Episode 379 - Total Saints Podcast

Welcome to Episode 379 of the Total Saints Podcast, your home for all things Southampton Football Club.

Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to look back on a dramatic few days for Saints, both on and off the pitch.

This week, the panel begins with the story nobody expected to be discussing: Spygate. Middlesbrough accused Southampton of spying on a training session at their Rockliffe Park base, before the EFL confirmed that Saints had been charged with breaches of its regulations. The panel discuss what is currently known, how Saints may respond, whether the club are likely to contest the charge, and what kind of punishment could follow.

Then it’s on to the play-off semi-final itself, as Saints somehow left the Riverside with a 0-0 draw after a brutal first half against Middlesbrough. Boro dominated the opening 45 minutes, registering 17 shots while Saints failed to have one of their own, but Southampton stood firm thanks to some huge defensive moments from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, James Bree and Daniel Peretz.

The second half brought a much-improved Saints performance, helped by the introduction of Ross Stewart and Shea Charles. The panel discuss why the first half went so badly, whether Flynn Downes’ return helped or hindered the balance, the struggles of Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz, and whether Kim Hellberg’s side may have already played their best football of the tie.

There is also a look ahead to Tuesday night at St Mary’s, where Saints will need one more big performance to keep the unbeaten league run going and book a place at Wembley. The panel give their score predictions and discuss the importance of the atmosphere, the coach arrival, and turning the fallout from the week into a proper siege mentality.

Plus, there is a reminder for patrons in the Bobby Stokes, James Beattie, Francis Benali and Mick Channon tiers to complete the Patreon merch form by May 20th so the end-of-season exclusive merch packages can be prepared.

We’ll be back on Wednesday night at 7pm to react to the second leg.

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