| Concern 21:37 - Apr 29 with 3687 views | grumpy |
The players have given everything the last two games and have been pipped by a late thunderbolt from City to knock us out of the FA Cup and now Ipswich have consigned us to the playoffs.
Have they enough in the tank to get us promoted?
They looked exhausted at the end of the game last night. |  | | |  |
| Concern on 21:45 - Apr 29 with 3649 views | shotters |
We've had a ridiculous April, 8 games, and played every 4 days for pretty much the last 2 months so I'm not surprised they looked exhausted
It was always going to be a big ask to get second place, even if we'd won last night we'd still have been relying on both Ipswich and Millwall losing on Saturday and that isn't going to happen.
I'm sure TE knew it was unlikely we'd get second place and is level headed enough to plan for at least 2 more games [Post edited 29 Apr 21:46]
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| Concern on 21:47 - Apr 29 with 3630 views | A1079 |
I know I am a Saints pessimist grumpy, I am one of those that needs to be winning 4-0 with less than a minute to go before I will be convinced we will win! So I am not sure I am the best to try and answer this.
I am sensing we are running out of steam. We have been on a tremendous run but I fear the play-offs may be a game or two too far. Losing Downes and Stephens at this time has not helped. Middlesbro' have had their blip and seem to be getting their mojo back at the right time (and I have been there 4 times and never seen us draw let alone win). My instinct is, we will just miss out. I hope I am proved wrong, I often am and that is something to hold onto. |  | | |
| Concern on 21:59 - Apr 29 with 3585 views | shotters |
| Concern on 21:47 - Apr 29 by A1079 |
I know I am a Saints pessimist grumpy, I am one of those that needs to be winning 4-0 with less than a minute to go before I will be convinced we will win! So I am not sure I am the best to try and answer this.
I am sensing we are running out of steam. We have been on a tremendous run but I fear the play-offs may be a game or two too far. Losing Downes and Stephens at this time has not helped. Middlesbro' have had their blip and seem to be getting their mojo back at the right time (and I have been there 4 times and never seen us draw let alone win). My instinct is, we will just miss out. I hope I am proved wrong, I often am and that is something to hold onto. |
I thought we had no chance going into the play-offs in 2024, before the last game of the season away at Leeds we were in terrible form.
A large number of our squad were here then and that experience will surely help us and it's easy to forget we're still 18 unbeaten in the league
Also worth bearing in mind that whilst "Boro have won their last 2 games, they were against a rock bottom Wednesday and an utterly useless Watford , will be interesting to see how they do against Wrexham on Saturday [Post edited 29 Apr 22:03]
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| Concern on 22:04 - Apr 29 with 3566 views | Southamptonfan |
I just feel like we have given absolutely everything in the last 20 games, with some massive games in there, cup and league. Exhausting schedule for the players. We play our final game at Preston, in a game we still need to win, but we have a play off place anyway. It can be a bit more relaxed and we can use the squad and still get a result.
We then have a whole week before the first play off game, likely the next Saturday. A whole week of recovery and rest without any games. I think we are just tired, but after some rest and recovery time, we will get it done, we will be determined to make this a successful season and will be ready to go again in the play offs. We need to protect players like Sciensa, Azaz, Fellows, Bree etc for the play offs.
But as has been mentioned, as Saints fans we are used to disappointment, so can't help worrying that it will go wrong, ofcourse. | |
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| Concern on 22:12 - Apr 29 with 3542 views | DorsetIan |
I guess we can't under estimate the effort it took to actually get into the playoffs - both physical and psychological - and then throw in games against three decent PL teams into that mix.
There was bound to be a bit of a dip. But..we're still unbeaten in the league and there's likely to be a full week off before the 1st leg of the play offs.
If anyone can 'turn the page' and go again it's Tonda and this side, and that week will allow a tad more recovery before those games.
I also think the Tonda will play the percentages against Preston and properly rest a few. Romeu and Robinson to start! |  |
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| Concern on 22:58 - Apr 29 with 3477 views | 1885_SFC |
At least we'll have a fresh Flynn Downes back for the play-offs and a (hopefully fully fit) Captain Jack and Matsuki. TE is a magician and he'll have the squad suitably rested somewhat & mentally prepared for the big push.
If I was a fan of one of the other clubs finishing in the play-off spots, I definitely wouldn't want to be playing Southampton at this moment in time! |  |
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| Concern on 07:37 - Apr 30 with 3346 views | jopreston |
Normally I would agree. But in TE I truly believe we have a man who can raise players for any game at the right time and in the right way. I think he will play a very weak starting XI against Preston in the hope they will not turn up and we will win anyway. If not, he will bring on some big guns later on to try and win the game. If not, he will not see home and away tie orders as an advantage or disadvantage, he will merely see them as two games to be approached in whatever way he deems best.
He seems a master of mental conditioning as well as a master of tactics and reading other teams. I am not saying we are a shoe in to win the play offs, but I see TE as a shoe in to get it as right as anyone possibly could. |  | | |
| Concern on 08:53 - Apr 30 with 3269 views | Monksway |
Whilst accepting the need for continuity etc, surely Preston is the game to give as many as possible a break and re-set for the playoffs. Long, Jelert, Kayi-Sanda, Quarshie, Wellington, Romeu, Bragg, Robinson and Edozie plus some youngsters upfront and on the bench. Give the first team squad a breather to get over the disappointment of late goals and general exhaustion at this point in the season. | | | |
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| Concern on 09:48 - Apr 30 with 3233 views | grumpy |
| Concern on 08:53 - Apr 30 by Monksway |
Whilst accepting the need for continuity etc, surely Preston is the game to give as many as possible a break and re-set for the playoffs. Long, Jelert, Kayi-Sanda, Quarshie, Wellington, Romeu, Bragg, Robinson and Edozie plus some youngsters upfront and on the bench. Give the first team squad a breather to get over the disappointment of late goals and general exhaustion at this point in the season. |
Agree | | | |
| Concern on 10:40 - Apr 30 with 3202 views | ShirtNumbers |
| Concern on 08:53 - Apr 30 by Monksway |
Whilst accepting the need for continuity etc, surely Preston is the game to give as many as possible a break and re-set for the playoffs. Long, Jelert, Kayi-Sanda, Quarshie, Wellington, Romeu, Bragg, Robinson and Edozie plus some youngsters upfront and on the bench. Give the first team squad a breather to get over the disappointment of late goals and general exhaustion at this point in the season. |
The problem is going into the playoffs we really want to be 4th as playing the 2nd leg away could seriously f#ck us over (see Derby 2007). Yes players are tired but we don't want to be complacent which is why I think any big rotations are a bit of a risk. Players like Quarshie, Long and Kayi-Sanda (if he's even at the club I thought he was on loan) are the sort who could lose you a game. |  |
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| Concern on 11:35 - Apr 30 with 3158 views | GRIM |
| Concern on 10:40 - Apr 30 by ShirtNumbers |
The problem is going into the playoffs we really want to be 4th as playing the 2nd leg away could seriously f#ck us over (see Derby 2007). Yes players are tired but we don't want to be complacent which is why I think any big rotations are a bit of a risk. Players like Quarshie, Long and Kayi-Sanda (if he's even at the club I thought he was on loan) are the sort who could lose you a game. |
Tonda has stated that he will approach the Preston game like any other game.
He will select a side to win the match.
But with the squad we have its an opportunity to rest a few that are running on empty.
We have had a exhausting month with so many games but must remember that all the teams at top of Championship have had the the virtually the same amount of matches.
We've had the one extra match which was the Wembley Semi,.
I think that the way Tonda has shuffled his pack in this period that we'll have enough left in the tank to win the Play offs.
Big But, I'm normally wrong & just hope I'm not on this one, losing out in the Play offs would be such a dissapointment for the club & all of us. | | | |
| Concern on 13:19 - Apr 30 with 3115 views | StAnt |
In some eyes we've suddenly gone from the team with momentum that nobody will want to face in the play-offs to a completely shattered side that can barely put one foot in front of the other. This is on the basis of two home draws against a good Bristol City side and a very good Ipswich side (we could easily have won both games) plus a narrow loss to Man City in a semi final at Wembley.
We are in great shape. Downes will be back for the play-offs and we really missed him against City and Ipswich. Stephens may be back.
Tonda will have us fired up and will have plans for the remaining 3 or 4 games. Not time for all this panic and doom mongering. | | | |
| Concern on 14:00 - Apr 30 with 3078 views | SonicBoom |
Personally I never thought we would make the top 2. There was a glimmer of hope but not realistic.
I was one that wasn't overjoyed at Tonda's appointment but fair play he's proved me wrong and has done a great job these last 4 months.
I do think we should be going up automatically but we wasted half the season under useless Will Still.
As for the play offs, I think we will win and go up - and frankly as a fan going up via Wembley is far more fun than autos. |  | | |
| Concern on 16:24 - Apr 30 with 3015 views | sledger |
despite what tonda says he will make wholesale changes,important players will be protected and rested for the play offs. | | | |
| Concern on 18:53 - Apr 30 with 2940 views | grumpy |
Whatever will be will be.
Its been a great season for entertainment.
Will Still(What was that all about?) a shaky period under Tonda apart from this its been incredible.
I cant remember seeing Saints play as well for years.
We may get promoted we may not but to see our team win so often has been great.
I will be disappointed if we don't win the playoffs but we've had a great run and will pick ourselves up and try again.
The fans have been magnificent. | | | |
| Concern on 21:46 - May 1 with 2653 views | saintmark1976 |
| Concern on 18:53 - Apr 30 by grumpy |
Whatever will be will be.
Its been a great season for entertainment.
Will Still(What was that all about?) a shaky period under Tonda apart from this its been incredible.
I cant remember seeing Saints play as well for years.
We may get promoted we may not but to see our team win so often has been great.
I will be disappointed if we don't win the playoffs but we've had a great run and will pick ourselves up and try again.
The fans have been magnificent. |
“ will pick ourselves up and try again.”
Miss promotion and Sports Republic resist the opportunity to balance the books by selling our best players. You really think that will happen grumps ?
Don’t forget that I believe I’m correct in saying they were £58 million out of bed in their last declared accounts. | |
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| Concern on 00:04 - May 2 with 2594 views | grumpy |
| Concern on 21:46 - May 1 by saintmark1976 |
“ will pick ourselves up and try again.”
Miss promotion and Sports Republic resist the opportunity to balance the books by selling our best players. You really think that will happen grumps ?
Don’t forget that I believe I’m correct in saying they were £58 million out of bed in their last declared accounts. |
I’ve been a Saints fan long enough to think we will,with or without Sports Republic’s money. | | | |
| Concern on 16:16 - May 2 with 2396 views | Bridders2 |
I hate being pessimistic, especially when we're unbeaten in 18 games in the league, but that win over Preston wasn't very convincing for me. We looked far too open, allowing them space in midfield and attack and but for some magnificent saves by Peretz we could have ended up drawing.
Even without Peretz daft mistake PNE had loads of corners and attempts at goal, we didn't seem to close them down as well as previous games. Obviously they are war weary after so many games and having a whole week before the next game will be a luxury.
I'm hoping Tonda can get the intensity back into our game, and work on tightening the defence. 2 massive games coming up, then we'll see. | |
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| Concern on 17:11 - May 2 with 2358 views | UlsterBaz |
| Concern on 16:16 - May 2 by Bridders2 |
I hate being pessimistic, especially when we're unbeaten in 18 games in the league, but that win over Preston wasn't very convincing for me. We looked far too open, allowing them space in midfield and attack and but for some magnificent saves by Peretz we could have ended up drawing.
Even without Peretz daft mistake PNE had loads of corners and attempts at goal, we didn't seem to close them down as well as previous games. Obviously they are war weary after so many games and having a whole week before the next game will be a luxury.
I'm hoping Tonda can get the intensity back into our game, and work on tightening the defence. 2 massive games coming up, then we'll see. |
It wasn’t but there’s enough quality in that squad to drag us through the final three games. I’d fancy us against any of the other three. |  | | |
| Concern on 21:28 - May 2 with 2307 views | Waylander |
| Concern on 21:46 - May 1 by saintmark1976 |
“ will pick ourselves up and try again.”
Miss promotion and Sports Republic resist the opportunity to balance the books by selling our best players. You really think that will happen grumps ?
Don’t forget that I believe I’m correct in saying they were £58 million out of bed in their last declared accounts. |
I think the last accounts did not include the income from selling Dibling and Fernandes | | | |
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