Max Parry

Saints

[Lewis S @CaterhamWolf]

@chloewwfc122 @alex_crook @talkSPORT He is, he’s at a wedding according to his instagram, but he stepped out of the ceremony to give Alex Crook a call🤣

[The Hurlock Report @HurlockReport]

Saints Fans Once Again Mistake Nostalgia For Recruitment Strategy

Many #SaintsFC supporters have entered the annual phase of the football calendar in which they become convinced that re-signing former heroes is the answer to all of the club’s problems.

The phenomenon occurs every summer and is usually triggered by three pints of Madri, or a social media sighting of Danny Ings in the Winchester Tesco’s.

This year’s leading candidate is free-kick legend James Ward-Prowse, with supporters arguing that the former captain should be brought back to St Mary’s despite overwhelming historical evidence that bringing back old favourites doesn’t work.

Theo Walcott returned to universal excitement in 2020. Fans remembered the electric teenager who had burst onto the scene before disappearing to Arsenal.

Unfortunately, what came back was a pale shadow of the prodigy that left. Across two permanent seasons he scored one league goal, although many supporters insist they can still vividly remember all of them.

Adam Lallana’s return generated similar excitement. The club unveiled him like a conquering hero returning from battle.

Instead they largely got a barely qualified football coach who occasionally wandered onto the pitch before requiring several weeks of careful maintenance.

Saints fans Bob Holloway admitted: “I spent most of that season excited to see Adam Lallana warming up and then relieved when he sat back down again.”

Even the return of Oriol Romeu failed to ignite.

The original Romeu had been a midfield destroyer capable of collecting yellow cards in the same way an excited 8 year old collects Panini stickers.

His second spell was so low-key that some supporters remain uncertain whether it actually happened.

“I don’t remember a single crunching tackle, a single booking or a single opposition midfielder being launched into Row Z,” said season-ticket holder Martin Gedge. “At one point I started wondering whether we’d accidentally re-signed Stuart Ripley.”

Older supporters have seen this film before.

Back in 2004, Southampton brought back striker Kevin Davies. The memory of Davies had become almost mythical. Fans remembered the spectacular solo effort at Everton which remains one of the greatest goals ever scored by a Saint.

Unfortunately, the player who returned was not the same force of nature who had previously terrorised defenders. Like so many reunion tours, everyone discovered that hearing the greatest hits is more enjoyable than watching the comeback album.

Which brings us to Ward-Prowse.

Nobody disputes his legendary status.

The man dragged Southampton through several seasons almost single-handedly, usually by waiting for somebody to foul him within 35 yards of goal. Entire tactical plans consisted of “try to win a free kick and let James sort it out.”

His professionalism was impeccable. His durability extraordinary. His set-piece delivery often appeared to be governed by dark magic.

But supporters are once again asking the wrong question. The question is not whether James Ward-Prowse was brilliant.

The question is whether Southampton should sign the 2026 version of James Ward-Prowse if he had spent his entire career at Burnley and was called Nigel Corner-Kick.

Suddenly the debate becomes much less emotional. Football clubs succeed by finding the next hero, not endlessly attempting to recreate the last one.

The club has spent the last year trying to build a younger, more dynamic squad. Re-signing former heroes because supporters get misty-eyed watching old YouTube compilations is how clubs end up becoming retirement homes.

History suggests Southampton’s greatest former players are usually best appreciated exactly where they are: in the past.

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Enough.

[MikeKavs @SFCMikeKavs]

How far does this all go though? Do we somehow manage to keep *every* player from this season? Do we add to that and make the team even *stronger*? Is the kit *really* the leaked one that looks absolutely incredible?

I am well and truly reinvested for next season now #SaintsFC

[𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱 @_AlexOliva_]

@AlfieHouseEcho

[Alfie House @AlfieHouseEcho]

🚨 Understand Saints are in advanced talks to re-sign goalkeeper Daniel Peretz on a permanent deal. Pushing to get done quickly, Peretz keen to stay at St Mary’s and help the club get promoted despite interest elsewhere.

#SaintsFC

[Torch Waver @TorchWaver]

#saintsfc
After the scandal of spygate this lot take the heat off the fanbase with a version of ‘The Undateables’

[Max Parry @MaxParry20]

@TorchWaver 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢 @OfficialVizeh]

Imagine if you were a Southampton fan, that’s followed the club and spent perhaps £1,000+ across the entire season

What the fuck do you do?

Do you just give up with the club? Do you protest? Refunds?

This is so stupid it’s incredible

[Saints Mike @Saints_Mike7167]

55 years man & boy, a FA cup final win & defeat
Leaving home at 3am travelling up & down the country & abroad to support #SaintsFC from promotions to relegations to standing in the pissing rain whilst getting battered 9-0
I never once thought I can't do this anymore, until now

[BoroMania @BoroMundo]

This is so weird behaviour. Something evil about this Tonda guy. Watch how he just turns into the devil.

[Callum Luke Sargent @SargetheSaint]

The EFL need to make a decision asap.

You’ve got #hcafc with no idea who they’re playing to prepare for

You’ve got #boro players training when they’ve technically out

And you’ve got #SaintsFC players hoping to play at Wembley with fans wanting to buy tickets..

Come on..

[Football Away Days @AwayDaysFB]

Really can't work out the praise Kim Hellburg is getting at Middlesbrough. He adopted a team that were bound for promotion, sat in the top 2 of the league for over 200 days, managed to lose 55% of his games in charge of them, and then got them dumped out in the semi finals of...

[Jack @saintlavoo]

We’ve always been a nice club. About time we had a bit of housery about us.

#SaintsFC

[Max Parry @MaxParry20]

@freddiedos7 @ArchyFord8 Supports Everton

[Just Saints @JustSaints_]

@SaintsExtra @MailSport My guy

[Football Away Days @footyawayday]

Around 5,500 Southampton fans at Preston today

Brilliant turnout from the south coast team 👏👏#saintsfc #pnefc

[Football Away Days @FBAwayDays]

Look at those limbs from Southampton fans last night…

Wow! 👏😍

[charlie @charliewring1]

This is the best limbs of any fanbase in england this season, argue with your fucking nan. #SaintsFC

[𝗙𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗢 🇩🇪 @fiago7]

The fact that Leicester are really going down to League One is insane to me