Total Saints Podcast

The January transfer window is about to slam shut — and Saints look set for at least one major late twist.

In Episode 357, Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant (SaintsWeb), Glen de la Cour (League1Minus10) and Alfie House (Daily Echo) to break down a busy final 24 hours of the window, assess a hugely encouraging away win at Stoke, and look ahead to a massive opportunity against managerless Watford at St Mary’s.

On the agenda this week:

• Adam Armstrong’s potential move to Wolves — and what it means for Saints
• Cameron Archer, Joe Aribo, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and late-window rumours
• The gamble on a new striker and the pressure on Johannes Spors
• A textbook 2–0 away win at Stoke — best XI, standout performances and defensive solidity
• Flynn Downes back to his best, Jack Stephens’ resurgence, and Finn Azaz clicking
• How Saints should have had multiple penalties at the bet365 Stadium
• Seven points from the last three games — momentum building at last?
• Can Saints still close a seven-point gap to the play-offs?
• Watford preview: managerial chaos, suspensions, form, and a golden chance at home
• Player of the Week, Predictions League, and Saints Women’s update

Plus, details of our post-match ‘pub-cast’ meet-up at The Guide Dog after the Watford game 🍺

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Honours even once again in the South Coast Derby, as Saints and Pompey play out a fiery 1–1 draw at Fratton Park.

This week, the panel break down a bruising derby that had chances, controversy, set-piece frustration and another big away following. We discuss Saints’ game management, missed opportunities, and whether a point was fair in the end – plus the moments that swung the momentum.

There’s also a look ahead to a lunchtime trip to Stoke City, with Saints facing yet another side dealing with an injury crisis, and the panel debating whether this is finally a game Saints have to win.

On this episode:

• Saints held to a 1–1 draw in the second South Coast Derby of the season
• Adam Armstrong’s missed chances and Saints’ attacking struggles
• Set-pieces continue to cost Saints points
• Matsuki’s surprise start and James Bree’s return to the XI
• Flynn Downes’ flashpoint and a chaotic derby atmosphere
• Player of the Week nominations
• Stoke City preview and score predictions
• Predictions League update and Patreon shout-outs

🎙️ With:

Martin Starke, Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour & Alfie House

📺 Watch on YouTube

🎧 Listen on podcast platforms

💬 Join the Predictions League via Patreon

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TSP 355 – Live at St Mary’s Stadium

The Total Saints Podcast heads to St Mary’s for a special live show, recorded in front of a packed Halo Lounge in support of the Saints Foundation.

We break down a gritty but vital 1–0 win over Sheffield United, before previewing the South Coast Derby with Saints legends James Beattie and Mark Dennis, who bring stories, insight and plenty of edge ahead of Sunday’s showdown at Fratton Park.

The evening also features audience questions and a powerful segment with the Saints Foundation, highlighting the real difference being made across the city.

Featuring:

• Sheffield United reaction
• Pompey preview with Beattie & Dennis
• Audience Q&A
• Saints Foundation Impact Campaign

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Come to our live show at St Mary's! featuring James Beattie and Mark Dennis

Tickets here: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/TotalSaintsPodcastxSaintsFoundationLiveEvent

Seven without a win. Same problems. Same questions.

Saints’ miserable run continues as Hull City complete the double at St Mary’s, leaving Southampton without a win in seven Championship matches and drifting uncomfortably toward trouble.

In this episode of the Total Saints Podcast, the panel reflect on another deeply frustrating afternoon — defensive frailty, questionable selection calls, and a performance that felt painfully familiar.

We discuss:

• Why five at the back keeps failing — yet keeps returning
• Soft goals, poor defending from set pieces, and a lack of conviction in attack
• Whether sticking with the same XI after Middlesbrough showed worrying acceptance
• Why Tom Fellows coming off made little sense — especially with Ross Stewart on the pitch
• Tonda Eckert’s post-match “home truths” and growing fan anger
• If change at manager level would actually fix anything — or if deeper issues remain

There was at least one positive: Ross Stewart’s goal and presence up front, offering a glimpse of what Saints have been missing.

Looking ahead, we preview Wednesday night’s clash with Sheffield United, joined by Blades fan Chad Jarvis from the Red Half of Sheffield podcast. With both sides struggling, is this a chance for Saints to steady themselves — or another nerve-shredder waiting to happen?

We also share details on our live podcast at St Mary’s, raising funds for the Saints Foundation, with special guests James Beattie and Mark Dennis.

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Welcome to Episode 353 of the Total Saints Podcast - Your home for all things Southampton FC!

Saints are through to the FA Cup fourth round — but once again, it wasn’t without drama.

We react to a chaotic 3–2 win away at Doncaster Rovers, another alarming second-half collapse, and more questions about Saints’ defensive structure, game management, and decision-making.

We also pay tribute to lifelong Saints fan and TSP sponsor Paul Castle, with a moving reflection on his support for the club, the podcast, and the wider Saints community.

It’s then back to Championship action, as Hull City come to St Mary’s at the start of a huge three-game week. We’re joined by Ant Northgraves from the To Hull and Back podcast to preview the game, assess Hull’s playoff push, injuries, January business, and what Saints should expect on Saturday.

Plus:

• Daniel Peretz’s mixed debut
• Oriol Romeu’s puzzling absence
• Cam Bragg’s continued rise
• The £120 FA Cup shirt debate
• Ronnie Edwards’ move to QPR
• Saints Women’s 4–0 win over Pompey

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Welcome to Episode 352 of the Total Saints Podcast - your home for all things Southampton FC!

A miserable end to the festive fixtures as Saints are thrashed 4–0 away at Middlesbrough — a side that hadn’t scored in over seven hours of football.

The panel react to a shambolic second-half collapse, question Tonda Eckert’s system, substitutions and post-match comments, and ask how much longer the current approach can survive.

With the league season drifting, attention turns to the FA Cup third round at Doncaster Rovers and whether it now represents Saints’ best chance of momentum — or even meaning — this season.

We also reflect on four years of Sport Republic ownership, the endless churn of managers and recruitment leads, and what the future may hold if promotion isn’t achieved.

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TotalSaintsPodcast

Merch: https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk

Socials: @TotalSaintsPod

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Hello and Happy New Year — welcome to Episode 351 of the Total Saints Podcast, your home for all things Southampton FC.

We start by thanking our incredible TSP Patron community, whose support makes the show possible every week.

The New Year began as the old one ended — with a damp squib.

Saints were held to a boring 0–0 draw at home to Millwall, a game low on quality and talking points.

We discuss:

• Five changes from the Birmingham draw and a reshuffled back three
• Whether celebrating a clean sheet at home shows how low expectations have fallen
• Cam Bragg’s first home start — and why he impressed
• Leo Scienza’s minutes being managed and what that says about Saints’ attacking threat
• Saints’ slow, predictable build-up and lack of cutting edge
• Gavin Bazunu’s big save — and whether it masks deeper issues

Is the mood starting to turn on the head coach already? Are Saints becoming too cautious for their own good?

Reports suggest Bayern Munich keeper Daniel Peretz could arrive on loan with a sizeable option to buy.

We debate:

• The risk vs reward of the move
• What it means for Bazunu and George Long
• Why recruitment — not the head coach — appears to be driving decisions

Next up is a trip north to face a Middlesbrough side who haven’t scored in four games.

We look at:

• Their recent dip after a strong start under new management
• Whether Saints return to their strongest XI
• How Saints should approach another physical Championship test

🎧 Plus all the usual fan debate, honest opinions, and Saints perspective you won’t get anywhere else.

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Welcome to Episode 350 of the Total Saints Podcast – your home for all things Southampton Football Club!

Saints headed to Birmingham City and came away with a frustrating draw. A poor first half set the tone and even an incredible save couldn't get The Saints back on track.

So what went wrong and what does it say about where Saints are right now?

Are the same old issues creeping back in?

Why does it still feel so hard to turn decent spells into goals?

Neil Crespin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour, and Alfie House to dissect the Birmingham performance, pick apart the tactical and psychological sticking points, and ask what Saints need to tighten up immediately.

We also look ahead to the next test: Millwall at home on New Year’s Day. Can The Saints start the new year with a win?

And because it’s Episode 350, we’re celebrating properly: a special quiz to mark the milestone, and a look back to 2017

We also confirm details of an exciting upcoming Total Saints Podcast Live Show at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday 22nd January 2026, in partnership with the Saints Foundation. Patreon members will receive first access to tickets, with more details coming very soon.

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TotalSaintsPodcast

Merch: https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk

Socials: @TotalSaintsPod

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Welcome to Episode 349 of the Total Saints Podcast – your home for all things Southampton Football Club!

Saturday brought another frustrating away day for Saints, as a depressingly familiar performance ended in a 2–1 defeat at Oxford United. Despite dominating possession, Saints once again lacked tempo, incision, and defensive control — conceding late to leave fans asking some uncomfortable questions.

Is the early new-manager bounce already fading?

Are Saints becoming too predictable again?

And has the January transfer window suddenly become even more important?

Neil Crespin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour, and Alfie House to pick apart what went wrong at Oxford, why Saints struggled to turn possession into threat, and whether this is a wobble to ride out — or a warning sign that deeper issues are resurfacing.

The panel also looks ahead to a quick return to action away at Birmingham, just weeks after Saints beat them at St Mary’s, with suspensions and injuries for Blues adding extra intrigue to Monday night’s clash.

We also confirm details of an exciting upcoming Total Saints Podcast Live Show at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday 22nd January 2026, in partnership with the Saints Foundation.

Patreon members will receive first access to tickets, with more details coming very soon.

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TotalSaintsPodcast

Merch: https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk

Socials: @TotalSaintsPod

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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

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TotalSaintsPodcast

Merch: https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk

Website & Prediction League: https://www.totalsaints.co.uk

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

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