Southampton (A) | Pre-Match Thread

[pavelsrnicek]

Southampton are a well coached side in good form so it will be very very difficult. They also have a very good set piece taker in Ward Prowse which is a concern as we didn’t defend them well against United and conceded last night from one. They also press high which might help as we hopefully won’t face our traditional low block.

We desperately need an injection of confidence, whether that’s from Aguero returning, one of our other forwards finding form or one of the kids being promoted, we need to start scoring. Despite not playing at our best we have created a few chances in the last 2 but we have failed to convert them.

I can’t help think about Sterling’s winner against Southampton 3 seasons ago. That was the kind of goal that wins titles. The misses last night from Gundogan and Sterling remind me of KDB’s miss against Chelsea, ones that may have a long term impact on where we finish.

Long term we need to figure out how to balance our midfield. Gundogan is in form but we don’t seem to know how to play him. Is it beside or instead of Rodri? Do any of Bernardo, Doyle or Foden have a place in midfield? If not who can we add. It’s clear that Silva has to be replaced if we want to get back to the top table.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

59% think we will lose. Some slapped arses on here.

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Laporte
Cancelo

Fernandinho
Gudongan
Kdb

Bernie
Delap
Torres

 

[jrb]

Please Southampton attack City. I'm not watching another park the bus, 6 at the back, and 4 just in-front match against City.

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

Southampton are a well coached side in good form so it will be very very difficult. They also have a very good set piece taker in Ward Prowse which is a concern as we didn’t defend them well against United and conceded last night from one. They also press high which might help as we hopefully won’t face our traditional low block.

We desperately need an injection of confidence, whether that’s from Aguero returning, one of our other forwards finding form or one of the kids being promoted, we need to start scoring. Despite not playing at our best we have created a few chances in the last 2 but we have failed to convert them.

I can’t help think about Sterling’s winner against Southampton 3 seasons ago. That was the kind of goal that wins titles. The misses last night from Gundogan and Sterling remind me of KDB’s miss against Chelsea, ones that may have a long term impact on where we finish.

Long term we need to figure out how to balance our midfield. Gundogan is in form but we don’t seem to know how to play him. Is it beside or instead of Rodri? Do any of Bernardo, Doyle or Foden have a place in midfield? If not who can we add. It’s clear that Silva has to be replaced if we want to get back to the top table.

I agree with all this except the boost from Aguero coming back because, in my experience, he needs 3 or more games before he hits form following a lay off of any duration, and he’s been out for ages.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Please Southampton attack City. I'm not watching another park the bus, 6 at the back, and 4 just in-front match against City.

I think we invite that style of play due to our slow,overly complicated,build ups.If we were that bit quicker and more direct,then the opposition would not be able to regroup and get behind the ball on every occasion we are in posession,and that would leave far more gaps and opportunities for us to exploit.

 

[@BluePhil8]

Eddie
Walker
Stones
Dias
Mendy
Gundo
Rodri
De Bruyne
Mahrez
Jesus
Sterling

Send me to sleep right now for fucks sake

 

[ballinio]

rest torres for this...

& Foden

 

[SidJames]

Just put £100.00 on Southampton at 6/1.

I guarantee you wont get 6/1 on Saturday.

The way we are playing,that has to be worth a gamble for some extra Christmas money.

Can not see us winning there with the slow,pass,pass,turgid shit we are currently turning out nearly every week.

Over 60s Walking football is quicker.

 

[SidJames]

if we want to start winning we have to start taking risks.

drop Rodri and Gundogan plays there.

Mendy out, Ake out. Jesus out

Walker in, Stones in, Aguero in

Kev and Foden play in the creative roles

Torres, preferably Aguero if fit and Sterling up front.

we are at the stage of the season now where draws are no good. We have already lost 10 points from draws.

It’s time to go for it and if we don’t win then so be it.

I am sick of watching this turgid crap every game so get back to fast passing and start taking some risks.

We are not winning leagues with this side. No leaders and some players look like they are going through the motions.

i want to see some progress though. At the moment all I see is regression.

I agree with everything you say.

I guarantee though the first names on the team sheet will be Rodri,and Gundogan.

Pep was scared to death of the Rags,Southampton are a much better side than the Rags

We will play exactly the way we dont want us to play.Reason being Pep thinks he is always right.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Could be the first game for months with some tempo, I can't see Soton playing with no movement.

Maybe just maybe that'll play into our hands.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

A complete change in the attack is needed.

————————Ederson———————
Walker——Stones——Dias——???????
————————Gundogan——————
—————Bernardo——Foden————
———Torres———Kun———Jesus———

Just something a bit different with a bit more fluidity with one more attack minded player and greater threat.

We might lose with them as the team, but we might just lose doing what we’ve been doing all season n’all.

Worth a try.

 

[Ashleymcduff]

Kun couldn’t even run yesterday or kick the ball properly he ain’t gonna be starting

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Pep has no other system,believe you me he's lost, he doesn't know what else to try

Pep’s got lots of systems. We’re seeing a different one to what we were used to over the previous years. He’s done different things many times.

John Stones played right back in one game early in Pep’s reign and spent most of the game actually taking up position in midfield.

 

[kaz7]

Be brave , the back door is shut now

Pep has lost his nerve

The players hate it

IMO

 

[SidJames]

I don’t think it matters what 11 players we stick out, they’ll be asked to do the exact same shite we’ve seen all season and Southampton will cope with it with ease. No confidence in us getting a result here and that’s quite damning.

You are right though mate.

What ever the 11,it will be the same slow,insipid, turgid, shit we have come used to accept as football for the last few months.

Those confident in smashing these are predicting it only in hope.The only side we have smashed this season was an injury ravaged Burnley.

We have not beat anyone in the top 10 yet.

And we have already struggled against West Ham,Leeds,WBA,and were lucky against Sheff U,and Wolves.

Our goals for record is as low as it has been for a long time,on a par with the team under Brian Horton.

Sorry for being a depressing fucker,But thats the reality.We are in serious decline.Hence why the poll predicting a win is as low as i have ever seen it.

 

[BoyataIsGod]

You are right though mate.

What ever the 11,it will be the same slow,insipid, turgid, shit we have come used to accept as football for the last few months.

Those confident in smashing these are predicting it only in hope.The only side we have smashed this season was an injury ravaged Burnley.

We have not beat anyone in the top 10 yet.

And we have already struggled against West Ham,Leeds,WBA,and were lucky against Sheff U,and Wolves.

Our goals for record is as low as it has been for a long time,on a par with the team under Brian Horton.

Sorry for being a depressing fucker,But thats the reality.We are in serious decline.Hence why the poll predicting a win is as low as i have ever seen it.

I don't actually think we were lucky against Wolves, yes they had a 10 minute salvo at the end but we controlled the play and scored some good goals.
Unfortunately this was the summit of our performances this season and the rest of your post is spot on. I am clutching at straws ofcourse but its got to be done.

 

[eyalluvitt]

Kun couldn’t even run yesterday or kick the ball properly he ain’t gonna be starting

Too many onion Bargies

Kun couldn’t even run yesterday or kick the ball properly he ain’t gonna be starting

I feel his pain , Too many onion Bhaji’s

 

[Fordyboy46]

Something worrying about our away form this season, we haven't got going at all. Maybe the 2'000 fans in attendance on Saturday might actually lift our players daft as it sounds, perhaps that's what the players have been missing.

 

[super_city_si]

Eddie
Walker
Stones
Dias
Mendy
Gundo
Rodri
De Bruyne
Mahrez
Jesus
Sterling

Send me to sleep right now for fucks sake

The only one you might have wrong is Cancelo for Mendy. Other than that i think this is the team he'll pick and it will be a rinse and repeat of our slow, dull, apathetic performances.

 

[super_city_si]

Something worrying about our away form this season, we haven't got going at all. Maybe the 2'000 fans in attendance on Saturday might actually lift our players daft as it sounds, perhaps that's what the players have been missing.

I was going to make this point. It could well help get a bit of life in to the team to have an atmosphere, even if it is the opponents fans.