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Episode 69: Forecast Friday - Looking forward to Liverpool...
45 Plays29 days ago
Southampton –Bednerak and Ramsdale are out injured, but we try to remain optimistic as we head into a title deciding 6 pointer against Liverpool on Sunday... We discuss how we think we'll line up, and how we think we'll get on...
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Gregory Elliott. I'm joined today by my illustrious co-host, Zach Ngo Finch. How you doing Zach?
Match Preview: Southampton vs Liverpool
00:00:20
Zak
i ah This week's getting getting brighter as we go on. I don't know how I feel about the weekend still. Apparently we did have a bit of snow.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We had a bit of snow today.
00:00:30
Zak
i We're playing Liverpool Sunday, mate. And apparently, it's very funny to me that our crossover yesterday, it was extremely established that I am the the pessimist. Because for someone that still doesn't want our manager fired, I think there must be something wrong with my brain, mate, maybe, according to most people. But it's a story for another time in it. Anywho.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
right Yeah, so you're right. We're playing Liverpool Sunday. It is a techy affair. We're both heading down to St Mary's, which would be nice. Yeah, I don't know. I hope it'd be nice, I guess.
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
is
00:01:00
Zak
Yeah, itll be it would be really nice to see us somehow scrape a win or even a draw I'll take at this point. As long as we don't get battered like 5-0, that's kind of where I'm at. Wild.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was nice to hear that the Liverpool guys from the crossover think that they might take the foot off the gas at three.
00:01:18
Zak
This is the and the fact that we are the easiest points available to them in their run, which is, I don't know that.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, well, I mean, they've got Real Madrid and Man City in the next two fixtures. That can only bode well for us. yeah, ah did I don't know. Let's get into it, all right?
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess we've we've had a presser today, so that we need sort of have a bit of a better idea where we are.
00:01:35
Zak
Let's get into it, mate.
Injury Concerns and Team Formation
00:01:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bednareck out, injured, as well as Ramsdale.
00:01:45
Zak
Good.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that a philosophy of confidence?
00:01:48
Zak
Who's going to replace him? Is it just going to be a like for swap with Stevens? Are we going to go back to a back four?
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what I was thinking about this? And I think it might be both a blessing and a curse, right? Because it just means we don't have to shoehorn Stevens in. We can play him in his supposedly natural centre-back role.
00:02:04
Zak
Or do they do we shoe Hornin, Wood or Edwards, and also Stevens to make sure we keep that back five?
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just don't think any of those names fill me with confidence.
00:02:14
Zak
But they're goingnna you know they've they've they've they've signed them for long-term plans, right? And I think that's that's kind of, okay, well, when are you going to stop?
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:22
Zak
it's it's It's getting to that point where like it's it's like it'll lump it. You need to shine, right? like it is This is what we've had with Ugochukwu and Kornae a little bit. And even Fraser, to to be honest.
00:02:32
Zak
like sort of You've come back into the side. You need to prove you worth prove your worth, or otherwise, you're going to lose out on minutes. And I think this is a perfect opportunity for one of them to step in. But I also think that you're right.
00:02:43
Zak
It's just going to be Stevens alongside Taylor Harbour-Bellez with
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
mark I think that Russell's comments in the press conference speak volumes to me because what he said was, it doesn't matter what shape you play and what matters is our identity on the pitch.
00:02:56
Zak
yeah what matters is the seventy percent possession we get
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think to me that speaks exactly like we're going to go back to the back four.
00:03:00
Zak
long lift
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't know, he made mention that Suleimana and Fraser are back, so we'll probably see one of them. Whether we see Manning dropped back to left back, supposedly his best position, or if we see someone like Breezy come in, I don't know.
00:03:23
Zak
Yeah, I think this is why I wouldn't be surprised if they do decide to keep the back five and give either Wood or Edward to go. Like, I know that you've said that you've not been filled with confidence with either of them when they've played, but like at the same time, we we said that kind of at the beginning of the season with Taylor Howard-Bellis, we said that with people like Oribo, who are now complete mainstays.
00:03:39
Zak
Like, trying to be more positive, I guess also putting put in a player like that in a big game against Liverpool is also quite intimidating, but we did the same with Dippling and look how it turned out.
00:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:03:49
Zak
So,
00:03:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're
Team Identity and Strategy
00:03:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
right. And I guess also, no, you're right. But I guess also it's, you know, the, it said that bed and Eric's probably out for a few weeks. So, so you're right. If we're going to do it, we might as well get out of the way.
00:03:50
Zak
look, I'll be the positive one.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
We need to get these players with some game time at the end of the day, Liverpool isn't going to be the make or break of our season, regardless of how it goes. And you know, it might well be the make or break of Martin.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we get absolutely battered. but it's not at no point in even the most optimistic terms as anyone thinking we're comfortably walking away with a win here.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
say So if that's what it takes and it takes 70 minutes with a you know a cusp player on defence to shore that player up for and you know the other games that are going to be, I guess, slightly less
00:04:27
Zak
Nah.
00:04:44
Zak
The percentage bow is slightly up higher of a win than the rest of them, right?
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
scary yeah right it feels like we've got more of a chance of beating Brighton and than beating Liverpool but it's hard to feel optimistic either way right yeah
00:04:49
Zak
That's what you mean.
00:04:55
Zak
but also so so Liverpool probably also thought that Liverpool thought that as well right and that's been their only slip up this season so who knows it's um it's a terrifying time around
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're on fire. it's it's It's crazy the sort of form they come in with. And actually, if they beat us on Sunday, here's my my first stat of the day for you.
Media Bias and Club Investments
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would see slot become the joint fastest boss to reach 10 wins from the start of a Premier League career in 12 games.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joining Gus Hiddink from 2009 and Carlo Ancelotti from 2009 as well.
00:05:51
Zak
had like one signing. I've been able to just consistently win.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
is
00:05:54
Zak
It's crazy. Absolutely crazy.
00:05:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's classic BBC rate in the same way that they never give us any credit and seem to dislike and play down anything we do. You'll never see Liverpool in the spotlight as a glorious team because that's just not their mentality.
00:06:07
Zak
Yeah, it's true. Very true.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it's just media, isn't it? Tool nonsense.
00:06:14
Zak
Media in it. It's all nonsense. That's a quote of the day, mate.
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah but But yeah, but you're right.
00:06:21
Zak
oh
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
like You should be getting way more plaudits for it. like Five points clear currently on level games played. It's probably the strongest position they've been in for years.
00:06:30
Zak
It's bad because it's all about it's all about
00:06:34
Zak
Yeah, but it's really what's really weird. So I know that we're talking about media in it and like BBC loving Manu and stuff like that. But it's it's the fact that like there's so much talk about Guardiola and like messing up and like them them losing.
00:06:46
Zak
And then I'm also him getting a contract extension off the back of that. You've got conversations about like, oh, it's Michael Arteta is like, like, you know, sort of title to lose. And it is those conversations still seem to be taking place around a Liverpool team that just keep winning.
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:00
Zak
It's so so weird. like
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like not just like scraping wins either like they don't look like they're gonna lose when they play they
00:07:03
Zak
No.
00:07:06
Zak
no It's it's it's it's a it's a scary prospect and as I said like if we can use it as ah ah a time to maybe get some minutes elsewhere I guess I guess what we want to see is just ah ah regardless of just reaction to wolves right like that was it was it was great that we had such possession we did nothing with it we need to try I don't care if we go down fighting
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
such a double-edged sword though in it because like you're right what we want to see is a solid performance and and and and perform really well and you know if when push comes to shove their quality pushes through and they get a narrow win it kind of is what it is but also if martin comes out in a post-match press conference once more and says wow that performance was brilliant and we still got no points that's going to tip loads of people over the edge that's
00:07:50
Zak
Yeah, but i I think as I discussed yesterday, mate, people are already there. People are already at the edge. People have been so far over the edge. And the thing is, is like, what I think we've, we've constantly, the point where you're at, sorry, is I just don't know how much sports were able to care.
00:08:03
Zak
And I know it's upsetting that we should be a club with more ambition, but also it's, it's about survival more than anything. And by
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Squad Challenges and Management Decisions
00:08:08
Zak
survival, I mean survivors of football club.
00:08:10
Zak
I mean, you know, you talked about it and your points are always articulate, but like even, even more so yesterday when you're talking about the investment into the stadium, the investment into the ground is not something that is discussed half as much as sort of like, well, why are we keeping Brussels?
00:08:24
Zak
Like they're spending money, they're spending money in places that people would prefer them to spend 40, 50 million on a striker instead. But like, that's not. what their priority is, because they're a business.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
it They're about growth, right? Like spending 40, 50 million on a striker might get you two or three seasons and a bit of extra revenue for that period of time.
00:08:37
Zak
Yeah.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, that growth to the stadium has been long overdue and the extra income that that's going to provide is going to set us forward for the future. and
00:08:52
Zak
we've And also, we've we've got strikers that like we we think are good. Cameron Archer is a good player.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just wish we'd played this.
00:08:57
Zak
And like he's just not put away the chances.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he's for the few chances that he's been given.
00:09:02
Zak
Yeah, we want services he had recently. Yeah, you're right. But like, we've tried.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
like if we just need to play to the strike of strength and if we can do that but we've we've got Flynn Downs back this week so hopefully we see more of that because I think he's such a key <unk> such key part of what was missing at Wolves.
00:09:12
Zak
Yep.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's crazy but it'll be interesting to see how that back line shapes up and and fares up to changes because you know losing you know, Ben Nurek comes under criticism and has done in the past, but for me, he's been defensively an absolute beast, like out of nowhere.
00:09:36
Zak
Yeah, this season.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's He's really been the one, the solid wall part of that back line, giving people like Harwood Bellis the freedom to go and sort of dart forward a bit and try and find those channels that we're all about.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, to lose here man Ramsdale could be absolutely devastating, to be honest.
00:10:02
Zak
Oh yeah, and that's the thing, but like, but but then it's, it shows you the emphasis we have on like the small squad we've got. But then also we've, we've had times in the past where our squad was so bloated and inflated with barely anyone getting on the pitch.
00:10:13
Zak
know, we had like Ibrahim Adialo at one point. I don't know if you remember him, you'd occasionally get a game like once in a blue moon, but he went off. You had, there's, there's been times in the past where we've had really, really, but this, this kind of example is, you know, we have such key players and it turns out removing them from the board is either next man up to prove it or truly we are, we are stuffed. And it means that we'll probably have to spend in January and whether that means that Russell was at the helm or not, you know, I'm still an avid believer that I think it,
00:10:39
Zak
It doesn't matter what maybe you think, right? like I can't keep reiterating it anymore. We could discuss it till the cows come home. It's not our decision to make. And I don't think any amount of fan noise matters, Sports Republic. Never has previously. Why would it matter now?
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:50
Zak
Well, it did matter previously. They spent tons of money getting rid of Hasen who was replacing with Nathan Jones, which was a really subpar replacement, who they then had to get rid of again. so
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:11:01
Zak
I just don't think they'll, I don't think they care. And I know that's, that sucks and it's a horrible position to be in, but also like, you know, some areas is a lot nicer this season. They are spending money. They're not just showing up shop and milking it for as much money as possible.
00:11:13
Zak
They're trying to turn it into a viable business. And unfortunately part of that viable business is the football and the football isn't going our way and it sucks. And if, if we'd scored a few more of those chances this season, maybe it would have been of a different conversation.
Sponsorship and Home/Away Form Analysis
00:11:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, we're going to move on into a bit closer thoughts about what we're going to do.
00:11:27
Zak
You know?
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll go with a predicted lineup and some predict follow up on our predicted scores after a message from our partners at Zencaster. So here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out with a 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. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, before we move straight into predictions, we all know we love the the little AI blurbs from the footy stats website I use, right? And I'm not going to go into too many of the stats because they're all pretty horrifying. But the ah the little summary that I like to use is, obviously, Southampton are in very poor home form, whilst Liverpool are performing excellent away.
00:12:36
Zak
Oh, I don't like that. That's the first time we've ever had an excellent.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
a i know yeah so uh it makes a pretty grim reading to be honest it's uh it's a tough one
00:12:48
Zak
You got to wonder how many how many of the home fans this weekend are going to be home fans. That's all I'm saying.
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's an interesting one. It's a sellout as are our next three home games, to be fair. So, you know, some sort of support staying strong is good.
00:13:00
Zak
Yeah.
00:13:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've seen that the ticket exchange is open for, I think, all of the games up until Boxing Day now. So, yeah, yeah, good to see.
00:13:08
Zak
Good.
00:13:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, let's get to it. Predicted lineups. So, presumably we both expect McCarthy to go in goal.
00:13:19
Zak
Yeah, be ah it it would be a bit of a left curve ball if it was Lumley, wouldn't it?
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:23
Zak
Brazilian is still out, so it's either Lumley or McCarthy, and I think...
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I referred to in the press conference as Mr. Reliable, Alex McCarthy, which is is maybe not a nickname that the fans would have joined in.
00:13:29
Zak
This This is literally at fault for us losing the Ipswich game.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but my Mr. Steady and Reliable, that's what Russell Martin called him.
00:13:40
Zak
What was it you said to him before the season started, mate, when we saw him at the signing? When you took your voice to the training. i say
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something about Golden Gloves.
00:13:47
Zak
really Yeah, yeah, yeah, you were like, you're like golden glove, the season, the other coffee and he burst out laughing himself, which, which obviously we know that's not going to be the case, but it's, it's, it's always nice to see someone having a chocolate himself, but like he came and he did it in the championship and towards the end and we we played really solid.
00:14:03
Zak
Like maybe, maybe having that time, maybe rested his old bones. We'll, we'll give him a couple of good games in, right?
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
but it's not all doom and gloom like yes he's got a mistake in him but at the end of the day he's a very good goalkeeper he's a brilliant shot stopper yeah yeah
00:14:14
Zak
you so but also bit pulled off some phenomenal saves, but I've also watched him pass it directly to the opposition players on at least three or four occasions the last few games. And like that's that's just the nature of the way we're going to play football.
00:14:27
Zak
I don't think it's really really any goalkeeper's fault. If you're told to kick the ball, you play dangerous.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:33
Zak
Unfortunately, you can get stung. So I think he's about as good as any other goalkeeper, realistically, that could be in between the sticks. Ramstell is something special, but he's out. So next man up, isn't it?
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah And then backline, what do you think? Do you think we're going with a back four or a back five?
00:14:48
Zak
I, again, like if I go out of left field, I would say you've got a back five. So you've got, you've got, so you've got potentially man in, you've got potentially car walker Peters, and then you've got maybe Stevens, maybe Edwards comes in for a stretch finally. And then obviously Taylor Howard balance. So that's, that's potential. Or you've just got the whole standard Steven, THB, uh, car walker is on the left and circle are on the right. I can't really decide between the two, but those are the only two I really see being possible.
00:15:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:17
Zak
maybe breezy starts, but like again, I just think that if you're going to pick your strongest squad.
00:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Charlie Taylor. I haven't seen a lot of Charlie Taylor since since the game of God bought one as a sub but and someone didn't stand on the penalty spot to concede the goal, right?
00:15:32
Zak
Yes, that's an interesting point, but I'd also say or say like, I think that that that role has been kind of fulfilled by having Carl Walker Peters and Manning on the left a little bit, so it wouldn't really surprise me if they carried that on, if I'm totally honest.
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I think we're going to see a back four this weekend. and I think it's going to be Sugawara and Walker Peters.
00:15:56
Zak
hi
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's how I see it playing out. I think that, especially with Flynn back, I think that Martin's going to have some confidence in us.
00:16:07
Zak
We're going to need to take the chances a lot more because we're against Liverpool. like You can't miss them. right So we're going to need to have those attacks that we were missing in the Wolves game where we we spent the had a lot of the ball
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:18
Zak
could have put more in, but didn't. I think they're going to want, he's going to want the reaction and he's going to want to win. Like he goes into every game wanting to win as much as people say that he doesn't. I think that that's demonstrated by the risky football we play.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:30
Zak
If he was trying to play, it sometimes it would be nicer and safer for us to play for a draw. We'd have more points in the board, but that's just not any way that I think they want us to play.
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Nice.
00:16:39
Zak
And the players would, would, would feel weird doing that if they're expected to play this way all the time.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:43
Zak
And then all of a sudden one day not.
00:16:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just don't think it will. I don't think our
Player Choices and Tactical Approaches
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
mentality is up to it if we're being honest. All right, moving up to the middle of the park. Flynn down's first name on the team sheet, right? Got to be. If he's fit and ready, back in. I think I'd be pairing him up with Matty Fernandez and Arribo, but maybe Lilana if he's fit? I don don't know. What do you what do you think?
00:17:05
Zak
us I still fall back to that that sort of Testy conversation he had with Adam Blackmore a couple of weeks back after a game. And he was like, if Adam Lahn was fit, and he's our best player, don't you think he would play?
00:17:17
Zak
So I think if he's fit, he'll play, if I'm totally honest.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:21
Zak
But yeah, I could see the same. Fernandez deserves every place in the team. He got a goal on international duty as well. So why would you not put him up there?
00:17:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:29
Zak
And a replay's been solid too. So yeah, I wouldn't be so surprised.
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Fernandez has been, think I think, I think, I think I've gone on record.
00:17:34
Zak
You're both in agreement, right? Like, best signing.
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been one of our best players consistently.
00:17:37
Zak
Best signing as well.
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. A hundred percent. He just has something about him and he, when other players mentality drops, he doesn't have that.
00:17:49
Zak
He is a player that every time I see him play football, it will be one of those things in 10, 20 years time that you'll be like, you'll never know. You're like, you can't believe who played for Southampton before they got their start as a couple of players like that. That, you know, you know, like it's like, when it's like, when they're like famous first Saints, like players, Manet,
00:18:10
Zak
Virgil van Dyck, Gareth Bale, and obviously sea for that's that's more for the youth, right? like we We were there to see all of that, but it is the vibe that I get that we've got a couple of a season or two out of him, and then if he continues the level of form he's got and sips under the radar,
00:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:18:25
Zak
I think eventually he'll be whipped up by somebody like a Liverpool or something and go on to have a fantastic career. I'd love him to stay here forever, but like, I'm just also more realistic than that. It's not pessimism, Greg. It's just realism.
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:18:37
Zak
We do not keep the best players ever because we cannot pay them.
00:18:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, and if we go with back four, we've got what, a front three? And if we go with the back five, we've got two to stick up there. What do you think? Who you feeling?
00:18:51
Zak
Do you reckon Manning gets back in? Do you reckon they put him up on the left wing? I think Diblin's definitely a shoe in a little bit, right? You're going to have Diblin, Archer.
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:58
Zak
I don't know if it will be Manning or Armstrong, if I'm totally honest.
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've written down three, which might surprise you. I've written down Diblin and Archer, because I agree.
00:19:06
Zak
mean
00:19:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't see Although I could potentially see Diblin being saved to come off the bench and inject some pace, and maybe Armstrong was dying. And on the left, I've put Suleimana.
00:19:21
Zak
Interesting. Is it because he got two goals last time against Liverpool?
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that, and yeah, I just...
00:19:26
Zak
He just fancy him playing.
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was mentioned in the press conference that he's back now as well as Fraser, and I just think of the two, Sulemana maybe offers a bit more, hopefully.
00:19:39
Zak
Or oh is is Russell never going to beat the allegations that that phrases his best mate, so he's just going to play it?
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah I mean, that is a distinct possibility. would For me, it was a toss up between the two. It really could have gone either way, but I feel like it's a bolder move to to go with something a little bit less known.
00:20:00
Zak
We've just got to hope, mate, that in between now and then we don't get another injury. It's the rate the last three weeks have been. You're like, oh.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or illnesses.
00:20:10
Zak
Yeah, man, these people need to start like having some vitamin C or something like the fact that, you know.
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know, at least the last illness seemed to be flu or something and not Flynn Downs cooking again. Like, what was it in the championship season when he he tried to cook chicken livers and poisoned himself or something stupid?
00:20:23
Zak
Yeah, it was he had food. for To be fair, I've had food poisoning.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
boy By that man, a personal chef.
00:20:27
Zak
It's horrific.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is so important to our team. If we had a whip round, round the stadium,
00:20:33
Zak
You're right, but then it's not fair for all the other players that don't have personal chefs. Then you need to get their more personal chefs. So, like, honestly, I'd be...
00:20:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Flynn Downs, a personal chef and Tyler Dibblings and shin pads, please.
00:20:41
Zak
Right. I feel like at some point, I'd love to have a discussion with the people in charge of, like, player relations, because I find that so fascinating. and
Fan Influence and Strategy Adjustments
00:20:46
Zak
like Like, you hear the stories of dropping everything at three in the morning, because someone fancies an ice cold Pepsi from, like, a bodega store.
00:20:53
Zak
Like, it's like... I love that stuff. But I overweight, like... Yeah, well, hopefully... Either way, we've got a lot of options and I just hope that everyone stays fit and they put in the best, but most that they can do.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joe, one name we haven't mentioned, who maybe we see something of?
00:21:09
Zak
And I guess we'll discuss.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about Diaz?
00:21:12
Zak
Oh, yeah. Oh, right. Yeah. hu for um Let's pretend I didn't forget that he was a player for us for a little bit.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:22
Zak
And I feel like he probably feels that way a little bit as well. He had his opportunity and in wolves to make a difference, and tried he tried.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:21:29
Zak
He had one run. He ran out of room. and
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just, I feel like, I feel like we need to try something different on top. And I feel like, like Diaz seems to be pretty content holding the ball up and maybe that's what you need alongside Cameron Archer.
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm just going to hold the ball up and ping something off for him to run in behind on.
00:21:45
Zak
Yeah.
00:21:49
Zak
Well, even that, or like they said,
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I dunno. I just, I feel like we need to create some chances and I just, I can't, I don't know. We just need to do something different than what we've been doing because it's not been working.
00:22:01
Zak
Right, well we'll discuss a little bit more and then probably move on to like score predictions and bits and pieces after a word from our sponsors, Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:09
Zak
So the Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasting with dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football, and a daily Premier League wrap-up broadcasted in five different languages.
00:22:21
Zak
This is your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find GSPN wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:22:29
Zak
Yeah, we do need to do something different and we've discussed things like that before right like where you need We talk about having like Archer and when I'm actually you up top together We still haven't tried that really like maybe we should try that No, I don't either he doesn't I don't know if you saw
00:22:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't know. I just don't see it on actually getting a start. i think I think at this point, Russell Martin almost sees that as giving in to fan voice, which I just don't think is something that he would willingly do.
00:23:00
Zak
other I genuinely wonder how much he reads, mate, if I'm totally honest. that He sounds like a man that does not care about social media. I don't know if that's all just, like, you know, I don't know if that's all just hype.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But even if he doesn't, like his family definitely do and some of that will make its way back to him.
00:23:13
Zak
Yeah, but do do you reckon his sons are coming up and being like, that Dad, why don't you play polo now and watch you up front?
00:23:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:19
Zak
And he's like, no, because my son told me. I don't i don't think he's that arrogant, mate. I don't think he's i think he's too...
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:23:25
Zak
I don't think he's as arrogant as that, in my opinion.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. I don't know. I mean, I don't think
Player Matchups and Game Predictions
00:23:29
Zak
You don't think it will happen because it would have already happened?
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
My opinion on Paul Wathenachu is not changed from what I've seen of him on our pitch and I don't think that starting him is the answer.
00:23:33
Zak
Yeah, I can tell. When he needs to score, he needs to score for me to have a huge change of opinion.
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like he's a big man who's got the when balls at his feet is strong but can't play in the air and if you put him against Virgil van Dijk just not happening is it you know what I mean like it's not
00:23:51
Zak
I still, well I know who we shouldn't play against Virgil van Dijk and that's Adam Armstrong after, I want to say in an interview literally saying like oh yeah, terrified of playing van Dijk, can't get past him and I'm like that's great, don maybe don't play Liverpool on Sunday where you're meant to get past him because that's terrifying.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can't get past him. Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you have to put it in the context, right? Van Dyke is of what probably what the best centre back in the world at the moment. If not V, then, you know, top three minimum.
00:24:15
Zak
Oh yeah 100%.
00:24:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it is a tough game from every sort of angle you approach it. i All right, let's let's wrap up by thinking about our predictions and how we see it playing out.
00:24:27
Zak
Mm hmm.
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if I remember rightly, you predicted a 2-1 loss, 3-1.
00:24:32
Zak
It was a three one, mate, because i I was going sort of similar to the Arsenal score, where like the problem is with that, like, and I'll tell you what is, if there's a two one loss and we managed to keep them out like that's fine, but I just think the quality of someone like Liverpool is is going to be three goals, especially with everything we've got going on. Again, if we go down fighting, we get a goal, we score a lot better, I'll be happier.
00:24:53
Zak
But i to be honest, that what I would really like is your prediction to come true and mine to flounder in the water for a change rather than me predicting usually a loss and it being successful.
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. It'd be a much nicer drive home.
00:25:02
Zak
ah yeah ah yeah True that.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
but so Alright, so 3-1 loss, how do you see it playing out? You think we score first on botlet or just get a goal back from the...
00:25:10
Zak
i could I could see us playing. It's like we discussed yesterday. I could see us play in the first 20 minutes really, really, really well. And then we'll do what we usually do, except it won't be the fault of the players this time.
00:25:22
Zak
It will be the quality of Liverpool that sees us to the sword. like We'll try and keep them out after we've got that one goal. And by trying to keep them out so much, we'll end up opening up a little bit. they they go It goes 1-1.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's scoring the goals?
00:25:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's goals for us?
00:25:40
Zak
i I don't, for us, I, if you, if you'll say it's sort of like, so I want to get to the pitch, it'll be very, it'll be very hilarious for him to do, to do that again. But if not, I could see, you know, as our defenders that are making all the noise, Taylor, our bell is scored during, you know, international break.
00:25:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:54
Zak
And we find, if we finally get our sort of set pieces, attacking set pieces sorted, I could a hundred percent see him getting another goal. Cause he seems to have a, seems to have the sort of smell the blood in the water when the ball gets to him near the goal posts nowadays.
00:26:08
Zak
So.
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
dare to venture which of many goal threats Liverpool are going to have might score against us or Bob Weston it could be anyone yeah right apart from my main gripe with Mo Salah right which was when they beat Bournemouth by a stupid amount of goals I think it was 9-0 and
00:26:14
Zak
anyone. Gakfo, Virgil, like this is the problem with them is that they're so versatile. It's exactly what they talked about yesterday. They're so adaptable. You know, Mo Salah's got to be, you've always got to have him down for scoring because he could, but I did genuinely just depends.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He didn't get, oh he, I triple captained him on FPL and he didn't have a single goal involvement. He was on the pitch for 85 of the minutes.
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just unacceptable.
00:26:53
Zak
Oh, we're just a couple of nerds at the end of the day, mate, aren't we?
00:26:56
Zak
Real reason we get annoyed about football is it doesn't make our numbers go up, but that's just me, maybe you.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
if
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but you know, as you alluded to, I, as always, optimistically predicted a 2-1 win. I think I fancy us to go 2-0 up early.
00:27:11
Zak
Really?
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I really fancy it. I think Mike Fernandez will get a goal and Cameron Archer will get a goal.
00:27:16
Zak
and then what just, yeah.
00:27:20
Zak
I love it.
00:27:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:27:21
Zak
Love it.
00:27:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
and we'll just shut up shop and hold off probably foolishly and then we'll make some awful substitutions and then we'll concede in the 89th minute and it'll be the worst seven minutes of stoppage time you ever sit through but it'll be worth it because we come out with a 2-1 win.
00:27:25
Zak
Oh, good.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
See there's some pessimism in that optimistic prediction still.
00:27:39
Zak
All right.
00:27:42
Zak
Yeah, there's still being a Saints fan even when
Final Thoughts and Sign Off
00:27:45
Zak
you're happy about it.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:27:46
Zak
like It's mad.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:27:47
Zak
Yeah, who knows. It's going to be a tough one, I think, regardless. It's it's going to be nice to go you know you have a few beers before, relax, chill.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, mate.
00:27:58
Zak
It'll be nice either way.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looking forward to the fan zone and enjoying some good vibes.
00:28:01
Zak
yep
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that think that from what I've taken from the atmosphere at the stadium so far this season, I think that what we can look forward to from the atmosphere is still going to be a positive vibe.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think that many people are going to be going in expecting a win.
00:28:16
Zak
Yeah.
00:28:19
Zak
Expecting us to win, right? Yeah, exactly.
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, but that doesn't mean that we're going to go in with a negative doom and gloom vibe.
00:28:21
Zak
and
00:28:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're still going to go in and try and enjoy ourselves, ah try and sing our way through the game. And that's it.
00:28:32
Zak
We've got left, mate. At this point, everyone talks about Darvie's record, and we're close to it. But just enjoy the ride while it takes.
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Look, this title charge begins 15 points for five games.
00:28:44
Zak
you can't keep saying it i i hope that i hope it turns out that way bud i really do
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to come true. I'm putting it, i'm I'm putting it, the thought into the universe and I'm willing it into existence. That's what it's gonna be. All right. yeah We have definitely once again run out of time, but it's it's been fun. I look forward to it. And hopefully we'll still be this upbeat come Monday when we catch you for the match review. Thank you very much for joining us. Zach, as always, thanks for joining me, mate.
00:29:16
Zak
No worries mate, it's been a pleasure.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
and you've been listening to the Daily Southampton from the Global Sports Podcast Network. We'll see you Monday.