Transcript
DailySaintsPod: Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and welcome back to the Daily Saints pod. with Zak and Greg. I am your host, Zak. As always, joined by my wonderful, illustrious co -host, Greg.
DailySaintsPod: How are you doing, mate? You good?
Greg: Oh. I am. Absolutely buzzing, mate. How could I not be? I told you I was excited to get back to St Mary's and... I mean... just...
Greg: Fortress of Mary's continues batting down the hatches. Who actually wants to come and visit us this season? Nobody, right? That's... That's it. That's it. Expectations set. So next up. South Coast Derby at home.
Greg: Okay. Bring it on.
DailySaintsPod: We... we might literally be without our manager mate so uh you know Is all of that just sort out first?
Greg: Don't worry about a lot.
DailySaintsPod: No, no, but it's it's a point of of of conversation, but we'll we'll talk a little bit more about the game first.
Greg: Don't worry about that.
DailySaintsPod: So, yeah, a casual Saturday. we We kind of, you know, we we all go thinking. Hopefully we get a good result out of this. Worried slightly that Bristol City are this bogey team and have some sort of curse.
DailySaintsPod: What curse, mate? You know?
Greg: Look. I mean... It's... It's easy to look at 4 -1 and think, yeah, happy days, but... I mean, I spent a lot of time... in our Premier League season. And maybe there was some sort of coping mechanisms thrown in there, mate. But I feel like I spent a lot of time saying...
Greg: Yeah, we lost! 5 -0, but it didn't... He didn't play like that on the pitch. And it you know used to wind you up. But... It's very true of this game. The scoreline may have been 4 -1, but that's not...
Greg: a fair reflection of how the game played out. we were We were second best in some areas of the field for... good portions of the game. We just got...
Greg: Kyle Lahren up front, who... It just...
DailySaintsPod: Wow.
Greg: It's on absolute fire, can't stop, right?
DailySaintsPod: that's Let's let's not. just This is true. But let's not put it down to all him entirely. is a pretty pre you know There's a team performance there. there were There were four goals.
Greg: Hmm
Greg: I did see.
DailySaintsPod: you know It's got to be a bit of a boost. and
Greg: I mean, what a week. three goals in two home games. keys to the city, newly expecting father. Uh... Player of the Month.
Greg: a nomination for goal of the month. And let's face it, if he scores against Wrexham and you wouldn't back against it. Probably player for the month. next month as well. Like...
DailySaintsPod: but Potentially. Obviously, sea there's there's some other there's some other contenders, the championships, you know, a competitive and tough league. But yeah, it's been incredible considering what everyone expected when he joined and what we actually have now.
Greg: Mm.
DailySaintsPod: and you know it seems like i don't know what we've done necessarily to unlock that potential but it's fantastic to see.
Greg: Is it? Is it? the best value signing in Saints history.
DailySaintsPod: Probably, like next to Ricky Lambert, right?
Greg: 3 million. Right, is what we signed him for. after a six -month loan deal. Luh. It just... when you see some of the money thrown about for some of the players and think about some of the money that we've...
Greg: Sold players for it just seems It seems crazy, but I mean, he's put the work in to be in this point, right? Like when we picked him up, he was a reasonably low on confidence, definitely short on minutes.
Greg: player who who needed that, and he's just... Almost playing 90 minutes three times a week now, so...
DailySaintsPod: Yeah. Well, the fitness has built up.
Greg: that That goes a long way.
DailySaintsPod: And again, it's a confidence game, right? This is exactly what we talked about with Che. All strikers, there are strikers that go through periods of time where if you don't get a goal, it absolutely devastates them.
DailySaintsPod: Like, look at Damien Downs as an example, right? Like, that's that's a perfect example. we've we've had We've had both ends of the spectrum in our squad.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: But yeah, I don't know exactly what it is. Obviously, that the hold -up play definitely suits him and we kind of have built around our attacking force around him. But on top of that, we we have options left, right and centre, quite literally.
DailySaintsPod: other cons can score goals.
Greg: yeah
DailySaintsPod: You're right, it was a... very flattering scoreline. But ultimately, you know... There were many opportunities, like you pointed out, in the Premier League where you know we should have done that and we didn't.
Greg: yeah
DailySaintsPod: so And ultimately we did.
Greg: And... and it's At the end of the day, it's only that flattering of a scoreline because... Because we got... Bye. Second goal and Bristol had to push.
Greg: pushed their game and and left a few more gaps and that's where ultimately those those last two goals come from Cameron Bragg makes a move you know picks up a a second ball in midfield you know some smart footwork and creates a wealth of space in front of him getting past two.
Greg: And then that's it. The doors open and... In comes Matsuki. And then Mubama, who had a very good performance coming on, held the ball up a bit. Gave the defenders a nightmare by running at them.
DailySaintsPod: Well, that's what you managed to do with that goal, right?
Greg: A striker gets himself through on goal, who you know has taken some criticism.
DailySaintsPod: Well, assist.
Greg: in the 86th minute or whatever it was, you're thinking, okay, he's going to shoot and he... you know maybe will and instead he actually finds a peach of a pass and puts them on an absolute plate for Finn of Azaz And then Finn Azaz, who had, I mean...
Greg: It's baffling because he had, to me... maybe the worst game he's had so far this season, but also comes out with two assists and a goal. So it just, it doesn't. It doesn't make sense.
Greg: Just even when when we're not at our best, we just seem to, it's all coming up saints.
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, I...
Greg: It's great.
DailySaintsPod: I think you said the word visibly sloppy because if you look at what he actually did that game and the fact, you know, one shot on target. We'll go. sit like assisted twice, created two chances, and like i've a fairly large amount of passes as well. But again, I think it's because as we discussed in the pre -match.
DailySaintsPod: It's the standards that are set, right? And there was definitely some hairy moments, don't get me wrong.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Like, I still... realistically, we should have been. Like, well, they were down pretty quick. I can't remember if it was after the first goal or not. With the Schlotterbeck, like, cross off of the clearance off.
Greg: It's like that theory of Dom Ballard Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, exactly that.
Greg: I mean...
DailySaintsPod: So there are definitely moments.
Greg: Yes, right, that was... That was an unbelievable clearance. ridiculous, in fact. the Insane. and And if that goes in and is given as a goal.
Greg: then we're probably facing a completely different run of play and maybe we're not looking the same way but also Ballard was two yards offside. Hello, Linesman please. Like...
DailySaintsPod: Night. as we start to As we start to get on. We'll have a chat. about that side of things but obviously the
Greg: Yeah. Oh yeah, I've got plenty to say.
DailySaintsPod: I'm sure you do. let's Let's go back to the start. Obviously, the lineup's relatively unchanged.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: I was expecting maybe some changes in defense. I don't think we're ever going to see Zach Abbott at this point. I know it's only been three games, but it's supposed to be signed for first team football.
DailySaintsPod: No.
Greg: iy
DailySaintsPod: Not really looking like it.
Greg: If I... If a... Broke mate, don't fix it. Good night.
DailySaintsPod: No, and I understand why.
DailySaintsPod: I just feel like...
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: i would not If it continues like it is, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up seeing him go back to Forest in January, put it that way.
Greg: Yeah, I mean, look, he's obviously come in to get minutes and currently he hasn't done that, but... Look. You just, you can't. Wood has really stepped up into his role and in that role where the right -sided centre -back, it really frees him up.
Greg: to be on his strong foot more and make some of those passes that previously he wouldn't really. associate with him but he's playing these crossfield balls he's opening up open up the defense and like Like I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, sure.
Greg: That clean sheet remains elusive, but it doesn't matter if you concede one if you're going to score four every game. three or four.
DailySaintsPod: Wow. it does if you it does if you go up and become a Coventry or an us the other season right where if you if you get quite sloppy but like again I think that's just
Greg: Hmm.
Greg: I just can't think that far ahead.
DailySaintsPod: It's heightening up
Greg: We've got to take it as it comes.
DailySaintsPod: tightening up the defence a little bit. like I don't really have any much criticism for Peretz. He put in some really good saves. I don't really understand why. I think sometimes it lands on the goalkeeper.
Greg: I've got some criticism. because his distribution yesterday was not. Not the high level we've come to expect. It was a bit a bit like Azaz. It was like visibly sloppy. There were just a few too many times where it was just... to a part of the field where there was no one, or... straight out into touch. But...
Greg: Over and out. As a goalkeeper. He might... Important save right at the start from a cracking shot from the sort of second ball of a set piece. and and just commanded his area.
Greg: as best as you can hope, really, slightly... questionable moment after that attempted lob where after Schlotterbeck smacked it up into the air he punched wood in the head but uh
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, look, it's fine. Sometimes these things happen.
Greg: But maybe Nathan Wood's just one of those players like Finn Downs who took that as motivation for the rest of the game, to be honest, because it it didn't dee to seem to do him any harm. so Maybe punching him in the face is what he needed to wake him up.
DailySaintsPod: Yeah.
Greg: like
DailySaintsPod: some good news on Flynn as well it looks like he'll be okay at least like nothing too too dramatic afterwards
Greg: Yeah, that was that was a bit worrying because you know it was in the first minute and it looked... It looked like one of those. off the ball ones or at least he was on the ball but it was like a no no contact one and it was his groin that he was pointing to and you just think Uh, no.
Greg: Not now. He's... just as he's really like hit the next level. and stepped up especially into that captain role and really kind of become that dominant force. and And it was visible. in the in that first half that he wasn't as mobile. I think that...
Greg: Quite a lot of the the reason we got overran in that midfield area as much as we did and Bristol had as much of the play as they did. was was probably down to that because of how important he is when he's on the pitch. but Again, the joy of the depth we've got in that position is Brad comes on in the second half and...
Greg: Doesn't really put the foot wrong. Has a really solid performance.
DailySaintsPod: Really stepped up. Really stepped up this game.
Greg: freed up Prowsey to I think you sent me more Prowseys heatmap for the game and it was just ridiculous.
DailySaintsPod: Yes.
Greg: And and once again, we'll browse just... liking never left, just stepped straight back in.
DailySaintsPod: it's It's very eerie, and like I do have to bring up, obviously, us banging on about it every single transfer window.
Greg: It's...
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: And. so So how do you feel about all of your past comments, Greg, being like, I just don't think...
Greg: Well, I need to eat my words because he just...
DailySaintsPod: Good. Okay.
Greg: 270 minutes in... seven days and has really put a foot in fact he put one pass where it was going for like a big looping pass out to Scienza and he slightly over -hid it and went out for a throw. And that is the only visible criticism I have of his entire game.
Greg: Peace.
DailySaintsPod: So you you don't...
Greg: It's ridiculous.
DailySaintsPod: You don't think that he wouldn't, he would like, he he's not going to strengthen the team then, is is what you used to say.
Greg: yeah I mean enough genuinely felt that.
DailySaintsPod: You don't actually think he's going to...
Greg: but he's he's proven me wrong he's come in and he's been really solid
DailySaintsPod: I just think maybe it's Southampton, isn't it? That's what it needs to be. I think the fact that it's all these other teams and being played around all these different areas and whatever, but no, it's been incredible how...
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: yeah like like you said it's like he's never left it's bizarre it's so strange
Greg: It's just seamless And it was so close to scoring as well. And and had it been anyone other than Laren following up with the shot, that would have been a little bit heartbreaking. but Oh, just...
DailySaintsPod: I don't think so.
Greg: Absolutely beautiful.
DailySaintsPod: It's a team performance at the end of the day.
Greg: It really is. But that's the thing, right? We've got... We've got threats from just about everywhere on the pitch going forward. You know, the middle of the park where I'm... Boom. pretty happy with the strength that we've got there, hoping that Flynn is back next week. and And yeah, just Nathan Wood stepping up and making it his own. Schlott Beck's just...
Greg: arrived. And I don't know if you saw some of the media he did this week, but but apparently he introduced himself to one member of the board. uh by walking up shaking his hand going hi i'm kevin i'm here to win the league
DailySaintsPod: Yes, i I have seen exactly what... What yeah what you're talking about, yeah.
Greg: And... I don't respect it because he stepped into that role. I mean, he started one day after arriving. It was like, wow, that's pretty crazy that he stepped in and had this good performance.
Greg: And now, I mean, you're not going to unroot him from that position. He was, again, incredible.
DailySaintsPod: Nah, like... there was that like one little shaky, that was about it.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Right. And to be fair, everyone gets one or two of those it's as long as they don't result in, you know, goess and yeah Once again, their goal is a little bit soft, but we just need to really switch on a little bit more.
Greg: Yeah. to Actually, I mean...
DailySaintsPod: when those things happen.
Greg: Their goal is probably... I mean, it's it's hard to criticize a 4 -1 win. right but to to try and poke out the negatives. it was more concerning that that they were as in the game as they were to start with i mean if you look Statistically...
Greg: They had considerably more of the ball than us. They had 21 shots. they had 29 touches in our box they had a higher xg not that anyone cares about that they just they were putting the game on us but but part of that was down to they were very well organized they were a very clearly done Really good prep for this match. They were closing down our passing channels really well, very well organised.
Greg: And they would they were just well up for it, and but obviously had fresher legs than us who played Tuesday where they didn't play in the week. And at the start of the game... that kind of showed a bit
DailySaintsPod: Hmm.
Greg: and And really, the goal... that we scored was was quite against the run of play and it happened under like such Bizarre circumstance. In fact, both of the first two goals happened in such a strange way. Because Leo...
Greg: Got kicked into Row Z, but not fouled. So he had to go off and have treatment. But because it wasn't a foul, had to stay off of the pitch for 30 seconds. And remember that rule because we'll get back to that later.
Greg: So we're playing with 10 men, and all of a sudden, Perrette's hoofs are baller up. Flynn wins it, passes it off to Azaz, who puts it through to Laren. And you think, well, there's no way Larins going to do much here. He's surrounded by three defenders and he's on his left foot. And then lo and behold.
Greg: he just shoots the scores because that's what larry does now he's just weak foot, three defenders on him holds them off Puts in an unbelievable strike and that's it.
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, it's insane.
Greg: 1 -0 Saints.
DailySaintsPod: But after we saw
Greg: Larin plays, Laren scores.
DailySaintsPod: After we saw that goal the other week, I just i can't put anything past his ability to score goals at this point.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: You know, it's it's absolutely crazy. But obviously, see yeah.
Greg: He's now...
DailySaintsPod: for
Greg: He's now upped his average to me as well, by the way, based off of the goals per game metric. In the last episode, I said he was on for a 36 -goal season, but now he's 7 -7. Same.
Greg: So he's on for a 42 -goal season. like genuinely could break Ricky Lambert's record.
DailySaintsPod: oh look we'll have to look us this is this is a lot of what ifs and i don't want to put too much pressure on the bloke before before we even properly kick on in to the championship you know proper Obviously, I want to talk to you about that second goal.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: you know we we we We heard before the game. that the the ref has played for Bristol City previously. People were like, oh, is there going to be any bias?
Greg: I can...
DailySaintsPod: How do you feel about that?
Greg: I can safely say that I do not think the referee was biased. I do think he was awful. And in fact, I did note... I didn't know before the game that I have made that very comment about this very referee in previous championship encounters.
DailySaintsPod: Yes you have. Yes.
Greg: In fact, I took one look at him and went, oh, no. And... In the first half... It was like he'd left his whistle in the dressing room.
Greg: He was willing to let anything go for everyone. It was. Truly bizarre. and Then in the second half... he He had what can only be described as...
Greg: a calamity of errors. right like If you were making a sitcom about football, you couldn't write it as chaotically as this. So... Daaah!
Greg: I think their fullback, I think it was, obviously got booked for... uh a very cynical tackle earlier on in the game And then... You know, Larins running through and he absolutely crunches him in what is definitely a second bookable offence.
DailySaintsPod: It is a shoulder barge to the back, mate.
Greg: And the only thing... Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: That is a second offence, and I understand why he didn't do it. And everyone's already pointed out before, it's because he's just booked him.
Greg: yeah
DailySaintsPod: But that doesn't matter.
Greg: Yeah. The refs just bottled it.
DailySaintsPod: Like, I don't understand.
Greg: The refs absolutely bottled it. And... Yeah, wipes Larin out completely. doesn't give a fowl Subsequently, Cyle Larin has to have treatment because it was a... a horrible challenge.
Greg: So which... Joel Lyons had to have treatment. for a foul. but was us that was not foul, so has to leave the pitch for 30 seconds. Now... Whilst he's receiving treatment... Bristol City make two substitutions. One substitute goes off the side of the pitch.
Greg: and rather bravely walked past the home fans, who were admittedly a bit distracted shouting at the ref at this point, so fair enough. Don Ballard takes considerably longer to go off the pitch. More than the 10 seconds. Now, the new rule this season is that if your substitution takes longer than 10 seconds...
Greg: The player coming on the pitch has to wait off the pitch. for a minute. Now this is where the chaos ensues. So we restart play and 30 seconds pass and the referee waves Cyle Larin back on the pitch and both Kyle Lahren and their substitute, I think it was Jed Wallace.
Greg: come running on the pitch. Uh, At which point the referee... Stops. Or or it doesn't stop, in fact, should stop the game and fix it. Instead, he doesn't. He turns away from play.
Greg: tells the player to get back off the pitch for a few seconds whilst the player runs back off the pitch. And in this moment, anything can happen. The referee's not watching the game. could have especially with the heat of the game in this moment right it could have all kicked off there could have been limbs flying But actually what happens is Scienza picks up the ball.
Greg: passes it through to Larin, who runs through against, obviously against a slightly bewildered, slightly confused Bristol, who only have 10 players on the pitch. And out of pure spite from that foul, scores a goal and gets straight up in the bloke who should have been sent off space and celebrates in front of him. Now... I love that. Got a lot of time for that.
Greg: Huge respect. Spite being a motivator. fully on board with. But yeah. And I think it's the sort of thing where... The referees...
Greg: You know, hoping that that mistake kind of slips under the radar and if it doesn't lead directly to a goal, maybe it does and everyone forgets about it after the game. but I mean...
Greg: I... I can understand why Bristol are furious with it. to be honest, because if it happened to us, I'd be fuming.
DailySaintsPod: Oh, yeah, you can see from... their manager at the end of the game, mate, that all of a sudden...
Greg: But... but But it's hard to feel... Like it's not. Like... the decision putting itself right from what should have been ascending off.
DailySaintsPod: but We've discussed this before, right? Yeah. Would we prefer VAR in the championship? Not really.
Greg: No.
DailySaintsPod: is it is Is this a price that we... Both us and other teams have to pay to not have it. Yes. Should they maybe think about standards a little bit more?
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Of course, like.
Greg: Oh, absolutely, yeah. it was I mean, it was shocking start to finish. That was just like the most egregious example of some... just some truly baffling decisions there was one i think a bit earlier than that where matsky got wiped out and a foul got given the other way and equally there were some In Bristol's, in our favour.
Greg: that Bristol also would have been perfectly reasonable to to be upset about. So like I say, I don't think there was bias as much as just incompetence. and And it was right. And it wasn't just the ref either. Both Linos had... uh so absolutely baffling decisions and But... Yeah, at the end of the day...
Greg: chaos and and chaos caused by like one of the new rules that they're bringing into kind of try to stem time wasting is always going to catch more attention as well so Yeah.
Greg: I mean... I can see why... Bristol fans are furious with it. because I would be if it happened against us. But it's easier on this side of it to say, yeah, it's one of them things. Ridiculous, isn't it?
Greg: Because it's inconsequential when you go on to win 4 -1.
DailySaintsPod: but that's the thing because for them they can put that down they could put that down as the moment that changed their game.
Greg: And then, yeah, after that.
DailySaintsPod: And I think that's genuinely how they feel about it.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: And you can tell from that, well, how cross they are, but then also like, this isn't just. it You're right, it's refereeing errors.
Greg: What?
DailySaintsPod: Because like if you looked at the Man U, Manchester... City game today, where where Man City won with like a very controversial penalty, which was a far decision that was then overturned.
DailySaintsPod: and it's you You can have all of that faff. But ultimately, it's it's it's the refereeing standards that I think are are the issue.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: And if the as as you pointed out, like this has been a thing before, and it's just frustrating.
Greg: across the board. Yeah. Oh, we've talked, I mean, it may be probably the most talked about.
DailySaintsPod: and i
Greg: issue on our podcast. sum total of all time. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
DailySaintsPod: Well, if yeah that's true, you talk about how much you hate Pep Guardiola. I think that's that's probably the top one.
Greg: yeah But that's had to take a back seat now that he he's left England, right?
DailySaintsPod: Referees are a close second.
Greg: So yeah, referees, I think...
DailySaintsPod: Alright, he's going to be back in Turkey soon.
Greg: But,
DailySaintsPod: Apparently.
Greg: But yeah, and you know, maybe Bristol could say that is the point in the turn of their game, but not long after that they went back up and got an... a goal. And...
Greg: And honestly, I think I messaged you at that point like... This is going to be a tough 20 minutes. And it probably should have been. And they they kind of did turn the screw and push on.
DailySaintsPod: Yeah.
Greg: and and had i think a couple of chances but Like I say, that the real point for us that that really switched it on was Kamprag breaking through from that second ball in the the middle of the park for that third goal.
Greg: and Once Matsky slots that away with... uh the calm and patience of I don't know what, just just an unbelievable finish.
DailySaintsPod: someone that's been doing it for years basically like considering some of his wild like absolutely boot it from halfway line hoping to get it near the goal sometimes it was really nice to see him just calmly put that away
Greg: Yeah. Hmm.
Greg: Yeah. and And, yeah, I mean, that eased the tension. And then, of course, they pushed on to try and get more, and and the fourth comes as well. but But yeah, just... Bye.
Greg: a really tough game with good performances all round to feel like, you know... The win was definitely deserved. The 4 -1 fills... More than it should have been, but still.
Greg: a solid win. Just like I say. St Mary's just feels like... when and I don't want to say it. and jinx it really but it feels like A place that...
Greg: We're going to be very comfortable playing and and' doing really good things. and the statistic being that in the last four home games we've scored more goals at home than we did in the entirety of our Premier League season.
Greg: I don't really know if that's a depressing stat. or a positive stat, to be honest. It's kind of both, right? Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: <unk> Well, I think that if you remember what it was like, you know, you're taking your kids to their, like, second ever season. They had a nice championship season where they still conceded a lot.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: We still scored quite a bit, depending on the game. But a lot of the time they were like last minute winners.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: and then and then you've got the premier league season where Bless your boy would always say 5 -0 and that would often be the scoreline against us. Never really got to see a goal. I saw, I don't even know, yeah what did you see, that the Everton win? I think that was basically it, right?
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: and yeah so to now have you know last season and obviously we don't want to forget about it it was good but you know it ended how it ended but yes it must be nice now that St Mary's is a place that's like a positive place to go because we were saying after we'll still win
Greg: It was pretty. good
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: And Tonda came in like that atmosphere can change on a knife's edge because we, we got so used. to just losing all the time or
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Last minute. conceding and losing, whereas now it doesn't. there's such a level of faith that's like even if we go one or two goals down Somehow we'll get it back And even if we don't get it back over the line.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: We still managed to somehow draw it. I'm like, yeah, okay.
Greg: well the that's the big difference right is I mean we've been through a lot of Saints fans in in recent years particularly.
DailySaintsPod: Oh, why did why? Did something happen?
Greg: But... Thanks. But one thing that's remained consistent is all that we really want. Like, like we're... For a team of people that are... used to not winning every week because with saints fans we're not like glory hunters.
Greg: we We understand it's football. But... If the players go out and leave it all on the line and... put the shift in that is worthy of the cause.
Greg: That's all we really ask for and these players are doing that week in and week out Like... Kyle Lahren.
DailySaintsPod: So week in, week out, like date like a couple of days recovery, if that, considering, you know, some of these players we were expecting, like, oh, well, you know, I don't think that Larin can play a full night yet.
Greg: Just... Yeah. Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: at all I don't think James Ward-Prowse can play a full night yet.
Greg: Okay.
Greg: Eh?
DailySaintsPod: But, well. Prowsy as that. And Larins getting there. like He's getting fitter, it looks to be, anyway.
Greg: Yeah. do And you see it. You see it resonate through the team. You see them feel... the the joy from the stands. You see them excited to come over and celebrate with the Northern Wall after the game. and It's great.
Greg: And long may it continue. Let's hope we score 16 goals at St Mary's every four games for the rest of the season. and I mean, I feel like a very happy man. And and at the end of the day, like...
DailySaintsPod: I don't know. Then we go up and then they've just got to hope that we avoid the fate of Coventry City.
Greg: Don't worry about that. That's in the distant future. We're we're not thinking about that yet. we Just enjoy the ride while it lasts. And and look, if we can bring our away form up. Oh. With it. Then.
Greg: then we're cooking, you know, we're we're well on our way and maybe we'll chuck some clean sheets in there. I don't know, maybe...
DailySaintsPod: Look, come on, let's not let's not get greedy, mate.
Greg: but maybe in the next couple of games I'll start putting some bets on both teams to score and then we're bound to stop conceding. Just... Just jinx it in, right? like Peace.
DailySaintsPod: This is why I just don't touch that at all, because I don't want it to be like the universe blaming me for for deciding to take out gambling. So I just don't.
DailySaintsPod: Obviously, it's not going to be as intense now. We've still got a game against Wrexham, who most recently were absolutely...
Greg: We've got a whole week off before football, mate. We're going to have a chance to stop in the middle of the week and look at like some other fixtures and some transfer, like look back and...
DailySaintsPod: what oh mad
Greg: It's great, innit?
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, but it's it's just baffling. We're coming up against Wrexham, who recently complained that West Ham have a couple of hundred million pounds on their bench, which whilst accurate, it must be like really hard for them to deal with the fact that they haven't been able to just throw money at the situation and it go away.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: And I still remember that being a lot of. sort of aggression. and anger towards us from Wrexham fans last season, almost at the same level as Coventry, which I'd never quite understood. Like, this was before any of the the event that should not be named, right?
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: So, yeah, it's baffling. but I guess we'll have to see how it pans out. But yeah, next, obviously, next big game at St Mary's, mate, after... what's going to feel like a hundred years of an international break where we suddenly remember that our nations play football like there wasn't a world cup this year we'll be you know
Greg: Hmm.
Greg: no one's interested woke up dumb just put it to bed
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, wow I told you, mate, Euros next year.
Greg: See you in four years. Like...
DailySaintsPod: Sorry. year after next year i don't even know where i'm at anymore but yeah
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: you know like Again, not quite the 4 -2 you predicted, not quite the 3 -1 that I predicted. I'm happy to take a 4 -1 win.
Greg: Just a solid...
DailySaintsPod: It's an absolute pleasure.
Greg: Solid performance with good performances all round. What more can you ask for?
DailySaintsPod: Put it this way, if it wasn't for the points deduction, we'd currently be fourth.
DailySaintsPod: and We'd you know we still have a massive goal difference.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: and Yeah.
Greg: Is it? Is it worth talking about Leo?
DailySaintsPod: Oh, do we want to bring that up? That's fine, we can bring that up.
Greg: Yeah, I mean He didn't look.
DailySaintsPod: A man who is passionate. and really wanted to stay on the pitch is brought off of the pitch.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: He then leaves the pitch and goes down the tree. down the puddle, was it for treatment?
Greg: Well... He shook everyone's hand on the bench first.
DailySaintsPod: No.
Greg: To be clear. And then went down the tunnel.
DailySaintsPod: True. And then obviously that meant that he didn't get to celebrate all of the the end antics, which he would have usually liked to, but it's because he's annoyed because he wanted to wanted to stay on the pitch.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: But ultimately he came off and, you know, I i feel like i I feel more sorry for the players that don't get to get involved, right? Like you've got Zach Abbott who's come here to like play football and so far hasn't been involved.
DailySaintsPod: You've got a Edozie who put in a transfer request that we basically just went. well no Played him for like... 20 minutes it was like well you didn't score a goal so now you're going to get a cameo when we deem necessary which obviously there's a lot of football to play, but like he gets, he is in the starting line for a reason.
DailySaintsPod: But if the the coach makes a decision, the coach makes a decision. I think it was, you know.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: It's the correct one to make at the time. I get it though.
Greg: I agree. Man wants to play football for club and is upset that he can't. is not exactly a headline grabbing story, right?
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, it's it's like it's like that there's emotions there for sure.
Greg: if
DailySaintsPod: But like we also know what happens when we play hit overplay him too much and then he picks up an injury and he's gone.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: We've got some massive games coming up. up you know The South Coast Derby being the biggest of that. We want to make sure that we've got players that are fit for it. And also, they want to change things up in the game against Bristol who have been absolutely battering us.
Greg: I'm so excited.
DailySaintsPod: He was getting kicked to oblivion. So I'm not really surprised that you know they've decided to take him off to just make sure he doesn't... who's a leg, right? like
Greg: if Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: So, yeah, i don't think I think it's a lot of a... A bit of a nothing story, but what I would say is that, say that was like Jack Stephens or somebody else, I think that there would be more of a story that comes out of nowhere.
DailySaintsPod: And I say that just to...
Greg: Agree.
DailySaintsPod: Just to kind of like... acknowledge our own biases right because like if that was some other player we'd probably be questioning it massively right if that's if that's like you know Wellington or something like that.
Greg: yeah
DailySaintsPod: We'd be like, what is going on? but So he kind of gets away with it because of the grace.
Greg: One of my favourite moments of the game, by the way, was Wellington coming on as a sub, picking up the ball for the first time just inside the halfway line. Two choruses from the entire crowd of SHOOT!
DailySaintsPod: is He he! Look, OK, I'm really worried that that is what he's going to be remembered for as a Saints player unless he starts doing it again.
Greg: Peace.
DailySaintsPod: OK, because all I can think of...
Greg: it Bleh. they What a legacy. It's not a problem, is it, to have a legacy like that?
DailySaintsPod: Well, I... Oui. no it's not it's not a problem to have a legacy like that but it's it's often you know well like when when an actor appears in a show and they're always known as that guy right like you need to you need to
Greg: yeah
Greg: I always think of Mick Foley. and he was not so happy that the only moment he was remembered for was falling off Hell in a Cell. until we realise, well, at least I'm remembered.
DailySaintsPod: a
Greg: Like...
DailySaintsPod: I was thinking more Bryan Cranston being Malcolm Middle's dad before then then being Walter White and the juxtaposition of both of those characters.
Greg: yes
DailySaintsPod: uh but yeah i think it's i think it's not like it's not a bad thing to be remembered I guess.
Greg: Yeah.
Greg: No, is it? The the the passion uh and the motivation that is driving these players to the point that we're at is why we are where we are. And you can't fault it.
Greg: And I don't think I would fault it even from...
DailySaintsPod: yeah just
Greg: a player like Jack Stephens. I respect the want to be on the pitch and the want to be involved. And especially if you think back a couple of seasons where... I mean some of those players looked frightened to walk out onto the St Mary's pitch frankly.
DailySaintsPod: Yes.
Greg: And it's just worlds apart, isn't it?
DailySaintsPod: I think of what I think of is all the stories from like Ryan Bertrand for like, Ralph Fassenhut, right? when he like got like fell out with Ralph Hasenhutl, so he was playing Janepo over him, because of like essentially like a weird arrogance -respect thing, right?
Greg: Hmm.
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: Whereas what happened with Tonda is he basically just went, I don't care. Like, it's just like, whatever.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Like, probably, probably like try, you know, it's that. i guess it's not like brazilian fire hitting higg that sort of german stoicism
Greg: Hmm.
DailySaintsPod: where he's just like, okay. Fine.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: like you know I think that the that's why that's why with everything that's going on and that that whatever happens, I'm really hyped for this. isn't We don't end up doing an emergency episode in the middle of the week, but I could feel it coming.
DailySaintsPod: But whatever whatever happens, it's kind of like, I think we forget because he's not made the biggest song and dance about it, how it probably is affected personally, especially where like, we don't know. we'll never know the full details of what's going on.
DailySaintsPod: And yeah, it was a really, really dark time in in the club's history. But like, good Lord, does everyone else want to drag it out, right? I really enjoyed all of the the social media or specifically our admin pointing out they really hope those Bristol City fans enjoyed their cider with their binoculars and got to watch the goals that we scored against them real close up, right?
Greg: yeah
Greg: Yeah. but Look, it's...
DailySaintsPod: Swings are roundabouts. What goes around comes around.
Greg: It's part and parcel, and... I mean, every Big win, Thunder Gats. solidifies the owner's decision to keep him on.
Greg: And.
DailySaintsPod: Yeah.
Greg: And that's... Good. for him as well as an owner who is frankly come under. reasonable criticism. Four. What? has been
Greg: I don't know the PG word, mate.
DailySaintsPod: some decisions
Greg: I haven't got a PG word for it.
DailySaintsPod: Some.
Greg: Not great.
DailySaintsPod: some decisions I guess the e Just don't use that adjective.
Greg: An absolute fustercluck. Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: There you go. Okay.
Greg: this
DailySaintsPod: i guess I guess we found it. There you go.
Greg: And yeah, look, I mean... he He made... what is... one of those decisions that you're either going to... Live by the sword, die by the sword, right? You're either a genius or the biggest mug in the world making that decision. and
Greg: that the players and the manager coming together to back up. That. Why would you punish us further by getting rid of him as a manager when you've seen what he's able to produce? and
DailySaintsPod: Yeah, and I thought that maybe maybe it was... a I've obviously, from like a moral perspective, spent a lot of time thinking about that decision, probably more than I should on at a casual middle of the week, considering it's a football club at the end of the day.
DailySaintsPod: you know i still I still think that there were some things that could have been handled a lot better. I still think that the the disrepute that we're going to have to deal with for for years to come is never really going to go away. And I think that that is a problem. and that was a you know whether or not it was on purpose or not.
Greg: Have a good day. I dunno, mate. if If Spurs manage to go many more game weeks without scoring a goal, I don't think we'll ever hear about Spygate again. like
DailySaintsPod: No, you're you're you're right. Thank goodness for absolutely terrible Premier League teams to to take all of the...
Greg: Okay.
DailySaintsPod: I can't remember who put it in our comments on YouTube, that don't worry, once the Premier League starts, that no one will care about Spygate. And here we are. No one tends to. What is that now?
DailySaintsPod: like they've well, you've got Coventry that have not scored a single goal and conceded 10.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: You've now got Spurs that spent, I don't know, like a couple of billion pound on a front line. terrible i don't know it could it could be a lot worse right they could be in free fall you've got burley in free fall there's a lot of things that could be worse and
Greg: Yeah.
Greg: Championship managers already losing their job. Like...
DailySaintsPod: Preston, yep.
Greg: Yep, it just... Look, you look at that decision now with the benefit of the hindsight of the current run of form we're in, and you think, yeah.
DailySaintsPod: Or if he picks up a ban, depending on how long it's going to be, mate, we might not.
Greg: It was the right one.
DailySaintsPod: It might end up backfiring. We can't... covered me.
DailySaintsPod: currently fine.
Greg: I'll still keep winning because of... because of what he's managed to build so far with the club, right? So it just... It's uh...
DailySaintsPod: okay
Greg: It's not a problem until it is. You're right, but...
DailySaintsPod: Whether it's fantastic foresight or sheer dumb luck, I'm happy with the way that the season's going so far.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: I'm happy with the way I hope it continues. I really hope we don't have to do an emergency episode in the middle of the week. Kind of feel like it, though, just because they said end of September.
DailySaintsPod: We're rocking up to that now. They might wait till the international break. That would make the most logical sense. But either way, it's been dragged out too long. And if it's anything catastrophic, like, you know, I can't help but feel that, you know, there there are conversations around bigger Premier League clubs, but in sports in general.
DailySaintsPod: Like. you can can run someone over in the NFL. hit and run, go to prison. And then they're like four weeks suspension. so so
Greg: a
DailySaintsPod: they and then they come back and people are chanting their names and you know i i don't think that's a
Greg: Yeah. look i'm not sure that's the standards we want to live by but also i i definitely see that as a club we've been punished enough so
DailySaintsPod: No. no of of course not
DailySaintsPod: of course not but that's that's kind of where my point lies is that it's it's There's only so much punishment people can take. And if you keep you keep hitting people with a stick, eventually they're going to take the stick off you and hit back.
DailySaintsPod: And that kind of feels like what's going on with our fan base. And if we continue to get this level of stick, it's only going to motivate people more. You know, the the idea of if you're going to call every fan a cheating scumbag, it's just a bit like...
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: come on guys Grow up. Anyway.
Greg: but Look, let's be honest, from where I stand at St Mary's, I can barely see the other end of the pitch half the time, let alone any additional information.
Greg: I'm not helping anyone with my eyes.
DailySaintsPod: oh Very true. Obviously, we'll be back tomorrow to speak about, I don't know, we've got lots of choice to speak about many different things now because there isn't immediately a game coming up, which does require us to think a bit more than we've had to the last couple of weeks. But we'll also be back at some point to talk about Wrexham. Any final parting words for our wonderful listeners, Greg? or
Greg: Right, just... yes Let's keep it rolling.
DailySaintsPod: Just enjoy it.
Greg: St Mary's is just a great place to go, isn't it?
DailySaintsPod: Just enjoy it.
Greg: uh unless you're actually waiting they're not having great times
DailySaintsPod: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: It's alright, they've got their fancy new church pub opposite the Mayflower now.
Greg: Even better.
Greg: Yeah.
DailySaintsPod: But yeah. So we'll be back tomorrow with something. Thank you, all everyone, for listening. Have a wonderful morning. Have a wonderful afternoon. Have a wonderful evening.
DailySaintsPod: Of course, we're on all the social medias. We're on Facebook. We're on Twitter or X the Everything app. We're on YouTube. We're on Instagram. We're on TikTok. We're all over the place. Give us a like, give us a follow. We've had some really, just like really nice motivating comments the last couple of weeks. It's been, sometimes we go through, it's just like, man.
DailySaintsPod: This isn't just a thing that goes out into the void that's just for us. we get to share with all you people so thank you very much and as i said we'll see you in the next one
