You can still donate to our Benali on Tour fundraiser for Saints Foundation here — every contribution makes a difference: https://saintsfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/total-saints-podcast-x-daily-echo

Southampton are officially heading into the play-offs — and with a win behind them.

On Episode 378 of the Total Saints Podcast, Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour, Alfie House and, briefly, Producer Alex Graham to look back on a huge weekend for the club and the podcast team.

Before the football, the panel reflect on Benali on Tour, after Martin, Alfie and Alex took part in the gruelling 10 Lake District Peaks challenge in aid of Saints Foundation. It proved to be one of the toughest physical challenges any of them had ever faced, but thanks to the generosity of the TSP community, more than £3,000 has been raised so far, with the wider fundraising total heading towards £50,000. There’s also praise for Franny Benali, Iain Dowie, the Saints Foundation team and the many supporters who made the weekend so memorable.

The focus then turns to Saints’ 3-1 win away at Preston North End. With fourth place on the line, Tonda Eckert made a few changes, resting James Bree and Finn Azaz, while Shea Charles and Cameron Archer were used in slightly different roles. The panel discuss the overall performance, goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ross Stewart and Kyle Larin, Daniel Peretz’s mistake, Tom Fellows’ lively display, and why Caspar Jander continues to look like one of Saints’ key players heading into the final stretch of the season.

There’s also a discussion around Player of the Week, the atmosphere at Deepdale, the impressive away following, and the strange sight of an inflatable object making its way around the away end.

Attention then turns to the play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough. Saints were beaten 4-0 at the Riverside earlier in the season, but the panel discuss why this version of Southampton looks very different now. With Flynn Downes available again, Jack Stephens working back towards fitness, and selection questions around Matsuki, Tom Fellows, Cyle Larin and Ross Stewart, there are big decisions ahead before Saturday’s first leg.

The team also discuss the importance of finishing fourth, the psychological benefit of having the second leg at St Mary’s, the dangers of complacency, Middlesbrough’s recent form, and just how much promotion could shape the future of the squad.

To finish, there’s a quick word on the Southampton FC Women’s team, who ended their WSL2 campaign with a strong win and a fifth-place finish, plus a reminder to catch TSP’s recent interview with Marieanne Spacey-Cale.

We’ll be back next Sunday at 7pm to react to the first leg and look ahead to the decisive return fixture at St Mary’s.

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