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Good afternoon everyone from Colney. We await the City boss for his Saints preview.
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On Stacey: 'Scan is clear. He is okay and is at home. It was a nasty one. Still suffering headaches and now undergoing concussion protocols. You don't take any risks on head injuries.'

More on Stacey: 'He had a loss of memory and wasn't in a great place after the game. He had his family around him. It's a shame because he had a good game. The main thing is his wellbeing and getting him back safely.'

LM on Boro: 'There were loads of good. We solved problems in game quite well. I thought we got some really good control. Papa had a good chance. Sarge had a couple of headers. The turnovers killed us. It's not the first time that I've been in this position. The exciting bit for me is that it's in our hands. There is so many things have improved since Millwall. When you watch it back and look at the XG etc, that is positive.'

LM on data versus eye test: 'I go on gut and eyes initially. You have the emotion post-match. Then I watch it back in a calmer space and look over the data to reinforce what we've seen or challenge it. Besides from what we gave them, they didn't create anything. We need to turn territory into chances. Defensively was okay - it's just the turnovers.'

LM on going through this before: 'When you give the lads some decisions to make and as part of them learning what we want, what the Championship is about and tweaking stuff from last season - you have to take an element of realism to it. The bits that have got us through it in the past are culture and what good looks like. Time as well. Not chasing away from what we're doing. They are the bits we have to look at.'

LM on three at the back: 'What formation have we played? We've been a four, a three and a five. It's more about the principles for me. We didn't lose the game at the weekend because of shapes and systems. It was a lack of care on the ball. It's probably where the world is at. I'm the same. I want success. But we're four games in. We have to hurt, stick together and in the future make sure we don't repeat the same mistakes. It was the shape that cost us against Millwall. It's about putting players into positions that get the best out of those strengths.'

LM on improving creativity: 'Time, unfortunately. We've been good as pushing teams back with the ball. That's why I know we will get better and improve. It's about how we consistently improve. It's about time on the grass, relationships to develop and that happen overnight.'

LM on the number 10 roles: 'It's quite clear that is an area that needs work. There is so much work going on behind the scenes and I know we will get better because I know how we coach. It's been eight weeks and a lot of that has been introductions. We've introduced a lot of the core principles and now it's about 'when it is good, why is it good?'. I know over time it will improve.'

LM on Diallo and Kvistgaarden as 10: 'I thought Papa was excellent and Mathias was good at the weekend. Papa is a good footballer. The decision he makes and skills he has - I wouldn't be averse to playing him inside.' 

LM on selection: 'It'll be a mix. It's important to keep people ticking over - especially with an international period coming up. It's a chance to take a look at some people.'

LM on whether Kenny could start: 'We have to be careful. He got some minutes and had a scary moment after he came on when he went down. We need to build him up gradually and make sure we manage him.'

LM on Wright red: 'Seen them given, seen them not. He's playing off emotion and tries to chase it. You give the referee the opportunity.'

LM on Saints: 'We have to press well. Southampton have good depth and I'm sure they will make changes, but you look at what they are changing to and it's still a good calibre. I've not come across Will, but he's had an interesting journey and has done well.'

LM on Long's move away: 'That is progressing. There is movement on that.'

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That's it from Liam this afternoon.

Posted By: DrDublin on August 25th 2025 at 15:25:20

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