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Daily Southampton: Episode 149 - Liverpool @ Anfield
2 Playsin 3 hours
Southampton – Top vs Bottom this weekend. Do we see any hope? Can Greg force some optimism into the show? Will Juric change his ways? We discuss all this and more!
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Transcript
Introduction and Optimism
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott, the sun is shining and it will surprise no one to let you know how optimistic I am feeling for the weekend.
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined by the rest of the Southampton team today, my good friends Oscar, how you doing?
00:00:27
Oscar
yeah okay thank you
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good, Zach, how doing?
00:00:30
Zak
I've had one of my teeth drilled today, which sucks. Yet somehow it's going to be less painful than talking about tomorrow. So, you know, swings and roundabouts.
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm here to put an end to this negativity.
00:00:42
Zak
LAUGHTER LAUGHTER
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I listened to the crossover and I'm not having it. Right? I'm not having it.
Match Outlook: Southampton vs. Liverpool
00:00:49
Zak
I can't wait to tell you to can't wait for you to tell like you know for you to tell us how suddenly Suleiman is going to score a hat-trick, Toulpool is going to get like a winning goal. It's going to be four three or something really exciting when we've not scored a goal in what feels like forever.
00:01:04
Zak
and And we seem to be you know putting in potentially Aaron Ramsdale at centre-back and then slotting McCarthy behind him because, you know, why not?
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, Liverpool going to be playing a rotated team.
00:01:14
Zak
Cool, mate.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got bigger fish to fry than us. We've got nothing to lose. Nobody is expecting us. Even I am not going to be predicting a win today, ladies and gentlemen.
00:01:28
Oscar
that.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
it It has to be said because it's top versus bottom. They are in fantastic form and find ways to win when they even don't play great, as we saw against PSG.
00:01:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we find ways to lose even when we play well. like we saw against Man United.
Impact of Pressure on Team Performance
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So nobody's expecting anything. The pressure's off. And so that is why I think it's time for us to step up to the plate. It doesn't matter.
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's no...
00:01:55
Zak
Right, right, right, right, right. I'm sorry, Greg, I'm sorry. This isn't to this isn't to devastate any of the optimists out there. but But why do you... The the point is, is what do you mean it doesn't matter?
00:02:05
Zak
So because there's no pressure, we should suddenly start playing amazing. why
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:09
Zak
Where is that from our team the rest of the season? There wasn't pressure the first 20-odd games, but they still managed to bottle-job it every single time we almost got a point, a couple of times due to the ref.
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I disagree.
00:02:19
Zak
But this is...
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Once you're off to a losing start, once you're four or five games in and we were sat on no points for the longest time, the pressure's already building by that point. This is really the first point in the season where we're relegated.
00:02:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone's accepted that. There's no... that A thousand... Doctor Strange meme of a thousand realities and we win none of them. right We're playing top of the league
00:02:46
Zak
but So all those 4-0 losses, all those 4-0 losses were them playing with a lot of pressure on their back. And now all of a sudden, because there's no pressure, we're going to do it.
00:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. They're going to play with that freedom. They're going to score six goals.
00:02:56
Zak
There is pressure. and so we beat that point record Until we beat Derby's point record, mate, there is pressure. Because that pressure is to be, just to make it clear, not the worst team in Premier League history.
00:03:08
Oscar
Thank
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this isn't the game for that.
00:03:09
Zak
That is the bar.
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nobody, even the team, aren't looking at this game and going, and this is the game where we're going to beat that record. It's just not the expected outcome.
00:03:18
Zak
But the fact that you think we're not going to get bad...
00:03:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right?
00:03:20
Zak
and I think where where my my cognitive dissonance comes in is the fact is, why is all of a sudden, in your mind, they're going to play amazing because no one expects them to do anything against Liverpool?
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think they're going to play amazing.
00:03:32
Zak
When...
Strategy and Training Enhancements
00:03:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
just don't think we're going to get battered.
00:03:34
Zak
Right...
00:03:36
Zak
i Also, if you're right, if they're playing the B team they put two past us and go, don't really need to do anything else, that in my mind is almost as bad.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:45
Zak
But it's just, again, I think as Waska pointed out yesterday, it's it's just an improvement in performance. and And something that I would like to see from the various players is just, I guess...
00:03:58
Zak
I don't know, just a bit of fight. Like, you're you're on the world stage against potentially the best team in the world. Like, don't embarrass yourselves. So that's that's what I'm hoping comes out of it, right? that is the That is the ideal solution. I don't want to predict a 4-0 loss every every week, mate.
00:04:12
Zak
It's just the problem is, at the moment, we're on a really good track record of losing every week 4-0.
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just, I don't know. Look, I don't plan to attack this with logical reason. It's just part of the process,
00:04:24
Zak
yeah I'm really sorry.
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:04:25
Zak
I'm really sorry that I'm trying to apply logic to your vibes. You're right.
00:04:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
right? It's just part of the process.
00:04:30
Oscar
To be
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the sun's shining, we're back out. Football hasn't ruined my weekend in almost two weeks. We're back to that.
00:04:38
Oscar
to be fair, Greg, I think that was that that that line you just said was Sports Republic's strap line for this season. haven't got any particular reason to be optimistic, but we're going to go for it on blind faith.
00:04:49
Zak
We're gonna do it anyway.
00:04:52
Oscar
Yeah.
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Sports Republic, don't try and apply logical reason. You're right. That is upsettingly
00:04:57
Zak
oh
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, no, look, there is there is some cause for hope, right?
00:05:02
Oscar
Thank you.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, they've had time on a training pitch. They've had a night out at the box inn watching a local ad win.
00:05:06
Zak
True.
00:05:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we can play some players in their correct positions and actually give it a go.
00:05:18
Zak
tell You tell me you've got centre-backs, Greg. You know, if a centre-back's finally a thing.
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah wait
00:05:22
Zak
do we do we care about centre-backs?
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:05:23
Zak
Is that a thing?
00:05:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. Are we hoping too much, Oscar? is Are we going to see a team where all of the players play in their almost correct position?
00:05:32
Oscar
i I think we're probably in a better position in terms of players we have available. i'm just I'm really worried about the man-for-man. I said it yesterday. man-for-man system against Liverpool's front three.
00:05:45
Oscar
Whoever they are, to be honest. It could even be Nunes. I just think and left if he changes something, then fair enough. then We'll see whether he's going to or not.
00:05:56
Oscar
Who knows?
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it crunch time for Juric?
Juric's Future and Tactical Concerns
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
but With all of the reports coming out this week, and we've talked about on the podcast, about he's basically gone at the end of the season, you know, come hither or dither.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
is Is that motivation for him now to try and turn that opinion around? Or is this just
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
not worth watching for the rest of the season?
00:06:15
Oscar
i think he's I think he's gone either way, if I'm honest.
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
like It's going to go one of the two ways, right?
00:06:20
Oscar
i think I think it's too far down the road him to... Well, you know, having said that, again, if you get one positive... doesn't even have to be a positive result, but a positive outcome from the game.
00:06:32
Zak
Thank you.
00:06:32
Oscar
and all of us And then we go and beat Wolves, and then we build from that. Then, you know, but even then, I still think they would go down, reset, change the manager, if it is going to be Danny Roll or whoever it might be.
00:06:45
Oscar
So actually, i think probably for Juric, it's a case of he needs to make sure that he gives himself enough credit in the bank for whatever his next job's going to be, in my eyes.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because coming into a team at least joint in line with the worst team in Premier League history and then whimpering out as the worst team in Premier League history isn't great for the CV.
00:07:09
Oscar
Making the worst Premier League team in history even worse.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:13
Zak
ah ah kind of I feel for the guy, but I feel like the last game was really the was really the crunch time, right?
00:07:14
Oscar
Yeah.
00:07:19
Zak
And that was the tie. And again, like I feel not not that that was like the sort of sentiment, but there was a problem. he He identified it. He got close to rectifying it. And what actually happened at that point was that that he then decided to double down and then we got beaten heavily again.
00:07:36
Zak
so So I think that for me and probably potentially the nail in the coffin for, okay, well, this isn't going to work. And I certainly, you know, it might work in the championship, but...
00:07:47
Zak
It doesn't seem like everybody's bought in. It doesn't seem to have reinvigorated the players. Don't get me wrong, a couple of players have have increased, you know, got much better under him. But then a bunch of players have regressed and there still seems to be sort of confusion.
00:08:01
Zak
And we spoke about how this half of the season was supposedly him introducing his style. But then the problem is is, every other game feels like it's not, there's not like a style. There isn't, it doesn't really feel like,
00:08:12
Zak
What you've pointed out before, Greg, which which is, you know, every single game that we go into, there is a plan to beat the opposition. And that's what he kind of promised almost with this sort of high press as well.
00:08:24
Zak
But it's very much resulted back in now that we're play the same position week in, week out. If you don't fit into my position, like if there's not a player to fit in that position, I'll put somebody that vaguely plays in that position.
00:08:35
Zak
And I think that you can kind of tell that it's kind of not in the same way that when Martin went, it was a big dramatic exit. You can kind of see over the last kind of game a couple of games that any faith in him has petered out, not just across the the fan base, but seemingly across a couple of the players.
00:08:44
Oscar
Thank you.
00:08:55
Zak
And then also from the board's perspective, the fact that there is this and for much this much information coming out about a new manager, when we're like only nine, ten games into his tenure and they said, oh, he's definitely not leaving in the summer, says a lot to me because you know this information must be coming out because there must be conversations happening.
00:09:13
Zak
Unless everyone's just decided to make it up because it's boring at Sheffield Wednesday at the moment, but it's about
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oscar, Oscar, ah before before we head into the break, is is it likely this has always been the plan? And like of that interview with TalkSport that Dragon Zodak did, I mean, he couldn't really have said anything else, could he?
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:09:32
Oscar
No.
00:09:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's kind of just saying what he's got to me.
00:09:34
Oscar
i I personally, I think so, because I mentioned it yesterday. like i think had we gone and got Roel in January when we replaced Russ Martin,
00:09:45
Oscar
and the likelihood was that we were going to struggle anyway because we don't have the quality and we didn't have the money to be able to buy the quality we needed. So I think they knew it was always going to be a rough second after the season.
00:09:56
Oscar
If we then had paid, what's it, six million compensation for role? And that's the manager they want. It doesn't necessarily have to be him, but they get a manager that they want for the long term.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:10:07
Oscar
And we go along to the end of the season. And as we've probably seen this year, doesn't matter if Pep Guardiola took this team, I don't think they were going to get out of trouble or whoever. And so maybe it was, he was the the intended to sort of take the hit really until the end of the season or maybe see if he can change something, which is why I'm fairly sure there's a, there's a break clause in, in,
00:10:34
Oscar
that can be activated from either side,
00:10:37
Zak
Thank
00:10:38
Oscar
from either the club or from the manager. So I personally think that that's probably what the situation is. And they thought, well, you know what, it's a free hit, it's a free agent, so we're not going to lose any money and then see how it goes and we can break ties at the end. And if it all goes pear-shaped, because I think maybe they learned from Nathan Jones, that's the man they wanted in the championship and they...
00:10:58
Oscar
they He used up all of his, all of his rope, shall we say, within the first, I don't know how long he was there for. So, yeah, I think that's probably what their thought process was.
00:11:10
Oscar
But, you know, that's just conjecture, of course.
00:11:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I think it makes sense. And I've seen some tweets flying around from the Sheffield Wednesday press conference today that...
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
suggest that maybe Danny Roll is showing no interest in being at Sheffield Wednesday and next season. So whether that's conjecture or not, who's to say, right, we're going to give our best shots at some predicted lineups. But first, a message from our partners.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back.
00:12:25
Oscar
Thank you.
00:12:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Zach, I'm going to throw it over to you first. What are you thinking? How do you think we're going to line up? what What's the optimistic line up here? What are we hoping for?
00:12:36
Zak
What am hoping for? What am i hoping for? i Wellington. I was fighting between him and Carl Walker-Peters to put Seguire on the right, but just think that Wellington's played a lot better at the moment.
00:12:48
Zak
I would like to see three centre-backs in the centre-back position. I could not care less whether they were left right-footed. If Jan is back, then Jan. If Taylor-Harvard-Bellis is back, then Taylor-Harvard-Bellis.
00:13:00
Zak
As much as James Bree has done on right, I would love to see either...
Defensive and Midfield Strategies
00:13:06
Zak
Never thought I'd say it, but Stevens or just a centre-back in a centre-back position, which would be which would be really, really pleasant.
00:13:13
Zak
Has Armit Bolakotchap done enough to retain his space inside? Maybe. he going to get prioritised over anyone else? No, probably not. Will I blame him when he inevitably goes in the summer? Not even slightly.
00:13:26
Zak
So an actual defensive line of defenders, I think, would be a solid start and not people sort of being forced into weird positions they're not into, especially against a team where, as you've already pointed out, Oscar, man-to-man, we are going get absolutely wrecked if we do not have people playing in their correct positions.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:13:43
Zak
So that's that's my defensive line. whoa
00:13:47
Oscar
Thank
00:13:48
Zak
Midfield, probably slightly more difficult, but realistically... Uga Chukwu probably needs to be in there, right? Without a shadow of a doubt. And then you're going to want to see Matty Fernandes as a starter without even thinking about it.
00:14:01
Zak
Onamachu to kick the ball too.
00:14:04
Zak
Sulemana again because he's really, really good. Wow. And i for some reason specifically against Liverpool as well. it's the Two goals in a game, admittedly two years ago, but here we are.
00:14:17
Zak
And then who do you put the right? Well, i'm assuming Dibling. But then also, we finally going see the thing we all keep wanting, Greg, which is Cameron Archer and Paul Toorpool. And they're going to do it at a Liverpool game where we're never intended to score.
00:14:30
Oscar
Thank you.
00:14:31
Zak
And then we won't score. They'll be like, see, it didn't work. And I'm like, we're playing the best team in the world. What are you my
00:14:38
Zak
doing?
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you're right.
00:14:40
Zak
Am I missing a space? I might be missing a space, but who knows at this point.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I think that's pretty true to what but I'd like. Tallpool and Archer off each other. go Chugwu in the middle with, yeah, Aribo and Fernandez, hopefully.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about you, Oscar? Is there any sort of wholesale changes you're crying out for?
00:14:59
Oscar
but No, I think pretty much... I mean, if it was me, I'd change the shape, but I don't think he's going to do that.
00:15:05
Zak
No.
00:15:06
Oscar
And it's whether it's sort of... I don't quite know with him whether it's or a 3-5-2. Yeah. with sort of Fernandes either sitting as like a false nine or as an attacking mid. I'm not too sure which way he goes around it.
00:15:22
Oscar
But for me, the the only question mark, I would agree with everything you said. think if it's going to be Archer, it would be Archer and Topol or Archer and Suleymane as him as that front two.
00:15:32
Oscar
I'm not sure about about how much Dibbling's going to even get on the ball, to be honest. I'd rather have that option to play it over or... onto tall pool I don't think we're necessarily going be able to get the into feet too much and then the the only area where I think really is a question mark is the centre backs depending who's fit and I agree and I'd i'd have Stevens Ben there at Carwell Bellis if that was the first choice or maybe Nathan Wood but again doesn't seem to be in favour and then it's just that other centre mid spot I think you've got Ugachukwu's got to be there
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:16:05
Oscar
I think Fernandes has got to be there in the 10 or as that third midfield player. It's just who drops in there. does it Do you go downs and have two? Which again, I'd like to see. mean i think defensively against Liverpool, especially when their midfield three is strong, I think you would probably want a solid base for Gucic win downs.
00:16:25
Oscar
Eribe has been one of our better players, so do you drop him? So that probably be my question about downs or Eribe in that other centre mid spot.
00:16:33
Zak
is Downs worthy of it? Because Downs has had a lot of positions this year, a lot of this season specifically, of losing the ball, which results in goal-scoring opportunities.
00:16:45
Zak
You give a goal-scoring opportunity to Mo Salah,
00:16:48
Oscar
yes
00:16:49
Zak
And i know that he's I know that he's been out, you know, partly due to disciplinary reasons. And I know that, you know, everyone deserves a second chance. As Greg said, if the game is doesn't matter, by quote unquote, then if I guess fine.
00:17:04
Zak
But in my head, if it's something we want to try and keep, at least it not being a drubbing, in my head, it's it's keep a re-bowing over. over Downs, right? And then, you know, and if Downs is mad about that, it's kind of like, well, you've put yourself into the position you're in now.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:17:20
Oscar
Yeah.
00:17:21
Zak
And I don't know if if it's, you should just get to start against Liverpool just because it's like you've had a few games out.
00:17:25
Oscar
No, I agree.
00:17:25
Zak
Hmm.
00:17:25
Oscar
i mean I mean, what I'd say is Downs, in theory, you'd like to think is stronger out of possession, which I imagine will be more in this game.
00:17:35
Oscar
Eribo is probably stronger in possession. The question with him is just not necessarily work rate, but just defensive awareness and how much. Yeah. I realise it sounds stupid considering been playing centre-back for the last month.
00:17:49
Oscar
But, you know, you saw from the corner is when against Chelsea is his first thought to get back and defend.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:55
Oscar
Bear in mind, fairly sure at Rangers he was predominantly a winger.
00:17:59
Zak
Yeah, that's fat that's a very fair point.
00:18:01
Oscar
So, yeah, exactly. that That's why I'm between them. I agree. down Downs obviously hasn't got anywhere near where he was last season and maybe that is reflective of off the level. So, yeah, that's why I'm humming an hour between the two.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that's, I think that's fair. I don't know about Downs. I kind of see both sides of the coin. It's a real tricky one, but I don't think I would be disappointed to see either of those names on the team sheet, to be honest.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the sort of decision that you're you're kind of happy with either way. There are some names in certain positions but that don't have that that goodwill, right?
00:18:41
Zak
So what what you're trying to say is that you're happy with either of those people, but not Will Smallbone.
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Well, I didn't want to come out and say that.
00:18:49
Zak
Yeah, but at the same time, it's like, again, best team probably in the world right now, right?
00:18:50
Oscar
That's a good point.
00:18:55
Zak
like yeah and Especially you know flying, running away in the Premier League. We were talking about yesterday. but talked about, you know, is is it is the title will pretty much wrapped, kind of? Could it be a banana skin? It's not been a banana skin for anyone else so far.
00:19:08
Zak
So, you know, do you want to be starting your strongest players out of all of the players that we have? Is Will Smallbone one of the strongest? No, that's not any disrespect to Will Smallbone. The other players are just better than him.
00:19:19
Oscar
No. I'd forgotten about him and and now you've mentioned him, i'm fairly I'm fairly sure that he will probably start him.
00:19:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:22
Zak
It says a lot, doesn't
00:19:26
Oscar
Again, for me, like he he's another one where you want it you if you want him in your team, it's when you're going to be dominating possession and that's just not going to happen in this game.
00:19:26
Zak
it?
00:19:36
Oscar
did work In fairness to him, he worked hard in the Chelsea game and chased chased hard and kept running, but I just think he gets he gets overwhelmed in midfield against the ball.
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I've never had a problem with his work ethic. I've read i read I find it really hard to come across on the podcast. Like, i have no problem with Will Smobon whatsoever. I just don't think he is... he's We've said before that he's sort of the jack of all trades in that midfield. And what that means at this level is that you're not the best at any of them. So you're your weakness is going to shine through.
00:20:08
Zak
And you're going to be coming up against a lot of players who are the best in their field in multiple different teams. And that's and that's a problem. And it's, again, it's, I think it's a lot of our criticism of a lot of our players over the season and has been that it's not necessarily that we we don't like them all as, you know, Jack Stevens has upset me just because of the lack of being able to keep his head for throughout most of the season.
00:20:28
Zak
Don't get me wrong. But like when it comes to most of the players, it's not any sort of personal vendettas or, It's usually to do with the fact that like we have we have come up and we have a squad that are not ready for the league that we are playing in and it's been brutally put on display this season.
00:20:36
Oscar
Thank you.
00:20:45
Zak
It's just as simple as that.
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so we're going to turn our attention to the scores and how we think going to play out. But first, a message from our partners at Zencaster.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:21:03
Zak
Thank you.
00:21:04
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 podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, Check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we're back. So, we've talked a bit about where the change will come. We've talked a bit about the form that Liverpool are in. But look, we've we've got to hold on hope, right, that arguably Tallpool's best game this season came against Liverpool.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And probably the best game I've seen for Suleymane in a Saints shirt, also came against Liverpool, albeit a very long time ago. So, holding on to the hope that even if it's a shop window level of motivation, Zach, have I done enough to change your answer, or are you still feeling the same?
00:22:03
Zak
i I don't think we're going to lose. Do you know would be a really interesting, fun affair that would be a slightly more exciting score prediction? It's something like a 4-3. So if if we're going by your you're kind of trying to drive hope into me with with a hammer and nail at this point, whether I like it or not...
Tactical Adjustments and Job Security
00:22:23
Zak
The idea that it ends up not being a drubbing, the idea they sit back and then we score, and they'll still do Liverpool things, so they'll still go, oh goodness gracious me, we're now drawing with Southampton, better quick score another goal.
00:22:36
Zak
A 4-3 would still show a level of fight, and it would show that we can score. Do I think realistically... My answer has changed. No.
00:22:46
Zak
For the sake of balance, I'm going to go losing, but four three Because at least that be way, it's going to be an exciting thing to watch on Saturday, as opposed to just watching us get dropped.
00:22:57
Zak
Does that make you feel better?
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
A little bit, yeah, actually.
00:22:59
Zak
Good.
00:23:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
How about you, Oscar?
00:23:03
Oscar
I'm sorry, just been looking. a Juric is currently doing his presser right now.
00:23:08
Zak
Interesting.
00:23:10
Oscar
And he said again that he needs to adapt and against the Brighton game, he made mistakes, but they didn't have Benaric or Harbour-Bellis. And that we need to get the press perfect and with a low block.
00:23:24
Oscar
So that's interesting because a low block is not something I've seen from him before. So yeah.
00:23:28
Zak
that's That's very honest as well. That was the worst game that I have coached.
00:23:30
Oscar
Yeah.
00:23:32
Zak
Oh, that's pretty brutal.
00:23:35
Oscar
Yeah, he's he's been fairly self-deprecating, to be fair to him. You know, not that it's all on him. But there's some other bits and pieces I'm sure we could dissect at another a time. But, you know, that interesting going into a low block because we haven't seen that at all. It's been very much not that at all.
00:23:51
Oscar
So, you know, maybe i've but that swung my options a little bit. Maybe I'll shuffle down to a 3-0.
00:23:59
Oscar
A big change.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's that I'll take it. I'll take it.
00:24:03
Oscar
yeah
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an improvement. All right, look, I alluded earlier that I'm not going to be predicting a win today, which might be first for the season.
00:24:05
Oscar
Thank you.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But i i realistically think that there is a very possible outcome of the game, and that is a one-all draw.
00:24:23
Zak
It's still really optimistic, but at the same time, if if if what he is saying is true, if he has learned his lessons and he is now extremely scared for his job, because that that press conference currently that we're missing reeks of, oh, my goodness me, that speculation in the media is less than speculation and I would really like to continue to be employed.
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:45
Zak
However, maybe it will be good. Who knows?
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Yeah, I did see one line written down that I don't know if it just hasn't translated well into text, but I read it as, i don't know, i live in the moment.
00:24:47
Zak
Always. why
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's...
00:25:00
Oscar
I think he said as well that that there's no injury concerns.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
oo
00:25:04
Oscar
So maybe is it Ross Stewart's return?
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:25:07
Zak
a Whoa.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:25:10
Oscar
Ross Stewart and to Paul up front together and shell the ball into the box.
00:25:10
Zak
No way.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
What?
00:25:14
Oscar
Nathan Jones would be delighted.
00:25:14
Zak
I feel like he doesn't know who he is, unless he's accidentally wandered into the physio department, in which case he just thinks this guy lives there.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:25:21
Zak
I have i have a big feeling that he probably has never met him.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's
00:25:25
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
amazing.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. No, I think one-all draw with a goal from Sulemana. Would we count that as a win? You'd have to buy a shirt, Zach?
00:25:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:25:37
Zak
No.
00:25:38
Oscar
Oh.
00:25:38
Zak
There needs to be a winning Premier League game where sort of on a feeling like a win and being a winner two different things.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would feel like win. It would definitely feel like a win. I you see
00:25:46
Zak
One gets us past being the worst team in the Premier League history. The other gets us two points behind that.
00:25:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I also see a world where a realistic possibility is like a 0-0 draw, where we manage to have like four or five good clear-cut opportunities that Alison pulls out world-class saves from, and they have four or five really good opportunities that fall to Darwin Nunes.
00:26:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:26:12
Zak
Oh, it's so mean, but also very funny.
00:26:14
Oscar
That's true.
00:26:14
Zak
Look,
00:26:15
Oscar
And actually, think Rusk's involved again now, isn't he? So maybe he he's told him how he got our first clean and only clean sheet the season.
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is how you defend, and that's that's what we're going to roll with. Yeah.
00:26:26
Oscar
Maybe don't stand right on top of Mo Salah and Nunes and leave them 40 yards to run behind your slow centre-backs.
00:26:33
Zak
but I'm not saying...
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you don't fancy... Look, if you fancy... Even if you bring just bring it down to a foot race, you don't fancy Jan Bednarek to outpace Salah. Like...
00:26:42
Oscar
Well, I think it'll be tight, but no.
00:26:45
Zak
I am not saying that they need to learn from NFL, but I will we say that the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl because their defensive line was solid.
Solid Defensive Strategies in Football
00:26:54
Zak
And it's baffling to me that people in football seem to think otherwise, that you could just kind of completely, you could just outscore your opponents constantly.
00:27:03
Zak
We watched it. tried They tried them tried to do that with Burnley and it just didn't happen. And we've not managed it. So please, just somebody give these people lessons on defending.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:27:11
Zak
Someone, somewhere.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love it.
00:27:12
Zak
sub
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love the analogy, Zach. Go birds. Okay.
Closing Remarks and Future Teasers
00:27:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. That is just about all we've got time for today. Thank you as always for joining us. Oscar, Zach, thanks for putting up with my borderline delusional optimism.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will be back on Monday for our 150th episode to review what happened at the weekend.
00:27:36
Zak
who Mad.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And boy, it really could go either way, right? and o
00:27:45
Zak
It's to go one way, but sure. It just depends how bad.
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know your score predictions in the comments or on the socials. We're on Facebook, X, Blue Sky, Instagram, TikTok.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's all of them.
00:28:01
Zak
Global Sports Podcast Network YouTube channel.
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:28:04
Zak
There is a playlist called The Daily Southampton.
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:28:06
Zak
That is where you can find us.
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give us a like, give us a subscribe, go and see what Liverpool have to say. If they're feeling quaking in their boots after a narrowly scraping past PSG and they put on a brave face for the crossover, who knows?
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will see. We'll be back Monday. Until then, up the Saints. Come on, boys.