Southampton (A) | Pre-Match Thread

[Bill Walker]

Rumour has it he'll change his coat.































In the 88th minute; )

And do first sub. Probably Mahrez.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

And do first sub. Probably Mahrez.

Mahrez for Foden In 89th minute as it'll take him a minute to change his coat.

 

[vin]

Worried about this but we’re too good to drop out the top 4 so I fancy us to edge it to be honest. Fuck me lads it’s Southampton, they can’t be that good.

 

[I'm Blue]

Hoping for the win but the way we've played recently I'm not sure we'll get it.
What I'm hoping for more than anything is some effort, movement and pride.

 

[daflanger]

I wonder if Delap was playing in the West Brom game, would he have scored the two headers or one of the two headers that Gundo and Sterling headed straight at the goal keeper?

I dont get why we dont atleast give him a chance. Given that Aguero is not fit for the Sotons and Jesus is not firing, Delap should step up. What wrong can come of us trying to give the young lad a chance?

 

[oldius]

I wonder if Delap was playing in the West Brom game, would he have scored the two headers or one of the two headers that Gundo and Sterling headed straight at the goal keeper?

I dont get why we dont atleast give him a chance. Given that Aguero is not fit for the Sotons and Jesus is not firing, Delap should step up. What wrong can come of us trying to give the young lad a chance?

He is a talent but has not recently justified elevation to the full squad based on his EDS performances. Now, I am not averse to taking a risk and recognising that we could do with more freshness up front but he hasn't looked great in recent games.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Worried about this but we’re too good to drop out the top 4 so I fancy us to edge it to be honest. Fuck me lads it’s Southampton, they can’t be that good.

Yeah they certainly arent better than WBA, United, WHU, Leeds or City

		Team		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1			Liverpool	13	8	4	1	29	19	10	28	WDWDW
2			Tottenham Hotspur	13	7	4	2	25	12	13	25	WDWDL
3			Southampton	13	7	3	3	25	18	7	24	DLWWD
4			Leicester City	13	8	0	5	24	17	7	24	LLWWL
5			Everton	13	7	2	4	23	18	5	23	WLDWW
6			Manchester United	12	7	2	3	22	19	3	23	WWWDW
7			Chelsea	13	6	4	3	26	14	12	22	WDWLL
8			West Ham United	13	6	3	4	21	16	5	21	WWLWD
9			Manchester City	12	5	5	2	18	12	6	20	LWWDD
10			Wolves	13	6	2	5	13	17	-4	20	DWLLW
11			Aston Villa	11	6	1	4	21	13	8	19	WLLWD
12			Crystal Palace	13	5	3	5	19	18	1	18	LLWDD
13			Leeds United	13	5	2	6	22	24	-2	17	DWLLW
14			Newcastle United	12	5	2	5	16	21	-5	17	LLWWL
15			Arsenal	13	4	2	7	11	16	-5	14	DLLLD
16			Brighton and Hove Albion	13	2	5	6	15	21	-6	11	WDLLD
17			Burnley	12	2	4	6	6	18	-12	10	WLDWD
18			Fulham	13	2	3	8	12	22	-10	9	LWLDD
19			West Bromwich Albion	13	1	4	8	10	26	-16	7	LWLLD
20			Sheffield United	13	0	1	12	7	24	-17	1	LLLLL

 

[mosssideblue]

Yes he would. The two headers at the end of the West Brom game, would have been goals.

May have, not would have

 

[Father Paul]

I'm gonna state the obvious here....all teams apart from say Liverpool and Spurs park the bus against us and now they have got it down to a T when done properly....We STILL have no answer to this....they literally neutralise us and we just go round in circles ...simple but effective. Pep has come up with nothing as far as I can see..it will take something drastic to get around this...If WE score in the first 5 mins we are in with a chance, otherwise draw or loss...no matter who is playing for us......

If your analysis is correct only way out seems an entirely new approach with new players and a new manager. If one were not so involved emotionally in all of this it is an interesting tactical conundrum faced by Pep. Can he solve the puzzle or will this poor start to the campaign devolve into a crisis?

 

[Gingers Dad]

I'm expecting to lose.. so we'll win

Think we hit rock bottom v West Brom... there's got to be some kind of reaction following that shambles

Will West Brom become the new York away. I wonder how many will claim to have been there?

 

[maurizio]

I'm gonna state the obvious here....all teams apart from say Liverpool and Spurs park the bus against us and now they have got it down to a T when done properly....We STILL have no answer to this....they literally neutralise us and we just go round in circles ...simple but effective. Pep has come up with nothing as far as I can see..it will take something drastic to get around this...If WE score in the first 5 mins we are in with a chance, otherwise draw or loss...no matter who is playing for us......

On the other hand we create three or four good chances, one in one's with the keeper, free headers, in each of these games. We put the a couple away and their game plan has to change. Pep presumably can see this. Usually the opposition score on their first similar chance. We are giving fewer chances now. I'm hopeful we just need a natural goal scorer to crack this. The boring/not interested football team tag is because no other team has to face a nine man defensive wall every week.

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

This has become a a big game.

hopefully pep can find a way out of the current malaise ...

 

[adam.marrett]

Tonight's the game to break out and get a crucial win. We need it. No ifs or buts we have to find out finishing touch against a decent Southampton side.

 

[Dipsis_LTU_MC]

expected points

 

[DMA's]

Watched a lot of Southampton this year and they do play with a lot of energy. They tend to tire in the second half but we need to be very wary of vestegard at set pieces he is a monster in the air and obviously ward prowse has a fantastic delivery. Walcott is in very good form and obviously ings is always dangerous.

on a positive side they are defending a lot higher this season so there should be space to get in behind them so It’s vital Sterling plays imo.

should be a good game and city will need to match their work rate and energy but I think we will weather the initial storm and win 2 - 1. Be nice watching with some authentic atmosphere albeit not city fans,

 

[Craig]

Gabby is brazils number nine, so i keep getting told , he is never in a goal scoring position , if the chances fall to a winger and not him then why blame the winger if he misses

Your first point is bollocks , it was an example of the stupiness of blaming raz for everything

Well, as the so called winger tends to never play as or like a winger anymore he needs to bag sitters on a regular basis as his all round game has been piss poor in general for well over 12 months now.Granted playing on the left significantly hinders his ability to use his pace and dribble but him and the manager think it’s his best position unfortunately.

 

[Blu3m00n91]

The thing that gives me some confidence today is that surely there has to be a reaction from the team today... if the players can’t get themselves fired up anymore then somethings wrong. Come on blues let’s fucking get back on track

 

[Bubbagump]

I’ve long been in the thinking that the players we have now, given their strengths ans weaknesses, a three at the back is a natural progression. A back three of Laporte, Dias, Stones then gives the fullbacks complete freedom to attack (which is better than their defending most of the time).

 

[Ric]

I’ve long been in the thinking that the players we have now, given their strengths ans weaknesses, a three at the back is a natural progression. A back three of Laporte, Dias, Stones then gives the fullbacks complete freedom to attack (which is better than their defending most of the time).

I’d like to see us try a back three too. Think it would give us a solid base, and allow us to get an extra man forward when attacking. We’d also have a decent aerial threat from set pieces too. Doubt it will happen, but would like to see Guardiola try something new today. Suspect he’ll stick with 4-3-3 though.

 

[sir baconface]

TBF Braaf has quite the attitude problem (such as disrespecting first teamers in training). Wouldn't want him anywhere near our first team.

Can you tell us more?