Total Saints Podcast

Saints are heading back to Wembley.Episode 380 of the Total Saints Podcast looks back on a tense, dramatic and ultimately unforgettable night at St Mary’s, as Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time to book their place in the Championship play-off final against Hull City.Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to reflect on the key moments from the semi-final second leg, including Ross Stewart’s crucial equaliser before half-time, Shea Charles’ late cross-shot winner, and the scenes in the Northam End when the ball finally found its way into the net.The panel discuss Saints’ slow start, the tactical shape, Flynn Downes being left out of the starting XI, and the impact he made from the bench. There’s also praise for the team’s fitness and resilience, with Middlesbrough visibly tiring as the tie went deeper into extra time.There’s plenty to unpack from a fiery evening too, including the Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Luke Ayling incident, the ball boy controversy, Andy Madley’s refereeing performance, and several penalty claims that could easily have changed the direction of the game.The conversation also turns to the ongoing spying controversy between Southampton and Middlesbrough. With more reporting emerging, including the Daily Mail photo published this week, the panel discuss the possible implications, the way the story has been covered, and the uncomfortable uncertainty it has left hanging over what should be a week of pure excitement for Saints supporters.There’s also a quick look at the Prediction League, with 78 entries, 68 backing a Saints win and 23 correctly calling the 2-1 scoreline.We’ll be back on Sunday night at 7pm for a special pre-Wembley podcast ahead of the Championship play-off final against Hull City. Que sera, sera…

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.

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-echoSouthampton 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.

The automatic promotion dream is over — but the play-offs are officially confirmed.In Episode 377 of the Total Saints Podcast, Martin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and George Rees-Julian to look back on a dramatic 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town at St Mary’s. A result that did little for either side, but gave us plenty to discuss: another draining night, a chaotic second half, Ryan Manning’s free-kick, Cyle Larin’s late goal, Jack Clarke’s impact off the bench and another outstanding save from Anatoliy Trubin/Peretz late on. The panel also debates whether Larin has now become the first-choice striker for the biggest games, whether the midfield balance was right, and how much the recent run of eight games in 24 days has finally started to show.  With Saints now 18 league games unbeaten but unable to reach the automatic places, attention turns fully to the play-offs. The panel discusses the importance of finishing third or fourth, who Saints might want to avoid, and whether there is much difference between Middlesbrough, Millwall, Wrexham, Hull or Derby as potential opponents. There’s also a look ahead to the final game of the regular season, as Saints travel to Preston North End with thousands of supporters heading north and a possible home second leg still to play for.  There’s also an update on Benali on Tour, with Franny Benali, Martin, Alex, Alfie and a group of Saints fans taking on a 14.5-mile challenge across 10 Lake District summits in aid of Saints Foundation — with the TSP team closing in on 100 sponsors before the weekend.  https://saintsfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/total-saints-podcast-x-daily-echo

Southampton’s FA Cup run came to an end at Wembley, but Episode 376 of the Total Saints Podcast looks back on a performance full of pride, fight and genuine belief against Manchester City.Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to reflect on the 2-1 semi-final defeat, the incredible Finn Azaz moment, the limbs in the Saints end, and the frustration of seeing City turn the game around so quickly after Southampton had briefly dared to dream.The panel discuss the defensive effort, the atmosphere at Wembley, standout performances from Caspar Jander, Cam Bragg, Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, plus the impact of missing key players including Flynn Downs, Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens.There’s also a look at whether this result can galvanise Saints for the final push of the Championship season, with Ipswich Town heading to St Mary’s for a huge rearranged fixture in the race for second place.The team preview Tuesday night’s game, discuss Ipswich’s recent form, the automatic promotion picture, Saints’ team selection, score predictions, and what needs to happen for the final day at Preston to still have something riding on it.Plus, there’s a nod to the Southampton Women interview with Marieanne Spacey-Cale, the U21s’ penalty shootout defeat to Aston Villa, and plenty of appreciation for the Saints fans — and TSP merch — seen at Wembley.

Welcome to a special episode of the Total Saints Podcast.Martin Starke and Glen de la Cour are joined by Southampton FC’s Marieanne Spacey-Cale for an in-depth conversation about the women’s team, the progress made this season, and the club’s ambitions going forward.Marieanne reflects on a competitive WSL2 campaign, the growth shown by a young squad, and the identity Southampton Women are trying to build under Simon Parker. She also discusses the importance of developing homegrown players, what the academy looks for in young talent, and what success would look like over the next 12 months.The conversation also covers supporter growth, attendances, the future of the women’s game, and a range of questions from the TSP Patreon community.A big thank you to Marieanne for joining us.

Welcome to Episode 375 of the Total Saints Podcast!This week, Martin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to look back on Southampton’s 2-2 draw with Bristol City — a result that may have dented hopes of automatic promotion, but did little to erase the momentum and resilience built during a remarkable unbeaten run.The panel reflect on a frustrating night at St Mary’s, where Saints never quite found their rhythm, conceded two poor goals, and were second best for long spells, but still showed the spirit to come from behind twice. There’s discussion around the tactical setup, the impact of Jack Stephens dropping out in the warm-up, some below-par individual performances, and whether the Bristol City game simply came one match too far in a relentless run.Attention then turns to Wembley, with Southampton preparing for an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. The team discuss whether it’s a free hit, what sort of side Tom may pick, whether Saints can realistically lay a glove on City, and why the occasion itself still matters regardless of the result.There’s also chat on the extra ticket allocation, the expected sea of yellow at Wembley, Championship clubs rejecting a version of VAR for next season, and Leicester’s spectacular collapse into League One.Plus, a big thank you to everyone who’s backed the TSP Shop ahead of Wembley, and a quick mention of the upcoming Marieanne Spacey-Cale interview coming soon on the channel and podcast feed. 

Episode 374 of the Total Saints Podcast looks back on Southampton’s dramatic late victory at Swansea, where Saints came from behind and still found a way to take all three points thanks to a huge late finish from Cameron Archer. It was not the most polished Southampton performance of the run, but perhaps one of the most important, with Saints showing the kind of character, resilience and squad depth that can define a promotion push.The panel discuss the balance between control and chaos in this game, whether Downes was fortunate to stay on, and how much the second-half changes shifted the momentum. There is praise too for the impact of Shea Charles and Archer from the bench, plus a wider look at what the latest results mean in the race for automatic promotion.With Bristol City up next at St Mary’s and Wembley also on the horizon, the run-in is starting to feel very real indeed.

Saints are off to Wembley in yellow — and you can be too.Use code YELLOWS for 10% off the ‘Yellows!’ Collection until 25th April.Shop here: https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk/collections/yellowsWe're doing Benali on Tour, please sponsor us if you can! https://saintsfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/total-saints-podcast-x-daily-echoAnother week, another win — and suddenly the table is starting to look very interesting indeed.In Episode 373 of the Total Saints Podcast, Neil Crespin steps in for Martin and is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to reflect on Southampton’s 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at St Mary’s. Saints barely had to get out of second gear at times, but still got the job done comfortably, with Cyle Larin, Ryan Manning and Cameron Archer on the scoresheet as the unbeaten run stretched to 18 matches in all competitions.The panel discuss a performance built on control, pressing and squad depth, and ask whether Cameron Archer’s best display in a Saints shirt could yet give him an important role to play in the final weeks of the season. There’s also discussion around rotation, game management, and whether Southampton are now handling this stage of the campaign like a team that knows exactly what it’s doing.And then there’s the wider picture. With Ipswich slipping up, Saints are now just three points off the automatic promotion places. So has the conversation changed? Is this now a genuine charge for the top two rather than simply protecting a play-off place?The episode also looks ahead to Saturday’s trip to Swansea, with score predictions, selection talk, and a sense that momentum is building at exactly the right time.We also share a quick update on the Yellows collection in the TSP Shop, plus the latest on Benali on Tour, which has now gone beyond its fundraising target for Saints Foundation.