The final game of 2024 is upon us and we bid a fond farewell to the year at Selhurst Park with Southampton as the visitors.
Ahead of the fixture, we had a chat with Allan from St Mary’s Musings to find out more about their horrid start to the campaign, the change in manager, the final game of the year for both sides, and much more.
TEB – Are you happy with the summer transfer business by Southampton? Were there any areas not strengthened that should have been?
SMM – Terrible again. It’s why we’re in the predicament we are again at the bottom of the table and facing another relegation out of the division. There are players in the side, but there’s been a lot of wasted money and gambles that haven’t paid off. This team has screamed out for a striker – though they don’t grow on trees – ever since Sport Republic took over, and they’ve failed at that task every window since. We still need a striker but based on their striker buying history – usually cheap and unproven – I don’t trust them to get it right in January.
That said, Matheus Fernandez looks a tidy player. Aaron Ramsdale has been a solid keeper, and we missed him when he was out with a broken finger. I’ve been surprised by the resurgence of Nathan Wood. After a terrible showing in the Carabao Cup back in August, he came back into the side in December and performed exceptionally.
So it’s not all been all doom and gloom, but you’d expect better recruitment knowing we can’t buy Championship level players and expect to be competitive.
TEB – Addressing the elephant in the room, Southampton haven’t had the best of starts this season. Are there any glaringly obvious reasons for it?
SMM – Russell Martin. A Championship-level heavy squad. Russell Martin. He wasn’t cut out for the Premier League and this team wasn’t ready to make the jump without any legitimate investment in Premier League level players. Couple that with Martin’s suicide ball and it was a recipe for disaster. While he gained promotion, we shipped over 60 goals in the Championship under him. Against the best league in the world, this was always going to be the result.
TEB – Russell Martin was relieved of his duties earlier this month and was replaced with former Roma boss Ivan Jurić. What are your thoughts on both decisions?
SMM – Martin should have been sacked months ago (after Leicester) when it was clearly apparent he only cared about his philosophy and wouldn’t change or adjust his playing style to give us a fighting chance. The results showed and he became combative for no reason other than to protect himself. Ivan Juric has been a revelation, and our defending already looks miles better. There is no fear of going a match without a shot on target, now it’s just about finding goals from somewhere. We’ve yet to score with him in charge, but the chances we’ve created are much better and more consistent. This side is begging for a goal scorer.
It’s just nice having that feeling back going into a match like we could actually take something from it. If you looked at the line ups opponents were trotting out against us this year, no one was taking us seriously with Martin at the helm.
TEB – This might be a tad early in the reign of Jurić but what can Palace expect to face in terms of style when the two sides meet?
SMM – Super stout defensively and a nice high press. Juric has reintroduced that high work rate that was seen in the best Southampton sides, under the likes of Ralph Hasenhuttl. He also loves a cross pumped into the box and with Paul Onuachu leading the line, he just needs to see one hit the back of the net. The big thing is, Juric likes to get the ball forward. Gone is that slow build-up and possession-based style that didn’t amount to much.
TEB – Your opinions on the much-debated VAR?
SMM – Can’t wait to be back in the Championship without VAR. It’s cost us a few decisions and points this season, and while it’s fun to blame VAR for that, we just shouldn’t put ourselves in that position to have our season decided by it.
TEB – If you could sign one current Palace player, who would it be and why?
SMM – I feel we’ve finally sorted our defence out now that they don’t have to faff about the back and play suicidal passes, but adding Marc Guehi to our backline would be amazing. He’s a solid defender who provides a lot of calmness and stability to any defence, including yours and for England. It’s a shame he’s suspended for tomorrow, but that may help our fortunes.
TEB – Favourite away day in the Premier League?
SMM – To be honest, Palace is a great away day. Selhurst Park is a proper ground, and the atmosphere is always great. There’s something authentic about it that you don’t get from visiting modern stadiums.
TEB – Expectations for the game against Palace including final score?
SMM – I’m expecting a defensive battle where one or two chances if taken will be the difference. Judging by our first two matches under Juric, it has 1-0 written all over it. This is where Saints find their footing and the great escape begins. 1-0 Southampton.
