Southampton (a) pre-match thread

[mosssideblue]

It doesn't help when we bought a crock, ie Mendy. He was injury prone when he played for Monaco and he's been the same here.
To me we bought him based on the game he played against us. Poor signing.

You surely agree that is ridiculous

 

[chesterbells]

They play tonight vs WHU that is one less day for them to prepare for our game, hope its an advantage we will be able to use.

If we wouldnt start players out of form than half of the squad shouldnt be anywhere near to starting line up. Not really an option.

In Fernandinho's place we need someone with some speed and tackling skills and ability to read the game .Gundogan only have the last skill of these. Delph is suspended, so Pep might push Stones up again or just uses Gundogan there which again will be exploited probably.

Other than that maybe only De Bruyne has the skills to run the show from deeper but he would need to get into tackles which is a bit of wasting him and injury chances are higher imo.

Countering our high press defence is an obvious tactics by now even vs mediocre opponents, thats why we really cannot afford losing easy passes and we need speed if there is any problem.

For me its Ederson, Zinchenko, Laporte, Stones, Walker, KDB bit deeper, David Silva, Bernardo, Sane, Jesus, Sterling

Getting a clean sheet tho look impossible now, no matter what defence we put up. Walker relaxed a bit since Palace he can go again as Danilo hardly much better or less of a liability when under pressure.

Could Danilo play DM?

 

[halfmist]

Hope they are practising, corners that stay in play and go over 4ft height, shooting on target, passing forward instead of sideways or backwards, short passes instead of 50 yard pass to the opposition and running instead of walking and we may be in with a chance. Give Mahrez and Gundogan seats in the stands as they add nothing to the team.

 

[kippaxoldboy]

Forever the optimist I have gone for the win. I can`t believe we have gone from the best team I have ever seen to a team who could get beat by a poor Southampton.... I hope!
I`m not going to second guess pep and his team. I`m pretty sure he will be embarrassed by recent form and will want more than anyone to bounce back.
Keep the faith.

 

[Bald fraud]

Just hope the new manager bounce has worn off for this lot. Still think we should win though

 

[Scottish Cityzen]

Could Danilo play DM?

Yes, might get lucky at the third attempt to replace Ferny. Danilo mom in a performance that provides a solid defensive base in a comfortable victory? Fingers crossed.

I’d like to see Danny get an injury free run, he’s shown in glimpses that he’s a very good player.

Ederson

Walker
Otamendi/VK (if fit?)
Stones
Laporte

Mahrez
Danilo
KDB
Merlin
Same

Jesus/Sergio

Raheem could probably do with a rest and be better served as an impact sub if needed.

A more solid base hopefully, we keep a clean sheet and we win.

It’s all doom and gloom at the moment but if we can win the next two it’ll be a massive change of momentum. We need to win this one to set us up for the dippers.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Could Danilo play DM?

Is Vinny fit? He was a DM before being converted to Dave Ewing's successor!

 

[chesterbells]

Is Vinny fit? He was a DM before being converted to Dave Ewing's successor!

That’s true

 

[mosssideblue]

Is Vinny fit? He was a DM before being converted to Dave Ewing's successor!

Eddy was a left back too, but I feel you are clutching at straws

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Eddy was a left back too, but I feel you are clutching at straws

I've been clutching straws since Bobby Johnstone scored his goal v NUFC in '55!