Match Reports
Leeds Away Drew 1 – 1
After a string of defeats, the international week didn’t come at a bad time for Southampton, whereas for Leeds United it broke up a run of wins, all-be-they not necessarily convincing. Nevertheless it wasn’t a great surprise that Leeds posed the early threats with the ball finding several ways of passing Forster’s posts, and on […]
Manchester City Home FA Cup Quarter Final Lost 1 – 4
Items in the press and, indeed, on the SFC web site, featuring Caballero seemed to be indicating an F.A. Cup berth for ‘Big Willy’ but Forster was chosen to face Manchester City. At this point in the competition, we’d expect Ralph to be taking it seriously, but eyebrows were raised at the selection of Adam […]
Watford Home Lost 1 – 2
No Livramento to face Watford, and no Broja either – presumably he had only recovered from a knock sufficiently enough to be confined to the bench. Somehow that led to a place for Smalbone who found himself paired with Adams up front – we can only guess at how that went down with Adam Armstrong […]
Newcastle Home Lost 1 – 2
There are few football followers in Southampton (or Norwich, Watford or Burnley for that matter) who took Newcastle‘s Covid postponement of their January 2nd game at St. Mary’s at face value – there’s just this thought that the club’s current hierarchy would stop at very little to ensure Premiership survival. Whatever, the tactic should have […]
Aston Villa Away Lost 4 – 0
Saints chose to wear their ‘Ukraine’ kit at Aston Villa and persuaded the sponsors to stump up for a free scarf for travelling fans – I was hoping for winter-weight fake wool on a cold afternoon, but we got summer-wear fake silk instead. On the pitch, injury concerns prevented Walker-Peters from starting, with Livramento preferred. […]
West Ham Home FA Cup 5th Round Won 3 – 1
It’s not all that long ago (2014) that a midtable Southampton team were at full strength for a midweek game at Hull before Mauricio Pochettino picked a weakened XI for what should have been a very winnable Saturday Cup 5th round tie… that didn’t go down at all well with fans who felt that the […]
Norwich Home Won 2 – 0 , 10 Games Unbeaten at St Mary’s
Not too surprisingly, Saints were unchanged for a visit from Norwich, despite Perraud being available again. For Livramento to be preferred against a team expected to park the bus is understandable, but having full backs who were playing on their preferred flank would have been a credible option as well. Once again, Ralph knows best, […]
Everton Home Won 2 – 0
The way Ralph’s team is playing, there’s no point in making any changes but Livramento had to be recalled to face Everton after Perraud’s positive Covid test; Walker-Peters moved to left back. Although Broja burst clear to test Pickford early on, most of the honours in the opening stages belonged to the visitors, until Saints […]
Manchester United Away Drew 1 – 1, Saints unbeaten against the Manchesters
After a fine display midweek, it was no surprise that Saints were unchanged at Manchester United for Rangnick v. Hassenhūttl, or, more succinctly, Ralf v. Ralph. It became clear that Ralf-ball is very like Ralph-ball, and you can be very effective on the break against a Southampton team who themselves enjoyed plenty of attacking options […]
Tottenham Hotspur Away Won 2 – 3
Back to League action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a more familiar Southampton line-up; an adventurous one too, with both Adams and Broja included – what a fine decision that turned out to be! Adams should have had his team ahead in the opening minutes but we’ve often had positive beginnings that come to […]
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