Right, some positivity… First game of 19/20, we lost 3-0 to Burnley. Finished 11th that season. Season later lost to Palace on opening day, then Spurs game after 5-2 at home. We were top of the league in November. Last season lost to Everton 3-1 in first game. Then we went four unbeaten.
Well sadly, I don't think that'll will happen.. Obviously I'd prefer to play a back 4.. But I imagine ABK will play this week and he'll prob want him to play in a back 3.
I agree, but this is a huge game already and we need to get points on the board. We know JWP and Romeu pivot works well. I'd start the line up I posted and bring lavia on later.
Thank you for purchasing your season ticket for the 2022/23 season, we can’t wait to welcome you back to St Mary’s. The energy you generate is fantastic and the team really value the support you give them from the stands. To ensure we can continue to offer a safe, accessible stadium that all of our fans can enjoy, we wanted to make you aware of some changes you’ll notice when you come to St Mary’s this season that have been made following conversations with the local authorities. These changes have been made following a season when throughout football we witnessed a disappointing increase in anti-social behaviour. The Premier League have recently launched a league-wide campaign designed to raise awareness of the consequences of this anti-social behaviour, and we are committed to working with the Premier League and local authorities to ensure Southampton Football Club remains the family friendly venue we pride ourselves on. The club has recently appointed a new Safety Officer who is currently working closely with the local authorities to help eradicate unacceptable behaviour at St Mary’s which will be supported by an increased steward presence in Itchen North. It is really important for us to get this right because it will avoid the club having to operate at a reduced capacity in certain areas and hopefully prevent the installation of a solid boundary wall between home and away fans in the Itchen North corner. Being able to demonstrate that we are able to operate safely at full capacity will also be vital as we look towards introducing safe standing at St Mary’s, something the club will continue to consult with fans about during the course of the season. In the meantime, we ask all fans to follow these basic guidelines to ensure their safety and that of their fellow supporters. 1. Look after your ticket. Remember that, according to our T&C’s your ticket is non-transferable. If you share your Season Ticket and the person using it is ejected for anti-social behaviour, your ticket will be revoked and no refund will be provided. You may have seen that there is no availability for general purchase in Blocks 1 and 2 and these blocks will now only be available to purchase as a Season Ticket. If you have purchased a Season Ticket and wish to sit in this area please contact the ticket office who can now arrange for you to be moved. 2. Bring an ID. You could be asked to show your ticket and identification by a member of our staff or the Police. If you are unable to show this, you may be asked to leave the stadium. 3. Keeping you safe. Missile throwing, persistent standing, pyrotechnics or any other form of anti-social behaviour have no place at St Mary’s and will likely result in ejection, a ban and further action from the police. 4. Stick to your area. It is a criminal offence to move beyond the barriers next to the pitch or to enter the playing area at any time (except for emergency situations). Anyone entering the field of play will be subject to a lengthy ban from the stadium and face further action from the police. The passion and commitment from fans make the atmosphere at St Mary’s so incredible and we believe the majority of you will welcome these changes and thank you in advance for your continued support. https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/58181
I'm sorry, but that was long overdue. People have behaved like morons in those blocks for far too long and got away with it. Not everyone I hasten to add. But with the PL introducing tighter measures on anti-social behaviour something like this was inevitable. This wasn't a club thing - it's PL wide to clamp down on people acting like dicks.
Bollocks. If the club actually bothered to kick out away fans in those areas there'd be no trouble. Happens every time we play one of the big clubs. The Stewards just **** themselves and roll over, I've seen away fans visibly and obnoxiously celebrate goals in the home area whilst the stewards make a point of looking away As for standing they've tried to crack down on that before. It's not going to work when the entire away end is standing. I think this is nothing to do with the PL and everything to do with how toxic the atmosphere will get these season. They're trying to set their stall out early
The club has to show it can safely operate at full capacity before they can introduce safe standing zones. The more the Itchen North kick up, the longer we''ll have to wait.
Happened to me last year. I sat (I say sat as they have extended the press box so moved me down 10 rows this year) 4 rows from the boxes and right next to hospitality. When one of the boxes was lagging it and shouting at Saints fans all the stewards said "Well it's a box and they pay good money to be there"
It's ridiculous to be honest. The atmosphere has already staled a bit thanks to the results and now they want everyone to sit down? I honestly don't get why they have to punish those that just want a good day out and a stand/sing. Introduce safe standing ASAP. Never known a club hate it’s own faithful fans so much. I may as well go watch non league football at this point. Cheaper, can stand and can actually afford the beers and tickets. May actually see a home win as well
Hey don't blame the messenger. It's higher than the club too. They've just signed up to the process. If we want standing areas, we now know what we have to do. Unfortunately, there will be few die hards that will be banned along the way. Edit: WHU have already installed the wall to prevent fans winding each other up. I'm all for a bit of banter but its got a bit out of hand these last few seasons. I mean football generally not specifically Saints.
I must admit I was expecting worse from reading the original post. The clubs official line had always been no standing, because it has to be. Tom is right, the STH only thing will eliminate the away fans in home areas, and the boxes can’t be helped (for now). A frustration will be if there’s now lots of empty seats in blocks 1-2 that deflate the atmosphere further. But let’s not jump to blaming the club (some of us are desperate for any reason to right now). We’ve got our fair share of fans who turn up and contribute to trouble on match days. There are plenty who actively make the stewards’ jobs more difficult that they need to be
Bazunu Stephens Bednarek Salisu KWP JWP Lavia Romeu Perraud Adams S Armstrong Is what I think the team will be, 3-0 loss
