Southampton

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Southampton defender Josh Quarshie has joined Austrian Bundesliga side SK Sturm Graz on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old joined the club in May 2025 on a four-year deal from 1899 Hoffenheim but has since failed to secure a place in head coach Tonda Eckert's side, playing just 18 times.

The Germany under-21 international made his debut in a 2-1 win against Wrexham last season, but has not featured since March.

Southampton said it "wishes Joshua all the best for the remainder of the campaign", and that the club would be monitoring his progress.

It is 36 year since Millwall last won their opening three games of a league season and they can repeat that feat with a victory at Southampton on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Southampton have not been beaten at home in the league since 17 January when Hull City left the south coast with a 2-1 win.

• Millwall were one of just four teams to take at least four points from Southampton in the Championship last season alongside Hull City (6), Bristol City (4) and Middlesbrough (4) – the Lions won 3-2 at home and drew 0-0 away on New Year's Day.

• Millwall have won two of their past three league games against Southampton (D1), this after winning just one of their prior 11 between 1988 and 2023 (D5 L5).

• Southampton are unbeaten in each of their past 11 Championship home games (W8 D3), last having a longer run at St Mary's in the league between December 2010 and December 2011 (24).

• After beating Bristol City and Norwich City by a combined 5-0 scoreline, Millwall are hoping to win their opening three matches of a league campaign for the first time since the 1990-91 season. The Lions have never won their opening three while keeping a clean sheet in each in club history.

• No player has scored more Championship goals than Southampton's Cyle Larin since his debut in the competition on February 7th – he has netted 10 goals in 18 games at an average of one every 100 minutes.

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Southampton are exploring a deal to re-sign 31-year-old English midfielder James Ward-Prowse from West Ham. (Talksport), external

For more EFL transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

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Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert called for his side to be more robust and resilient after their 4-1 defeat to West Ham on Tuesday night.

The Saints took an early lead through Leo Scienza but went into the break level before conceding three times in the second half.

Up until the point when the Hammers drew level, the Saints boss said that he was encouraged by the performance.

"If we go back to the start of the game then there were quite a few things that went well," Eckert told the media after the game.

"We overall played a very good first half, I think the game then changed with the first goal that we conceded.

"We didn't find an answer today and we know that there's work to do and the last week of the window is always a very particular time of the year.

"We need to make sure that we become more robust and resilient as a group."

Saints next face Millwall at St Mary's on Saturday before a trip to Birmingham City on Tuesday which is also transfer deadline day.

A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.

Adam Blackmore and former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem pick apart a heavy 4-1 home defeat to West Ham in the League Cup second round.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup match between Southampton and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Southampton fans

Philip: This was very disappointing. It shows that West Ham are miles ahead of us. We urgently need more defenders and another forward. A result like this suggests mid-table, or worse.

Malcolm: We are nowhere up to standard. Wood played well but Stephens had a horrendous game, responsible for two of West Ham's goals. I hope they turn it round against Millwall.

Philip: Terrible. Looked like they met in the car park for the first time, folded like a broken deckchair in second half.

Anthony: Terrible, incoherent team display. If there was a plan or strategy it wasn't on display. Lack of firepower, lack of midfield creation, lack of coherent press, inability to clear lines safely. Last season's fight appears to be missing. Promotion will elude a team that plays like this.

Phil: So disappointed, not with losing but how we are being let down by the mediocre effort the side is giving us. It's not just the players that lost out last season. Yes, they lost money but the fans lost more than that and I know it's not the player's fault but the club owe us, and the players represent the club.

They need to put this right and the way they are going about it is less than satisfactory!

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West Ham fans

Joe: Both sides put out youthful teams, can't judge this result too much but still a good win. Young lads proved they deserve a chance in the league, hope Nuno gives them one.

Dave: First half was poor again, but better in the second half especially after the four substitutions.

The real big problem is they have, and are still doing so, sold off the good players and either getting in some rubbish or none at all, this club is in a real mess.

On top of this the manager doesn't have a clue.

Simon: Much better tonight, why aren't we playing like that in the league? Still don't think Nuno will be manager much longer. Ajala, Orford, Mayers and Veltman all deserve a start at the weekend.

Paul: It seemed impressive when I read the result but when I watched the highlights it was full of mistakes that basically the second tier would make. I'm really worried that West Ham will not live up to all the pre-season hype, here's hoping!

Rob: Such an important result and it really couldn't have gone any better. Strong performances from a number of the youth players and much needed goals for key players to give everyone a much needed lift after a tough start.

Derby County have registered an interest to bring Southampton and Chile forward Ben Brereton Diaz, 27, back to Pride Park on another loan after a successful spell at the club last season, however the Saints would prefer a permanent deal. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.

Adam Blackmore and former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem unpick Southampton's first win of the Championship season after Cyle Larin and Ryan Manning scored either side of Divin Mubama's first Saints goal.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's match between Southampton and Stoke City.

Here are some of your comments:

Southampton fans

Michael: With so much uncertainty hanging around thanks to the FA and subsequent player transfers, it's doubly hard for Southampton to make progress at the moment.

So a win like this is vital. A testament to Tonda Eckert's coaching skills and his players' ability to overcome such a devastating end to last season.

We stand by the Saints full of pride.

Peter: Phew! A bit lucky! Was at the game on Saturday. Thought we looked very rusty. However, glad to get the result. We need to improve!

Adam: Good win but need players in, especially in defence and midfield.

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Stoke City fans

Mark: Bad game management yet again from Mark Robins, we were holding our own until he decides to change it. It went downhill from there.

There are people at our club that seriously need to take a long hard look at themselves.

David: Strange selection from the manager playing Ben Gibson and not Luke Graham, and also not bringing Million Manhoef on. Shows negativity from the manager instead of trying to win the game. The chance of winning was there but the negative substitutions worked against us, and then to throw the subs under the bus was poor. Please be more positive, Mr Robins.

Craig: Very lacklustre second half for Stoke. They fell to pieces.

Second league defeat in a row for Robins this season and an abysmal record since last January. I reckon he could well be sacked this week as a result.

Preston are lining up a loan offer for Southampton striker Cameron Archer, 24, who has not featured in Saints' opening two matches. (Daily Echo, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert spoke to BBC Radio Solent after beating Stoke City at St Mary's.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

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Tonda Eckert says Aston Villa target Taylor Harwood-Bellis is one of the best defenders in the country and is dealing with transfer speculation professionally.

The 24-year-old joined Saints from Manchester City in 2023, initially on loan with a clause to make the move permanent, and won an England cap in the Nations League game against the Republic of Ireland in 2024.

After seeing-off interest from Benfica, Southampton rejected a Villa bid worth more than £18m this week and are believed to want around £25m for the player, whom they signed for £20m two years ago.

Speaking before Saturday's Championship visit of Stoke, Saints head coach Eckert told BBC Radio Solent: "We know how important Taylor is for us. I think he's been the best centre-back in the Championship last season.

"It's completely normal that if you are among the best centre-backs in the country there is interest, and there has been.

"He's always dealt with it in a great way, very professional, but he's a Southampton player.

"In the end my job is to train the players. There are some decisions for the board and owners to take."

Eckert said he was happy to start Harwood-Bellis on Saturday, given his focused performance amid speculation towards the end of the January transfer window.

He said: "On 31 January, before we went to Stoke, there was heavy interest for him and he played one of the best games for us."

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Colchester United have signed Southampton midfielder Moses Sesay on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Saints academy from Chelsea last year, has played for England at Under-18 level.

Sesay is yet to make a league appearance for his parent club, but made one substitute appearance in last season's EFL Cup.

"Moses is a very gifted player with the ball. He can really speed up the game." U's boss Danny Cowley told BBC Essex.

"He's been involved with England. It's his first loan, so he's going to need time to adapt, but he's got some really good attributes. We're looking forward to working with him."

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After a disappointing opening to their season against Watford on Sunday and a potential exit for defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, some Saints fans are starting to worry about the defensive capabilities of their side.

But for BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore, it's the work needed up front that could decide their promotion chances.

"Sunday could have been a blip but they do need to have more firepower if they are going to go up automatically," Blackmore said.

"There is no doubt now that Cyle Larin, rather than being in rotation, comes into the season fitter than when he arrived in January and could be, if he stays fit, the lead striker in every league game. But that's a lot to ask of anyone.

"I personally think they should try and get more experience in up front to go alongside Larin and use [Divin] Mubama as a floating piece."

Listen to the full analysis below or on BBC Sounds here.

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Bolton won on their return to the Championship, but how can they compete with their big-spending rivals?

Listen to the newest episode of the 72+ podcast as Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Bolton manager Steven Schumacher to break down the opening weekend of league fixtures in the EFL.

The panel also discuss Will Lankshear's dream start at Middlesbrough, how Southampton will deal with being pantomime villains after Spygate and whether VAR is needed in the Championship after a blatant handball helped West Bromwich Albion beat Norwich.

Plus, Jack Wilshere joins the pod after his Luton side came from 3-1 down to beat Reading in their opener, and he talks about his first pre-season as a first-team boss.

Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to the brand new 72+ channel to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

These two sides are hoping to bounce back from defeats on the opening weekend of the Championship season - both losing 2-1.

Stoke managed only 22 points away from home last season while Southampton's home record was only bettered by the promoted duo of Coventry City and Ipswich Town.

• Southampton won 2-0 away against Stoke in their most recent league meeting in January but have not won back-to-back league games against the Potters since October 2006.

• Stoke City are unbeaten in each of their past five away league games against Saints (W4 D1); among 2026-27 Championship opponents, the Potters are only on a longer unbeaten streak away to West Ham United (6).

• Southampton have won their first home game in just one of their past 14 league campaigns (D8 L5 since 2012-13), though it did come last season, scoring twice late on to beat Wrexham 2-1.

• Stoke City lost each of their final seven away league games last season, last having a longer losing streak on the road in the Football League between August and November 2003 under Tony Pulis (8).

• After losing to Swansea, Stoke will be hoping to avoid losing their opening two games of a league campaign for just the third time this century, after 2010-11 and 2019-20.