Gutted for James Ward-Prowse
Works his way through the age groups, plays every minute of the last 2 seasons of Premier League football and has a world class set-piece ability
Baffling and disappointing exclusion
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In 2015/16 Southampton achieved their highest ever Premier League finish
After 20 games they were sat on 24 points, 7 points off European spots
This season after 20 games
24 points, 7 points off European spots
#SaintsFC
Danny Ings becomes just the 8th player in the Premier League to score in at least 20 games.
The other 7?
Shearer, Phillips, Ronaldo, Drogba, Van Persie, Salah, Henry
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A word on Elyounoussi last night
He's Saints second-highest scorer (7) in all competitions this season behind Broja (8)
Taking his second chance with both hands
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Last game of 2020 for Southampton tomorrow.
This year they've accumulated 55 points from 33 games.
In that time only Liverpool (76), Manchester City (66), United (62) and Chelsea (56) have got more points in the Premier League
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Come on, who thought Southampton would lose just one out of Everton, Manchester United, Newcastle away, West Ham and Man City away?
They may not have won yet but this is a great start
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It seems likely that Long is heading Bournemouth
223 appearances for Saints
Unplayable 15/16 season
Fastest Premier League goal
Scored probably one of if not the most memorable goal in Southamptons recent history at Anfield
Always gave his all
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No side has more Premier League clean sheets than Southampton this season (Villa also have 8)
Saints have now lost just 4 of their last 24 Premier League matches
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Fancy a bonkers stat?
In this record breaking 21 game run, Southampton have spent a total of 57 minutes a goal down
They've been in a losing position just twice since September
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Southampton’s current total of 25 points after 21 games is the most they’ve had at this stage since 2015-16 where Koeman’s side had 27 points.
Saints finished 6th that year.
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Only Chelsea's Eduoard Mendy has more Premier League clean sheets this season than Alex McCarthy
That's a credit that can be shared by the entire Southampton defence
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When Nathan Jones was appointed Southampton were 18th on 12 points yet just 4 points off midtable
8 league games plus a mid season break they sit 20th with a win possibly not enough to get off the bottom of the league
The gamble has simply been disastrous
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That point yesterday means Southampton currently have just the one defeat from their opening 9 nine home games this season
That's the fewest losses they've had from their first 9 Premier League home matches in almost 20 years
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When fans look at promoted teams you can sometimes think "there's an easy 6 points".
Here's a stat for Sunday's game.
If Southampton beat Sheffield United it will be the first time in their Premier League history that they have got 18/18 points from promoted sides.
#saintsfc
So Southampton end the window having signed Walker-Peters, Salisu, Diallo and Walcott
They also managed to shift Carrillo, Boufal, Hoedt, Reed, Lemina even if some on loan
They also kept Danny Ings
They left it late, but I'd say that's a good summer for them
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Well it's been an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to commentate on a couple of fantastic games
I hope its sounded alright and you've enjoyed listening in
Four fantastic points, not sure when I'll be back on but thanks for all the kind words and support
#saintsfc
Here's a silly stat from last night
Southampton haven't had many no.15s
Perraud was the first no.15 to score for Saints since...
Cuco Martina vs Arsenal
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Despite three defeats in a row Southampton are only 4 points off 6th with a game in hand on a couple of sides above them
It really isn't all doom and gloom
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Southampton on 25 points after 15 matches
In their best ever 6th-placed Premier League finish under Koeman it took them 21 matches to hit that total.
#saintsfc
Whether you are a fan of Ralph or not, credit where credit is due Southampton are improving defensively
Goals conceded this season in PL: 10
Goals conceded in same 8 games last season: 19
It's a solid base to go from, just need to increase goals scored
#saintsfc
Southampton's next five games involve playing 4 of the current bottom 6 in the Premier League.
A massive opportunity to pick-up points and be in the top 6/7 come Xmas
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Southampton so unlucky
By far the better team and played some scintillating football, the goal from Ings absolutely brilliant.
To go away and dominate Spurs, Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal, even Liverpool at times shows what a turnaround they have made.
#saintsfc
Southampton now have 2 weeks were their only fixture is Shrewsbury where you can imagine there will be rotation
Players can recharge, injuries can be healed and they can have a real crack at the 2nd half of the season
Just 4 points off the top....
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Che Adams 9th Premier League goal of the season
He gets stick but aside from Ings he's the only Southampton player to get that much in a season since 2016
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Should also note that it's 1 defeat in 12 home games for Southampton this season in the Premier League
The fewest defeats at St Marys in their first 12 home Premier League matches in the almost 20 years
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7 away wins for Southampton this season
Ralph now has (in a single season):
- same number of away wins as Koeman managed.
- more than Pochettino in 13/14
- more than Pellegrino and Hughes combined.
Now if they can just sort out that home form...
#SaintsFC
One point I really want to make
Thought Adam Armstrong was terrific when he came on
Great assist and direct running, something they've been crying out for
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This is turning into a very good window for Southampton
Yes some big names have gone
But they've brought in exciting young talent in the right positions
JWP on a long deal too
Add a centre back and this looks, on paper, like one of the better windows for some time
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Whats most impressive is that Southampton didn't even park the bus
They dominated and to be honest should have won the game
Four games unbeaten now from such a tough start
So solid
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For any Southampton fan worried about a bad start to the season.
Since returning in 2012, Southampton's best points return after the first 3 Premier League games is 5 points.
Achieved by Mauricio Pellegrino.
And we all know how that season went.
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Well considering how that game was considered a write off
What a point and a very good performance
£5m for Livramento seems like daylight robbery
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As the
#PremierLeague
restart draws near, a few
#saintsfc
stats
In 9 games Southampton need:
- 5 pts to equal last season
- 6 pts to hit 40
- 13 pts for best total since Koeman.
- Danny Ings needs 1 league goal to be Saints highest scorer in a single season since return to PL
Wishing Adam a very speedy recovery !
I have been passed the 🎙️ so to speak and so will be with Dave for the next couple of Southampton games on BBC Radio Solent
Making my debut - excited, nervous but big thanks to Adam for believing that I can step up to the plate
#saintsfc
Just had the new real-life Nightmare Before Xmas confirmed….the positive covid test result
Plans at home for Xmas and work and match commentaries v W Ham & Spurs now all up the spout
Bloody frustrating and hate letting people down - it messes everything up 🙄 gutted
Tomorrow marks a year since THAT game
Since then, Southampton have won 51 points from 33 Premier League matches
That PPG of 1.54 over a 38 game season would have them finishing in the top 7/8 for the last 5 seasons and probably more..
Not a bad turnaround
#SaintsFC
As much as Southampton have their sights set much higher, to get halfway to the 40-point mark after just 11 games speaks volumes about about the turnaround at the club.
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A nice stat going into this week of how well Southampton have defended so far
Manchester United, West Ham and Manchester City have scored a combined total of 35 PL goals this season
Saints have conceded just 1 of those
Last season in same games they conceded 8
#SaintsFC
Southampton's next six Premier League games:
- Sheffield United (a)
- Man City (a)
- Brighton (h)
- Burnley (h)
- West Brom (a)
- Palace (h)
Throw in an FA cup quarter final too
Massive chance to turn things around or it could be a very messy end to the campaign
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Oriol Romeu has been superb since coming in for Hojbjerg and has seemed to have found that form he did under Puel.
Yes he was lucky to stay on the pitch last night but here's a stat for you:
Romeu joined
#saintsfc
in 2015
Times sent off: 0
Just seen the FA Cup draw
Southampton fans probably don't need reminding what happened the last time they played Coventry...
Almost ten years ago
#SaintsFC
Delighted to have secured a permanent role at
@BBCRadioSolent
Been a mixture of freelance and FTCs for the last few years so ecstatic to be able to look at the long term
Final tweet for the evening
26 points is the joint-highest total Southampton have reached after 16 matches in their Premier League history
Koeman also achieved this in the 14/15 season where Saints ended up 7th
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In the last four seasons Ward-Prowse has scored 12 freekicks in the Premier league
TWELVE
James Maddison has the most after him in that time.....with 6
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After their win against Norwich in Feb Southampton were 5 points off 7th and only 3 of their remaining fixtures were against teams above them
I'm not too worried about relegation but to not be mathematically safe with 3 games to go after that is concerning
#SaintsFC
Southampton league wins this season: 26
League wins in previous 3 seasons combined: 27
Yes it's a lower division and some results have been very frustrating
But it's been good to get that winning feeling back - and of course still a big chance of promotion
#Saintsfc
Danny Ings (17) has now scored the most goals for Southampton in a single season since Jay Rodriguez in 2013/14 (17)
1 more and it will be the most in a single season since Saints returned to the top flight
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The departure of Yoshida means that Ward-Prowse is the only player left in the squad who made a Premier League appearance in Southampton’s return to the top flight in 2012-13
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Really enjoyed commentating on Southampton vs Leipzig
Despite the defeat plenty of positives to take
Great save from Bazunu (wonder how many times we will hear that)
Hope it was an OK listen and will be back on Monday for Klagenfurt
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Was doing research ahead of a big game for Southampton tomorrow and here's a stat for you
Russell Martin has taken on West Brom 5 times as a manager and won all 5
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Don't want to go too far and I know it's been mentioned BUT
Vestergaard is currently showing so many similar qualities to that of VVD whilst he was at Saints
Dominant in the air, silky going forward and has a killer pass on him with either foot.
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Southampton 10 Premier League games into the season
11 points
2 wins
4 clean sheets
3 losses (currently only 5 other teams have less)
Out of ten
#saintsfc
fans?
Finally back in Southampton
What a day and what a match!
Thank everyone for the kind words, it was an incredible experience
Now to start prepping for Tuesday!
#saintsfc