I write this after the big game at St Mary’s against our bitter rivals Portsmouth. The build up to this match started in May when we knew we would be pitted against each other. On it went to the fixture list being released and every true fan on the South Coast clocked 14th September 2025 as the biggest day in our football calendar. With the game on a Sunday, even the weekend gave time for excitement and anticipation. With St Mary’s full and both sets of supporters at fever pitch the stage was set for another classic. And then the game kicked off.
Was it nerves, lack of hunger or weight of expectations? Saints came out and cowed into a corner as Portsmouth suddenly looked like the top team. In the first half the biggest penetration into their half came from a pitch invader! Archer and Azaz put on their cloaks of invisibility and Saints midfield looked over run. Downes and Charles were not getting a grip of midfield and for whatever reason we relied on smashing the ball down the field so that Archer could fail to hold the ball up. I am not convinced Downes is the answer to our midfield and hope that Jander may make that position his own.
I desperately want Will Still to excel and be the Manager we want him to be but we seem to be more cloggy and long balls and I struggle to see what is the new “Southampton Way”. Arguably we had a great transfer window and only Azaz, Fellows and Roerslev started from our influx. Mixed reviews were forthcoming on Azaz. I thought he went missing and contributed little and yet others were convinced he looked great. Fellows ran about a bit and had more step overs than a hallway of Lego. Roerslav looks solid but when Ryan Manning looks the better player, you have to question life. In fact, for all the selling and spending Ryan Fraser took my MOTM! At least he tried.
The second half improved but it remained the most unpassionate derby in my memory. It took until about 70 mins for anyone to have a shot on target. Apart from Pompey hitting the bar I reckon it could have been played for 3 weeks and still have been goalless. Saints fans sang their hearts out and were not drowned out by the condensed away fans, which makes a change. If fan passion was recreated by the players this would have been a humdinger.
So after the game it was utter boredom, frustration and if anything, bragging rights now go down the M27 to our 6 toed neighbours. If Will Still wants us to be dynamic and attacking then he has a weird way of showing it. The plus side is we get another go at them in January when the intimidating Fratton Park will invite us in. I hate being that disappointed by a performance but gutless, one-dimensional and hoof it football was not on my list of things to watch today. If players can’t get up for Pompey then what will happen away at Hull next week?
He should have started with his tried and tested and not a lot of newbies. Ref was a bit off at times.
I thought Murphy of Portsmouth was probably one of the better players. As for our lot someone needs to introduce them to each other quickly or we are in big trouble