:08
Zak
Yeah.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah That's quite exciting.
00:17:11
Zak
Yeah. I mean, for I bought one of the goalkeeper kits last year. It was right. I think I wore a few times if anyone's ever watched this in YouTube format.
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:18
Zak
But I don't know. i'm I'm so happy with the home away and potential third kit this year.
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:25
Zak
i just don't know if my bank balance can take a goalkeeper kit as well.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I really like the purpley-bluey one.
00:17:28
Zak
But that's they're nice kits.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's nice. I really like the orange one. It's nice. You're right, the kits this season are going to bankrupt me. It's nice to like them, though. like some Some seasons it's hit and miss, but they all seem to be ah pretty on the ball this season.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Also, I guess more importantly than kit news, ah some ticket information for the South Coast Derby out and about.
00:17:57
Zak
Yes. There's a...
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's see.
00:18:00
Zak
There's a lot of criticism, but like as somebody that didn't really go to as many games last season, and and ast I think most of the tickets...
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:18:08
Zak
When I went last year, I yeah i went with you, right? So I don't really have a club membership.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:12
Zak
So if I wanted to out and buy a poppy ticket right now, I couldn't. And I'm not cross or upset about that, because you're right, the people that have been going long-term should.
00:18:22
Zak
And it's it's very much like the...
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:18:25
Zak
I think a lot of people are comparing it to like the playoff final, right? where a lot of people were like, oh, well, I can't get tickets for this. I'm like, cool. But surely people's loyalty should be rewarded. ah i think some of the measures is a bit draconian and very sort of almost hostile if you're trying to encourage new people to come.
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not quite... yeah
00:18:46
Zak
But also, i think that's the one fixture they're not really too upset about if people don't show up for.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the problem is that it's... It's almost too on the fence. Like, I understand your point about, you know, the people that go should be rewarded.
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously, as a season ticket holder, ticket sale information for me is kind of irrelevant. But to be on sale to members who have purchased one Saints match between 2020 and 2026 and twenty twenty six is ah it just feels like it's going too far the other way, right? Like, but that's a really long window.
00:19:27
Zak
Yeah, but... it Yeah, I guess you're right. But also, they they I think I spoke about this before. They're trying to entice people back who haven't been, and the South Coast derby would be a way to do it.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they're just trying to sell memberships, right? Because that's extra money.
00:19:44
Zak
But it's one of those... You're right, it's very... a...
00:19:48
Zak
between It's between the both things. You're right. like Is it a bit too extreme? They're trying to make you buy membership. This is a this shouldn't be surprising to anyone.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but I mean...
00:20:00
Zak
right like We know what their strategy is, Greg.
00:20:02
Zak
why would you be Why would you not pick probably one of the most important fixtures to try and peddle your crap? right That's ultimately what it's about.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then to also be like, ah, and it feels unlikely that going to get a season ticket holder additional window. It's like, oh, there's just one more perk of season tickets being taken away slowly.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, we don't discount on the shirts anymore.
00:20:24
Zak
Yeah, but then I guess...
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
We don't get and the The other stuff just slowly adding away.
00:20:29
Zak
They're probably like, it shouldn't be what it shouldn't be something you have to worry about if you're a city ticket holder anyway. ah i don't know. it's It's one of the things... I understand why they've done it. You're right, maybe the purchase history is a little bit too long than last time round.
00:20:44
Zak
they They're trying to stop people just randomly turning up for a scrap is kind of what it feels like. And if you've been...
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are they though? Like if you've not been to see Saints play since 2020... You might be the sort of person that's going to the football for a scrap.
00:21:01
Zak
Or you're someone that's not been for a long time. It's the South Coast Derby. You turn back up and then you sign up and get season ticket again and start shopping there again. And the problem then thing is, is remember, like it's like anything anything new customers, right? like okay As an analogy, it's the...
00:21:20
Zak
ah For like our ah work one, like we used to work at a place, ah we still work at a place, where there used to be this thing called the attendance bonus. And if you turned up every every week, Monday Friday, ah you'd get this attendance bonus.
00:21:35
Zak
ah Other people call that being paid for going to work. Exactly. And then what they did is they took that attendance bonus away, mate. And people were up in arms about it. you remember?
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:45
Zak
yeah Because it was something that had been taken away. But then the new people joined and they'd never heard of the attendance bonus. And they were just paid their base wage. each And this is like a mythical thing to them. They're like, wait, you got bonus?
00:21:56
Zak
And that's what it is, right? If you get new season ticket holders and new club new members that have never had the benefits that you had and haven't really paid attention to Saints for the last couple of years... They come back for the South Coast RB.
00:22:09
Zak
We start to win a lot. They sign up to be a season ticket. they're not holder They're not bothered about the benefits that have been taken away because they never had them in the first place. New customers are always king. And that's the problem is that it feels...
00:22:20
Zak
it feels like it's very corpo and it's very money grabbing probably because it is because that's unfortunately big aspects of the modern game and they are going to exploit something like the south coast arby to massively drum up support and get it in I still think that like at least the fact that they're using a membership means that you aren't getting too many tourists because you need to have bought tickets in the last six years.
00:22:46
Zak
And there will be people that the last time that they wanted to get involved, Greg, will be the last South Coast derby that was you know longer than 20 years ago. not 20, longer than six years ago. and they're not just going to turn up to just fight people, right?
00:22:59
Zak
It's going to be people that have had to have gone to games.
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:02
Zak
And yeah, you're right. It could be any game, but that means though there hasn't been a game as important as this one. So you're right. It's really trash and they're doing it for money.
00:23:13
Zak
They are a business. That is how they're going to use it to make money. They shouldn't exploit fan loyalty. Hasn't stopped them before. Isn't going to stop them in the future. So, you know, you might see that it's a benefit taken away that you can't get more allocation for your season ticket, yeah you know, more allocation for the game with your season ticket.
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:31
Zak
But the reason you're personally disgruntled by that is that the people that you want to go to the game won't go to the game. the people that the club wants to go to the game might be going to the game. They might be people that haven't been in a while.
00:23:43
Zak
They might turn up. They might buy a shirt because it's the first time they've been in three or four years. They might drink a little bit more in the concourse. You know, it it sucks. You're right. Like there should be ah the focus of a loyalty, but like we're not the first and we certainly won't be the last club that exploits The fan base.
00:24:01
Zak
And if that's the word you want to use for it, right?
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:03
Zak
Because they are exploiting the occasion of the South Coast Army to drag people back in to go to the game more. Like, go to games more.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:13
Zak
Whether or not it's a long-term thing, sure. But, you know, the policing of that isn't their problem. They don't pay any of it, right? It's like that's a whole other thing that we've never really discussed is that That Hampshire ah constabulary you had to put aside, what, like £250,000 for both games?
00:24:32
Zak
Well, massive police presence. So it doesn't really, you know, I'm not being that cynical to think they're inviting troublemakers, but if they're inviting new people that potentially might kick off, but they come and spend a bunch in the bar beforehand, how upset by that are they going to be?
00:24:48
Zak
If you've got a season ticket holder, Greg, like yourself, who goes, knows the ins and outs, or you've got somebody that's not been for three or four years, comes to the South Coast Derby, has a purchase history of the last six years, so they've definitely been to football they you know maybe a few times in the past, and then all of a sudden will now start going off the back of spending a bunch of money and buying a bunch of shirts and stuff.
00:25:11
Zak
From a business perspective, that's a very short-term thinking and not long-term, but... That's what they care about, right?
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no.
00:25:19
Zak
And it's incredibly cynical way of looking at it.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's upsetting. And it's just it's just really sad, to be honest.
00:25:26
Zak
yeah
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's a bit gross, and I don't really like it. ah But it kind of is what is. ah And, you know, the fact that they are, as well as, like, you have to have purchase history, but also we're putting three other games on sale early, and that'll count.
00:25:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, like,
00:25:45
Zak
Yeah, but exactly exactly. Because then it's like you bump you bump up all the numbers. You get people to start going. People start going once. And then it's all about... It's like you've been away from gambling for a long time. Here's a £5 free bet. Or...
00:26:02
Zak
what you know like it's it's like that you get you get people back hooked on it and ever see you know we know what the atmosphere is gonna be like we know what the and you know what the atmosphere that you're gonna want to generate is like so yeah of course like i you're right it's it's gross and exploitative but like i just don't think that in the modern day is any other alternative like hey at least we're not charging 40 pounds all the away fans right
00:26:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah. I mean, that's the other news story, right?
00:26:28
Zak
but we That we know of, right?
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah Ipswich charging £43 for an away ticket is just gross.
00:26:31
Zak
yeah
00:26:37
Zak
as if As if it's not already people being priced out of it and there'll be discourse and people will be up in arms and maybe there'll be a small protest and then what happens is enough people will pay and and it will still sell out and then the time and time will go on.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Well, that's the thing, right? When ah the comparison is the lesser of two evils, right? Because there's a cap in the Premier League. you know the ultimate money-grabbing league in the world with all of the expensive. There's a cap on away tickets, and this is you know almost twice the price of that.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... Just a bit gross.
00:27:10
Zak
it's all It's all a bit gross. And again, it's all a bit it's all a bit making into a commodity rather than understanding the experience and the occasion for the fan base.
00:27:24
Zak
And that's why we aren't massively in debt because they exploit these things. And we as fans pay it. And we will have this discussion and we will have this discussion in two, three years time when they add something else um And, you know, there will but maybe at some point become a graing breaking point.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:27:42
Zak
The fact that there is a ah way cap in the Premier League is because of that breaking point near being reached, right? And people going, this is unreasonable. We saw MPs recently try to like set up, you know I think they've set an independent governing body that sits outside that doesn't really do anything.
00:27:59
Zak
But like they were trying to force shows forced them to be shown on BBC, right? And like everyone was just like, nah. Yeah. Including MPs, because it's like, we're going to fight that fight. What's the point?
00:28:11
Zak
And you could be really cynical and sad about that because it means you have to have every subscription service under the sun.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:28:15
Zak
I think it's about fighting and winning the individual battles. and um
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:28:20
Zak
But I am in agreement with you that it's it's gross, but also they could have just released all of the tickets and been like, go ham. Anyone that wants to get a ticket, buy one. And that's always a problem because then you end up potentially with away fans in the home end, which is, let's face it a big problem we've had the last couple of seasons and they aren't going to want to do that this season.
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:28:38
Zak
So, you know, they don't want to give it to your mates that...
00:28:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be really interesting to see how...
00:28:43
Zak
Hmm...
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um How vociferous the checks are, let's say. so They'll be making random checks on the day at Turnstiles to ensure tickets and ID match, but... I mean, how random is that going to be? Who knows?
00:28:58
Zak
i Again, I feel like if it's going to be... I feel like the stewarding on that game will probably be the budget of last year. ah you know? And again, like the the amount of money that the Hampshire Consabler are paying, it's going to be one of those things that we'll find out on the day, but I wouldn't be surprised.
00:29:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:29:16
Zak
Yeah, it's just... ah
00:29:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also pointing out that there are limited entries, so you can only enter via Britannia Road Marine Parade or the Northern Footbridge. The entirety of Melbourne Street would be out of bounds for home supporters and will be away supporters only.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's going to be the only way for away supporters to enter the stadium. So that'll be interesting.
00:29:39
Zak
Yeah, it' it's going to be hectic regardless of what happens, right? It's going to be an interesting... we've We've waited for it for a long time. We've not had it at St Mary's for so, so long at this point.
00:29:50
Zak
And, um you know, the the TLDR is... Yeah, but but modern aspects of modern football really, really suck. Most of it, to be honest. But also, we're we're not going to stop consuming it, right? oh you like that but We do a daily podcast for starters, mate. That's because we spend a lot of time consuming it.
00:30:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, you're right. is Yeah.
00:30:11
Zak
just got hope that we just got to hope.
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
doesn't make it okay. Okay.
00:30:13
Zak
No, it doesn't, but we just got a hope that, you know, all the people that want to get tickets that deserve tickets should get tickets. Uh, everyone who goes, I hope everyone's safe and has a good time. Uh, It will be what it will be. But as I said before, Greg, like from a personal perspective, if I don't get a ticket and I go with you, happy days.
00:30:30
Zak
if i If I don't, and that's because I've not purchased a ticket in the last God knows how long, because I've usually just gone with you and it's been on your support number, I'm not going to be like crying over it because that's just the way that they've decided to set up the rules and swings and roundabouts in it.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
One very quick question as we rapidly or in fact have run out of time but a quick fire question for you Zach.
00:30:53
Zak
Sure.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright.
00:31:03
Zak
No. Because Because he knows it's a must-win game. That's more important than losing the first five and then winning that game.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Alright.
00:31:11
Zak
i didn't know I didn't know if I'd feel that way. And I didn't know if I'd answer that quickly. But the answer is, yeah, you you could win five games in a row and lose that game. And that is not a good start to the season.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the good news is, Zach, it's not going to be a problem because 46 wins is on the cards. 16 days, did you say it was, I'm counting?
00:31:29
Zak
Yeah, well, 60 days for today, probably 15 when this episode goes out. So, yeah, mad, isn't it?
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
just eking closer and closer.
00:31:36
Zak
It's come out of nowhere.
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That friendly against Brighton, that return to St. Mary's for me is coming up and I am starting to get excited.
00:31:44
Zak
My favourite was when you were worried, mate, about how much we were going to have for the off-season, and here we are, with 15 days of it left.
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is amazing.
00:31:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, that is it. ah Crazy indeed. He's coming around quick. That is all we have got time for this week. Thank you very much for joining us. And Zach, thank you very much for joining me.
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will be back on Monday as we take a look back over the the friendly that happens at the weekend. ah Until then, hope you have a wonderful weekend and we'll see you then.