Share
Total Saints Podcast
Episode 383 - Total Saints Podcast
•
The summer break did not last long.
On Episode 383 of the Total Saints Podcast, Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to react to another extraordinary week at Southampton Football Club.
The week began with the written reasons from the League Arbitration Panel, including further details around the WhatsApp messages, the pressure placed on junior members of staff and the panel’s view of how the situation unfolded. Saints then released their own statement, followed by video messages from Dragan Solak and Tonda Eckert.
With nobody losing their job and Dragan making it clear that Tonda has his backing, the panel discuss whether Saints have opted for pragmatism and continuity rather than a full reset. Is this now a siege mentality moment? Has the club decided that the best way through the chaos is to stick together, move on and focus everything on promotion?
There is also a wider look at the fan reaction, which has been far from straightforward. Some supporters remain angry about the damage done to the club’s reputation, while others are already turning their attention to next season and the importance of getting back to the Premier League. The panel ask whether results will ultimately decide how quickly this fades, and whether a strong start to the season could change the mood very quickly.
The FA investigation is also still hanging over the club. Tonda may have Dragan’s support, but if further punishment follows, Saints could yet find themselves dealing with another major twist before the new season begins.
Elsewhere, the panel look ahead to what business as usual might actually mean. With season ticket information, the retained list, contract decisions and summer recruitment still to come, there are plenty of questions about how Saints now rebuild and whether Dragan’s promise of an exciting team will be matched by action in the transfer market.
There is also discussion on Saints Women, with Aimee Palmer, Tara Bourne and Atlanta Primus among the confirmed summer departures, raising further questions about another rebuild and the challenge of pushing for promotion next season.
Plus, there’s a look ahead to Ryan Garner’s huge world title fight at St Mary’s, updates on the TSP World Cup sweepstake for Patreon members, and a thank you to the supporters after more than 100 end-of-season merch packages were sent out over the weekend.
More episodes
View all episodes
Southampton 1-4 West Ham, Ward-Prowse Return? & Millwall Preview | TSP 388
01:04:41|Alarm bells are ringing after Southampton suffered a dismal 4-1 Carabao Cup defeat to a heavily rotated West Ham side at St Mary’s.Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to examine one of the worst performances of the Tonda Eckert era. The panel discusses the worrying lack of intensity, whether the Saints squad looks fit enough and which players emerged from a difficult night with any credit.Attention then turns to the final days of the transfer window. Southampton are closing in on experienced Augsburg defender Keven Schlotterbeck, while reports of a possible return for James Ward-Prowse emerge during the podcast. Would bringing the former Saints captain home make sense, and how much business does the club still need to complete?Finally, Alex Grace from That Millwall Podcast joins the show to preview Saturday’s meeting with the early league leaders. After the West Ham humiliation, can Saints produce the response supporters need to see?Become a Total SaintTSP is proudly supported by our Patreon community of more than 600 Saints fans. Members can join our WhatsApp community, enter the TSP Prediction League and help us continue producing the podcast.Get 25% off your first month or year with the code TSP25 before 2 September:https://www.patreon.com/c/TotalSaintsPodcastListen and watchWebsite: https://totalsaints.co.uk/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TotalSaintsPodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/total-saints-podcast/id1268769885Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0XuhNXfPeGaLizP7Zb8aJEFollow Total Saints PodcastX: https://x.com/TotalSaintsPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalsaintspod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TotalSaintsPod/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@totalsaintspodBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/totalsaintspod.bsky.socialSupport TSPPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TotalSaintsPodcastTSP Shop: https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk/Contact the podcast: hello@totalsaints.co.ukSouthampton 3-1 Stoke, But Is Harwood-Bellis Off to Villa? | TSP 387
01:02:09|Southampton recorded their first Championship win of the season after two late goals secured a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at St Mary’s. Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Daily Echo reporter Dan Hargraves to discuss a result that looked more comfortable than the performance, Cyle Larin’s third goal in three games, Flynn Downes’ Player of the Week display and the impact made by Divin Mubama, Lewis Dobbin and Sam Edozie from the bench.The panel also considers the future of Taylor Harwood-Bellis after the defender was left out amid interest from Aston Villa. With no deal agreed, what would represent an acceptable offer, how urgently would Southampton need to replace him and has the squad become weaker during the transfer window?Russ from the West Ham Network joins the podcast to preview Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at St Mary’s. We hear the view from inside an unhappy West Ham fanbase, assess how both teams could approach the competition and discuss the ticket prices for a game likely to feature significant rotation.Elsewhere, Flynn Downes wins the first combined TSP Player of the Week vote, the team reflects on the unusual rock-paper-scissors debate before Ryan Manning’s penalty, and Martin shares details of Saints Foundation’s 15,000ft Big Saints Skydive.Become a Total Saint at https://www.patreon.com/c/TotalSaintsPodcast and get 25% off your first month or year with the code TSP25 before September 2nd.Visit the TSP shop at https://shop.totalsaints.co.uk/ or find details of the Big Saints Skydive at https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/saints-foundation-big-saints-skydive.Watford 2-1 Southampton Reaction, Stoke Preview & Transfer Latest | TSP 386
01:02:15|Southampton’s Championship campaign gets off to the worst possible start as Saints suffer a self-inflicted 2-1 defeat away at Watford.Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Daily Echo Southampton reporter Dan Hargraves to pick through a frustrating afternoon at Vicarage Road. The panel discuss the mistakes which handed Watford their goals, Jack Stephens’ difficult afternoon, Tonda Eckert’s tactical set-up, Southampton’s continued slow starts and why Fin Azaz’s introduction made such a difference.There’s also a look at the squad following Shea Charles’ departure, with midfield reinforcements now firmly on the agenda, while the panel debate whether Saints also need another centre-back.Attention then turns to the first Championship game of the season at St Mary’s. Stoke City fan Robin Evans joins the podcast to preview Saturday’s meeting, reflect on Stoke’s own opening-day defeat and give his verdict on new Saints striker Divin Mubama following his loan spell with the Potters last season.Plus, there’s the latest transfer discussion after Southampton rejected Benfica’s offer for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, while Aaron Ramsdale’s appearance for the U21s raises further questions about where the goalkeeper will be playing once the transfer window closes.Finally, we make our Southampton vs Stoke predictions and check in on the TSP Prediction League after 161 entries for the opening weekend.TSP is powered by our community of Total Saints on Patreon. Join for free or become a paid member to access more of the community, including our WhatsApp groups and Prediction League. Throughout August, new paid members can get 25% off their first month or year with code TSP25.patreon.com/TotalSaintsPodcastShea Charles to Fulham, Colchester Reaction & Watford Preview | TSP 385
01:11:02|Shea Charles looks set to leave Southampton for Fulham in a deal worth up to £30m. Is it good business for Saints — and, with the Championship season about to begin, how big a hole does his departure leave in Tonda Eckert’s squad?Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant and Glen de la Cour to discuss the latest transfer news before looking back at Saints’ 2-0 Carabao Cup victory at Colchester United. There’s plenty to discuss from the game, including Cyle Larin’s return, Finn Azaz’s impact, another impressive performance from Cam Bragg and a brilliant late finish from Romeo Akachukwu.Attention then turns to the Championship opener at Watford. Peter from the Watford podcast Do Not Scratch Your Eyes joins the show to give us the view from Vicarage Road, discuss their new manager and squad, and help us preview Sunday’s game.Plus, we discuss reports linking Saints with Manchester City striker Divin Mubama, Jay Robinson’s loan move and the new Southampton away kit.❤️ Support Total Saints Podcast on Patreon and get 25% off your first month or year with code TSP25 until the end of August: https://www.patreon.com/c/TotalSaintsPodcast🌐 https://totalsaints.co.uk/ 📱 @TotalSaintsPodTonda Eckert’s Fate, Pre-Season Verdict & Saints Are BACK! | TSP 384
01:06:33|Season 10 of Total Saints Podcast is underway!Saints are back in action and there’s plenty to discuss ahead of the first competitive game of the new season.At the time of recording, Southampton are still waiting to discover what punishment Tonda Eckert will receive after he and the club accepted charges relating to last season’s ‘Spygate’ controversy. With a potential touchline ban hanging over the Saints boss, the panel discuss what punishment might be coming, how long a ban would have to be before the club considered its options and how well Saints have handled a difficult summer.Steve is also fresh back from Germany as we review Southampton’s pre-season preparations. Lewis Dobbin has certainly made an impression, but what does his form mean for Finn Azaz? We also discuss the striker situation, whether there could yet be a route back for Ross Stewart, Cameron Archer’s future and which big names could still leave before the transfer window closes.Then attention turns to the first competitive fixture of 2026/27, with Saints travelling to Colchester United in the Carabao Cup First Round on Saturday. How strong will Tonda go, could Cyle Larin feature and what can the game tell us about his preferred XI ahead of the Championship campaign?Finally, we remember Southampton and England legend Kevin Keegan following his passing, and reflect on just how extraordinary his arrival at The Dell was.Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Tom Prentki for TSP 384.Also in this episode: our Patreon sale is now live! New members can get 25% off their first month or first year using code TSP25. We’re aiming to grow the TSP community to 750 members before Christmas, so if you’ve been thinking about joining us for the new season, now’s a great time.https://www.patreon.com/c/TotalSaintsPodcastWorld Cup Special 1 - Total Saints Podcast
01:14:53|The Total Saints Podcast returns with a special World Cup episode as Glen de la Cour is joined by Steve Grant and Alfie House. Before turning their attention to England, the panel catches up on the latest developments at Southampton, including Ross Stewart’s departure, the released list, James Bree’s new three-year contract and the opening run of Championship fixtures. They also discuss the uncertainty surrounding Tonda Eckert, Saints’ new home shirt, record season-ticket sales and the disappointing reduction in funding for the club’s women’s team and academy.Attention then turns to England’s World Cup campaign. Steve reflects on following the team across North America and being inside the Azteca for the extraordinary 3–2 victory over Mexico, while the panel assesses England’s performances against Croatia, Ghana, Panama and DR Congo. They debate whether the Mexico win has shown that Thomas Tuchel’s team can win the tournament and look ahead to a quarter-final against Erling Haaland’s Norway.There is also discussion of France, Argentina and the remaining contenders, alongside the wider controversies surrounding the tournament. The panel takes aim at FIFA, the expanded 48-team format, hydration breaks, questionable officiating, contrived countdowns and manufactured fan culture, before picking out the teams, pundits and moments they have most enjoyed so farEpisode 382 - Total Saints Podcast
53:29|It’s the final Total Saints Podcast of the season, and unfortunately, there is still only one place to start: the fallout from Southampton’s failed Spygate appeal.Martin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and George Rees-Julian to look back on another extraordinary few days at Saints, following the dismissal of the club’s appeal against the EFL sanctions and the publication of the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s written reasons. The panel discuss the seriousness of the findings, the pressure placed on junior members of staff, the club’s handling of the situation, the ongoing FA investigation and the deafening silence from those in positions of leadership.There is also a lengthy discussion about Tonda Eckert’s future, whether there is any realistic way back for him, and what Southampton now need to do to begin repairing the damage done to supporters, players, staff, commercial partners and the wider reputation of the club.Attention then turns to the summer ahead. With Saints now preparing for another season in the Championship, the panel look at which players are likely to stay or go, the uncertainty around Daniel Peretz, Aaron Ramsdale and the goalkeeper position, the sellable assets in midfield, and the decisions facing the club over players such as James Bree and Ross Stewart.The team also reflect briefly on Hull City’s play-off final win over Middlesbrough, the likely needle when Saints and Boro meet again next season, and what the result said about the play-offs Saints were removed from.There is also time for the final TSP admin of the season, including the Prediction League winners, the signed Atlanta Primus shirt giveaway, Patreon-exclusive merch updates, thanks to our sponsors Steam Town Brewery and Paul Castle Associates, and a farewell to George Rees-Julian as he makes his final TSP appearance before leaving The Echo.Southampton Expelled From Play-Off Final - Total Saints Podcast
27:05|This emergency edition of the Total Saints Podcast reacts to the breaking news that Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying breaches involving three clubs during the season.Martin Starke is joined by Glen de la Cour, Martin Sanders and Alfie House from the Daily Echo to break down what we know so far, including the EFL statement, Saints’ appeal, the additional breaches involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, and the four-point deduction handed to the club for next season.The panel discuss whether the punishment is disproportionate, why the situation has left so many supporters feeling angry and embarrassed, and what the consequences could be for those involved behind the scenes.There is also a wider look at the damage done to the fanbase, the chaos around Wembley tickets, the impact on players who may now question their futures, and whether Sport Republic can ever properly rebuild trust with Southampton supporters.It is one of the most extraordinary and damaging nights in recent Southampton history — and this episode captures the immediate reaction as Saints fans try to make sense of it all.