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00:00:01
Episode 353: Matchday Review: Mauled by Middlesbrough
46 Plays3 days ago
Southampton – I mean, that was awful... We've got lots to say...
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Transcript
Introduction
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton. My name is Greg and as always today joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach.
Fan Frustration and Player Behavior
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, how are you feeling after today's performance?
00:00:26
Zak
a I don't feel pretty wonderful. Greg, I think I hate football.
00:00:32
Zak
it This team, like, they did it again, where they they brought me the smallest amount of joy just to keep me hooked into the team, to then come bring it crashing back down in a show of complete and utter classic Saints capitulation.
00:00:51
Zak
And on top of the classic Saints capitulation, we had the the post-match press conference where Tonda's like, no, all the players went over to speak to the traveling fans. And it turns out it was basically Leo Sienza.
00:01:05
Zak
And then they had, like, Alvi had to correct him. like, no, mate, it was just just Leo. It's like, oh, well, yeah, we should probably do something about that. Like, that that's not the attitude we want, right? Right. There's also, like, i how I don't know how verified they are because it's difficult to not who not see who's just lying for the sake of it.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:22
Zak
But reports of, like, Gillette giving out his shirt. And I want to say it's ours as well. Or some Yander thing. I don't know. a bunch of players giving out their shirts to Middlesbrough fans.
00:01:33
Zak
And then you've got one, you've got Leo, who will go over, right, and give them to the fans.
00:01:37
Zak
But but there is something about it that, like, I get... Sports Republic out, blah, blah, blah, right? But there is something that really, really gets to me, and that is that I have had to spend so much of my week over the last, month so much for the last 10 days watching these games to be purport to be brought just like, just depression in like television format, right?
00:01:59
Zak
There are fans out there that have will have attended all of those games. There are fans today that would have got up early in the cold, gone all the way up to Middlesbrough, which like,
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
With some uncertainty about whether the game going to take place or not,
00:02:12
Zak
yes Yeah, like we can talk about those other games later, but like, you know, going all the up to Middlesbrough, to watch their team play. And these these people who are thousands, thousands of pounds a week do not have the common courtesy to come and address them.
00:02:32
Zak
They're happy to come over and clap and hug when everything's going good. But we they get absolutely trounced in like the most pathetic way. Because as soon as one went in, that was it.
00:02:42
Zak
You knew the floodgates were open and then everyone knew it was going to be four or five. In in like such an almost Premier League experience, right it was very much like when we lost to Tottenham and Chelsea.
00:02:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:02:53
Zak
I know they bang on about those games a because they stick in my mind. And this is going to be one of them. And they will they will go down the tunnel and not bother to come and say hello to one of these people that have spent so much money, a drop in the ocean to what they are earning. But people's livelihoods that they will put in week in week out to support the club, support the team.
Club Ownership Debate
00:03:15
Zak
To be given what back? Literally. And like, I know this probably seems a bit like a meltdown. Maybe it is. Maybe I'm getting to a point, Greg, where we've been doing this daily for like, I don't know what, this is episode 352?
00:03:26
Zak
50? 53?
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
three hundred and fifty three three fifty
00:03:31
Zak
Episode And
00:03:35
Zak
i just like i don't know why today is the one that's really like just pushed me over the barrier. But i was just there like, what are we doing? Like, why are you not doing Clear your lines. Clear your lines. Basunu, save a goal. Save a ball. Like, if a ball comes towards you, don't let it in. Get rid of the ball. Stop dealing...
00:03:55
Zak
We're second balls. Why do i need to keep telling you this if the managers keep telling you? And then we've got managers that are so like, no one's willing to say a bad thing because I don't know if it's to do with sports Republic. And obviously now the other problem is that as equally as inferior English has all been, the nice period of positivity was, was wonderful. And now we've got to deal with the whole banners of Sports Republic out. I hate the ownership. Then the ownership aren't goingnna do anything. And then you've got people attacking journalists for not calling the ownership out.
00:04:24
Zak
And it's like, i don't really think that that's their job. They're calling out the performances and the players. But like, you know, let's start from the start or what do you want to do?
00:04:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, look, let's deal with it off the bat, right? Sports... look, I mean, look let's let's talk about the big talking point first, right, that people are going to want hear, and then we'll we'll get to the rest. Sports Republic, whether you like them or not, and, you know, that opinion is reasonable either way, are not going to leave.
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're not going to sell the club. They own the club. It's their club to control.
Personal Choices Over Football
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So all that they're going to do
00:04:57
Zak
Not if it becomes not profitable.
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But all that they are going to do is some more good PR attempt stuff to win people back. And that' that's it. and That's all that that's going to achieve.
00:05:10
Zak
What? 10% off at the Dell?
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:13
Zak
They even gave us free pizza! Even Gal gave us free pizza, mate!
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i am sorry look, right, look.
00:05:17
Zak
That was the guy that hated
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, right, I'm there, I'm with you, right? Like, I'm a season ticket holder. I see the increase in price. I see the decrease in benefits. But the fact of the matter is they they're not they've invested too much at this point to just cut free and go, yeah, all right, sod it.
00:05:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm done. And so...
00:05:40
Zak
Well, it depends if they get, depends how much money they get for it in it. But the problem is, is like, who wants to buy it?
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And look, this result in particular, mean, look, to full disclosure, maybe I'll have a slightly more objective opinion on the outcome of this game because I didn't have to sit and watch it, right? Like I elected instead to go out for a family dinner and had steak and ribs and a mountain of churros and it was delicious, right?
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, it was poor. There's no excusing it.
00:06:12
Zak
It's just, it's like, I'm starting to feel like I just need some time away for it sometimes, Greg, because genuinely, like,
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was...
Team Management and Performance
00:06:18
Zak
it was just so rubbish.
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was poor. it It lacked mental strength. It looked like we're just back to the same old, same old. But also, Middlesbrough, despite their current run of form and their lack of ability to score goals until today, are second in the table for a reason, right? Like, they have been a good team this season.
00:06:39
Zak
Okay, explain, explain Oxford's.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, look, look.
00:06:42
Zak
it
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not, again, I'm not excusing it. I'm just trying to look at it objectively. I agree. This festive period has sucked, right? And I don't know...
00:06:52
Zak
objectively it's quite simple mate we're just bad we're not as good as we think we are
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and look, I don't know you don't know what the main contributing factor is. And like it is noticeable right that there's a difference in the way we play now that Tonda has been given the job. And i don't know if that's because someone else behind the scenes is having a say.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know I don't know if it's just because he needs the results now and there was more freedom before where he you know didn't need it, it was just interim. There was no pressure.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if it's just because we've been found out and he has a good plan a and the details are there, but there's no like plan B or come back to that. I don't know if we gave Tonda the job too early because he made it impossible to not give it to him after that run of results, right?
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
What i do know is probably should be in a position where
00:07:37
Zak
and
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
he has some backroom staff at this point because, you know, there's no assistant manager for him yet. like and then Like, all of the reasons, all of the things, excuses that it could be, it does all come back and point at Sports Republic, right?
00:07:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And like say, they're not going anywhere, which doesn't mean that you shouldn't use your voice, whatever, whatever right? It is what is. I don't think they're going anywhere, but they need to do better than what they do.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm not suggesting that they are the worst owners, because we've seen some awful owners in football, but it is very clear that they are not good at running a football club. Right?
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
this That's where I'm at on it. How are you feeling about all that?
00:08:26
Zak
It was just such a fragile piece, right? Because of the results turned and because it was like it was just a nice period of time. As I said, I almost feel conned into to feeling good about the club again. I feel conned into thinking that we were actually a really good team again. And even more so that today was probably our strongest XI that we put out. that If we picked a team sheet, you know that was the that was the team sheet that brought Tonda so much success, right?
00:08:51
Zak
That was genuinely the...
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I put it to you when I saw the team line up as top 11, right? that's That's the main starting team.
00:08:59
Zak
and And arguably the the first half, like they dominated a lot of it, but like we we did have our chances and we weren't ruthless enough. And then, you know, you did have fellows get a chance that didn't go in because he just decided to sky it instead. But it, it's all, all of that is almost like completely thrown to the wayside because once we let one in, we then let in another three. And then that the fact that that has still become like normal,
00:09:24
Zak
Right? Like, eat i know a lot of the players, especially the other problem is we haven't managed to halfway turn around the team that we wanted to turn around.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:31
Zak
And that's why it was nice to see at least the OCEAN to go up and like have a chat. I'd be fascinated to hear what conversation was going on but between the away fans.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:40
Zak
and But like the the rest of them, so many of them... I think a load other people pointed out just the absolute lack of leadership. You're like, yeah, like whereas like obviously our our captain wasn't on the field at the time.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:09:52
Zak
Do we really need Stephens to play every game? like Where's Romelu? Is he
Transfer Concerns and Team Consistency
00:09:55
Zak
injured? I don't remember hearing he's injured, but he's not been on the bench either. and And you're right.
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
hasn't travelled
00:10:00
Zak
Like, since he's had the job, I don't know if it's a The idea that he's not playing without freedom because it, you know... Oh, you know, he could play with freedom because there's no there's there's something on the line or whatever.
00:10:12
Zak
Like, was now his his job's on the line if he doesn't get results and he's not getting results. So, you know, people are talking about firing him, but, like, it doesn't... It just feels like it could have been any other game, mate, that we've played in the last two years.
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you know yeah wait
00:10:23
Zak
It could have been Russell Martin. It could have been Ivan Juric. It could have been... whoever the guy is in between, any of them could have given the same press conferences we've heard.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, his here's the line I'm going to say that's going to upset you immediately.
00:10:35
Zak
Good.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cast your mind back, right, to to maybe the last time I saw this much anger. or Maybe not, but when I try and break it down. Do you remember Nathan Jones coming out in a press conference and saying, I'm actually just going to try and do things my way now because there are too many voices?
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like,
00:10:58
Zak
Yeah, but but also at that point, you know you need to remember we've had like two directors of football.
00:11:03
Zak
The entirety of the backroom has changed. if they are If there are a bunch of guys in a boardroom that are walking down and having a chat with every single manager they brought in and said, you need to play this specifically really boring three the back, Why?
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:16
Zak
I can't possibly.
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:17
Zak
there is This is where the conspiracy loses me because I just don't get it. like it's just Is it just that they physically can't play with a four at the back? Is it because every time we get battered?
00:11:28
Zak
But the problem is is like today's put that myth to bed because we played with five defenders and we still lost miserably.
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But anyway. Yeah.
00:11:36
Zak
And then poor Ross Stewart has to make a cameo at the end of that game. after not being, you know it's just, it's, and it's like, you could you could have swapped him for Will still, you could have swapped it for Russell Martin, and maybe, you know, you're right, maybe we did all jump the gun, and by by we, like, I know there are a lot of people that said stronger heads would prevail, I just don't believe that and any managerial appointment that they would have made would have not been in the same position, the only difference is with Tonda is at least we got some wins out of it,
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to do in the world of good, isn't it, coming on from that?
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Funny.
00:12:05
Zak
And some draws out of it. They've been boring draws. They've been boring games to watch. it's it's The biggest crime recently is how boring it's been to watch. And then I thought that it couldn't get worse with how boring it's been. and then I watched today.
00:12:17
Zak
And it's it's it's put me in a mood for the rest of the day as well. Because I'm just kind of like, but this is this is always like this isn't this isn't even our job. This isn't even technically our side job. We do this for the love of the game. And today I really hated the game.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that it was... I can only imagine, because like say, I was actually driving home for the second half.
00:12:32
Zak
Ugh.
00:12:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, know, get in the car, we're 1-0 down, that's frustrating. And then we take a little trip to drop some family off, and look at the phone, and we're like, oh, 3-0 down, how has that happened that quickly?
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
How we capitulated that fast? And then that's it, like, put the phone down, drive all the way home, get home, and then I joked, was like, oh, look my phone, maybe we were on 4-3. Oh no, we lost 4-0.
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
To a team that, despite being second in the table, like I said earlier, a team that prior to this game hadn't scored in seven hours of football..........
00:13:14
Zak
But fair fair play to them because they wanted they wanted it so much more. like Again, like they they had their they had their troubles. They've they've had like a slew of managers. We wanted to replace them with the manager that didn't get them into the position they're currently in you know you You had two goals from Morgan Whitaker that you'd forget that Adam Armstrong was the top goal scorer with the fact that Whitaker seems to be form.
00:13:36
Zak
Even though, yeah, they've had a they've had a long time of...
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it does help when you're shooting a like paper cutout of a goalkeeper, though, doesn't it?
00:13:42
Zak
Yeah, but like, we don't, we we have we have gone out of our way, specifically, to, we go out of our way to try not to give, like, Baz a hard time. I don't really know why. i think it's just because maybe I feel bad and Greg knows that, you know, maybe we shouldn't go too harsh because maybe Zach get upset.
00:14:00
Zak
But, like, genuinely, like, what's the point?
00:14:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I think genuinely, right?
00:14:02
Zak
I just snuck them both off.
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although, like, I think the stats, I mean, the stats are damning, right? But genuinely, I think that up until today,
00:14:09
Zak
Yeah.
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
as even as, and like, an inexperienced player, you can look at it and go, uh... maybe he can do better there, but like it's not clear-cut. I think he just saw it late.
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
like There's no like decisively, like this is awful, he really needed to save that and didn't.
00:14:26
Zak
Thank you.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like as as many of those as there are that go in, there are plenty of you know times where it's like, oh, what an incredible save that was, because he does make some incredible saves.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you look at the goals today, and three of them literally went through him. Like, what what is that about? what It's just... And I mean, could that just be it becoming more visible and more obvious because now he's under pressure because, you know, players aren't stupid. He'll he he'll see that we've got a goalkeeper on the way.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, that's been widely publicised and widely reported.
00:15:05
Zak
Well, that also might fall through, right?
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We talk about the...
00:15:08
Zak
Because that's, don't know if you've heard about that, but that's basically the the team that he's currently on loan to want a replacement. And on top of that that, apparently we might be willing to pay to break the deadlock.
00:15:20
Zak
So, because they don't have a replacement lined up, so they don't really want to...
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I've read all of it, mate.
00:15:24
Zak
It's just...
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what it is? It's the most Sports Republic-style transfer could possibly write. They've gone out and they've gone, look, we're going to play it down before the window starts.
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not going to be a busy window, but we do. We definitely need to strengthen as a goalkeeper. And Tonda dodged the question as well. Like, oh, you're linked with a goalkeeper. And he was like, well, I have to rely on other people in the stronger positions.
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, look, I'm not an expert in some positions, but I have to trust my staff. But have eyes. Like, yeah, well, obviously we need a goalkeeper. Read between the lines. And then, yeah, so they've gone, oh, it'd be a good PR move, though.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, right at the start of this transfer window, like, we'll just bring a goalkeeper in straight away. It'll just be bang, done. And, like, that's a huge win. And then instantly, it's gone from that to, oh, no, this is just another, was it, Spurzian?
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right?
00:16:21
Zak
Yeah, Sputzi, the only reason I check our media for international scores.
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
like This is going to drag out and...
00:16:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh, this is just going to be another convoluted transfer that's going to drag on and on and on and be of no benefit to anyone. Like, it's just... look Like, it just feels calamitous at a point where everything they touch seems calamitous. Like, it's... It's really sad, right? yeah And...
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and and like like I say, like...
00:16:51
Zak
It is really sad.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I try it because I didn't watch it. I'm definitely not as like emotionally jarred by it. I'm still devastated to look at a score and see that we've lost four kni Don't get me wrong. But it's just...
00:17:07
Zak
I don't think I'll be at this emotionally jarred by it, if I'm totally honest, mate. But I think it's because, like, it was everything, you know, oh it means nothing unless as long as we get a result on Sunday. And then to just have, like, even Arma out and be like, yeah, that's rare, it sucks, we really need to do better than that, we go again.
00:17:22
Zak
and you're just like, mate, like...
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just like, we're back to exactly where we were under Will Stilt, right? Like, I don't know if it's just they don't they're not trying.
00:17:27
Zak
Not even well still. Like last season under Juric, like there's just a bunch of them. I just don't understand how you could be so accepting of mediocrity. that's what That's what upsets me.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:36
Zak
And like, I guess it's because some people say the fans are accepting of mediocrity and we're not protesting week in, week out. Also, that's exhausting as it is. Because I just don't know what's going to happen in the future.
00:17:47
Zak
And I don't know. it it feels like you're fighting you're fighting powers that that just don't care. Like, that's the other thing, right? The problem is is that you're not going to be able to convince the average matchdaying fans who not go to the fan zone, not go to level one. not do that kind of stuff. It doesn't mean you shouldn't try. use your voice however you want, exactly as Greg pointed out. But it's just it it just feels so blah. And like it was so... Again, i got i got caught up in it, Greg. I got caught up in the hype and the winning and the goals and the...
00:18:17
Zak
I got caught up in it. And then I've been brought crashing back down to reality where like, we asked the question of, would you want to get this promoted for this squad? And you were like, no.
00:18:29
Zak
The real answer sir is, don't have any a hope of promotion.
Future Transfers and Team Morale
00:18:31
Zak
Like, come on.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
but when old rus When I was leaving the Millwall game on New Year's Day, i overheard a couple of gentlemen behind me talking.
00:18:34
Zak
If you're real.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he wo one of them walked up to the other and went, Steve, we're just mid-table fodder, really, aren't we? And never have I heard a descriptive more accurate than how I feel about this squad. We are just...
00:18:56
Zak
It's damning, isn't it?
00:18:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
mid-table, maybe push into playoffs squad.
00:18:58
Zak
we had We had a nice run.
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's... Yeah. oh Like, we could win every game for the rest of the season and not come close. But, like, heat it's... We said, but coming into the festive period, that it was make or break.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we got we got our answer. It broke us. Completely. Like, we're done. Like, it's just...
00:19:17
Zak
it's certainly breaking it.
00:19:26
Zak
As the kids would say, we are we are cooked, chat.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that the only...
00:19:29
Zak
That's what they say, right? like I don't know.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know, mate. Maybe all I get from my kids is a whole load of eye rolls and time. It's... Like, the only positive...
00:19:41
Zak
i it didn't i didn't want it to break me this bad, man. I really didn't.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only positive is that now we've got, what, a full week until we go again.
00:19:45
Zak
but
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And our our next game is, what, it's the FA Cup next, right? so
00:19:54
Zak
Yes, we're playing we're playing Doncaster, who are League One, who years ago I would say, don't you say it?
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that should be should be a confidence booster.
00:20:01
Zak
Don't you say it? Don't you be like, yeah, I think i think we can take on Doncaster, it won't be a problem. Lies. I don't believe it. I'm going predict the loss of that.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's it's irrelevant, right?
00:20:11
Zak
just feel it at my...
00:20:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No one at this point of the season cares about a cup run. You know, we could play the kids and get beat by Doncaster it doesn't matter. We've got the next important game is two weeks away.
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got 13 days to regroup. You know, rest up the players that need resting after a busy period, knock some a desire into them by hook or by crook, and come back at home to hole and like actually put in a performance that we that can you know turn the mood because...
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it it's not the one at the minute. and And, you know, you look slightly further ahead in the fixture list and ominously on the horizon here, at once again, feeling like the worst possible time of the season.
00:21:00
Zak
yeah Why could it have been like a month ago?
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, another South Coast derby.
00:21:04
Zak
why not?
00:21:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:06
Zak
It's fine.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know right in the...
00:21:07
Zak
that's That's it. That's if we can play, mate. Might be too cold.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, our Timpot friends down the road who couldn't even afford a power heater for their pitch in the sun.
00:21:16
Zak
I mean, to be fair, not not as tin pot as Hull City cancelling the game and saying it was agreed with all parties and Watford coming out and it's explicitly saying we did not agree to ray in rearrange the game.
00:21:29
Zak
that That's pretty...
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:31
Zak
That's some spice.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:32
Zak
But that's, again, like the only real piece of other outside football today that gave me a little bit of joy. Because, you know, it's just... Absolutely horrendous performance. Absolutely horrendous game. Fair play to Middlesbrough. We will well be.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:47
Zak
You're right. They are second on merit. But it's just the fact that, yeah, there's no... i think it was... they had They had a debut. They ended up you know having to play with a makeshift defence for a little bit as well.
00:22:00
Zak
And like again, we had a couple of chances. like The first half probably was significantly more balanced than I'm making out to be.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
different downside to Flynn Downs had a chance, Follows had a chance. Looking at the stats, the first half was dominated a bit by them, but we, I think, had the better chances. But but it's irrelevant when you look at the final score.
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
like a performance how many times last season did you say a performance can be what it can be, but at the end of the day we lost 4-0. And and and to you know to pull it back, it's not all on Bazs.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
That first goal, which is frankly the crucial goal, right? Because after that goal, heads drop. and And we do the the classic thing that this team does and have no response.
00:22:39
Zak
Wasn't Tonda trying to try to justify as well with being like...
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But one single pass took out nine outfield players, five of which were supposedly defenders, by the way.
00:22:49
Zak
But Greg, maybe it was offside, so that means that we should have just, you know, put downed tools and been upset and also let the other three goals in.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:22:57
Zak
I think that's the... who
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
just I mean, it's not even close to offside. There's just five people standing watching the ball. I've just watched it back now. He's not even remotely close to offside.
00:23:08
Zak
I can't remember if it was our first or our second that he said was offside because I was too angry at that point. But again, like it you ought you want to...
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But again, also, he get it gets into that position and he hits it directly at Bozunu and it still goes in. look
00:23:23
Zak
So who do you reckon our our best rated player was on BBC Sport, mate, for that game?
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
None of them.
00:23:31
Zak
It was Leo Sienza with a 3.24.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
The travelling fans.
00:23:33
Zak
Right. right And then Gavin Bezzuno was bottom with 2.36. But yeah, arguably the only people that really deserve a round applause are the fans. And the fact that the fact that you only have one player that came over and and was willing to have a chat with them, I
Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement
00:23:46
Zak
think by the sounds of it, Azaz like walked over and then turned back.
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
a disgrace.
00:23:50
Zak
right And the fact that there seemed to be some confusion about whether that actually happened. like Maybe the manager should have been paying attention and also come over and made with the players go. right Rather than not being confused, you shouldn't be confused about that.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:04
Zak
Well, I told them they all had to as I walked down the tunnel and didn't pay attention. I don't know, man. It's just...
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:11
Zak
it's it's just we we we We had it in our hands and then it just crumbled as quick, right? It was like a finely baked souffle, the yeah the Tonda interim period of being a manager.
00:24:24
Zak
and now we're just in, insert generic Sports Republic manager here. Four years to the day as well, mate, that they took over. least we got loads of money for Lavia, Tyler Dibbling and Matias Fernandez. That's... They're only good at business. Just a shame that the business is waking our football club worse.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to, I just, oh I feel like, and I genuinely feel like, like it can only go up from here, right? The fixtures become less congested and actually maybe we have a chance to put right what's gone wrong so far. And, you know, there's some hope, like Ross Stewart's coming back to fitness, so we're going to have alternative options. It's the transfer window. You never know what's going to happen. Maybe we're going to bring in some quality and,
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, come come good and turn it up. But whenever I'm thinking this and saying it, all I can think of is Mick McCarthy, right? Like, it can't get worse, can it?
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it can, yeah.
00:25:20
Zak
It can. Yeah, and also I would say in the nicest possible way, Greg, it's not our job to be hopeful and try and hype up this football club or its supporters.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:31
Zak
like i bit like Everyone who's listened to this podcast for a long period of time knows I wear my heart on my sleeve. And that means that I am all all ranges of the emotions, depending on what's going on inside the club and outside the club.
00:25:44
Zak
And obviously sometimes my own personal life or whatever. But like with this, I can put pretty much my mood for today being down entirely to how unbelievably bad we play football as a team.
00:25:55
Zak
And the fact that I knew we'd have to come on and cover this. And it was later that I wanted it to be because I didn't get the catharticism of immediately talking about it so I've had to stew in my own juices being mad.
00:26:06
Zak
and this stupid but team not playing great and I get that like it might not last forever and it never does last forever but like it just something today stung deep and I can tell that it's not just me because Twitter also just exploded pretty much immediately during the game after the game
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Like you say, six six wins in seven was only a temporary plaster, right? Like, that was great while it lasted, but, like, that was just the false hope to build up to maybe this festive period to be good, and then, I mean, the results speak for themselves.
00:26:33
Zak
really was
00:26:41
Zak
It was just how how upsetting it was, mate, that that we kind of like called it was unsustainable as well. And like, I hate it because so i like being wrong more often than I'm right.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:26:52
Zak
Because most of the time I'm so pessimistic that if I'm right, it's usually a bad thing. So you'd be being like, oh, it's unsustainable.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:01
Zak
And thinking, you know, maybe I'll be proved wrong. And like, even today I predicted a win. I predicted 2-0, I think. You said 1-0. I predicted higher than you.
00:27:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:11
Zak
I just thought maybe they' maybe they'll put this whole festival... And again, like all of the rest in the players, all of the the sorting out the travel and all the excuses under the sun, and we've come away with, what, two points out of, what, 12? 15? 15?
00:27:23
Zak
twelve so fifteen I don't know, 20. It feels like it's just nothing. And then all these other teams are running away. And, and you know, the the joke for me is, you know, poor Azaz coming to join us to to join a Premier League club is what, in his words, was going to happen. And then Middlesbrough are probably the ones that are now going to get promoted. So who knows? I just... Right.
00:27:48
Zak
I think that's about... When it comes to running me, I think that's about what I've got in me.
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, look, that seems like a perfectly good place to end it. We've just about run out of time.
00:27:56
Zak
do you what Do you not want to hype up the listeners? Do you not want to give her give a semblance of hope?
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, we're going to
00:28:02
Zak
For me as well?
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know a lot I don't know if that that's something that's within my skill set to pull it back that much. I'm not Mark Dennis. I can't rally people.
00:28:13
Zak
It wasn't There you go.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, we've got plenty of time to sit and think about...
00:28:16
Zak
go
00:28:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
what what we what can make it better. We got, like I say, 13 games until the next game that that really matters to sit and work it out.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And a lot could happen between now and then, right? Like 13 days in a transfer window, we could genuinely have a completely different looking squad by the time that that comes to play.
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We could have four players gone and six players in. You just don't know.
00:28:47
Zak
Attempts to buy Goalkeeper fails miserably.
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
i'm not holding my breath for it, but...
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i
00:28:54
Zak
like you had You had one you had one thing written down on your list and you're struggling to do it.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look.
00:29:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:04
Zak
I'm not helping you. I'm sorry. yeah
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
like they I mean, it is. It's almost at parody levels of themselves, right? Like, it's just...
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, we'll hunt for positives. We'll find a way to put it back. And you know that by the time it comes to that whole game at home, that we're both going to be predicting wins and we're going to be back in that cycle of positivity because that's just what we do.
00:29:26
Zak
Oh, you might.
00:29:31
Zak
You might.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just what we do.
00:29:32
Zak
I'm not getting caught out again.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:29:33
Zak
I've been hurt too much in the last two seasons. but but
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'll clip it up.
00:29:37
Zak
you
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll leave it when we see it. But listen, that that is all we have got time for today. Let us know in the comments or on the socials how you're feeling and what you're using to cope with such a level of dross because, i mean, we all need something.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
let Let us know. We are Daily Saints Pod on all the socials, on X, Blue Sky, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, everywhere. Get us up.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know. We love hearing from you. We will be back to talk more about transfers, the championship, and you know maybe we'll delve into some more Saints stuff if we're feeling really gloomy.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But until then, everyone, have a wonderful day, and we'll see you then.