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Episode 250: Matchday Review: Home Win! vs Wrexham!
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Southampton – How can anybody not love football? A 96th minute winner and plenty to talk about as we review our game against Wrexham!
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Transcript
Celebrating Southampton's First Victory
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always today, joined by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
How you doing, mate?
00:00:24
Zak
Hey, we won a game. Not only did we win a game, we won the first game of our season.
00:00:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, look.
00:00:33
Zak
We did not a single forward scored, but turns out we don't need them to.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, we have Now equaled our tally of games won at home from last year.
00:00:46
Zak
Mate, the fact that it was November, and like I think long-time listeners will remember that had to have a little medical procedure done on that day, and that was the only good thing about my day, and the game wasn't even that good.
00:01:02
Zak
yeah
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, but look, football's back. We're back, mate.
00:01:05
Zak
Oh, it is back, baby.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm telling you now, you heard it here first.
00:01:07
Zak
Holy mackerel.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
A couple of weeks ago, I said it. Only 45 more wins to bring my production home.
00:01:16
Zak
Look, mate, I caught the score. i was Right, let's get this out of the way early on.
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's get it.
Reflecting on Preseason Predictions
00:01:23
Zak
Early doors. Right, so you've got apology to make and I've got apology to make. my My apology is the fact that in in my match preview, I said that we would give away a goal due to a defender error.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:37
Zak
ah I didn't say Roddy Edwards. Admittedly, that was a snowball pen, right? like You didn't see it.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Having watched it back, I'm in agreement.
00:01:46
Zak
You messaged me soft because you saw it from him running at you. I saw it from the TV, mate. Pushed him in the back. He lost his head a little bit.
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:55
Zak
He's a young lad. doesn't matter i said that it would be jack or or classic jack stevens would give away give away uh you know a goal because that is what he did twice in preseason to be fair that would be continue the trend but no he he came out today
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:02:10
Zak
ah Sorry, he came out to the pitch on Saturday. He showed his captain's credentials. He put in a really good performance just just as a number one, like some really good interceptions. There were some... and like we've We've talked about Pizzunu. We'll talk about... Well, we haven't, but...
00:02:28
Zak
there's been talk about Bazzini. There's been talk about Ryan Manning, who we'll get to. There's been talk about Steven's goal, but like some of the interceptions that Steven's made had to be like millisecond perfect and he made them.
00:02:41
Zak
So, you know, I'm,
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I only saw him make one mistake all afternoon, and I cannot criticise him for that mistake, because although it was a slightly misplaced pass, it was a pass where, had it not been intercepted, we would have been clear through past their entire line. That's the exactly the sort of attacking pass we want to see, and sometimes, when they're that aggressive, they're not going to come off.
00:03:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:03:04
Zak
ah So, so like yeah, where I'm at, we were worried. you weren't You less so, to be fair, than I was, that given him you know three three years was a long time.
00:03:15
Zak
I feel like he instantly earned a year, maybe two, maybe all three with that one one win, because that you know that was...
00:03:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. right Right.
00:03:22
Zak
ah
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
What better way to silence critics than a 96 minute winner?
Redemption Arcs and Gritty Wins
00:03:28
Zak
Yeah, nice that's where I'm at. And if if we if we count amongst those critics, I try to think that we're fair and we just kind of go off of the basis of what we see.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:03:37
Zak
But you know we also said we're 100% open for redemption arcs. And if that that was captain material, that was him taking off his badge showing why he was captain, you know what?
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:49
Zak
Fair play. it was It was beautiful. it was It was a game one off of like grit and determination and completely upsetting the
00:03:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
what we lacked completely last season. It was great. And right. And look, whilst we're on it, you're right. I have an apology to make too, because despite, despite, and having said this myself, despite being one of our most consistent players last season, we got a free kick in a promising position.
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ryan Manning put the ball down and my exact words were Manning. ah anyone but him, please. And, uh, man, Boy, did I eat those words a few seconds later.
00:04:27
Zak
i i I was the same. So I get to go to the game, but I was unfortunately dragged to town for something separate, which is entirely my own poor scheduling.
00:04:37
Zak
And what it resulted was with is ah is my wife sitting with me in the restaurant version of Quackers. watching it in the bar section as I was glued to the television, having a whale of a time, whilst she sat and had a coffee and just relaxed, really.
00:04:54
Zak
But I was
Game Atmosphere and Fan Experience
00:04:56
Zak
sat there, I turned to her and went, you watch, he's going to sky that completely, there's no way that's going in. And then it went in and oh, what sort of miracle we do?
00:05:05
Zak
Oh, mate, it was just, I'm still buzzing off it, still buzzing off it.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was It was unbelievable. And now look, and look let's let's get this right. If the wall had have jumped or something, maybe it's not as good. But frankly, no keeper is saving that once it's past the wall.
00:05:19
Zak
yeah
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an unbelievable strike.
00:05:21
Zak
i do it
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a goal.
00:05:23
Zak
it's It's the fact, you know, like, he he's taken a lot of set pieces, right? Since he almost since James Ward-Prowse left, he became sort of a corner taker, supposedly had, like, a really good delivery into the box.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:33
Zak
We weren't really, you know...
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well...
00:05:34
Zak
it's not Yeah.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, we saw that after the free kick, didn't we? Because it was... I mean, Damien Downs gets what's being called the assist. I don't think that that's slightly generous, but frankly, it's right.
00:05:44
Zak
I feel like if it rolls off your knee, it's not really the assist, is it? But, you know.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, frankly, it's more concerning that he didn't bury it in the back of the goal. But but what a ball in from Manning. Jack Stephens got there and bundled in, and what more can you ask for?
00:06:00
Zak
Oh, just.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolute limbs in the end. It was just... ah
00:06:04
Zak
So, okay.
00:06:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um believe it.
00:06:06
Zak
ah Six minutes of nonstop us gushing about that game, mate. Because let's face it, it was, we just needed it. Everyone in the Saints fan base needed that.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:16
Zak
yeah like every single Every single member, you know, needed that win.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:20
Zak
I don't care if it was scrappy. The fact that it was scrappy means we found a way to win it. And
Strategic Substitutions and Tactics
00:06:25
Zak
that's what matters.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. That is all that matters. And the relief and the, uh, celebration was was palpable. Like, it was felt around the ground. It was brilliant.
00:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:06:37
Zak
ah And, you know, it was even crazier, Greg. We, like, slightly changed the tactics to fit the situation.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mad, isn't it? Like, imagine bringing on substitutions that make an impact on
00:06:44
Zak
Like, it's... ah
00:06:48
Zak
Oh, couldn't be us, mate. Couldn't be us. I think should probably we should probably at some point talk about the actual starting XI because obviously we were both a bit surprised, you know, ah arguably as much as it was five the back, was three at the back, right?
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that it's generous to call either Wellington or Sugawara a fullback.
00:07:01
Zak
A lot of the criticisms...
00:07:06
Zak
Yeah.
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are at best wingbacks, right? so
00:07:08
Zak
Yeah. Yeah, 100%. And, you know, Wellington had the greatest of games. I don't think he had the worst. I think that... fair play to Wrexham. They they you know came in, they decided what their tactics were going to be. they They played pre e pretty well. they had you know They've got some... I think Kiefer Moore's already made an impact, right? Josh Windass has made an impact.
00:07:33
Zak
They've already got players that are making impact. So it was kind of... mad that, you know, game ended up going the way it did and it wasn't their most attacking performance, but they pretty much, I'm not going to lie, Greg, lined up exactly the way that Ken said they would.
00:07:49
Zak
And it's mad that we managed to both land on sort of the the fact there was going to be 2-1, right? Like, me Ken had sort of agreed on that. You decided to go for a third.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:00
Zak
But but it was it was
Player Performances and Future Potentials
00:08:02
Zak
it was mad. And, like, I think the... ah are I don't know. I was surprised by the lack of Matty Fernandes starting, but he came on and obviously made an impact.
00:08:12
Zak
I was surprised.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:08:13
Zak
I think a lot of people were surprised by Fraser starting. I think he was one of our better players. I think that he ran, you know, a lot. Korshi has got a lot to learn.
00:08:24
Zak
There were a couple of times where I expected him to lose his head.
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he oh like he he didn't have the best game.
00:08:31
Zak
He's also so tall.
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
he he so so and
00:08:32
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And let me tell you, that boy can throw a ball.
00:08:37
Zak
Yeah, good laws.
00:08:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
that is That is, if we don't score for one of those long throws, and the problem is that most of those long throws throws were aimed at Adam Armstrong and Ryan Fraser, who, bless their hearts, are not the...
00:08:51
Zak
they're not,
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's just say they're not Tall Paul and they're not Ross Stewart.
00:08:54
Zak
which ironic. they're not which is ironic
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Those Tall Throws were crying out for Ross Stewart to be on the end of them. Absolutely crying out for it. ah ah just look they says They're lethal. They're flat.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Honestly, i feel like we're in a similar situation as back in the Dallap days where at some point we're going to see keepers putting out for a corner because they're easier to defend because they are they look horrible to play against.
00:09:21
Zak
Yeah, that is absolutely mad. And I just think that Shea Charles had an absolutely bang game.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:27
Zak
ah Flynn Downs bit iffy. Got yellow carded, though. I feel like if anyone put their bet on, they would have got that paid out.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was a so soft yellow as well. for That wasn't a classic Flynn Downs yellow.
00:09:35
Zak
No.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was soft. I presume that he said something that deserved it ah because because it looked like it was for the set.
00:09:40
Zak
Probably.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah.
00:09:44
Zak
ah Jay Robertson got his start and played really well as well.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:48
Zak
He was one of the few players that did get substituted. Pretty much the only attack he played bar freezer.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Look, I mean, look, we talked about we talked about last year. managing Tyler Diblin's minutes and how much of a concern it was. But that boy did not stop running for the full 90.
00:10:02
Zak
No.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He didn't show any signs of tiredness or fatigue. ah Look, how nice was it to see a team that looked fit fought the 96th minute? Zach, we had 24 shots.
00:10:16
Zak
That's nuts for us, isn't
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think we had 24 shots total last season.
00:10:24
Zak
it? You're not wrong.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Like, I remember doing episodes last year, two or three episodes, i was like, we didn't register a single shot on target, and we only had three shots overall.
00:10:34
Zak
Oh, God, you're right.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm like... don't Remember the tagline was, if you don't kick the ball at the goal, you don't win.
00:10:41
Zak
Well, yeah, that that's what we were talking about, because, you know, there are
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like... And like... We had Ryan Fraser nearly score in the opening minutes.
00:10:47
Zak
Thank
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
We had one cleared off the line. We had good save. We had one that bounced off the inside of the post and then got cleared off the line and then took a deflection. like like We couldn't have got closer to scoring a goal without scoring a goal for the entire game.
00:11:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
but we just
Criticism of Officiating
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was relentless. It was coming. I mean, we had 75% possession Russell Martin 75% possession. had the ball in half.
00:11:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
we had to boo in their heart
00:11:14
Zak
And us Rangers are now finding out what that means.
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:11:18
Zak
Mate, we haven't even talked about Baz yet.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:11:21
Zak
We've not even talked about the the referees yet. And also, we're about five minutes late for whatever, wherever I've had that space to be.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh well we'll get to that.
00:11:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right. Look, let's ah let's pause there for a minute and have a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we're back. Uh, let's start with some more positives. that Let's talk about Buzuni.
00:12:21
Zak
Yes.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, That's a game-winning save, because if it's 2-0, it's a different story, right?
00:12:28
Zak
And like, you know, i think that My concern has never necessarily been about his ability and more about his fitness.
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:36
Zak
I know there are a lot of people who were concerned out there. I still remember it being, you know, we we had the fans forum, which we were going to potentially do an episode covering, but there wasn't enough to talk about.
00:12:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Oh, really? It was all a bit wishy-washy, wasn't it?
00:12:49
Zak
Yeah, it was a bit it was a bit okay. they they Some of the questions were very... Just like, okay, fine. Yes, we we're in the process maybe of selling Dibbling. We will try and get money for him.
00:13:01
Zak
Let's see if we can ask that question 10 times.
Goalkeeping Debate
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you want to spend £30 million pound on a player, you have to spend £8 on chips.
00:13:04
Zak
ah
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That sort of thing.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER LAUGHTER
00:13:12
Zak
let's Let's not get into businessmen do not understand how normal people live their lives.
00:13:20
Zak
my My point was you didn't cover the fan forum, but distinctly remember the first fan forum Russell Martin was in. Somebody stood up and got really, so what about our goalkeeping situation? We're in a really, really bad position.
00:13:32
Zak
And credit to Mark back then basically went, no, not we've got a really good goalkeeper. What are you chatting about? And then, as was our primary goalkeeper for most of the championship season, so he got injured. Um,
00:13:44
Zak
And he conceded some silly goals, but also part of that was due to the way that we played. So I'm not really as upset by it.
00:13:57
Zak
Yeah, okay, he's had a rough loan spell, but to come back to come back into the site and know what the expectations are...
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. He's also really young. Let's not forget.
00:14:04
Zak
yeah
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's like 22. two Something like that.
00:14:08
Zak
Yeah, he's not, for especially for a goalkeeper, he's basically, basically, most goalkeepers by this point haven't even started their career.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:14
Zak
Like...
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah now And now, you know, we've got a really experienced goalkeeping coach in, in Ruben Martinez, who we, you know, we you had did a beautiful profile on. ah or And he seems to be, like you say, that was never really with his ability anyway, because he, yeah, he did some slightly silly things, but also he was being made to play a brand of football that that exposes a goalkeeper, frankly.
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
When you're knocking it about in your own third, that is you know the the one that's always going to be the one who's the last before the sticks. but But he made a fantastic save.
00:14:50
Zak
I
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Sure, like we'll see as the season goes on if he is good enough, I'm sure. But you're right, he he put in a great performance. ah what what He you know did what was called on him.
00:15:02
Zak
i think
00:15:04
Zak
Yeah, I think all all our players relatively... You know, as I said, there's a few iffy performances, but like the fact that we can go, oh this this person didn't play great and this this person was a bit rough around the edges in comparison to last season where it was like the entire team did nothing for 90 minutes and then we conceded a goal.
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:25
Zak
Like...
00:15:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, look, exactly. And look, we're not out here saying that this was like a polished, perfect performance, but like, it was just so such a relief to see a bit of fight, a bit of grit, you know, Wrexham in the second half sat back and made it more difficult by, and then made it more difficult because by sitting back, they had to push, we had to push more people forward to try and find the gaps and break the lines and
00:15:35
Zak
yeah
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, you know, they caught us on the counter, which is exactly what Ken said they would be dangerous with. And, you know, they were. And there were a couple that were offside. But let's, before we move on more, let's talk about um how awful that referee was.
00:16:07
Zak
Oh, do we just want to get into it? Right.
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm just going rip the band-aid off, mate.
00:16:11
Zak
and
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then to be clear, um ah think in both directions at some point,
00:16:15
Zak
Both sides, both directions, both directions. So bringing back a a segment ah that I like to call talking to my friend James Peach, but but where me and James haven't spoken for a while. And then I suddenly got a text out of the blue for him today because you watched highlights. So was like, oh, good. I could go back to talking to Zach about how awful Saints are. But he he he basically was kind of like, how I'm very surprised that Jay Robinson didn't get sent off or at least get yellow. And I'm like, yeah.
00:16:39
Zak
I am surprised by that. I'm also surprised that they had a, like, you know, they literally kicked the ball directly. We kicked the ball directly at hand.
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
00:16:48
Zak
It hit the hand in front of the referee. And that also wasn't a penalty. The amount of fouls that have we committed that apparently were all, all worthy of stoppages and free kicks is one of the reasons that they had such a heartbreaking 97th stoppage time, you know, losing goal because of the amount of stoppage time it had to be added on for all of, you know, the messing about and stuff.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:11
Zak
But it was just like, yeah okay, maybe VAR would have picked it up. Okay, maybe VAR would have picked up the rest of it.
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
like But like it was both ways.
00:17:17
Zak
would have been hideous.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
there were about We should have had about three penalties. They probably should have had a second penalty later in the game.
00:17:22
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um There was about 20 free kicks that should have been given either way. um he he There's the new rule, right, where the goalkeeper is only allowed to hold the ball for a certain amount of time before it's a corner.
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so now you'll see the referee stick their hands up in the air and start counting down from five before they give a corner. which is great, except he kept stopping at three. Like, it would pause at three, then remember what he was doing, then go two, then go one.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah it was it was painful. It just he just felt like he had no control, got so many decisions wrong, and in both directions that we got lucky some of the time.
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
we In the first half, he was didn't seem to want to give anything.
00:18:07
Zak
Hmm.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah my sister-in-law, who you know I go to games with, was convinced that money had changed hands because it's a better story for Wrexham to get promoted. I'm not going to be throwing around accusations quite to that degree.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah to Maybe, I mean, i feel like perhaps there might be some subconscious level of, oh, if I make a dodgy decision against these, I'm going to end up in a Disney documentary that might throw them that way. but But yeah, it was poor.
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was really, really poor.
00:18:37
Zak
it it it it really It really was. i like You're right. and the One of the things that... The refereeing was atrocious, but like on top of that, Greg, it was the... You didn't have to part with any... I watched it on Sky.
00:18:50
Zak
You didn't have to part with the commentary. And I kind of wish that i I could have just sat and listened to the radio whilst I was watching it. Unfortunately, i was in a bar. Mate, the state of the commentary. I was just like, you you would you would think that that it's almost like it's it's the same loving that the BBC have with Manchester United, right?
00:19:07
Zak
Where for somehow, considering that Manchester United are arguably at this point a club that are in 16th, finished 16th, okay, let's let's say what they are.
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:19:15
Zak
They're not in the Champions League, they're not the Europa League, but yet their proportion of coverage on the BBC is nuts. And I understand that. And I understand it's a lovely story. And it's like, it's going to be absolutely insufferable when they play Birmingham.
00:19:29
Zak
And we've talked about how it's ah it's a lovely story.
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:19:32
Zak
And I think for for fans like Ken, who I think someone pointed out, he doesn't have a Welsh accent, doesn't mean that he's not supported Wrexham for a long time, I promise you. However, there were quite a few sort of old Welsh fans. There were some people that I was just like, I don't want to accuse you of being a plastic fan, but also...
00:19:52
Zak
yeah There are vibes that sometimes are given off. And like, we arguably, same can be said about us. So don't want to start throwing stuff around. And I don't want to throw our toys out of the pram because we also won the game. But it was like being painted as the villain was extremely bizarre. Like it was a heartbreak for Wrexham as we, eat it as a heartbreak for Wrexham, which is a lead they held on to, yeah, for a long time by just sitting back on it.
00:20:16
Zak
And the other problem, but you know, and I know that we've also been accused of that.
00:20:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, so like they spent a lot of time just time wasting and doing the Dark Arts. It's not like they were like a...
00:20:23
Zak
yeah but we But to be fair, that draw against City, we did the same thing.
00:20:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
not like they were like a... Oh, what a lovable Wrexham. Spraying himself on the floor and pretending to have cramp. Like...
00:20:32
Zak
And we were kind of we had City fans say, oh, so I'm not going to mug them off for trying to do that.
00:20:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:38
Zak
But like to try to try and paint the narrative of... it's going to be It's going to be hard for them, i think, to deal with the... I think it's going be hard to deal with the vitriol they're used to it.
00:20:50
Zak
But like I think there's some so bigger stadiums now, some bigger fan bases, some probably more...
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:58
Zak
you know and And then like somebody mugging us off for celebrating it like it's a cup final, only to be told that we hadn't won a game since November, like at home. and then they were like, oh, actually, I kind of feel bad.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:08
Zak
And I'm like, well, yeah, so maybe I should just not fling mud at all.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:13
Zak
They're a good set of fans. It's just that this and they they were.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they were loud. was a good effort.
00:21:17
Zak
It was just, again, like again I think it's just but narratives around it that really hacked me off.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they were loud. What I have to say is that they were loud. It was a fantastic atmosphere. And despite the loud and
Post-game Atmosphere and Fan Interaction
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
the banner back and forth before and after the game, just milling about with mixing the fans, good vibes, fans chatting between them.
00:21:35
Zak
yeah
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was great. It was the, it was the perfect start of the season experience. And I can assure you that in a month's time, that there's going to be a game where that's not going to be, it's not going to be the same experience, but it's going to be just as much fun.
00:21:49
Zak
wow, you were joking about, what is it, the idea that, what happens if we end up getting into the playoffs with them?
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh,
00:21:54
Zak
How would they deal with that?
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:21:55
Zak
We'd blow the entirety of, like, Hampshire County Council's budget. Like, what would they do?
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
can't wait to pay twice
00:22:00
Zak
and
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Can't wait to pay twice my council tax next year just because we've got playoffs.
00:22:02
Zak
um just, just, just thinking, just, just thinking, like, I just think they'd end up doing it a bubble game at one of our stadiums, you know. I think they would have to skip Wembley because there's absolutely no way they could police that.
00:22:15
Zak
It would be insane. And when you start to think about those things, you do wonder.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't wait.
00:22:18
Zak
But,
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Someone might have had to have those conversations already, but as the season plays out, I mean... I don't want to credit those down the road too highly, but it's not like... It's the championship. It's not outside the realms of possibility.
00:22:29
Zak
Yeah, that's and that's the problem.
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah wrote There are 19 teams in the championship that could end up in those playoff spots, let's be honest.
00:22:34
Zak
and that And that is the problem. like We almost saw a bit of an upset today ah with with Sheffield Wednesday, and then parity was quickly restored. ah like you know ah I think we'll talk about that when we do a bit catch-up on the Championship in general, at least the first weekend.
00:22:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:49
Zak
But... Yeah, as as I said, it's not it's not really disrespect to hugely to Wrexham fans. I think everyone was... It was a nice party atmosphere. And I think that maybe they're just enjoying being here and they're not as bitter as we are yet and all that lovely stuff.
00:23:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:04
Zak
But like again, it's just the narrative around it can get quite draining. And it's like you're going eventually turn all of the other clubs into the Joker if you keep treating it like the Joker.
00:23:14
Zak
Like sometimes you can talk things into reality. And like, you know, if if they don't have this fairytale season and it goes it goes wrong for them and everyone gets mad and and they don't get it all, it would be...
00:23:28
Zak
I don't know how the they'll play that out in the media. It'll be interesting to see neither of them.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
be interesting. Anyway, we need to...
00:23:32
Zak
But anyway, that's our item.
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Let's have a break and then we'll come back and talk more about the game.
00:23:35
Zak
Saints won.
00:23:39
Zak
Good.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got a few more talking points.
00:23:40
Zak
Yeah, the actual other stuff to talk about.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... sir Time for a
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
A message from our partners at Zencaster. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner with 4K video recording from your phone AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster. Okay, and we're back. ah So, I mean, what what else have we got to talk about?
00:24:13
Zak
but There's a couple of couple things i want to talk about, Mike.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:24:15
Zak
So our total passes that game was 609 in comparison Prexams 204. in comparison to prexiums two hundred and four
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy.
00:24:24
Zak
But the other thing that I wanted to point out, Greg, was that we had the same number of fouls on both sides of the of the fence, right? so So we we we committed 12 fouls. They committed 13, which again, going back to your earlier point, you'd have thought that we were the only team on that whole pitch that played with a bit of intensity and were a bit rough.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:44
Zak
But it was just, I think that... the most exciting thing about it was just how, how attackingly minded we were. And yes, it didn't pay off, but like, and yes, Adam Armstrong struck at the keeper like one too many times.
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Hmm.
00:24:57
Zak
But the fact that we got those shots off and the fact that we are, we have gone back to scoring goals um is a, is a good thing. And I, I know that it's basically shows that we need more reinforcements to the attacking department a little bit, just that little bit.
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, look, i mean is it's early in the season, right?
00:25:12
Zak
Yeah.
Southampton's Attacking Mindset
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's always slightly cagey until you get that third.
00:25:15
Zak
Yeah.
00:25:18
Zak
you
00:25:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We talked a lot last season about our strikers and how they're confidence players. And what they need is that but little confidence boost to get them underway. And, you know, sometimes that's an assist. Sometimes it's a goal.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
They just need a little spark. and And, I mean, let's face it, even when he scored, you know, millions of goals for us in the championship last the last time, Adam Armstrong was not a clinical finisher.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
right The amount of times he misses chances or puts it to the goalkeeper. But the the fact of the matter is he gets himself in positions to to get those chances and to get enough that he doesn't have to be clinical to score lots of goals.
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah And that we saw lots of it. We saw lots of attacking play. Jay Robinson and um kept their fullbacks guessing every time, whether he was going to be cutting inside or going outside.
00:26:03
Zak
yeah
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:06
Zak
A couple of times he hit and they were lucky to you know save it.
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:09
Zak
wasn't anything crazy, but...
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah look Look, it wasn't ah say it wasn't a flawless performance. Like in the start of the first half, Armstrong was looking very isolated. We needed the, yeah you know, what happened is that Robinson and Fraser were sort of tending out towards the wings and it was just leaving Armstrong completely on his own, isolated, struggling to get anywhere because they were also coming back deep to get the ball.
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas what we really needed at that time was to sort of, push them forward and slightly narrower and have the wing backs really push on and push up. um and then And then that sort of came to a bit. I mean, Fraser was just all over the pitch.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
He looks in unbelievable shape. like He looks in better shape than he was the last championship season and in better shape than we saw him in the Premier League. He looks unbelievable, fit as a fiddle, flying about all over the shot, just doing that that number 10 role where he was just
00:26:59
Zak
Yeah, just...
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
causing the defence a nightmare. um it was It was great. Damien Downs when he came on, and you probably won't have seen this on TV, but that man does not stand still, which is something that a lot of our forwards were criticised for a lot last season.
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he is consistently making a move every single time into pieces of space. And he didn't actually, i don't think a single time that he made those moves yesterday did that ball get played to him.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But because he's always on it, the defenders, you know, they don't get a break. He's just constantly working, constantly working on them. And let me tell you, from what I see from him, he's only going to take one or two of those opportunities where he does get the ball in that situation.
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's going to be dangerous because he is... He makes them work. And with, you know, the pace that came on with Archer and then Stewart came on, gave them something else to worry about. Like, it's really no... You know, it's...
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah There's lot of different problems for a defence to have an answer to, right? Because there's such a vast array of types of player.
00:28:10
Zak
Yeah, I agree. And I think I saw somebody say that all they need to do is suss out our tactics and then it'll be the same as every other season, this or the other. And I'm like, i think that we're I think that's one of the nice things about Still is he's a bit more tactically astute than that.
00:28:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:24
Zak
And whether he doesn't have this sort of rigid, this is exactly how we're going to play. And like, like look, you already see in
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
There wasn't a... there wasn't a like-for-like change that happened, right? Like, he took off, maybe Sugawara for Manning might almost be called like-for-like, but then Manning slotted into more of a midfield role anyway.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the rest of the changes were all, I mean, I think he mostly took off defenders and put on forwards, right? Like, it was...
00:28:48
Zak
Yeah, I mean, it was Wellington for Manning and Sugawara was taken off for Matty Fernandes, mate.
00:28:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly.
00:28:54
Zak
ah So Sugawara was taken off for Fernandes at the same time Fernandes came off.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look. Yeah, and I mean, at that point, ah sure, at that point, Fraser kind of dropped back to left-back and Matty Fernandes took on that sort of more creative pressing role.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And yeah, like, Flynn downs for Archer. That's, you know, that's a complete change. That's a defensive middle-fielder for a striker. Like, it's just... Ronnie Edwards came off centre-back for a striker at that point. We dropped, you know, we changed to a back four completely.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, it's just nice to see that versatility. We're not just... Oh, who can we bring on because who can play in that position? Oh, we haven't got anyone who plays in that position. Better bring on Joe Eribo. Like, it's just...
00:29:31
Zak
but One of the absentees for today, along with, or sorry, keep saying today, it's felt like just one big long day because of just how the buzz from that game mate will live with me for at least the rest of the week.
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was unbelievable.
00:29:47
Zak
And yeah, like, you know, Eribo, Dippling, You know, two of the ones that are kind of still futures are in doubt at Dozie as well.
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:55
Zak
But I think we proved that we've still got quite a a big squad and that that isn't as bad as I think people think it is. And that includes myself. Like yeah I was worried about a lot of Deadwood. And to be honest, I think that if you'd asked beginning of preseason, one of the people that I would have said we needed to needed to go immediately, I probably would have said Ryan Fraser.
00:30:16
Zak
So, you know, this is again why we are not football managers.
00:30:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:20
Zak
We are two, you know, guys.
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:30:23
Zak
I'm a big guy. I just like football. Like, look but I don't pretend to be an expert.
00:30:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:28
Zak
We don't pretend to, you know, we have opinions and, know, for sure, but like, I'm not an expert and and sometimes these people who are prove us wrong because they know what they're talking about.
00:30:39
Zak
And it's nice that sometimes these people that are experts, mate, are actual experts and it state it doesn't feel like, it doesn't feel like with Jurich where you're like, mate, you're right.
00:30:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's great. What are you doing?
00:30:49
Zak
like Awesome.
00:30:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
right We are quickly and rapidly running out of time, but I've got two more points that I would like to touch on before we go.
00:30:57
Zak
Go, mate.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
have seen some criticism thrown Matty Fernandez's way because when he came on, he wasn't the most inspiring of performances. but I don't think he was bad, though. But also, is he not just freshly coming back from a knock? He's like not even been back in full training for a week. So should we really be surprised that he wasn't suddenly like back to full fitness and the best player on the pitch? I don't think that that's reasonable.
00:31:22
Zak
he He turned up and played, mate.
00:31:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
What more can you ask for? Huh.
00:31:26
Zak
They brought him on. Like, and and I don't know. Again, it's it's this this whole thing of it's like, oh, loyalty to a club is just not how football is nowadays.
00:31:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:31:38
Zak
and And like the fact that, you know, he's he might end up going because somebody might put in a silly bid for him.
00:31:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:31:45
Zak
But the fact that he's willing to carry on and play, if not, and has that mental strength, because there is a lot of mental strength with it. I can also understand Dibblin, being as young as he is, you know, a lot of criticism thrown his way for not playing.
00:31:58
Zak
I can understand that's some big decisions you need to
Player Loyalty and Transfer Speculations
00:32:01
Zak
make with your life when you are that age.
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:32:03
Zak
With some big money involved, with some big life-changing stuff, it doesn't... I know that we you could talk about footballer privilege, and it's one of the things that we've we've had episodes on at this point. but it doesn't stop that from mentally impacting people as a human being.
00:32:16
Zak
And I think it was the same thing that was summed up about Jack Stevens with he hears it all he He is a human being.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:22
Zak
Like he you could tell that he knew about the criticism.
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's why you could tell that goal was shout of relief. Unbelievable.
00:32:26
Zak
Yeah, you can tell the fact you know the fact he's tapping the particular captain's badge means that he is aware that the people have had those thoughts. And as said, but we ourselves have have questioned that. so where I'm at is that Baty Fernandes could have just not played, probably would have had a leave of absence if he'd requested it, but he didn't.
00:32:44
Zak
He didn't start, showed up, he was there in the team that won.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Showed up. Played. Did alright. Put shift in. And to be fair... He put a shift in. He ran. He ran a lot. He was he did like some single-man pressing for some of that game. like Just classic.
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah The second point I wanted to very quickly touch on is that it it kind of beautifully encapsulates the impact that he had and what I hope we can see from the versatility and you know ability to change that Will Steele is bringing.
00:32:58
Zak
I
00:33:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is Ryan Manning played for 20 minutes and one man in the match.
00:33:15
Zak
mean, I'm...
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:17
Zak
i mean ill
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, to be fair, and assist.
00:33:22
Zak
yeah goal and assist, what can you and what can you want?
00:33:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:25
Zak
like yeah that that's He comes on, but that that again is shows you the level of impact. And I think that was where Phil Parkinson was talking about how um i you know they've got it a bench that's really expensive.
00:33:37
Zak
you like How we did last season with Man U and stuff.
00:33:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:40
Zak
ah Arguably that's true, but considering that they had eight brand new signings in that front line, maybe they should you know quiet down a little bit.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:47
Zak
But on top of that, There are a lot of players that if someone had come in for like ah for like a million quid for Manning at the beginning of this like you know beginning the pre-season, lot people probably would have taken that. and it was only you know we We didn't think he would be as good as he was in the Premier League.
00:33:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:34:02
Zak
but But
Tactical Flexibility and Manager's Impact
00:34:02
Zak
you're right. The fact that you could make a change that late in the day that has that much of an impact from somebody that we brought that nobody really expected that that impact to come from. shows you hopefully signs of good things to come from the game.
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um so
00:34:16
Zak
I was just buzzing, mate.
00:34:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
that it
00:34:17
Zak
I was just happy.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, mate, I am.
00:34:18
Zak
It's good.
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was, and then i got stuck in traffic on the way home, and then because it was an early kickoff, my body was confused, so I got home and looked at the clock, and it was ten past four, and I was ready for bed.
00:34:20
Zak
This is a good weekend. can
00:34:28
Zak
LAUGHTER LAUGHTER
00:34:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was done. was like, what do you mean it's not six o'clock? I've been at the football. It must be later than this. Definitely had a ah solid power nap to get through the rest of the evening, but, mate, look, we won a game at home.
00:34:42
Zak
It's just been like that sometimes, yeah
00:34:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
The atmosphere was buzzing and, you know, one win down, 45 more to come.
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I didn't even remember that we have a cup game Tuesday.
00:34:56
Zak
mate. We'll have some more football to talk about. Maybe we'll see some of the other players get a look in and maybe we'll get some fight for places.
00:35:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
it. Or maybe it'll be another one of those games like that round of last time in the championship where we played 14 players where we never saw any of them again.
00:35:04
Zak
elect
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER Who knows?
00:35:15
Zak
I don't think we'll have a Gillingham game, mate, but we'll see.
00:35:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll
00:35:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
we wait and see. Look, we will be back to talk about that. We'll be back tomorrow with Transfer News. Transfer Tuesday everyone's favourite day of the week.
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
Engaging with Fans and Closing Thoughts
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Until then, let us know on all the socials how happy were you with this week's performance? and What are your expectations for the rest of the season now? How high can it really go?
00:35:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
us know. We can't wait hear that. We are on all the socials. We're on Facebook, X, Blue Sky, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube. Let us know in the comments.
00:35:53
Zak
Good job, mate.
00:35:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
we
00:35:53
Zak
That was all of them.
00:35:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was it. Oh, yeah. I forgot. It's all right. Like say, thank you very much for listening, Zach. As always, thank you for joining me. We'll be back tomorrow. But until then, we won at home.
00:36:05
Zak
Yay!