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Episode 288: Matchday Review: Beating the Blades!
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Southampton – We got a hard fought win! Was there controversy? Absolutely! Was it easy? Of course not! So much to discuss in todays episode.
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Transcript
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everybody and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always today joined by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zagy Gofinch. And mate, we got win!
00:00:30
Zak
we We did. We we won a game. it kind of feels like... I don't know, man. That ref was real bad.
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's get straight into it because we have to hold our hands up here, right? Because if the shoe was on the other foot, this would be a 28-minute rant about the quality of refereeing.
00:00:47
Zak
I'll be furious. Furious, mate.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So on I'm going to go ahead and say it was never a penalty and it was right of Adam Armstrong to do the just thing and miss on purpose.
00:01:02
Zak
Maybe Harry came that? What are you chatting about?
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I guess on the fourth replay, i can see sort of half a foul on Alex McCarthy.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe. kind of. Sort of.
00:01:19
Zak
Not only that, a wall.
00:01:22
Zak
It's just not moved.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't
00:01:23
Zak
He sent Chris Marder off for booting the ball into the crowd. I genuinely think
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
well i think that's reasonable. the boom
00:01:30
Zak
Genuinely think, well, yeah, but then I understand why he was mad. think that that was a silly decision from Chris Wilder to bo it at a fan and then get in trouble for that. That's on him.
00:01:42
Zak
i think that probably really damaged the game for them because he seems to be a very vocal sideline manager. manager. um i will take it. I hope that we don't decide that we're going to sit back on one goal lead again ever because we are not a side that can do that
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is that is the questionable decision for me. I mean, that is but as a man that's never sat and watched a Saints game making that call.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
but she
00:02:12
Zak
yes nice That is somebody that does not realise that we cannot do that usually. Like, we had to get... I've seen somebody quote as, I think, as Lady Luck.
00:02:23
Zak
I don't put that down as Lady Luck. I put that down as the ref was awful. And that is why we won that game.
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:02:31
Zak
That's no disrespect to you two absolutely... I say two incredible. The first goal, any Sheffield United player could have kicked the ball or stuck a leg out. The second goal, though, Screamer.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
still think it's a good finish to find that gap, but that second goal is...
00:02:43
Zak
Yeah, true. but the same But I think the problem is in comparison to the second goal, look, when you just take a punt, occasionally it goes in.
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, look.
00:02:51
Zak
We've already seen it this season with Matsuki at one point. you know like Just try that more. Because...
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:57
Zak
oh I don't know, man. I feel a mix of emotions. I'm really happy for us to get a win. We made it significantly more difficult than we needed to. I don't know how I feel about the first goal.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean...
00:03:09
Zak
An unchanged side. There's still so much to talk about.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look.
00:03:13
Zak
With three minutes in, it doesn't feel like...
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, mate, right let's let's start here, right?
00:03:15
Zak
wow
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We talk a lot, and and a lot has been said around the club for many, many years about the Southampton way and what that means. And if I summarize it based off the feel, it's that we're never going to make something as easy as it should be, right? Like, we're always going to do something dark and concede a goal.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, if...
00:03:41
Zak
But that's not... That's not what you win a championship, mate. That's the problem.
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
the if
00:03:46
Zak
yeah
00:03:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
if we lose this game or draw this game, maybe we call into question that goal more because I think, how has Alex McCarthy once again been beaten on his near post from a ridiculous angle?
00:04:01
Zak
He seemed to go to ground a lot quicker than I expected him to. It kind of went over his head, which is a bit weird.
00:04:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just...
00:04:07
Zak
But...
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just... But that's not to say... Our players really put a performance in today. it's not to take away from the fact that Fellows in the first half was outstanding.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was so good that when he came off at halftime, I was like, that's a strange decision. Why would you take off Fellows? And then Ryan Fraser fully justified the decision to bring him on by being on the pitch.
00:04:29
Zak
Agreed. for sir for one of the let's Let's start from the beginning. Let's try and wind it back a little bit. Oh, I have also seen something that is going wind you up, Greg.
00:04:40
Zak
Nathan Wood, foot mob, right? 7.2 for that game was his score. I feel like that is somebody that didn't watch that game.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's done substantially better. I was going say, feel like he's done substantially better than that, if we're being honest.
00:04:54
Zak
Yeah. Look, Bring back, Greg. We had an unchanged side. You called it you called it very early on in our match preview.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. For full disclosure, I did then name every other member of the entire 20-man squad, so I don't know if we can...
00:05:08
Zak
Yeah, but that was off the back of me saying, but if you could swap them out, that was because if we did an episode where we like think it's going to be the same team every week, would be like all of the times we had Russell Martin episode, mate, where it was just like, oh, good.
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
with
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're right.
00:05:21
Zak
He's probably going to play someone we don't want him to play.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, look. I think it's really important based off of the performances we've had up until up until today, you know as it was before the game, it's important to build this consistency.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a back three that needs to continue to start together and be together. That's a striker pairing that seems to be working. Just saying, they've both scored in the last two games.
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, it's yeah, the you know, the midfield also seems to be well balanced, which is, you know, which is an important thing. And I'm sure that there are changes you can make, you know, almost like-for-like personnel to keep it very similar. But it's important at the moment that we become consistent to get these performances and start piecing it together.
00:06:10
Zak
Starting to be a bit more of where we're still siding it with Yander kind of displacing downs. And, know, I don't know how long that'll go on for. We saw Roroslev after a wild when we haven't seen him for the last couple of games. I'm glad, I agree with you, I'm glad we we were unchanged. I think that it was it was okay. I struggled with like, I was frustrated for the first sort of 25, 45 minutes.
00:06:37
Zak
And I think the first half, right?
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
they and
00:06:41
Zak
yeah i I was thinking about like when I really started to get get get like annoyed, right? And I think you know We have differing opinions on this kind of stuff because you're like, well, yeah, but they scored their first touch of the ball. And I'm like, that's the problem is that we we still do a lot of possession for the sake of it. I get that we get a lot of strikes off, but a lot a lot of them pay off.
00:07:00
Zak
But then the second half, that did change and they did pay off, which was nice to see.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the the difference in approach and mentality, Zach, is wholeheartedly from a background in gambling, right? Because, in maybe hear me out, right?
00:07:16
Zak
yeah Right, let's this is interesting.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because me
00:07:18
Zak
Let's go.
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
in gambling, right, there's no guarantees and there are swings, but there are plus EV and minus EV things to do, estimated value, right? And the fact of the matter is that if you keep getting in positions where chances are created and you keep kicking the ball at the goal, that's a plus EV situation. you're You're creating yourself. And it doesn't matter that you're in the sort of downswing of variance where those plus EV things aren't working out because you' it's going to come good eventually.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas if you're... you know, watching 832 passes between Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bennis to break the record for most passes not moving three yards away from each other.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
That doesn't happen, right?
00:08:06
Zak
No, you're right. no You're right. and And I get you. I think it's just it's just sometimes my frustration boils over. and And that's what it is.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
you're right. we We...
00:08:14
Zak
That's all it is.
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Going into halftime, even... taking away the penalty because because it shouldn't have been a penalty.
00:08:25
Zak
just rather not talk about it.
00:08:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's just Just removing it from the equation entirely, we should have made better of our chances and been two or three goals up. but you know It should have been two or three-one, or two or three-nil, realistically, because that was another like bizarre goal going into the break. And and we weren't.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we were creating the right things and we were looking ah a little bit more ruthless. I mean, I think I said very early on in the game to you, Ross Stewart fancies this tonight.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then And then in the second half, I mean, that came true, right? Like, poachers finish with a good piece of control to get it on target. We've seen, i mean, if put it this way, if Finnazaz is taking that shot, you think it goes?
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah That's a Rosetta, right? We've we've seen that the last couple of games.
00:09:19
Zak
True, true, mate.
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, I mean, what can you say about the second goal? He drops a shoulder, finds just like half a yard of space. And I mean, find a goalkeeper that's saving that.
00:09:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, I mean, that absolutely rocketed into the corner of the net. What can I say?
00:09:41
Zak
What want to talk about, Greg, when we get back from the break is some of the changes, the fact that we had halftime changes sort of for the first time in a long time. yeah, just sort of how much of a difference that made, because I think both me and you towards the end of that game got worried.
00:09:58
Zak
So, yeah, we'll chat about it after.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. All right.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright, mate. We are back. Come on then. Talk to me about changes. What are you feeling about them?
00:10:50
Zak
Right, so so obviously I think you pointed out a lot of people are questioning that fellow sub, but I also agree with you that Fraser then justified that substitution pretty well.
00:11:00
Zak
like I think you even pointed out, like how bad must the corner be if Fraser wins it? I'm like, yeah, but the fact that Fraser's trying and ah ah successfully for not the first time this season won a header shows you just how much effort he's putting in.
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, look, I don't hate the change of Azaz for Robinson. I think that's fine. did question Tom Fellows for Fraser.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know if that's because there's been a knock, it kind of justifies it a bit more. But actually, I just genuinely think, like you say, the work rate of Ryan Fraser justifies the change regardless.
00:11:39
Zak
Nuts. Absolutely insane. I'm sorry.
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he was... He was absolutely everywhere from a defensive perspective. just Just tracking back and everything.
00:11:48
Zak
Well, that's your yeah yeah the other big thing. Him, Fellows, there's couple players that really stood out to me that, you know, Wood was another one that, like, if they made a mistake, would get the ball back.
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, man.
00:11:59
Zak
And there's a couple of things that worry me where we have some players where if they're dispossessed, it's far too easy for the opposition to hit a counter-attack. And that's where we get these sort of goals where we're like, well, it's not really McCarthy's fault. Is it the really defence's fault? And it's kind of like, well, if it's lost in the opposition's half and it's because we haven't decided to go back and like try and get the ball off of them, and that leads into a proper attack that they score from.
00:12:23
Zak
Realistically, it's those sort of those sort of decisions that do my head in. And the fact that we had a lot players tonight that i watched, you know, fellows, fellows, one of them, Fraser being his replacement, like literally the Austin would lose the ball and get the ball back almost as quick as they lost it.
00:12:37
Zak
And like, that is some of the key, the key big changes I've noticed in the last couple of games. I don't know, man, like,
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's important. This league has always been a league where transition is important. And, you know, making a mistake and losing the ball is that trigger for the transition. So you're right. It is the biggest deal to to put yourself out there and go and get it back and just deal with it.
00:12:56
Zak
Because it's it's the thing that does my head in about how we're constantly arguing about which which goalkeeper's better. Oh, Alex McCarthy let another goal in. Oh, Brazunu would never save that. And I'm like, why are we putting our goalkeepers in positions they constantly need to make saves? Or alternatively,
00:13:12
Zak
Like the first sort of save they have to make, their first shot on target is always from like a ridiculous angle where we've not managed to get the ball back or anything like that. It's just frustrating.
00:13:23
Zak
But um've noticed that I've noticed that that tide has started to turn a little bit and I'm noticing more players that are able to do that than not, right?
00:13:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, like, sticking on this train of thought of changes, I mean, i think we're both in agreement. the The rest of the changes were a decision to sit back on a lead, and that is just...
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
not position I want to be put in when we're in one goal line.
00:13:49
Zak
It's defensive, isn't it? you take You're taking off a striker for a central midfielder and, you know, you you take it off. Admittedly, Manning was looking leggy. You said it the last game, bringing him off Aurora's left.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:02
Zak
But yeah, it looked like we kind of moved to a back five. We decided to invite pressure from a team that, you know, As far as I'm concerned, yeah, they'd only had one shot target and they did score with that goal.
00:14:14
Zak
So, arguably, percentage-wise, they're going to be up for it, right? They're going to be up for it And they were, and they tried.
00:14:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:21
Zak
And, know, Ings was definitely up for it. You add then them score a goal that I don't know if that was... I really don't.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, I mean...
00:14:33
Zak
like Again, you as you point out, mate, if you want to be fair, on the other if they are if that's on the other side, if that's on the other side, you would be as few as the Sheffield United fans.
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
which
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
fuming. This is this this is a 28-minute podcast about bad referees, if that's the on the other foot.
00:14:44
Zak
Yeah, so...
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's ah ah it's a If it goes against us, I'm so angry. I think it's a really poor decision. and i mean, there's one angle from behind the goal where I can see how there's a defender with an arm across McCarthy's chest and I can sort of see the idea of where it is. And and you know he's blown early. He blows before the gu ball goes in the net.
00:15:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I heard it and then hoped that I hadn't just been hearing things because that is knowre not outside the realms of possibility, if we're being wholeheartedly honest. so But yeah, I think it's a poor decision and it's lucky.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But at the end of the day... It's balanced as well.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've had some shocking decisions against us this season. doesn't make any of them right, to be clear.
00:15:29
Zak
yeah
00:15:34
Zak
from the
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not defending it.
00:15:34
Zak
From a universe perspective, fine. But my my my point is more from a game management perspective.
00:15:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:40
Zak
If it wasn't for that decision, we probably would have then ended up, you know, potentially with them beating, levelling at least,
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Awful. Yeah. I never, I never, ever, never, ever want to see us sit on a one goal lead.
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then there was some, and you know, ah'll try and justify it to myself when I'm watching it. And I'm like, no, we've reverted to just knocking it around the back. and I'm like, that's all right. We're not, we're not like sitting on it. We're just trying to take the sting out of their tail and keep possession for a minute. We'll go forward in a minute.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we bought armor off and bought downs on. I'm like, Oh no why?
00:16:13
Zak
Yeah, it was it was it was it was quarter of an hour we still had left to play.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like,
00:16:16
Zak
It's not like it was the last sort of five minutes where we tried to shore stuff up.
00:16:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:20
Zak
And I think, like, as you pointed out, it like, logically, it makes it makes sense. I think it's just, it hits the pit of every single Saints fan's stomach that, oh, no, we're going to sit back and try and defend for the next 15 minutes.
00:16:32
Zak
And, like, I can think back games as far as a decade ago where stuff like that happened and it never really worked out right, ever.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:39
Zak
And, you know, I think there's only one game I can remember... It going on and on and on. It was a game actually saw with you, although separately. we went i was like I think it was Everton. It was in the Premier League. and it was like It was a game where just but every single kick of the ball was painful and just about won it in the nick of time.
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
one
00:17:00
Zak
But there's most of the times that it would never, ever play out like that. And it's so frustrating to watch us try and do it. And I genuinely feel like we got away with it today.
00:17:13
Zak
That isn't something we could do going forward, especially against a team that haven't been very good at scoring, right?
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
look i I understand the desperation to get a win over the line.
00:17:20
Zak
a
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think that any Saints fan is going to sit here and say, yep, that was the way to do it. Let's sit back and invite pressure.
00:17:32
Zak
Yeah, but the devil's advocate in me is that we said that we wanted a manager that will win no matter what. A manager that is going to get a win above playing attractive football, above trying to, again, like, get, you know, and also ultimately went off football but we're We're a pair of fans, mate.
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Do you know what? though you
00:17:53
Zak
You chat a lot of rubbish, really. Yeah.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're 100% right because we can sit here and criticise but what I will say on Will Steele is that all of the decisions he makes are brave because they open him up for criticism and it's irrelevant, right?
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, sticking with the same, basically the same team from Liverpool into Saturday, dropping Jack Stephens and Taylor Howard-Belich, our club captain and our you know, most expensive player.
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's brave. That's bold. That's opening yourself up for damage. If it goes wrong, like bringing off Tom, bring off.
00:18:26
Zak
Shall we talk a bit about that in a bit after a word from our partners at Sancastr?
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, mate. Yeah, let's, uh, let's do it.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the global sports podcast network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencastr came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright mate, now we're back. Yeah, where was I? Yes, brave, right? It was brave to start the TV start against Liverpool, bringing Fellows off at half-time today when Fellows had been arguably our best forward player.
00:19:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
is brave and opens himself up for criticism. You know, whether there's a k knock or not, we we don't know at this point. So let's stick with it. And you're right, sitting back and holding off a league is brave.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
to My concern is that there's a real fine line between brave and stupid, you know?
00:19:28
Zak
oh that' that' That's life, isn't it, mate? And that's why we're not paying to make those decisions and that's why we can sit here and comment on them because ultimately we're not the ones that have made them and, you know, it affects, I guess, our mood the rest of the week.
00:19:41
Zak
And, yeah, it's a difficult...
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
what Win's a win isn't And now it's a habit.
00:19:46
Zak
Yeah, it's ah ah it's ah it's a difficult one because I kind of put... the and I also said, like, we we we tweet out during the game and stuff. We're talking about how if we didn't win, that would be all on still.
00:20:02
Zak
So that means, arguably, the flip side of it is the win kind of needs to be on still.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:06
Zak
And I know that people will criticise this, that, and the other. Like, he persisted with Ross Stewart when a lot of people... as as late as late and as early, mate, as this game, we're talking about how he's absolute toilet, he shouldn't be starting, blah, blah, blah, blah.
00:20:20
Zak
Someone retweeted something, it was like, da we gave Damien down some stick, this roster is even worse. Scores two goals.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I want you to go back and clip up the part of our podcast where I said once he gets one, he's going to score 53 this season.
00:20:38
Zak
Hey, we do a daily podcast. Are
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
but like
00:20:43
Zak
We say a lot of stuff.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you're right.
00:20:44
Zak
Yeah,
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, we said we are concerned about whether he would start this game or not. We're based on fitness and not on ability.
00:20:52
Zak
yeah that's true.
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
he
00:20:54
Zak
This time around.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's proven he's a proven goal score at this level in the past. And yes, he has fought back from a shocking series of injuries, right?
00:21:02
Zak
Multiple.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, he's looked pretty sharp to me even before tonight. You know, the movements, he's been this close, right? And it's not like Damien Downs this close where he gets himself in the position and scuffs the shot narrowly misses.
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been this close to getting on the end of it and it being in. like It's literally like less than half a yard away from any connection it's in.
00:21:28
Zak
Well, like, yeah goal line. That was a goal line save this game, right, as well.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:32
Zak
that could have been kind of been three goals for him, so...
00:21:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was just
00:21:34
Zak
Hmm...
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was just up for it from the off. There were a couple before that goal line save as well. There was a good header and then a shot on target where he had like a couple of shots in a really quick period of time. and Look,
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've said all along, or I've, you know, I think we've both said all along, strikers, it's a confidence game. and Do we have concerns about Armour's confidence after that woeful penalty?
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you know what makes up for that is winning the game, right?
00:22:02
Zak
but Not particularly.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the only thing.
00:22:03
Zak
There's a video I've sent you that you'll be able to see after the game, mate, of literally him walking down the tunnel and saying, great pen, that. So I feel like he is in on that joke. I feel like making that joke when we lose probably wouldn't have landed as well, but we won.
00:22:21
Zak
And, you know, you also pointed out that he was back to prime championship armor. He was like two and So, yeah, swings roundabouts, innit?
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I will point out that even in the last championship season he was rubbish at penalties.
00:22:34
Zak
You're right. we have we we basic well I don't understand why we don't just put Ryan Batting on them. If he can score the free kicks, I'm sure he can score the penalties.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know, mate. do you remember when James Will Prowls it was more likely that he would score a free kick than a penalty because he was shocking at them as well?
00:22:46
Zak
Yeah, but that's James Ward-Prowse, mate. And as much as our fan base want to bring him back on an almost daily basis at this point, it's the past, isn't it?
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, do you think if Ross Stewart takes that penalty, he gets a hat-trick tonight? That's the that the if question.
00:23:02
Zak
Well, the if question is, yeah, I i think if he's flying with that level of confidence, but, you know, it wasn't that wasn't where it was.
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I mean, he wasn't at that point, right?
00:23:09
Zak
Yeah, that's my point.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he hadn't scored.
00:23:10
Zak
That wasn't where it was at at the time.
00:23:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm...
00:23:13
Zak
So arguably, you could also consider we're just going random hypotheticals here, mate, now. There's a situation where he misses that penalty and doesn't score the other goals because his confidence drops.
00:23:24
Zak
So arguably, Arma, missing that penalty, gave us the win.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:23:30
Zak
see my logic?
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. um um I am fully on board and with you.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is i some me levels of optimism.
00:23:34
Zak
And to and to you clear
00:23:38
Zak
and to be clear, that's the same sort of logic where people like, Baz wouldn't have made that save.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. Right, mate, before we wrap up, I want to ask you a question that we don't normally sort of focus towards on this show, but I think it's interesting tonight.
00:23:54
Zak
Okay.
00:23:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who is your man of the match?
00:23:58
Zak
I would say Nathan Wood. I just think that since coming back into the side, he's just been incredible.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:24:06
Zak
Like, I think clutch slowly slowly caughts there slowly followed on by Yander and Shea Charles, because Shea Charles is just doesn't ever stop, right? he is like In the sense of when we used to talk about how Ward Prowse would play every single game, Shea Charles has very much got that engine on him.
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he's played every game and like basically every minute of the season. He doesn't show any signs slowing down. I think Yander was fantastic this evening.
00:24:24
Zak
But I just think that...
00:24:32
Zak
and
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously, it's I mean, it's hard to look past the brace and that incredible goal from Ross Stewart, right?
00:24:39
Zak
Oh, for sure.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like,
00:24:40
Zak
But but i the reason I i say would is I think that, you know, you said it's you said it's brave that Will Steele has replaced Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis with, you know, the back three that we currently got.
00:24:52
Zak
But I also think that... he wouldn't be able to justify it if Wood hadn't put in the performance this that he's put in. And bear in mind that like the performances from the defence, okay, maybe you know we can argue about the first goal and and maybe they should have done more.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:25:07
Zak
But like you know they're playing a game in quick succession to another game. There's just been like three games in what, like under under seven days at this point? And and most of those have most of those guys have taken part in that.
00:25:20
Zak
And, you know, you can see that the other guys is being leggy, like Manning for sure, because he's played in everything. But to be able to come in... and sort of feel like he is our almost like experienced centre-back, right? He is the like commanding presence now in such a short period of time after being kind of second choice, third choice, occasionally would appear in sort of cup games towards the like the middle of our Premier League season. I think the last three games, you know he could go on to be something more.
00:25:52
Zak
I don't think when we signed him, anyone really expected him to be anything other than a backup. So, yeah, that that's why he's he's my man of the match anyway. Yours?
00:26:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:26:04
Zak
I know you've also mentioned Yander and Stewart, but you've also played Fraser, Ryan Fraser, and Tom Fellows.
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah.
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think...
00:26:10
Zak
You just think the team?
00:26:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, the whole... I mean, look, it's hard to put ah to put negative thoughts on it. I think...
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, it's really tough. I think Ryan Fraser, honestly. I mean, I think to to put the performance in that he did... to to justify what to me literally had me at halftime going, what do you mean fellows off?
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he was just sensational. I don't think he put a foot wrong. Like say, he won headers from defensive corners, which is ridiculous because he's like three foot tall.
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just, yeah, unbelievable. I think he would be my pick for man match. But yeah, I don't think that there were... any bad performances, to be honest. Even Armour missing the penalty, you know, created the opportunity for Stuart's first goal and, you know, made himself dangerous and put himself about in the game. And, yeah.
00:27:12
Zak
Look, as much as I've talked about it being the refer the referee had a, you know, significant impact on the game, if you're a Sheffield United fan, you're fuming.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all good.
00:27:22
Zak
Man, did we need that, number one.
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:27:25
Zak
Number two, it showed you the fact that we were able to go from a goal down and get get in and a score again. Yeah. My prediction was right, Greg. It was 2-1.
00:27:37
Zak
It was just not Arbor that scored two.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Doable,
00:27:39
Zak
It was Ross Stewart. And that's my fault for not having faith in Ross Stewart. I just think it's a it's something we can get behind and move on. And you're right. If we take seven points out of this week, which is it's very likely and very, you know, it's very doable.
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
isn't so aboard
00:27:54
Zak
yeah, it's doable for sure, then that would be a huge success and we'll move on to more positive things. But hopefully it quiets a bit of the sort of discontent going on around the club and we'll be able to move forward in a positive fashion.
00:28:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well,
00:28:10
Zak
I look forward to looking forward to the next game. I'm not but kind of half dreading it.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
look, I'll get it.
00:28:16
Zak
That's what out lately, mate.
00:28:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll tell you now, mate, I have been excited for this game all day and I look forward to the weekend and carrying this on. That said, you know, we're Saints, so it's not going to be as clear-cut and simple as that.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's going to be a rollercoaster on the way. But look, they come thick and fast.
00:28:31
Zak
Yeah, I know what you mean.
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's all we've got time for to discuss tonight. Thank you, Zach, for joining me this late Tuesday night recording.
00:28:37
Zak
Thank you, mate.
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, everyone, for listening. Uh, we will be back tomorrow. And as I said, the games come thick and fast tomorrow. We have got, uh, our, our founder of the global sports podcast network and big Derby fan, Nick joining us.
00:28:53
Zak
Do you?
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, uh, we'll be, I'm sure ruminating on tonight and, uh, looking forward to the weekend, uh, a lot more, uh, Until then, let us know on all the comments and in the social media.
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you think tonight was? I mean, look, win's a win, right? But there are still lots of thoughts I'd love to hear from all of you on the comments and in all the socials. We're on all of them. We're on Facebook, X, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hit us up. Let us know. We love hearing from you. Like say, we'll be back tomorrow. But until then, everyone, get in the Saints. Come on. Have a great day, everyone.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank