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Episode 228: A NEW SIGNING!
0 Playsin 12 hours
Southampton – Lots of news out of the club today, a new signing, a new contract for the skipper and new catering... what more could we ask for?
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Transcript
Introduction and Hosts
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always joined by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zach Ingerfinch.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
How you doing?
00:00:21
Zak
Yeah, we're doing alright.
New Signing 'Princess Peach': A Creative Approach?
00:00:23
Zak
Considering it's been like 24 hours, we've had a pretty heavy sports psychology episode led by you yesterday, which was really, really good. but like And then all of a sudden, everything Saints has just happened in the space of like 30 minutes................
00:00:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Look, let's let's get straight into it. We have a new signing at the club. Princess Peach. Right? That was what I took from the video? Yeah? Yeah.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:00:50
Zak
Oh, yeah Look, sometimes, in my opinion, our social media admins cook really, really
Club's Retro Theme: Nostalgia or Strategy?
00:00:58
Zak
well. And other times they they fall into this weird middle ground where it seems to have made a lot of people happy. And there are a lot of other people looking at it going, what?
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, that chiptune, and the Saints remix is going to be stuck in my head for weeks. So I think i think overall it's a net positive, but...
00:01:18
Zak
It's very much reminiscent of the, uh, the Ralph Express stuff, right? Uh, like we like the, fact like the Ralph Express stuff with a really tiny name tag for Pompey and then Pompey getting mugged off immediately into that video was very important.
00:01:34
Zak
I very much enjoyed that.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:01:36
Zak
Uh, yeah. I don't know if they're goingnna follow up and make the rest of the announcements a series like that. Who knows?
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:01:42
Zak
Uh,
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And then do they just do like each announcement is like a new level of Mario?
00:01:49
Zak
yeah
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
or Or do we like touch on other retro games? Are we going to be like... Are we going to sign someone like incredibly pacey and introduce them as Sonic? like we
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
the deal?.........
00:02:00
Zak
ah don't know, right?
00:02:01
Zak
so so when did this I know this is a bit of a side tangent, Greg, but I'm trying to figure out. So if Mario is from the 80s, and we'll see like arcade games so long as the 80s, isn't this kit meant to be a throwback to the 70s?
00:02:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, yes.
00:02:15
Zak
Right, so if that's so if that's the...
00:02:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
1978, right? Uh, right
00:02:18
Zak
So if that's if that's the case, if that's the case, is the theme just retro? it Or is it like time period retro? Because, you know, um the next one, it could just be a grainy VHS music video. Like, I'm fine with any of these, but...
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
look, I think we're thinking about it too much.
00:02:41
Zak
Maybe you're right.
Damien Downs' Signing: A Game Changer?
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
that Look, the important piece of information to take is Damien Downs in one of the worst kept secrets in football history is now a Saints player.
00:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Signed, sealed, delivered. Great. Did you know, i was watching the interview, did you know that he played with Kwasi at the under 20 level?
00:03:02
Zak
No, I did not, but that is interesting because, you know, and any level of camaraderie is always good.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. I think it's a positive sign that we talked about him coming in quite a bit in our transfer shows because it has been heavily rumoured slash known for quite some time it's going to happen but we're making moves and making tracks mate how are you feeling about it?
00:03:25
Zak
Good. ah Some people, there's a lot of comparisons. like people but For some reason, some people being like, oh is it going to be Mara 2.0? It's like, what, because we just got a new striker? No one's saying it's Che Adams 2.0. It's one of those things where you're like, he's just got it.
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:41
Zak
He's just got it. It's all right for America. They've seen something in him. It's one of the first couple of, it's one of the first few signings under this Spores sort of data and like lead kind of signings.
00:03:56
Zak
I would love to see him do well. I would love to see him prove a lot of people wrong. I think it might end up being a really good sign-in. And yeah, i'm feeling I'm feeling positive about it. They said they were going to target a striker. They've delivered a striker.
00:04:09
Zak
Again, you're never going to please everybody because we talked about this last episode, right? Or we talked about the transfer episode. Like, people want a proven goal-storer. in the championship, you're going to get to a point where like all of them are turning 35-36, right?
00:04:21
Zak
It's like the constant, like, oh, what about Ings?
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:04:23
Zak
I'm like, yeah, if he if his leg if his knees can stay together for like two or three games in a row, sure. like Or why don't we bring J-Rod back? He's at Wrexham. ah ah It's just, where I'm at is, you know give the give the lad a chance. We've got our own strikers too, don't get me wrong, I don't want to like be disrespectful to Dom Ballard coming through too.
00:04:40
Zak
But It looks like it's something they've targeted. They've done a lot of research. They've they've managed to get the signature. It's over the line. We're going to kick off.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:48
Zak
And again, like as you pointed out, he's tall and has pace.
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you know he clearly fits a profile that we've been looking for.
00:04:55
Zak
Yeah.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
he He got 10 goals and 5 assists last season in and the Bundesliga 2. i That's a good hit, right?
00:05:04
Zak
Yeah.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
thus not like
00:05:05
Zak
It's better than...
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you add up our top 3 goal scorers from last season, I think it gets to 10.
00:05:06
Zak
it's bad
00:05:11
Zak
thus That's kind of also my point. like We don't know how it's going to go we you know Yes, strikers should be primarily scoring all the goals, but I guess we'd like to see goals from all around the park.
00:05:22
Zak
We know that that we've got players that are capable of that.
00:05:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:24
Zak
Taylor Harbour-Bellis looks like he's going nowhere and he was one of our defenders that scored a few times. you know we've we've We've still got a creative midfielder to come in if and our prayers are answered and Matty Fernandes stays as well. He's promised that he wants to kind of deliver some goals this season.
00:05:41
Zak
So yeah, but from a personal perspective, I don't really see where where where there's a mini negativity coming from, but there's always negativity. And I personally, I'm looking forward to seeing him in action.
Pre-Season Excitement: What to Expect?
00:05:51
Zak
And if if we get 20 games in and he hasn't scored a goal, and my opinion might change.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:05:55
Zak
But until then, I want to least see the lad get a chance.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
hundred percent lot Look, it's just getting more and more exciting for pre-season, right?
00:06:03
Zak
Oh, mate, it's building.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, i would we're getting close.
00:06:04
Zak
it Stuff's happening.
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, like the Easterly game this weekend, like I'm not managing to go to.
00:06:08
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've got other plans. But the Brighton game is going to be tasty. But then, like, you remember... when Joe Rebo first signed for us and he played in that friendly, I want to say against Inter or something, someone like that.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like it was a crazy European game for a preseason friendly. And he scored this like absolute banger, but then proceeded to not really do a lot for the rest of that season. Like,
00:06:39
Zak
We've already discussed that pre-season is pre-season, right? like it's
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:06:43
Zak
it's It's different if if you're like Val Pedro joining Chelsea a week later, banging in two goals to get to a final. like that that you know But unfortunately, is it's going to be pre-season, so we have to take it as comes.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:53
Zak
like We beat Eastley last time at 7-0, and then we we won two games the entirety of the Premier League.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Yeah.
00:06:58
Zak
so like
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:01
Zak
It swings around about us. It's about getting fitness. It's about trying to see what they can do. I won't be too disheartened. It's it's like similar to NFL have a lot of preseason games, right? Where like, <unk> although the Chiefs did crash out in the final, and lots of people were really worried for their whole season because they didn't win a single preseason game.
00:07:18
Zak
And it's like, well, yeah, because you're testing things out, you're you're trying to get things ready. but If you're going to lose games, it's the best games to lose. Also, does it really count as a proper game if you're playing like 37 players over the space of 90 minutes?
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:29
Zak
Can you all of get have have like 10, 20 minutes to make an impact to the game when they moved on? So I'm not concerned about that.
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:07:36
Zak
i just you know
00:07:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am excited by the signing.
00:07:37
Zak
But you're right. It means it's coming back. It's on its way.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't wait. And look, say what you want about Damien Downs and proven goal scorer. He's obviously another one with potential, fits profile, and some degree a full-blown international player.
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a bit of a coup, right? Like...
00:07:54
Zak
Yeah, but that's the other thing is like, you know, what you want about the quality of America's squad, they still, you know, he's still ah ah an international full of them and they are going to be hosting the World Cup, so they are going to be in it,
New Catering Partner: A Pricey Move?
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Great. Okay. Time for a quick break before we come back with more and a message from our partners at Bionic.
00:08:07
Zak
you know.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. Speaking of new arrivals to the club, Zach, a new catering partner, excitingly.
00:09:03
Zak
I remember you it because it's the same people that do Wembley, right?
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was always going to come back to food.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, it looks like the same people and the same people that do Everton's new stadium and Man City's stadium.
00:09:11
Zak
So that should be all right.
00:09:18
Zak
Is it going to be Wembley prices? but We're going to be paying like £15 for a pie because if that's the case, then ain't really too bothered.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. It was a piece of news that came out. I don't know what to expect. I mean, the food at St. Mary's already pretty overpriced. So if they're going to try and push the price up even more, that's not going to be taken very well.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But also the food at St. Mary's up to this point, it has to be said, not great. So, yeah.
00:09:47
Zak
but So anything better is better, right? Is where you're at.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Look, I've had food at the Dell now, and I like that. That's good. And some of the third-party vendors that they've brought in to sit outside the ground, great. You get some good food there.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And some of the ones that are not associated with the club and sit like just slightly further away from the ground, they seem to be the best ones. So...
00:10:12
Zak
to lay it. it But when you go abroad and you the the further you go out from the capital the centre of the capital city, the better little small food joints you find. So, happy days.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But look, we've moved to a beer that's drinkable.
00:10:25
Zak
True.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've got We're making an effort to change the food. and know The jury's out as to whether that'll be for the better, but you would like to hope so.
00:10:33
Zak
Again, for me, it all kind of feeds into this plan of them trying to like, don't want to say necessarily gentrify the area, gentrify the Manchester experience, but they are making it they are trying to make it a little bit more premium.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:47
Zak
And like I think you're right, it can be good, but also you don't want to get to a point where, I've discussed this a lot before, you start pricing normal people out of football.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
trying to improve it.
00:10:54
Zak
That is already well underway, not just as part of you know our club, but it does worry me if we're going to try and turn the area into like Wembley Park, just remember what city you're from, like what city you're trying to do this in.
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:11:09
Zak
But I'm sure they'll notice if all of a sudden sales massively decline if they start trying to put the price up. but Also, people will eat. So, swings and roundabouts.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:16
Zak
I've got something to talk
Player Strategy: Young Talent or Experience?
00:11:17
Zak
to you about, Greg. So, we'll see. We mentioned it in the transfer talk on Tuesday. How do you feel about Russell Martin trying to supposedly poach Sam Adozi?
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's interesting, isn't it?
00:11:30
Zak
A man who sent him out on loan last season because he didn't have trust in him to Belgium and then played Ryan Fraser over him, Ben Brereton-Diaz, who also then went later out on loan.
00:11:43
Zak
it seems really odd. Like, clearly, he must have seen something in him. Clearly, he was hoping he would get a bit of experience and he's ready. Clearly, he's seen from something from his loan spell that thinks that he's ready enough. Or is it that he just ah ah is aware that, not to mug off all Scottish football fans, but Scotland is at the same level UK, right?
00:12:04
Zak
Was that really right?
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah ah Yeah. Uh, look, I'm going to come out and say it. Scottish football is like Mickey mouse. Let's throw it out there. It's not even in the same conversation.
00:12:17
Zak
To be fair, was also difficult.
00:12:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh,
00:12:18
Zak
like They should just extend the size of the league so they end up playing each other like seven times. like I swear, every time I ever used to go on Sky, it was just the old firm derby.
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it, right?
00:12:26
Zak
Whatever.
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
like the The entire structure of their system is completely different and set up in a way to benefit those two big teams. And if you want to compare side by side the quality, all you need to look at is the competition that those two big teams and the big teams in England also take part in.
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the record speaks for itself, right? right so
00:12:50
Zak
yeah like I cannot understand why it's diehard for people but it just it just seems like it seems like a weird move
00:12:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:12:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but I get it. I get it and I respect it. But yeah, like it's also hard to say right whether this is like a real actual link where there's been like an actual approach or actual scouting or if this is just like lazy journalism.
00:13:05
Zak
hmm
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
like A player who was at club under manager ghost is being approached by that same manager.
00:13:15
Zak
if not If that's the case, I would have at least expected it to be Ryan Fraser, who is both Scottish, a big fan of Russell Martin, and would probably fit into that league really well. right So that that's what I think is quite quite strange about it.
00:13:30
Zak
And that's why I'm like, that sounds legit.
00:13:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don' Look, I feel like I've already on the track of mugging off enough people in this segment, but also, what's going to cause more excitement as a headline? A promising young player on his return from European football in Anderlecht, or Ryan Fraser?
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:13:49
Zak
I have words, mate, for once in my life.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just...
00:13:53
Zak
I can't argue you that point. You're right.
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:55
Zak
You're right. Swear I'm at.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, I think that we made our opinions. I think that we we both agreed, right? That Adozi would be a fantastic player to keep for the season hopefully do some good stuff for us. But sir but the cards are going fall how they fall. We know that we need to trim the squad. squad And if if he know falls victim to that and goes somewhere, then it kind of is what it is. But...
00:14:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
You have to try and trust the bigger picture whilst, you know, hoping that these players that you you you think can come good will.
00:14:30
Zak
Yeah. well, would see what it was being Steve. This is, this is the thing, right?
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Okay, right. Time for another quick break and a message from our partners at Zencastr. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:14:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster. Okay, and another piece of news coming out the club, Zach.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been... ah ah think it's fair to say it's been polarizing from the reaction I've seen. Jack Stevens signs on until 2028 to stay with us as captain.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thoughts?
00:15:23
Zak
See, I said last season, after ah he had his second red card for pulling someone's hair, probably shouldn't have the captaincy anymore. You suspended for nine games over the space of the season.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:36
Zak
I understand the need for continuity and the need for carrying on and having people that are there. You know, he's tasted both success and relegation twice now whilst being with the club.
00:15:49
Zak
Bear in mind, the first relegation season, he wasn't even around for most of it because he was on loan at one of our rivals slash not rivals, Bournemouth. I don't really know how I feel about I thought it was a bit weird when he became captain. Yes, he's clearly got some fight and some passion,
00:16:05
Zak
I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but one of the other things that... And that that's where I should land on it, because clearly he's been kept as captain now by three separate managers, right? I don't know how much of a say still has had him keeping him the manager, but Juric kept him as the manager, and he was manager under Russell Martin.
00:16:23
Zak
I don't think that you... get that buy-in unless you are able to convince the people who are the managers that you are doing that. We don't know what his leadership qualities are behind the scenes.
00:16:36
Zak
I worry about it, what they are on the football field. And I also worry about because he is going to be made captain, then he will be prioritised to be on the field. I don't want us to do what we did lot of both last season and the season before, which is shoehorn him in for the sake of shoehorning him in.
00:16:54
Zak
Why else would we have signed? Unless Bednar X on his way out, Why would, you know, when Taylor Harwood-Bellis is staying, you know, we're looking at going back to having two centre-backs.
00:17:05
Zak
So we've brought in a new centre-back, Korshi. Kaya Sanders coming through as well. don't know what's going on Harwood-Bellicott chat, whether he sits on the sidelines or not, leaves, whatever. He's still a centre-back.
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nathan Word, Ronnie Edwards.
00:17:16
Zak
You know, would Ronnie Edwards, who had a really clear season. Why would you buy and foster all of this talent if you're then just kind of kind of like... stick to something that didn't really work.
00:17:27
Zak
Like he did, after he came back from his suspension last season, he played a lot better. He was, you couldn't blame him for a lot of the goals and mistakes. He actually made, yeah, comparison to sort of how we've been so far.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say he was solid.
00:17:39
Zak
But then the problem is, is I reckon if I told you that about Jan Bednarek, you'd probably say the same. If I told you about that Taylor Harbour-Bellish, you'd probably say the same.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I think he wasn't good after and after his England ball-up.
00:17:45
Zak
And the issue with that is that we,
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
He wasn't the same.
00:17:50
Zak
so, yeah,
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
all of that I think I've got a different opinion to you for a change, mate.
00:17:51
Zak
so yeah
00:17:54
Zak
Interesting.
00:17:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, I think that Stevens is another one of these that's an easy scapegoat, right? And then he he hasn't helped himself in that situation by making one very stupid decision for a red card in pulling Kukurea's hair.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And one... not great decision in specifically the bad challenge kind of is what is, but also you know the language he decided to fling at the officials which got his suspension extended.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think he was solid towards the end of last season. I think you what you say about being you know chosen as captain or you know being allowed to carry on as captain under that series of managers shows that clearly there is some leadership qualities off the pitch that we don't see.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah from a ah like a more personable experience. When we went on the last day of the season and stood at the ground for hours before the game, will say that the first person to arrive by a long shot was Adam Lallana, being a consummate professional.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And not far behind him was Jack Stevens, who then also made the time to stand and you know sign all of the things and talk to all the fans. So... it you know Clearly, he does have some of these characteristics that it takes to be a leader. So, yeah you're right about hopefully we don't end up ah as as to a point of shoehorning him in. But I think that he, especially with last season where it was broken up by suspensions and injuries, I don't think you've got to see him have a proper, solid run ah where he had that opportunity to sort of bed himself in properly.
00:19:36
Zak
But that's the problem is that two of those situations that you've discussed, mate, were caused by him.
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:42
Zak
but Like, like like if i if i if I was unable to show my best at work because I was suspended with pay because I punched my boss or whatever...
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:52
Zak
ah ah But my boss then trying to justify, well, you know, he he's actually really good at his job. He just had he had a bit of a a break because he punched me. It's like, and just, there's a couple of things.
00:20:05
Zak
I agree with you on certain points. I understand that, you know, i i agree. Consummate Professional turns up early. He is doing some of the right things. He is saying some of the right things, but it is a three year contract for a man already in his thirties, where a lot of people kind of thought you might have a year left in him before he goes. So is the three years because they expect him to be here for three years.
00:20:25
Zak
If it's to stop transfer interest, what interest that we are aware of so far, there's just a lot of weird decisions around it, in my opinion, because you know,
00:20:38
Zak
it's we've got all of these young players are they who is not going to have an opportunity because Stevens is in the way. And I kind of feel that about some of the other players as well.
00:20:49
Zak
Like, that's one of the problems we've always had with our team is that it it feels like it's more sentiment over anything else. And I might be wrong.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:58
Zak
I could be wrong, but it feels like a very sentimental thing.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:21:01
Zak
And also, I can't help but notice that they announced that contract extension and immediately the new signing. Now, is that to take Flak away from the fact that he signed the new extension?
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:10
Zak
Did they know that people would be upset? If that's the case, you know, they've already planned for this. They know people like us going to chat about it. yeah Not that I think anyone cares really what we've got to say on the matter, but it's it's one of those things that it just feels it feels like it like if it was a year, i don't think I would have batted an eyelid.
00:21:30
Zak
It's the fact that it's like three years is a bit weird.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, the length of the the length of the contract is interesting. But look, I mean, one of the main problems we had in the past that sort of got us to the position we're in now is, you know, buying in all this youth and having all of this youth and not having the experience back up. And, you know, Jack Stevens is experienced.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:53
Zak
But we brought Lallana as a coach. We've brought in low coaches with tons of experience.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:58
Zak
So if it's to have the personal and the pitch to have the experience, that's fine.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but coaching experience is one thing, but being know player experience in these positions to sort of drag everyone up. And look, I know notice that yeah yeah, but look, listen, like, I know, but he made those stupid decisions and got suspended for nine games for being sent off.
00:22:07
Zak
Then he needs to be on the pitch. Yeah.
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just saying that one of the main things we asked for from people last season was a bit of aggression, a bit of ruthlessness. And need you know he he crossed the line too far the other way And it is a fine line, but that's a bit of what we need, especially in this more physical league of the championship. I think, you know, and I think he's a perfectly solid, probably good quality championship player who can use that experience to hopefully bring the rest of the team up.
00:22:50
Zak
You're right. A lot of my lot of my fears and a lot of my upsets are are based off of hypotheticals anyway, right? They're the hypothetical of that he stands in the way of sort of a Ronnie Edwards playing for us. So instead, Ronnie Edwards moves on and then Ronnie Edwards ends up becoming like a solid centre-back for a Premier League team for years to come.
00:23:07
Zak
Someone that we've kind of missed out on because we've neglected it to foster and have that experience. And it's one of those things where we're turning a new page. That's what we keep being told.
00:23:20
Zak
yet we still sometimes cling to a lot of the things that from the past, we're awful for that as Saints fans, right? And again, we we talk about this all the time, like people still being like, would you take James Will Prowse back?
00:23:32
Zak
Doesn't want be here. No.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:34
Zak
yeah so odd Simple answer.
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:36
Zak
Danny Ings, take him back? doesn't want to be here. Simple answer, right?
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:39
Zak
Some of the academy lads come back to end their career here.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jack Stevens, though, clearly wants to be here and wants this to be his club, so...
00:23:46
Zak
That is also, a met yeah, that's also one of the fifth differing...
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, am I like unequivocally pleased and like confident that he's going to go out and have like a make great season? Not entirely, no. But like as with all of the players, I'm open for the redemption arc, right? ah the The proof is going to be in the pudding. And I can see it happening in a positive way. i don't think that it is an out-and-out negative thing. I think it's fine. But...
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But we'll see. yeah
00:24:20
Zak
yeah like it's the thing i'm open to a redemption arc but i think that the the real differing opinions between me and you mate is that i'm significantly more skeptical than you uh and that's often the case in life but in this in this distant in this in this specific scenario usually when there's a small amount of skepticism towards me and uh like you know here the margin is just a bit wider than our on our usual disagreements and like Look, fine. And as i said, there are people that have seen qualities in him. The club have seen the qualities in him.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:51
Zak
They are now run by footballing people. Maybe they want that stability. And to be honest, if it even is just a sentimental signing, that's not really the worst thing in the world. If it's not costing us too much money and we keep someone around who knows the club inside out, fine. I'm not too bothered. I just want to make sure that we do not end up in a situation where...
00:25:11
Zak
he is prioritised over everything else and I think that in itself is one of the reasons that there was so much criticism anyway because clearly when maybe it was more prudent to switch our centre-backs around and give some other people some games or or you know not have him take up a space in the squad and You know, and and and and the fact that, you know, sort of the whole Russell Martin...
00:25:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:32
Zak
I think Russell Martin, if anything, has hurt his career more. and And like the legacy of Russell Martin being on our club. like I know that we kind of have a mixed feelings on Russell Martin maybe a lot of it isn't his to blame, but then some of it is. And I think that a lot of the kind of criticism of Stephens and the focus on Stephens has got to have been because of that responsibility that was shelved on his shoulders. Yeah.
00:25:54
Zak
And if it means that he goes into the season having learned his lesson from last season, and we don't see a red card, but we see fight, and we see him rile up the players and understand how important the South Coast derby is. If he scores in a South Coast derby, and, you know, the winning goal, like, I'm all for it.
00:26:13
Zak
I'm all for it.
00:26:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:14
Zak
I do just think that a player that looks to be sort of heading towards the end of his career and giving him a three-year contract for me was a bit like, oh, okay.
00:26:27
Zak
Because like we get promoted next season, and that's going to be year two. And then if it's year three again, I don't want to say we get relegated again, but I don't rule anything out at this point.
00:26:38
Zak
So yeah, it's, some I had again, lots of mixed opinions. on Lots of mixed opinions.
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an interesting one. Very much so. Like I said at the start, polarizing one. But that's good. It gives us
00:26:48
Zak
And to be clear, my reflection of his playing ability and like his captaincy last year not reflection on the the person that Jack Stephens is. As you pointed out, he's a really nice guy always happy to put fans and come and talk to fans. And, you know, he clearly cares about the club.
00:27:05
Zak
That isn't my criticism. It's just the fact that I'm like, it just feels like a bit of a weird one.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. All
Conclusion and Audience Engagement
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
right. Well, look, that is just about all that we've got time for today. we will be back tomorrow with some more Southampton talk for sure. Until then, let us know on the socials. What do you think of our new signing?
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think of the three-year contract Stephens? Did you like the the little retro video game bit? Let us know. We're on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky, Facebook, All of it.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know. We look forward to hearing from you. Until then, we'll be back tomorrow. Have a great day.