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!

 

[Blumers Bloomers]

Absolute definition of a must win game.

A comfortable win please so we can go in to the Liverpool game with our tails up. Them slipping up against Arsenal would also be nice

 

[its a Barm]

Strange to say but this is now are biggest game of the season, let's see what the players have.

 

[aguerooooo]

Defeat on Saturday and then on Thursday god forbid. and we could be putting out an SOS For our version of a Ole Gunner

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Defeat on Saturday and then on Thursday god forbid. and we could be putting out an SOS For our version of a Ole Gunner

Dont be silly

 

[Tricky_Trev]

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

Playing DM for Mark Hughes has completely different requirements to playing DM for Pep.

 

[MillisleBlue]

Any of the Saints players never ever ever scored a goal before...?

Could be some craic on here come 4 o'clock Sunday so come on you Blues!!!

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Any of the Saints players never ever ever scored a goal before...?

Could be some craic on here come 4 o'clock Sunday so come on you Blues!!!

Some sub full-back, plucked from the murky depths of the Eastleigh and District Sunday League a week last Wednesday is gonna crack in the winner on 83 mins after we have taken a first half lead, and laid on a gold, frankincense and myrrh gift for the equaliser. Probably from their own half, too!

 

[aguerooooo]

Any of the Saints players never ever ever scored a goal before...

Particularly from 50 yards!

 

[BigJoe#1]

I think the last week has taught Pep a couple of lessons.

1. Not suggesting Pep thought this but... you're never too clever to learn new things?

2. The EPL is a tough harsh environment and no matter who your opposition is, the first thing to do is to go out to win the game from the start. Always, without fail start your strongest eleven, then take the big guns off - the league is too harsh and unforgiving to field a weakened eleven with a view to bringing out the big guns to recover the situation if necessary - sadly it's not like that in the EPL.

Strongest first eleven please Pep. If they're fit enough for the bench then they're fit enough to start.

 

[Zenmanc]

That’s true

The way Vinny slides in these days tho... He'd be off with a red in under 15.