Welcome to Episode 348 of the Total Saints Podcast – your home for all things Southampton Football Club!

In the final game before Christmas, Saints were held to a 1–1 draw at St Mary’s by league leaders Coventry City — a result that felt both fair and frustrating.

Despite playing over 45 minutes against ten men after an early second-half red card, Saints couldn’t find a winner. We break down where it went wrong, whether it was a missed opportunity, and what it tells us about this side under Tonda Eckert.

We also look ahead to Boxing Day, as Saints travel north to face Oxford United — a struggling side in the bottom three, but one capable of causing problems on their own patch.

Martin Starke is joined this week by Steve Grant (SaintsWeb), Glen de la Cour (League One Minus 10), and George Rees-Julian (Daily Echo).

COVENTRY CITY REVIEW

• Another soft goal conceded from a cross — and familiar defensive issues

• Coventry reduced to ten men early in the second half

• Nathan Wood scores his first Saints goal to level the game

• Over 45 minutes against ten men — why couldn’t Saints force a winner?

• Tactical questions around shape, substitutions, and attacking intent

• Gavin Bazunu going up for a late corner… then playing it short

• Post-match flashpoints and Frank Lampard losing his cool

• Five unbeaten under Eckert — but the first home game not won since his arrival

LIVE PODCAST ANNOUNCEMENT

We’re delighted to announce that Total Saints Podcast will be going live at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, in partnership with the Saints Foundation.

It’ll be a live audience, special guests (to be revealed), and a genuinely unique night for Saints fans. Capacity will be limited, with Patreon members getting first access to tickets.

More details coming soon — but get the date in the diary.

OXFORD UNITED PREVIEW

• Boxing Day trip to the Kassam Stadium

• Oxford winless in four and sitting in the bottom three

• Capable at home despite struggles

• Team selection questions ahead of a packed festive schedule

• Saints need three points to maintain momentum

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Our next episode is live on Sunday 28th December at 7pm — Oxford review and Birmingham preview.

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