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Episode 287: Matchday Preview: Midweek trip to the Blades! image

Episode 287: Matchday Preview: Midweek trip to the Blades!

S2526 E287 · Daily Southampton
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Southampton – It's a tough trip up to Sheffield this Tuesday night! Can we keep this momentum and string of performances going? We hope so!

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Transcript

Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:00:00
Zak
Thank you.
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network.

Sheffield United's Managerial Impact

00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
My name is Greg Elliott and as always today joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host Zach Ingo Finch. How doing mate?
00:00:28
Zak
Yeah, ain't too bad, mate. Ain't too bad. Looking forward to watching another game that hopefully you will actually be entertaining. So it's nice, isn't it?
00:00:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Well, look, the games, as we said yesterday, come thick and fast in this championship season. And today we are previewing a trip to Sheffield United.
00:00:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
a nice place to have to go a Tuesday night, really, with a new manager bounce in full effect. I mean, is it a new manager bounce or is it...
00:00:51
Zak
i mean should think No, you can't. see you If you pull back the same manager every time anything goes wrong, it's just like part furniture. They got their new manager bounce. They had a win.
00:01:02
Zak
like

Southampton's Challenges and Criticism

00:01:02
Zak
I still, again, that whole saga in general, we talk about it in our championship episodes quite regularly, about how the saga of Sheffield United is just absolutely insane.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's...
00:01:12
Zak
Like misses out on a playoff spot against a team that have 11 points currently the Premier League. right? And because of that, get rid of him and replace him with a guy who just about kept whole city up.
00:01:25
Zak
And other than that, was okay at Reading, lost every single one of their games and called it back up. was like, we're really sorry. Can you come back? It's bizarre.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
without I've seen lots of Saints fans jumping on Ruben Seles for not being very good. And I mean, form would suggest, right?
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not an unreasonable conclusion to draw.

Sheffield United's Potential Under Former Manager

00:01:47
Zak
so
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, however, right?
00:01:50
Zak
You can't just down tools every time it's not Chris Wilder.
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was a, that was a, that was a poison chalice, right? Like no, no, nobody's doing well in that job.
00:01:55
Zak
yeah
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like the fact that they managed to, you know, play and get a win at the weekend. I, you know, I don't know if it was down to the way he was setting them up or if they down tools, I can't, Can't claim to be Sheffield United expert, Lac, because I just don't know.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:02:14
Zak
No, but again, like from my perspective, mate, like last season, you know they were doing really, really well They got to the playoffs. They probably could have done better, but it was a tough season. All the guys that got promoted worked hard to get there.
00:02:27
Zak
And like then they had this, like what is it, like they were like the highest predicted team to get promoted. They still had a solid squad. And then, yeah, they just like decided to hit the like you know panic stations button, get rid of him.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
i was like It's like new ownership, right?
00:02:42
Zak
And now you've got
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they were trying to stamp their approval from what I read and like put their mark on the club instead of sticking to it. But i mean it clearly wasn't a popular decision and the fact that they've had to go back on it i mean speaks volumes.
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, i mean look I mean, if we're coming into this game, the shows almost how ridiculous looking at tables this early in the season is, right?

Match Preview: Southampton vs Sheffield United

00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, let's face it, this is not 19th versus 24th at the end of the season, is it? like Right?
00:03:14
Zak
wow
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
like this this is Especially now that they should... you know Obviously, it's not going happen overnight where Sheffield United are going to kick on and fire on all cylinders, but you know back to the manager who got them there last season and and back to that sort form and that input.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know that he likes to line up and make them hard team to beat. I think it'd be tough push to argue that, you know, they're going to be pushing at least for playoffs. And you'd like to think that we will be pushing at least for playoffs, right? Like, even by the softest predictions. So, I mean, it's going to be a really interesting game, especially as we seem to sort of be starting to find our feet as well.
00:03:57
Zak
Well, one of the last times we played against them, he was in charge of them, mate.
00:04:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:02
Zak
The Premier League in 2021.
00:04:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:04:05
Zak
We won that game, if if you if you're interested in knowing. We've won our last five games against them. But again, completely new world. But yeah, I'm more positive...
00:04:20
Zak
than I would have been because of the weekend, right?

Match Predictions and Betting Insights

00:04:23
Zak
that That has pushed things in the right direction.
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:26
Zak
But as much as it could be an opportunity, it could be oh, look at us slipping up to Sheffield United, who, yeah, just new manager mounts. But we we really, I think, have a lot more to...
00:04:38
Zak
true I guess. Whereas like if they get a draw with us, they're like, yeah, see where the results getting better with us. It's like, we need to start winning games because this is getting ridiculous now. There's only so much I can deal with.
00:04:50
Zak
ah The highest expected goals in the league is Southampton, but they just can't seem to put them away. Like I'm done hearing that week in, week out. just need to, you know, get past it. But yeah,
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, look.
00:05:00
Zak
i I don't know how to treat it. It's hard but because of the fact that, you know, if it Sellis in charge, i'd be like, yeah, 3-0. But because it's this this change of regime's happened and they won the weekend, it's difficult.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, it's going to be... a I think think we'd be remiss to look past it as an easy win despite their poor form before the weekend. right like It's not to be easy game.
00:05:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not going to be an easy place to go to. yeah You want to hear my little insights from my little footy stats website, mate? We always like that in the little waffle.
00:05:32
Zak
Sure.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a good one. This might be the best insights I've seen from this on a game. says expect goal-rich 90 minutes with multiple set pieces. First half goal odds around 84% historically. If you're targeting a scoreline, 2-1 or 2-1 are plausible outcomes given the data mix.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Betting tip, combine over 2.5 goals with both teams to score yes for a strong, compact bet. Back to the home team with double chance for extra coverage.

COVID-19's Impact on Past Matches

00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:06:02
Zak
far
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
nice little insight this way they're expecting goals they're expecting lots of goals in the game over two and a half like
00:06:03
Zak
That's fair.
00:06:09
Zak
The last time the is the behind closed doors, by the way, that we played in the league, due to COVID-19. I don't know why this made me laugh. It's relevant because Danny Ings now plays for them.
00:06:20
Zak
Danny Ings was playing for us at the time, Greg, and the only other two players that we still have that play for us are Alex McCarthy and Jack Stephens.
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm one of which will probably be on the pitch uh
00:06:32
Zak
Wow, who knows? you know It's going to be a fun predicted lineup, isn't
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It really is. but Look, it's going to be... I'm excited for it. I think it's going to be a really interesting game to see how much we're pushing on.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we can keep this momentum going and turn it into something good. i mean, think we should win, honestly. i I'm feeling it.
00:06:54
Zak
Yep.
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Historically, that's not worked out great for me. But, I don't know. It is going to be an interesting game.
00:07:00
Zak
Pretty much going win every time last season, mate. It's getting beyond a joke at this point.
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, mate. Well, look, you alluded to it being a difficult part, but we're going to come to it next, our predicted lineups. But first, a break and a message from our partners at Bionique.

Southampton's Lineup Speculation

00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. you You said this was going to be a difficult team sheet. I'm going to throw a blanket statement out there.
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No changes from the weekend for me.
00:08:06
Zak
No? Interesting. Yeah?
00:08:12
Zak
just Are they all are they all are you ah you telling me that Ross Stewart's going to be okay?
00:08:19
Zak
Because that man, by the end of that game, looked exhausted.
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:23
Zak
and So I would be surprised if we see him swapped out.
00:08:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:25
Zak
And I think it's going to annoy you because I reckon it would be him swapped out for Archer.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And then the whole success of the big man, little man combo that works at the weekend. We're going to go back to, you know, a combination that, I mean, look, if, if you want to play Armstrong and Archer together, great.
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's put plenty of balls in behind, but you know, who's really good at playing balls in behind. fit asan So maybe all of these pieces of the puzzle that are sort of starting to piece together, maybe just maybe that's still fine. Right.
00:08:58
Zak
not wanting to be controversial, especially after he had to delete his social media. Damien Downs, potentially, is a roster replacement?
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean...
00:09:09
Zak
It'd be a good way for him to to prove his point that, you know...
00:09:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, yeah, I've talked before about that I see potential in him and he's definitely not lived up to that potential with his performances. Let's get that out of the way. But I think that he's still a young player trying to bed himself into the championship, as are many of our players. And it's worked for other players who have looked uncertain, like Kwasi, like Ronnie Edwards.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know... Why can't it click into place for him? If it's that big man, little man combination that worked, why not? If he's going to be competitive in the air and make it difficult and hold up the ball and put some balls through for armour, great. if If he manages to score and get that confidence boost that he needs, even better. Yeah, I wouldn't be unhappy to see his name on the team sheet knowing that that it would be a test to make, you know, Ross Stewart do that many minutes at this point, knowing his record, right? Like...
00:10:12
Zak
Agreed. i don't really think there's many other changes I'd make. like I quite liked fellows in the position that you played. They seemed to do a lot.
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Will still talked in the press, in the very short, succinct presser, clearly recorded before travel time. He alluded to the fact that they they'd sort of deliberately...
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
lined it up in a sort of slightly skew-width fashion to not have to rely on Fellows doing the defending part so much, even though, you know, he was a full-back at West Brom for a large part of his time there. So it's not position that's unfamiliar to him, but but yeah, the it all sort of worked.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I liked it. Again, the the other question mark, I guess, is Manning also looked pretty leggy by the end of that game.
00:10:58
Zak
Yeah, but i also think that that's been the fact that he's played pretty much every game, right?
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's...
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:03
Zak
Played the Liverpool game as well.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
so so does he get
00:11:05
Zak
I think he's really had

Goalkeeper Debate: McCarthy vs Bazzunu

00:11:05
Zak
a break.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
does he get a rest and we give, what, Yeller a go? all
00:11:10
Zak
I'm
00:11:10
Zak
I guess, maybe.
00:11:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
stick Ryan Fraser at left back?
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:11:15
Zak
just thinking, no. I don't know why.
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:11:19
Zak
something about it is... No. i don't know if that's, was that the position he played in when he gave away that penalty at Leicester and everyone? That's probably why I had like such a visceral reaction.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he'd been on the pitch long enough for anyone to gauge what position he was supposed to be playing in when he got that Raycard at Leicester. I don't think it's reasonable to judge him on that.
00:11:36
Zak
No, I know, but that's, that's the only thing that when you were like, left back, right, Fraser, I'm like, no, don't know if it's just, it feels wrong. yeah, obviously I doubt we're going to see, see Wellington at anytime soon.
00:11:47
Zak
So he's probably the only person.
00:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I mean, just supposedly easing back in, so maybe he'll get a start with a look to get to half-time and swap over then, right? Like, we're We've got a lot of games this week. We're going to need to manage minutes somewhere. As much as we want to see a consistent squad throughout. And honestly, I would love to see all 11 players who started on Saturday fit enough to start you know both of these games this week.
00:12:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
that is That would be the ideal position to be in, to have that consistency. But the reality is, it's a lot.
00:12:15
Zak
It's not gonna happen, is it?
00:12:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
look Competitive games are hard.
00:12:18
Zak
Yeah, what about Malik Sikharthy, you know?
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's physically hard. you know you know You know, we've talked about Stuart and Madden who look tired, but Kasper Yander has played two games in the last week after you know not really having minutes with us before.
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So is he going to be you know fit and ready to go in the lineup? I hope so. but Yeah, I mean, his poor, aching old bones are going to be... i mean, what?
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can he manage three games a week? I don't know. That's the thing, right? We want the consistency, but there is still a lot of question marks. I guess you're right. I guess you were right in the first place, mate. It is

Squad Rotation and Lineup Consistency

00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
difficult.
00:12:59
Zak
so so so yeah okay you think that it's going to be McCarthy in goal or do you think it's going to be Bavin Ghazounou
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
a I mean... Right, look, there's there's two sides of this coin for me, right? And that is...
00:13:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it there is that Will still made his decision, right? And that was that that was a statement brave move that he's going to drop Bizzunu and put McCarthy in goal. That's fine. and If he wants to stick with that, that's fine.
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
The other side of that coin to me is if Bizzunu conceded the goal that Alex McCarthy conceded at the weekend, which I've seen described as a freak goal, which is is fine.
00:13:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's what it is. But if Buzunu was in goal and conceded that goal, what would the backlash of that be? Because it would be screams and calls.
00:13:53
Zak
i know well his body wasn't in the way properly. He should have put his shoulder in the way. This is just bad goalkeeper placement. He's terrible. Yeah, know what you mean.
00:14:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i so ah So So it's a hard one for me. like i On the one hand, Will still made his decision and clearly thinks that McCarthy's the better man for the job, so stick with it.
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
On the other hand, I don't know if that is a mistake from McCarthy for the goal. ah ah I'm not a goalkeeping expert. I've been trying to train my daughter to be a goalkeeper for the last three weeks because she's decided that's what she wants to do. And it turns out it's not position I know a great deal about at all. But...
00:14:32
Zak
Especially as like, it's not even just about stopping the ball anymore. It's very confusing.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you call it a mistake, oh then that's two mistakes in two games that have caused goals. So... I don't know. Hmm.
00:14:45
Zak
difficult. It's, this is the problem with Coral comes back to, again, we talked about it multiple times.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:50
Zak
What do you do about the goalkeeper? Do we need a better goalkeeper? i've seen I've seen some talk today, Greg, about how we've never replaced any of the really good players that have gone. and like it's like, oh, we never replaced Fraser Forster. And I remember Forster getting tons of stick, when you know especially when he had to like take... Because he took time off, obviously...
00:15:09
Zak
for mental health for a long time, but I don't think that that was before that came out. But obviously, like there was a lot of stick about how he was rubbish and we needed to put in McCarthy ahead of him when McCarthy was like our third choice.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:21
Zak
And you know they were like, oh, we should get Angus Gunn in. And obviously, Angus Gunn famously what had that 8-0, 9-0 defeat and then never played for us again. and So I just think it's, I think we've always struggled with having goalkeepers that have an eccentric streak.
00:15:35
Zak
I don't think we're the only team that has that. I think that, again, if the defence was tighter, you wouldn't have to call on the goalkeeper to do as much.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah And I think we've seen that, and I think it was a freak goal. I think if you run that back 10 times out 10, it doesn't deflect in that particular direction. That's probably the only way it goes in. So, you know, I don't think I'd call that a mistake, but I think even if you do want to call that a mistake, I think we'll still will stick with McCarthy because if he goes back on it so soon, it looks weak.
00:16:12
Zak
i don't think yeah but I don't even think it's that. i pretend Again, it might just be rotation. like Alex McCarthy is is older.
00:16:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:19
Zak
He's had two games in a couple of days. it wouldn't surprise you you know That would be two two games in a couple of days. wouldn't be surprised if he puts Baz in. Maybe he puts him back in the weekend. Maybe he just rotates out the goalkeepers now so we to keep them on their toes to who's going to play.
00:16:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Famously, that works really well as well historically when you say, oh I don't have a number one number two. I've just got two first choice keepers. Seems to never go wrong.
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:41
Zak
You're talking about how Arsenal basically got rid of Ramsdale. Oh, fun fact about that previous game was talking to you about, by the way, the game we beat Sheffield-Journey in in 2021.
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:51
Zak
Ramsdale was their keeper. So that must have been their relegation season.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going I'd like to see it as close to consistent as we can get fitness allowing. I think it's where I fall on it.
00:17:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'd like to see Maka in goal because it's consistent. I'd like to see the back three of Quasi and Woods and Edwards.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd like to see Fellows. I'd I can understand if we rotate Manning for one of the other choices. Charles and Yander and Azaz seem to have that balance sort of clicking as a midfield that sort of seems to be getting there. I'd be happy with that.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But again, if Yander's not fit, I can see him swapping in someone like Sienza. If Charles... Charles has played like every minute of football under the sun for us this season.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got an absolute engine on him and I fully respect it. But if going rotate him, Flynn Downs more than capable of coming in if he's going to have a game like he had on Tuesday. think it's, yeah, I think it's fine.
00:18:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
As long as it's pretty close to consistent and you can start seeing it starting to form, I'm happy.
00:18:11
Zak
I get what you mean, but it was very funny that when you said it's very close to consistent and you've named every player that could be swapped out with another player.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got big squad, mate. It's difficult, it turns out.
00:18:21
Zak
yeah but that's Yeah, but that's the point. And then, then like again, are we ever going to see Joe Ariba with Dozie again? or are they just waiting until January at this point?
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, what
00:18:29
Zak
I'm going to bring this up because I find it weird that we had two quite open players.
00:18:33
Zak
Ariba was, for a while, our top goal scorer. Big part of the squad. Kind of went he was going to go. Dozie was pretty prominent in preseason and then was going to go. And then apparently they're being reintegrated back into the squad.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I will say that Yeah, I will say that if you're going to see them coming back and making tracks, I just don't think this is the week
00:18:45
Zak
But now they're not even in...

Player Integration and Upcoming Matches

00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
for it.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we're we're away for both games.
00:18:52
Zak
And
00:18:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're wait We're going up for a camp in between the middle bit, whatever that means. you know So we're not coming back home. So the squad that's going up, I think he said he had to leave six names out.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so the obvious answer to that is that two of those would be a Rebo and a Dozie because this isn't This isn't going to be... You don't bring them in having to drop two other players who are starting to build that momentum.
00:19:19
Zak
who have been committed since day one, right?
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, so you know, I'm sure that there's a time and a place where we'll we will see them again.
00:19:22
Zak
Yeah.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or we won't and they'll go in January. But i just this probably isn't it, right? Maybe after these away games and after the international break, we'll see. But, yeah, not not for me, these games.

Match Outcome Predictions

00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think that we've named every player in the squad, so covered all the bases to clip it up by the time the team sheet comes. We've got it right one way or another.
00:19:52
Zak
Oh, kids.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
That works for me. Let's move on to the even trickier bit, mate, in score predictions. But first, let's take a pause, have a break, and hear a word from our partners at Zencaster.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. And 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.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, mate. We are back, and as is tradition, going to throw you under the bus first. what sir What are you feeling in your bones?
00:20:35
Zak
No way. 2-1. 2-1. That's what I feel.
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. Nice. I like it.
00:20:41
Zak
Okay. Slightly more positive for you on ah a random day.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
work Where are the girls coming from?
00:20:45
Zak
Two from Armour and one from Ings just to ruin our day.
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah? Do you think he'll make their squad? He's not really been involved up until this point.
00:20:53
Zak
They've said that he's fit and I think Wilder's happy to have him back I wouldn't be surprised if they put him in against Saints because that would be a very Saints-y thing to happen.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would be really poetic.
00:21:01
Zak
I imagine...
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the sort of script that football loves, isn't it?
00:21:05
Zak
I could see it. I don't know who's going to score first. I could see it there, you know, but I could see them, either us scoring, them scoring, and then it sits like that. And then we finally get that second goal later on, because I don't think we're still at a phase where we're able to kill a game off early enough.
00:21:19
Zak
And a lot of Sheffield United losses have been one naal games, apart from when they got like demolished by Ipswich and early on in the season as well.
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:28
Zak
So like if they're able to just shop shop and as you said, keep stuff out, you know, maybe, maybe you know, an early goal and then a late goal. And then in between that, Danny Ings ruining the day and being like, you should have bought me.
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:41
Zak
And then everyone then can be like, we should have brought him back in. And this, the other, to go with our cohort of like 50 strikers that can't also score. So I jest.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's fair. I like it. I like that, mate. 2-1. Sounds good. i I'm feeling a win. I feel like we need to build the momentum. Six points this whole week is really the, or seven points from the three games is really where we want to be. If we want to start firing up, up the league and getting ourselves there.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm thinking two nil.
00:22:17
Zak
Considering you said, what, like four one for middle is growing at the top of the table, and you think 2-0 against Sheffield United, who are bottom.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye
00:22:27
Zak
just Just talk it through with me,

Optimism for Southampton's Performance

00:22:28
Zak
man. That's all want to hear.
00:22:29
Zak
is it Is it because it's Wilder and he puts up a hard defence? Is it because that one that was the last?
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. It's going to be...
00:22:34
Zak
It would be quite poetic that we get the exact same score as the last league game.
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. of the The Middlesbrough game, I was expecting to be more open and we play better against a more open team, whereas Chris Wilder is famously difficult to play against and notorious for making it that way.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're going to struggle. But... I think we're just going to shore up at the back, keep a clean sheet, which is going to be hugely important. I think Armour's going to get a goal and go on to score an unlimited amount of goals this season because Prime Championship Armour's back.
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, I don't know, let's have a Tom Fellows date goal, first goal for Saints.
00:23:12
Zak
You keep pushing it.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to happen.
00:23:13
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, look, right if you base it off of the middles for a game, he was one of our more attacking threats. And he loves to cut inside and shoot.
00:23:21
Zak
and then
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he tried a few times, and they all got blocked. But it's going to happen. It's going to happen.
00:23:30
Zak
Okay.
00:23:31
Zak
Okay.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
hopeful hopefully Hopefully tonight.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what we want to see, mate.
00:23:35
Zak
All right. How exciting.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what i'm feeling. Yeah, look. Both went wins across the board.
00:23:40
Zak
Yeah.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Both well. Yeah.
00:23:42
Zak
that's That's the problem, mate. It's the hope that kills you.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:46
Zak
We had a...
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no, let's not go back to last season. No, no.
00:23:49
Zak
I don't think that I could take... Well, the fact that we've had some draws, mate, already puts us in a better stead than last season.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:55
Zak
That's where I'm at.
00:23:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. op be It'll be interesting. It's going to be an interesting game. And look, honestly, if we if we put in a another really good performance and come away with a draw, it's probably good enough.
00:24:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just, I want to see a decent win against a tough opposition. And I just think we're

Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement

00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to get it. think it's going to be all right.
00:24:15
Zak
Okay.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, that's all we've got time for, mate. We've come around so fast. But let us know in the comments. What's your score prediction? How do you see it playing out? Let us know on the comments, on the socials. We're on all of them. We're on X, Blue Sky, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.
00:24:35
Zak
That's them.
00:24:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
uh, yeah, but good. Cause I was thinking of another one. It didn't come. Uh, we're everywhere. Let us know. We love hearing from you. Uh, can't wait to see how we get on. Whatever happens though, we will be back tomorrow to talk about it with, uh, everyone's favorite late night post game recordings.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a definite level of insanity that comes with staying up that late and trying to record.
00:24:54
Zak
Yay.
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, uh, It makes for some good fun. Thank you, as always, Zach, for joining me.
00:25:05
Zak
Thank you, mate.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, everyone, for listening. We'll be back tomorrow. but until then, have a great day, everyone. Come on, you saints.