Match Day Thread Southampton vs Birmingham, Sat, 28 Oct 12:30

[Libby]

It was KWP's mistake for their goal, so for once (probably the first time this season), I'm giving it to someone else: Stuie for his first half performance. Just pulling strings like it's a training game. Some incredible passing; short, long, one-twos, through balls, the whole range.

Agree about Sulemana. He makes so many good runs, and gets into so many good positions to cross the ball, but ends up only putting in one good cross out of every four or five opportunities. The rest of the time he loses the ball trying one twist or turn too many.

You sort of might as well play him, because he does the first bit so brilliantly. If only he learns to just put the ball in rather than faffing, we would have double the number of chances.

Excellent pick out for the second though. Was good to see him look up and aim for somebody rather than just flash it across goal.

 

[Libby]

Talking of Stuart Armstrong and I think he's the player who has emphasised the most to me the difference between the PL and the Championship.

I thought he looked absolutely shot for the last 18 months in the Prem but this season he clearly looks on a completely different level to 90% of other players.

Great footballer to watch when he's in form.

 

[Saints_Alive]

The thing that I liked the most is that there looked like a nice balance to the team today with everyone understanding their role, it's no coincidence that the results have picked up since Russ has basically been picking this team and now I hope that the good performances carry on too.
I think that the team spirit is much better than we have seen in the last couple of seasons.

 

[Osvaldorama]

The thing that I liked the most is that there looked like a nice balance to the team today with everyone understanding their role, it's no coincidence that the results have picked up since Russ has basically been picking this team and now I hope that the good performances carry on too.
I think that the team spirit is much better than we have seen in the last couple of seasons.

Yeah fair play.

I really wanted to see a performance today after the last two lucky results and we got one. Martin is showing signs of building something and I will start to trust the process more after today.

He has earned patience now

 

[Brinkworth Saint]

Talking of Stuart Armstrong and I think he's the player who has emphasised the most to me the difference between the PL and the Championship.

I thought he looked absolutely shot for the last 18 months in the Prem but this season he clearly looks on a completely different level to 90% of other players.

Great footballer to watch when he's in form.

Probably confused about exactly what any of the 3 managers wanted him to do. Not just him either!

 

[StJabbo1]

THB is quality. Fantastic signing.

Unfortunately only on loan.

 

[tomw24]

Unfortunately only on loan.

Obligation to buy if we go up though.

 

[StJabbo1]

Obligation to buy if we go up though.

We'll just ****ing do it then.

 

[Saints_Alive]

The question is, where exactly do Jack Stephens and Ross Stewart fit into the team when they are fully fit?, still it's nice to have great options to rotate.

 

[Osvaldorama]

Obligation to buy if we go up though.

When*

 

[RSS]

Stephens doesn’t get back in for me, except for injury or suspension to THB or Beddy. Don't think you break up that partnership unless you need to. Not perfect, but far better than anything else we’ve seen for a while. Stewart should get plenty of chances to stake his claim with Che not doing himself any favours since the transfer window closed and Mara looking average at best in his fleeting appearances.

 

[- Doing The Lambert Walk]

Talking of Stuart Armstrong and I think he's the player who has emphasised the most to me the difference between the PL and the Championship.

I thought he looked absolutely shot for the last 18 months in the Prem but this season he clearly looks on a completely different level to 90% of other players.

Great footballer to watch when he's in form.

Considering he was apparently half way (or further) out the door with his agent trying to firm up moves for him, Martin did well to persuade him to stay, settle into the system and see out the final year of his deal. Wonder if they might try and extend him with a new two-year offer.

Would imagine the Scotland connection might’ve helped get him back invested with that was happening here.

 

[timatoketchup]

First half was excellent, played with the pace and purpose we've so dearly lacked for much of this season and Birmingham couldn't live with us.

Another really slow start to the second half which is something we need to address. It felt like their goal was coming for a few minutes before it did and I think a better side would have taken advantage. They pressed us more than the first half and we really struggled with it.

That said, by the 65th-70th minute we settled down and looked really comfortable, and I felt we'd have seen out 2-1 without too much drama even had we not scored.

Sulemana was excellent I thought and gave their right back (who was dreadful I thought) a torrid time. Also thought Adam Armstrong had a good game though should have made it 3-0 in the first half.

Decent atmosphere generally. Bizarre but brilliant to hear a loud rendition of "we're the chapel over here" and it's great to have songs being started from lots of different areas, makes for a much better atmosphere. Thought we largely stuck with the team well too during a tough period.

I managed to miss the rain both on the way to the ground and coming home which was a result.

Great day all round. Icing on the cake was seeing Marian at half time. Can tell he genuinely has huge feelings for the club. What a guy

UTFS

Top day out, my first time in the chapel for probably a decade (£20) and was a real surprise to hear how vocal the majority are now. I'll be back.

 

[timatoketchup]

Ah-hem.

Mystic No7 does it again with his first post.

Really once I post on the match day thread we should just stop the discussion and move on to the next

Cheers mate, I put £5 on that 12/1 it paid the day!

 

[Libby]

Top day out, my first time in the chapel for probably a decade (£20) and was a real surprise to hear how vocal the majority are now. I'll be back.

You're only here for the chapel

 

[RedandWhiteManofKent]

That was possibly a 2-2 draw with VAR which would have been so unfair

I am quite liking the Championship

 

[tomw24]

Just seen the penalty shout. Jesus Christ I'd be raging if I was a Birmingham fan. Bazunu missed the ball completely and wiped out their striker! It was even worse than the Wolves one.

 

[Libby]

Just seen the penalty shout. Jesus Christ I'd be raging if I was a Birmingham fan. Bazunu missed the ball completely and wiped out their striker! It was ever worse than the Wolves one.

Looked stonewall from the chapel. Pretty much everyone around me said it straight away.

That's football though. You suck it up and get on with the game.

 

[steve79]

Just seen the penalty shout. Jesus Christ I'd be raging if I was a Birmingham fan. Bazunu missed the ball completely and wiped out their striker! It was even worse than the Wolves one.

Yeah got away with that one

 

[Brinkworth Saint]

Looked stonewall from the chapel. Pretty much everyone around me said it straight away.

That's football though. You suck it up and get on with the game.

I agree, lucky with that one. Just informs me that down the line, please not the play off semis etc, we will not be so fortunate.