Benali: Working with Saints Foundation, Sky Sports duty and looking to Preston

The students had the idea to create a film covering men's mental health, which started back in February, and I hope you take some time to watch it.

They took part in the Premier League Inspires Challenge, which is something that the Saints Foundation runs, but it became something much bigger.

It was brilliantly supported by Five Five Media, who work with Saints, and it was great to be a small part of a fantastic effort to pull all this together.

There were others involved, including familiar names such as Sam McQueen, Ryan Garner, Aaron Phipps, and Lewis Coombes - from the BBC.

Hopefully, it serves as a reminder about men's mental health, but it may also help some people who are struggling in their own lives.

I hope that it might help somebody come forward and open up and talk to somebody about their difficulties personally as well.

Men's mental health is a huge thing now, and this is something that could start a conversation that could ultimately lead to somebody finding help.

I just thought it was a really nice piece, and it was great to attend the event on Monday where they screened the film for the first time.

A lot of people turned up, and it was really good to go along and support and see so many of the people that were part of the making of the film.

Being in attendance and recognising and getting the opportunity to say a few thank-yous to those people that made it all happen.

We filmed in the height of the summer, and I think that was quite a challenge for the students and the filmmakers, even just trying to capture the content.

We were sweltering in those conditions! They did an incredible job.

It was also great to be back at Sky Studios on Tuesday to do a Soccer Special again, because I haven't done one for a long time, especially covering one of our games.

TV roles can differ. On the derby day when I was picked by ITV, I was effectively in the Southampton camp and Matt Taylor was in the Portsmouth camp.

I think they clearly came to each of us to talk about our own teams specifically, unless there's something we've got a strong opinion about the oppiosition.

I was solely there really to talk predominantly about Saints on the day, whereas Tuesday I had to give a complete overview of both teams' performance.

People know my connections with the club and my history in the city, but at the same time, you have got a job to do as a pundit covering the game.

I think people understand there is a slight element of bias toward your team, but I've always said, and I've always approached it the right way.

Whenever I do commentate, especially when I'm covering Saints against an opponent, I've just got to call it as I see it and ultimately be honest.

Samuel Edozie steers Southampton level! 👏 https://t.co/yrxoslqYvC

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 3, 2026

READ: Scienza spotted in Saints training ahead of Preston

Imagine me giving a half-time update on Tuesday and saying, 'Saints are really unlucky against West Brom, they're doing well, and they're only a goal down'.

People would be looking at it going, 'What's he talking about?'

I've always felt that being truthful and honest and giving what I genuinely see as my opinion, whether Saints are doing well or not, is the only way.

So to be sat there watching that first 45 minutes on Tuesday was very tough for me I'll be honest. I thought we were really poor in the first half.

West Brom were outstanding. They were just dominating every area of the pitch. But it was a brilliant turnaround. I expected a change at half-time.

I just couldn't see us being as poor as we were again in the second half. We saw a much better version of what we are and what we're capable of doing.

It was a great match to cover and watch. There were lots of incidents, lots of action. Both teams could have scored goals. We definitely could have.

It was a shame not to have won it, but if we do go up to Preston and take all three points, then that's seven poinrs from the last three games this week.

That would be a really positive return, given how close the games are and how difficult they've all been. We're right up there and competing again.

I guess whoever's going to be starting, there'll always be the discussion around what's the starting line up, who's available, who's fit.

So that brings its challenges in itself for the preparation and recovery side of it. What starting lineup Tonda puts out will be interesting.

There could be some changes from from Tuesday, but the onus is very much on us going to a side that is clearly struggling, albeit away from home.

It will bring a different kind of approach to the game from our perspective, but also a little bit of pressure, knowing that we are expected to win.