Maya will be capitano. Leave JWP to concentrate on his own improving performances for the moment. His time will come I note that the training pics are concentrating on fringe players. Will there be any surprises in the starting XI?
Living up in the Midlands with many Baggies supporters, I can now let Claude know what their tactics are going to be: They have 4 CBs across the back, five combative defensive midfielders just in front of them, then loads of space and then one fast forward whose job is to run the channel probably next to Jack Stephens and dive when they get about 35m away from the goal about 5-10m from touch. Then they will bring up their four CBs and lump the ball into the box for one of them to score. Baggies will give us all the ball until you get 30-35m from their goal when they will compete very physically. They will waste time and slow the game down at every opportunity to take the steam out of us and frustrate us into hitting the ball longer into the box. They pose little threat from open play but will look for deadfall opportunities all the time Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think of it as a prophet not being honoured in his own country. I still see him as one of our babies.
I notice Lawro's guest, Amy MacDonald speaking like a true pundit: Amy's prediction: West Brom have had a really great season while Southampton have been slightly more inconsistent - but Saints are doing OK, and I think this has got draw written all over it. 1-1 Move over Lawro.
Makes more sense than Merson and Lawro do. I don't think I have heard either of them suggest that Saints are up for a game...it's like we are passive observers where the opposition win or lose entirely on their own....without input from us.
Indeed she does. The larger point has long been a criticism of almost every pundit and football show. Saints are the eternal 'opposition', whether playing at home or away. Occasionally, there is the slightest acknowledgement that we might have an input in determining the result, but generally it is all in the ability of the headline team to succeed or fail.
Here's a few stats that have no real bearing on the game: In the league Saints have won six times at WBA, five of which have resulted in a 'league double' (in the other the return results was 1-1) and WBA have only won 4 times at Southampton in 34 meetings but the have completed the league double over Saints after the previous three wins. Biggest league win Saints 4 WBA 0 1967-68, WBA 5, Saints 1 1929-30 WBA 4 Saints 0 1979-80 Hmmm that's it really...
Tadic's preference for big girls' gym knickers has spread through the squad. https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-04-07/training-gallery-pre-west-brom-southampton
Well as we're only one place below them with two games in hand, does that mean we've had a very good season?
Arsenal is having a bad season but they're above us, does that mean we've had a horrendous season? It's about what your expectations are. WBA have exceeded theirs, and we haven't met ours. So they had a good season, and we had a decent season.
It shows how our status has risen....we now expect to be tenth as bare minimum. In the league, we have underperformed....with some valid reasons such as a new manager (though we have done well with new managers before), injuries and a crowded schedule.
Boufal and Bertrand in training pictures is encouraging. Going to this game despite my better judgement. Watched some god awful matches at the Hawthorns in recent years, but got caught by the Manolo bug. Because of his absence I fear the worst (from an entertainment stand point). Hope saints can surprise
I was solely referring to West Bromwich Albion Football Club and in relation to their previous seasons. End of statement.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-04-07/quiz-west-bromwich-albion-southampton This is quite good fun - I got all but the final sub correct
