S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Swansea 1 Southampton 2 | 18/04/26 | Att: 17,776 | The EFL Championship | Swansea.com

[Ringwood]

Just back... really enjoyed today albeit having to tolerate over 6 hours of Saints banter in the car. The ref was appalling again, where is the consistency in this league with officials?

We have a mid table squad and credit to Matos for creating a competitive side with all it's limitations. The Cullen debate to start games rumbles on and our CB's are at their ceiling which isn't going to move us forward next season.

Personally, I would not play any of our loanees for the last three games unless there is a plan to sign them which hopefully isn't the case.

 

[Rhoshilljacks]

Obviously I’m going to have to recalibrate what i believe is a good performance from the team, reading some of the comments on here makes me wonder if I was at the same game.

First half we made Southampton look pretty ordinary ( maybe they are) sat directly in line with the Eom penalty claim, seen them given and like today seen them turned down I do agree that Downes was lucky to stay on the pitch.

Second half was more of what we’ve seen under Matos reign, a team slowly running out of steam and allowing both our wings to be continually overloaded with cross after cross coming in.

Genuinely don’t see any game on game improvement, no structure to our game at all, as one bloke shouted behind me …headless chickens!!
Widdel shouldn’t have come out for the second half he was blowing through the proverbial with ten to go in the first, Yalcoule was decent and Idah is a far better footballer with the ball at his feet than Vip, Nunes was absolutely dreadful…again.

Listening to the Southampton fans walking back to the station they reckoned Wood was outstanding I guess that says it all really.

Lots of people pinning their hopes on next season, a simple question, where do you think we’re going to get the quality from to improve on Matos style of play and where is the budget coming from to bring those players in? Like I said in a different thread … I’m just not seeing it.

I like your posts, well articulated and a fair perspective.
I’m a pretty cynical Jack, 35 years of the rollercoaster will do that, but I AM seeing it. The last 6 years or so have been dreadful, boring me to the point of little enthusiasm, but I like what I’m seeing from Matos. It’s a bit ‘headless chicken’ at times but it’s high intensity and it’s by and large quite entertaining. We have some big grey areas in quality and you’re right to query how we are going to fill them adequately, but let’s wait and see, there is some long overdue ambition seemingly being shown by the board. There is a world of very capable footballers out there, it’s not our job to find the correct fit, it’s the scouting department’s job.
Before Matos we were headed down, we’ve finished comfortably in mid-table. I’ll take that as arresting the slide, now it’s time to strengthen.
We’ll have a better idea of where we sit in September, how ambitious we are, how good the scouting department is, how good Matos is.
I think we’ll finish 8th next season.

 

[Roger]

We're still an average team in a poor division. Another depressing season, can't wait to see the back of it.

 

[Manselton Jack]

We're still an average team in a poor division. Another depressing season, can't wait to see the back of it.

Not disagreeing we're average but regarding your last sentence I think you're in a vast minority.
Since Matos came in I'm enjoying the football for the first time in a few seasons, we obviously lack quality in a couple of areas but we're a decent watch I'd say.

 

[Bob]

It's been an issue in every game under VM. I don't know what the answer/solution is as he doesn't appear to be learning

Like too many recent managers, Matos seems intent on defending a one goal lead or even a draw (yesterday). His substitutions exuded negativity, as they have done in the second half most of this year. We had nothing to play for so why not try to win / score more?

 

[Smurph]

Like too many recent managers, Matos seems intent on defending a one goal lead or even a draw (yesterday). His substitutions exuded negativity, as they have done in the second half most of this year. We had nothing to play for so why not try to win / score more?

Didn't see the game yesterday so was interested in your post.

Looked at the BBC website and his changes were like for like, yesterday.

 

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

Enjoyable game.

Downes should have gone.

Eom should have had a penalty.

Our substitutions were dreadful.

They were better than us in possession but we had the better chances despite sitting back too often and too early.

One particular gripe from me was why we are bringing on loan players at this point in the season when we could be using the games to see what we have. Yalcouye was great when he came on but he’s not going to be available for a permanent deal at a price we can afford (I wouldn’t imagine so anyway) so can’t see the point.

At least he added something to the team though whereas Ward and Nunes fell into the camp of what’s the point plus they made the team worse.

I don’t understand why Parker in particular was taken off.

I also thought it very strange that we used up our subs with quite a way to go. We got away with it but it’s an odd thing to do.

Totally agree about Ward & Nunes. Parker was having an excellent game, against a tricky winger, and didn’t appear to be tiring . Can only think his GPS performance tracker said otherwise.
Ward has been a stalwart for Palace, but his sell by date is well and truly up. A fit Key would have been a good replacement, with his return to form recently.
But What is it with our 2 centre backs Bango & Burgess ? They always seem to have a mistake waiting to happen in them, especially Burgess.
I love Cabango’s die for the cause attitude, but he needs a calm, ball playing guy next to him.
Next season we urgently require that upgrade to Burgess.
Hate to say it, but Ipswich knew exactly what they were doing by letting him go, but you can’t fault his a great attitude as a pro, just think he’s more suited to L1.
Next thing required for next season is a tricky winger, who can actually take on his man and beat him, plus supply a decent cross at the end of it.
We have to part ways with Ronald, and thank gawd we can send Nunes back. Thing is, there is something about Nunes that suggests he has room for improvement, but not for me thanks.
We have to remember we have Lissah, Congreve and Wilson to consider next season as well.
All said and done, I’ve enjoyed VM’s tenure, and firmly believe he’s the man for the job to take us forwards.
We can also be grateful that we also have ambitious owners & board members, who have put their money where their mouths are, otherwise, we’d be well up the creek without a paddle.
So it’s a big thank you from me to them, for bring ing back entertaining football to watch, rather than the brain numbing “process” that con man Martin was trying to peddle, plus the Luke Williams era.
Just a few games left, and you could hardly say we are a team that’s already on the beach, so well done to the players and to Vitor Matos, for still
Carrying the fight to the opposition.
COYS.