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Episode 329: 4 IN A ROW?! Matchday Review vs Leicester
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Southampton – What a night at St Mary's! As Tonda continues with his 100% win record, we have lots to talk about!
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Transcript
Southampton's Winning Streak and Complacency Issues
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello 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, a wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch. Zach,
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you feel
00:00:32
Zak
Mate, you just told me an absolute insane stat before the start of this podcast. Is this the first time we've won four in a row since... When did you say sorry? 2012. That
00:00:46
Zak
thousand and twelve
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
is...
00:00:48
Zak
but is
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tonda Rekha is the first Saints manager since Alan Pardew to win four league games in a row.
00:00:59
Zak
I don't have a clue
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait.
00:01:03
Zak
who he is.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look.
00:01:04
Zak
Look, sign him up, right? At this point, look i'm done I'm done with this whole like, oh, but what what if what if he struggles when we lose? Well, I don't want us to lose every game. I've watched the manager do okay. i don't know what's changed. Leo Sienza says we should hire him.
00:01:24
Zak
What more of an endorsement do you want? I just, it's so much to talk about.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:01:29
Zak
want to start.
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
let's look Let's start with the negatives, right?
00:01:31
Zak
start Okay, sure.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We only scored three and not five. if What's that all about? Like...
00:01:40
Zak
Actually, I'll tell you what the actual negative is, Greg. And you you you pretty much ended your text tirade to me with it, which is, I don't think we're a second half team anymore.
00:01:52
Zak
it's Like, like we are literally at a stage where for the first time in man, i I don't know how long as a Saints fan where the second half is bit of just like a sort of jolly.
00:02:03
Zak
Like we just got to kind of ride it out. Like admittedly they didn't help themselves.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zach, we unironically bought out Ole chants this evening. like
00:02:13
Zak
I, I, I just don't know. It's, it's, it's mad. It's, The turnaround, I think i the other the other random stat that i like randomly text you right was that in 52 league games, it's like promotion.
Impact of Coaching and Player Performances
00:02:26
Zak
We've won four times, and now we've just won four on the bounce. We've gone from flirting with relegation places in the championship to shooting right up the table.
00:02:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:02:39
Zak
and like Realistically, now we're like a couple wins off of playoff places again.
00:02:44
Zak
which obviously isn't really where we want to be, but at same time, like, man, it's just so much in the space of like two to three weeks. And I remember you saying ages ago, like, oh, maybe just it just all needs to click. And I can't help but think that the endorsements that Tonda got today in the post-match was really good, right?
00:03:03
Zak
Like, you know, asking about what he's changed and them saying, like, he has his own ideas, he's clarified, he's clear about what he wants, you know, that they've tried to put a bit of an emphasis on set pieces and clearly that's working.
00:03:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
m
00:03:17
Zak
We swapped that with Defender and it just didn't matter. Like, admittedly, admittedly,
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:23
Zak
if they didn't really have a huge amount of opportunities, but but Baz showed, you know, in the the sort of one memorable save, exactly.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
What save.
00:03:31
Zak
He showed, he he showed you know, why he's currently in the team. And that was a positive thing for everybody as well. You know, but the fact that we made two changes and sort of like...
00:03:43
Zak
you know Flynn Downs isn't going to be available for Saturday because the safest bet in football once again paid off and he was annoyed with himself but at the same time he did almost break that poor lad's ankle. So you did to see the you didn't see it back mate because you were there but like let me tell you now.
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean...
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
like But what what i do what I did feel, Zach, was the collective... Ooh, from the entire northern end Who thought that might be a red?
00:04:08
Zak
i Yeah, the fact that it's only a yellow is quite lucky, to be honest. But no, it's just, I can't, you know, i don't know what's happened. But like Azaz, a player that we have done, we have been, to be perfectly honest, and we'll put our hands up and say we've been critical since he has come into this team.
00:04:24
Zak
You know, we didn't expect him really to get a look in. It's now what, like three and three?
00:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Five goals in four games?
00:04:30
Zak
Yeah, something like that.
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something that?
00:04:30
Zak
And then on top of that, like if you count his international performance where he was slated, but at the same time he scored, I can't believe it. like the early early I think the only downside there, you say it's three, instead of the fact that a defender scored two of them.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:04:44
Zak
I think it's like the Harba Belis with a brace.
00:04:47
Zak
That first goal.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. myth Myth busted. We no longer struggle in the week, but defenders still score more goals.
00:04:52
Zak
Yes. Do you think
00:04:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah but I'll take it. but
00:04:57
Zak
And like that first goal, pretty dubious. Maybe he's offside. Maybe if it's the Premier League, we sit there for five minutes and VAR is offside.
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, the,
00:05:03
Zak
But it's what it is.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's not, mate. That's why we love the championship.
00:05:07
Zak
Yeah, i'm not going to lie.
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, I think back you're talking about like the details with Eker and like he just tells them what he wants them to do.
Coaching Styles and Strategic Play
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it makes me think actually of... I don't remember exactly who the interview was with, but I saw it a few years ago, way back. And they were explaining why Thierry Henry wasn't a very good manager for them because he was like,
00:05:33
Zak
Mmm.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then he gets to the attacking players and he's like, well, you just do this and go around the player and score. And it's like, yeah, you can do that because you're Thierry Henry, but I actually need some guidance on what I'm doing here. And I wonder if it's like more of the same with Will Steele, where like he just, you know, you you think back to that clip of, am I allowed to do that then, Gaffer? And I just think Will expected...
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
a bit more base knowledge than he had. And obviously he didn't do enough to sort of bring that up to scratch. And clearly that has made the difference because, i mean, it was it's just worlds apart. We're playing...
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
in such a way. Like, we're knocking it around at the back sometimes, and the difference is so visible to see, because once we're knocking it around at the back, there are actually players in front of the back line making movements and darting all over the place and creating spaces, and it's like, oh, it's just like we've been saying for two years. It's just finally clicked together, and and I mean...
00:06:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leicester just didn't have any answers for Sienza or Fellows, as clearly demonstrated by the red card.
00:06:42
Zak
No, not even slightly. And I feel really bad for that poor lad. 18, first start. you know we've We've had that happen with somebody that started at 18 and was immediately set off.
00:06:55
Zak
I'm pretty sure it i've it was the second 9-0 loss to Manchester United, right?
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:59
Zak
And it's it's horrible to see. That guy never went on to play for us. I think that Leicester will, you know, he will recover. but it it just showed you how good Fellows was that he did not know what to do and ended up, you know,
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:07:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think Fellows took the full back on from the wing and didn't get a cross in a single time all evening. He was just first to the ball every single time.
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think there was one cross that was blocked that went out for a corner. Other than that, every single time he got past the defender and put the ball in. It was just ridiculous. And and it was the forward movement with pace. And, you know, once you get Sienza and Azaz and Armstrong and Fellows and Yander all running forward, and they just had no they had no answers for it. And then, you know, throw set pieces into the mix and all of a sudden we're scoring them as well. Like, I just, it was just such a complete performance.
00:07:59
Zak
Yeah.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, but We didn't get more in the second half because we took our foot off the gas and didn't need more.
00:08:00
Zak
full
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We still pushed and could have scored more. it's not like we It's not like we took our foot off the gas and stood in our own half and let Taylor Harwood-Bellis pass it to Nathan Wood. like We played it about, but in their half, and we just kept the ball. And and actually, most impressively, when we didn't have the ball, we didn't... like panic or rush or make any mistakes or rush a high line to get them. We just let them do their thing and like, yeah, we'll just defend it and then we'll go again.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just, oh, it was such a wonderful thing to behold.
00:08:38
Zak
Yeah, as I said, the only thing that I really remember it being, well, this is a bit, you know, this is a bit dicey is obviously whenever we first score a goal. But they managed to cut that out. Again, Baz forced into a save, the only save they had to make all night. It was an absolutely fantastic save. And then we proceeded to some... can't even say somehow get another because it's the work like the work of Sienza and the work of Fellows and the work of Armstrong, despite not getting a goal. like Again, I don't don't necessarily understand what has clicked, but by the sounds of it as well, like they can see all the work that...
00:09:13
Zak
that Eckert's putting in as
Team Dynamics and Player Contributions
00:09:14
Zak
well. Like there's, there's conversations around him potentially, like basically just eating three meals a day and spending all of his time at Staplewood, you know, getting, getting, not even being able to enjoy his win on Saturday at Charlton because he's then immediately watching tapes back of Leicester play.
00:09:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:09:29
Zak
And like, yeah, you do you do wonder if, I guess, throwing himself fully into the squad, well, how sustainable it is and this and the other, but the the players have responded in kind. But yeah, maybe maybe you are right. Maybe it is is just the smaller things and the things that needed to be said that that needed it to happen.
00:09:48
Zak
And again, like, you know, we were quite...
00:09:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just needed a slightly eccentric German man to come in and kick us into gear.
00:09:56
Zak
Yeah, and like it still again, no disrespect to Will still.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:09:58
Zak
Clearly, it just wasn't the right time, right team for him.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm.
00:10:02
Zak
And you know i was still happy with his appointment early on because if it now results in Eckert being pi hired permanently and then he goes on to do really well, we wouldn't have got to that stage if we'd ended up hiring somebody else and they did mediocre.
00:10:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm.
00:10:16
Zak
like Because you know arguably, what Will still did wasn't even mediocre because again, double the win rate in... in significantly less time, right?
00:10:27
Zak
It's just outstanding.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:29
Zak
And again, like, there there are some questions that probably need to be asked to the players as well as to what why they couldn't do this before and what's hugely changed.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:10:38
Zak
We're not going to know all the reasons. We don't know if it's, you know, the influence of sort of people like Sienza or the fact that they're all just clicking and getting to know each other as a unit.
00:10:49
Zak
And I have some thoughts on that, which are not super, super positive. But obviously, before we take our break why break, Greg, what I did want to point out was that I predicted a 3-1 win.
00:11:00
Zak
You predicted a 2-1 win. The first time I've ever predicted higher than you and been more positive. And we actually ended up with...
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you're still wrong, mate, because we didn't concede a goal, so...
00:11:10
Zak
No, we didn't. No, but we did win by three goals. And yeah, somehow managed to keep a clean sheet, which when I say somehow, they just did really well. Like the fact that we were able to swap a defender out and it wasn't a hugely terrifying prospect where it has been like that most of the time previously.
00:11:30
Zak
You know, fair play to Takorsi for being out for, you know, out of the team after having his little bit of run, stepping straight back in and then doing all right.
00:11:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Great. Well, look, let's get into it and talk more about the game. But let's have a little break first and hear a message from our partners. Bye, Nick.
00:12:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back. And I just, I don't even know where to start talking about the game. Just so many like good, solid performances. I don't i don't think I can pick on a particular individual because they were all fantastic. I guess the obvious one is is Harwood Bellis stepping up and bagging a couple of goals. And I bet it's bet it's good for him and his morale, right, to hear...
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
the reception he got and cheering his name after, I mean, i mean, feel like we said at some point, doesn't really matter if he ever plays for us again, was definitely uttered this season.
00:13:00
Zak
It's not easy.
00:13:10
Zak
Yeah, that's vote so those are words that we have said.
00:13:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:13:14
Zak
There was a point where Wood, Edwards and Kwashi were the only real centre-backs that we thought should play. We didn't really think he was going to get much of of a look in. And then he's kind of come back, proved his worth, and that's what we've ever really asked. And it's played really, really solidly.
00:13:30
Zak
if What you missed out on, Greg, because you actually got to watch it live, was the the Sky commentary of them banging on about how, you reckon he's going to get a text from his father-in-law non-stop, which was great.
00:13:41
Zak
Rather than talking about his actual performance, it was more that Roy Keane might be as this this is goingnna be his new father-in-law.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:48
Zak
But yeah, fantastic.
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it was it was such a step up from him as well.
00:13:50
Zak
Fantastic from him.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, obviously, both of his goals came from... the first one was directly from a set piece. The second one was sort of indirectly from a set piece, I think. but But also, just throughout the game, his willingness to just step up and like the amount of times he was the one creating a like an underlapping run past Tom Fellows on the wing and i'm like this is just like the fluid football that we've been asking for and wanting for so long like we're we're pushing up in places we're moving about and dynamically switching positions and having everything covered and
00:14:27
Zak
but Either way, what whatever new drills they're actually doing are working. Because again, like he to be fair to him, he's always kind of tried that. And like set pieces, he is always one of the ones that usually would get his head to it, right?
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:14:38
Zak
And actually trying. Usually it goes absolutely nowhere near the goal. It did a couple of times under Russell Martin. But yeah, to have to have that, obviously, it also is clearly a part of their game that they've been working on.
00:14:49
Zak
It's paid off. And i just i just it's just mad to me that the what what has changed in the background. And Obviously, a lot of the the training ground personnel have also changed, not just with Will Still's departure, but, you know, Lallana's kind of moved away. You know, we've lost a a veteran in Karl Martin when he left. So those those could be contributing factors. I don't know.
00:15:11
Zak
But yes, it's all either way.
00:15:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait, if
00:15:14
Zak
If it's just like Eckert leading the charge and and being able to give them the confidence back in themselves, regardless of whether or not it's it's with some weird, like hungry eyes BS on the training ground, couldn't care less if that's what it is, but just to see him happy,
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
it works, what problem is it?
00:15:32
Zak
happy Happy to play football, enjoying football.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:34
Zak
And like I think that's like one of the first things the ACNs have said in this post-match interview. It's just like, yeah, we're just having we're just actually enjoying everything. like We want to win more. It's all clicking.
00:15:46
Zak
It's just going in the right direction. And you're like, it's just all things that we've we've asked for and wanted to see from this team for so long. And it just kind of felt like, oh, what are we doing wrong? And we've been so close to it.
00:15:57
Zak
And, you know, if if if having this new young manager that's trying to grasp this job with everything he's got, you know, and clearly believes in himself. And if that's what it's taken for them all to kind of step up, then that's that's fine.
00:16:14
Zak
and But yeah, when you're talking about overall performance, you're right. It's hard to pick individuals because everybody played their role tonight.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. It was brilliant. Adam Armstrong just absolutely, bearing in mind he played I think all 90 minutes on Saturday.
00:16:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
can't remember for sure if you got to pick it up or not.
00:16:31
Zak
I'm relatively sure he doubt Downs did a similar thing where he came on for him quite late on, but he did play the entirety of today.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But he just Yeah, he just ran and ran and ran and didn't stop at all for a single minute. It was just brilliant. And yeah, just all of them swarming forward, the defenders not messing around with it for too long and finding the right passes.
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean... Manning passed it sideways one too many times for my liking, but I don't think that I can sit here and rightly have criticism once, you know, looking at the game and how it's gone. But it was just it wass just brilliant.
00:17:12
Zak
Also, the only the only only things that i can see, not even really a negative, but I did notice Joe Eribo shouting for the ball a lot and not a lot of people really passing it to him.
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. Wow.
00:17:24
Zak
Because again, like they've clearly built up the trust amongst themselves. because they are the ones that are doing, you know, it's like, well, would I going rather would i' rather pass to someone i know has recently scored a goal or somebody that is pretty much an unknown entity?
00:17:37
Zak
And I could see him cutting quite a frustrated figure because he is now having to take that role of you come in in the last 15 to 20 minutes of the game and just see it out, right?
00:17:48
Zak
Yeah.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
the same The same for Damien Downs, right? Like, once again...
00:17:51
Zak
Yeah.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
<unk> I will say that his movement off the ball and the amount of times he's pointing for a ball, through ball and making that run, i mean, I saw six or seven times where he made the perfect move and just didn't receive the ball and the ball.
00:17:59
Zak
Yes.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, the problem is that he's coming on for 15 minutes the game where, you know, we're not worried about whether we score another goal or not. We've got just knocking the ball about. No one's really making that cutting pass. If he's on earlier in the game, maybe he gets that opportunity, but But it's not a problem. like it's still They've still come on and done their job like and and done it well and and held it out. you know We weren't weaker when we brought them on. We still maintained control of the game and and maintained possession plenty and pushed and you know had a couple of chances and a couple of corners. and
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Man, I really wanted Harwood-Bellis to get his hat-trick. Yeah.
00:18:47
Zak
That would have been absolutely incredible. i like but it's I just can't get over the contrast of the discussion we're having tonight to two, three
Transformation and Future Prospects
00:18:57
Zak
weeks ago. like It is literally night and day. and it's like genuinely There's me genuinely feeling, mate, like, oh, we we might need to start preparing for what happens if we go down.
00:19:08
Zak
Or like if we get in a relegation dogfight. And now it's like, oh, man, really wish we were playing Pompey like next weekend because we'd just destroy them. like That's the level of
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
genuine Genuinely, it's gone from feeling like we may never win another game. Like every game was going to be a scrap to, I just don't think we're ever going to lose ever again.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like it feels just feels unbelievable.
00:19:30
Zak
this This was supposed to be the test, right?
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:32
Zak
This was, oh, well, okay, he's playing a really tough side. He's playing a side that have a bit of momentum after a couple of games of winning, that are on a similar sort of streak to us, that, you know, have a have a strong squad, a squad that's been in the Premier League as well.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:46
Zak
This was supposed to be that game that, you know... we everyone kind of felt a bit iffy about. Maybe we were overconfident about when we did our preview, but then even both of us before this game kicked off were a bit, you know, i was sluggish.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:00
Zak
you've You've not had a a good night's sleep the night before. You weren't even really feeling up to going and then you ended up going and then, you know, probably really glad you are because, you know, you got you got to watch one of the, whole considering how many home losses you've been to, mate, since you've had a season ticket.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, sorry, cloud. Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:15
Zak
deserve a home win. And I think, yeah, just it's just, it's incredible that we're we're in the position that we're in now. And I don't quite understand all of the factors that have got us here, but I'm quite happy to just ride the wave and not really overthink it too much because it's going to be really, really easy for that to happen.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:31
Zak
And what i really don't want is if we hire him permanently, And then everyone be get annoyed if we lose a game and be like, oh, we knew we should have got somebody with more experience. I'd be like, well, he's gaining the experience. And so far, with the experience he's gaining, he's beating everybody.
00:20:58
Zak
we We'll have another option in Ross Stewart, maybe, but and the new year. We don't know how far away he is from injury. To my knowledge of those, he was out injured. I don't know if, you know, he will eventually be brought back into the fold as well. But then we've got, all of a sudden, these other extra players in, like...
00:21:16
Zak
in like cam brag sort of coming through then robinson sort of having his little little goes at the end and you know had he had he had a pop he didn't quite didn't quite land where he wanted him for him but you know it's just man yeah
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was But again, he was brilliant when he came on. He stepped up and he just took over where Tom Fellows left off and he had their fullback absolutely on toast. Like, there was just... I feel so bad for the Leicester fullbacks because they just had they just had no answers for any of it at any point in the in the game.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
i Just absolutely left for dead. It was... Yeah.
00:21:50
Zak
It's just, yeah, you you think you think back to the Preston game and and like Nathan would have to put an apology out. but You see where we are now and it's just like, it turns out we've all just really, really, really needed that for a long time.
00:22:05
Zak
And, you know, only had to listen to the the cries of nine ni for a few times maybe before they for it stopped being about Leicester, which was nice. So happy days.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. That's great. Mate, I'm surprised, honestly, that on Sky Sports you didn't hear me screaming shoot at Taylor Harwood-Bennis every time he got on the ball. Like...
00:22:22
Zak
To be fair mate, I probably did. if i don't know if you were the one that caused Leo Sienza to shoot completely off at one point.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That was at the other end of the ground, but there was a lot of cries for shoot as soon as he picked up the ball because, you know, that's the excitement he brings.
00:22:32
Zak
But he he tried.
00:22:38
Zak
Well, yeah, then you... you've got that feel-good story that we can just bring out every time. like At this point, you can just do an episode of how how much joy he's brought to the Southampton fan base in the the few appearances he's had back-to-back so
00:22:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Team Leadership and Fan Relations
00:22:53
Zak
far this season.
00:22:53
Zak
And, you know, got another assist tonight for, again, and Azaz, who we didn't think was that great, who suddenly now are eating our words.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... Yeah.
00:23:00
Zak
And, you know what, so happy that we're we're eating our words and all of these, all these guys. and it turns out that, yeah, if if these professional football players have the confidence to play professional football, mate, they can actually do the the things they're supposed to do. And now we we are where we are, which is a significantly healthier place than we were before. We're now sat on 11th.
00:23:20
Zak
We're, you know, three points off playoff places. That's from, from almost relegation. Hard.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy. Well, I've got another point I'd like to talk to you about, but but let's have a little break first and have a message from our partners at Zencaster.
00:23:32
Zak
Sounds good.
00:23:37
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. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, mate. We talked about it briefly and sort of sung the praises of Joshua Quasi for coming in and stepping into that defence. But we talked a lot about how lacking we were, and one of the main problems, right, was lacking leadership on the pitch.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And tonight, we swapped out our captains who is the most vocal player on the pitch, generally speaking, it has to be said, that is one of his strengths, andunt still slake stepped up and dealt with it.
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
it just I don't understand. is Is it just that confidence that's kicked them into the gear? I will say that at one point, you know the captain responsibilities of Adam Armstrong were called out by my sister-in-law, who of course I attended the games with, when At one point, Sienza decided to square up to, I think it was to Ayu, who, to be fair, was about two foot tall of him. It was the the the most mismatched square up you've seen.
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Armstrong was not interested in getting involved. He sort of slowly sauntered over from where he was as the captain did to go over and get it dealt with. but But, like, Is it just the confidence that's that's changed it? like Where's this other leadership? Is it just Leo? like Just pulling the team up by their boots because that's just the person he is?
00:25:24
Zak
What... If every everyone knows what they're doing and they're all doing it perfectly well, in my opinion, a leader at that point, if you set up your team or you set up yourself in a situation, like a lot of the time leadership in all walks of life is kind of there to help you get through a crisis.
00:25:44
Zak
And i don't think... that we're in a crisis at the moment anymore. And we don't need necessarily to have a super vocal person on the pitch.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:53
Zak
And if they are being able to relish in the confidence and, you know, exactly when, when asked about who, you know, makes up the leadership team, you know, the answer was given as Jack Stevens, right?
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:08
Zak
And okay, so he wasn't in the squad tonight, but like they they know what will happen and by the sounds of it. They're going to get shouted at screamed at if they mess up.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:18
Zak
but But yeah, I think that it sounds like everybody knows what they're doing. They've got the freedom. They've got the understanding of what they're meant to do. And all of that seems to have been installed at a level that isn't them them reliant on them speaking to somebody on the field.
00:26:36
Zak
So realistically, you're right. The only real responsibilities of our captain or of the leaders currently is, you know, again, it will be a different story when we're in a situation where we are losing or we are trying to get back from being a goal down, right?
00:26:52
Zak
and And then you'd expect that because that is a problem.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:54
Zak
And that's one of the reasons we talked about it so much. And the reason we act like, you know, we we worry about the leadership of the team because whenever we go down, we seem to capitulate a little bit. But like so far, that's not it's the accurate rate so far, but that's not been a problem.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:09
Zak
So that's why.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you just go out and...
00:27:11
Zak
Yeah.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
It turns out if you just go out and score three goals really quickly, you don't have to worry about going 1-0 down.
00:27:17
Zak
yeah
00:27:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's sold football. You just score goals and fast.
00:27:18
Zak
ya Again, we've we've talked about this before. Like, it's if you shoot the ball... like i was even joking about it with some of my non-football friends tonight. And I was chatting to them while they were playing games and in a Discord call, asking me about how how my football team is doing. say no yeah they don't They don't have a clue. And it's like, what's happened with this new person that you've talked about then? Has he just like told them they need to kick it into the net? And I'm like, yeah, basically.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:46
Zak
So when you say...
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Turns out if you kick the ball at the goal, sometimes it just works.
00:27:46
Zak
like
00:27:53
Zak
Yeah.
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:27:54
Zak
And like and again, like it's it's the fine margins and it's the little things and it's the smaller things they've tweaked. And maybe it's the attention to detail. Maybe maybe what we don't know, maybe he is sitting there and going through all of the individual player tapes and is sat there having conversations with them one-on-one being like, yeah, I think what you actually need to do is lower when you kick here.
00:28:11
Zak
We we don't know what's what's going on behind the scenes, but either way... that it It seems to be working. And so when you say like, oh, how come we're not worried about leadership at the moment?
00:28:22
Zak
I was like, because I don't think that it's a problem at the moment and we're not, then when the no one's having to go out there and necessarily demonstrate or play the role of leader because like the ship is just sailing, right?
00:28:36
Zak
Like the captain is a person you go to in a crisis. Yeah. But most of the time the captain's like, Hey, stay the boat. That's his job. I don't know how many more analogies I can make, mate, to say to see the point of to say the point of I don't think it's a concern because we just keep winning games.
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, a lot a lot I like it, mate. I like it, mate.
00:28:55
Zak
It will probably be a concern when we have a problem again, but not for the time being.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love it.
00:28:59
Zak
in
00:29:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
so good i just I'm laughing because I've just seen pop up on my feed the Saints social media team doing fantastic bits as always where they've got a photo of a note being passed onto to the pitch from Leicester which just and they've gone that went well and they've edited the note to just say Mark Taylor Howard Bellis
00:29:26
Zak
Nice.
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's just incredible
00:29:28
Zak
Nice.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait.
00:29:31
Zak
Look, we're allowed to give them as much stick as possible, considering they've been selling DVDs of beating us for years.
00:29:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:36
Zak
And despite, again, again, hiring one of the centre-backs that was involved in that 9-0 defeat.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:44
Zak
Yeah, I'm not really, you know...
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, at the risk of us purely becoming the Let's Praise Leo Sienza show, which I'm all for, just...
00:29:55
Zak
By the way, mate, I don't think it's just us. like
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
no oh No, no. but I mean, he's he's he's just been phenomenal for us. But just I just noticed one small detail in the picture posted of him being in the dressing room with his Player of the Match award from the EFL. That is a detail that I noticed in the ground that I love, is that he obviously always gives his shirt away, which is a nice touch anyway, because I'm pretty sure they pay for those. So so that's a nice nice effort. But also, he always keeps the signs.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
the the person asking him for the shirt has given him. Like, he's in that picture of him in the dressing room with his Man of the Matter trophy. It's just this sign that some kid has made for him.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's just, like, such a small detail. It's a nice touch that just goes to show, like, how much of good human he really is.
00:30:45
Zak
I think it it... Yeah, I think that that's what it means. like He appreciates where he has come from to get to here. like it It genuinely makes me remember, and this is going to be completely slightly off topic, Greg, but a way that I can empathise with this story properly is like, years ago, my mum watching a documentary about Robbie Williams, and then like him having...
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:08
Zak
a him like getting a bunch of like fan-made stuff, right? And then just like, you know, like, love hearts and are we love for you, Robbie, and stuff, and just like smashing it to pieces. And it just kind of being at that point, maybe being like, don't think I like Robbie Williams that much anymore. LAUGHTER So, like, yeah, it really says a lot about a person that, you know, he cares. He cares cares about the team. He's worked really hard to get to the position in football that he's in. He is receiving, you know, plaudits and songs and everything that he's probably ever wanted in his career that he, by the sounds of it, has started over many times to get here.
Speculations and Game Day Experience
00:31:43
Zak
he he is now getting and deserves all of it because, you know, and we should just enjoy it while it lasts. I don't know whether he's going to stay here forever and and be a Southampton legend or somebody picks him up or he ends up going to Liverpool or what.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, man, I hope so.
00:31:55
Zak
But, like, I just want to enjoy as much time as possible with him being in a Southampton shirt and, you know, I swear on that.
00:32:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Long may it continue. And one other thing that I have just remembered and thought of, I do have a negative to finish on Zach.
00:32:13
Zak
Oh no.
00:32:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is bin off the banners. I hate them. I stand right on the edge of it. I can't see anything. it ruins the day. them off.
00:32:25
Zak
There was a lot of worry that we had a light show tonight and attendance was quite...
00:32:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We did have a light show.
00:32:30
Zak
Yeah, so there was a lot of like, ooh, us for the light show doesn't usually go well. so I'm glad that... I'm glad we've busted some bits.
00:32:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was not a particularly impressive light show. If anything, I took it as rubbing salt in the wounds of Shoaling FC after their game got called off because of floodlight issues the other week.
00:32:54
Zak
we have so many lights we can afford to do a little show with them you're right uh look i understand it they just don't want to do pyrotechnics in the middle of the week because it's expensive that's fine
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:33:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was fine.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
My kid liked it. I was ambivalent towards it. It was fine. I enjoyed my bovril while it was happening. So, you know.
00:33:15
Zak
There you go. That's all that matters. At least we're not doing the whole reading out everybody's name BS, right? That ended pretty quick. so
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, that was that was very short-lived indeed. look, look. It was good. It was good. One night out, regardless of the banner, regardless of the light show, a home win. That's all that really matters. The football is what matters. Maybe this is a lesson that we as a team are learning. We can only hope. Well, look, that is that's all we've got time for tonight for a nice late night recording. Zach, thank you so much for joining me and thank you everyone for listening.
00:33:51
Zak
Thank you, mate.
00:33:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
What an incredible evening. Let us know your thoughts, feelings, opinions. Cannot wait to hear them in the comments or on the socials. We are on all of them. We are on X, TikTok, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, absolutely everywhere.
00:34:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hit us up. We love hearing from you. I'll be back tomorrow to talk something football-related whilst Zach jets off on holiday. But until then, come on, Saints.
00:34:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Five in a row this weekend?
00:34:21
Zak
Whee!
00:34:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank