Welcome everybody to the first and hopefully not last matchday thread from Saintsfcfan. Sadly Jonnyshuttles run came to an early end after a disappointing loss to Wolves on Wednesday evening. Saints take on Huddersfield this weekend, the two sides meeting each other for the first time since 2011, when Saints ran out 4-1 winners at St Mary's. Huddersfield took an early lead through Lee Novak in that encounter, before Rickie Lambert and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Saints lead before half-time. By full-time, further goals from Raidi Jaidi and Richard Chaplow had sealed a four goal haul. Huddersfield will be remembered as bit of a menace from the league one days, as they pushed Saints to the final two games in the promotion race, before a 3-1 at Plymouth effectively sealed a return to the championship for Nigel Adkins men. Huddersfield however have sinced joined Southampton in the premier league after winning a dramatic penalty shootout in last seasons champions play-off final against Reading. They've enjoyed a dream start to the season, with 2 wins from 2 games, and confidence will be sky high for this upcoming match. Saints come into the match on the back of an annoying defeat in the EFL Cup, although have started the season strongly in the Premier League, with 4 points from the opening two fixtures. This being their first away game of the season, Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping his side can find the net once more. My team for the weekend Forster Cedric Stephens Yoshida Bertrand Romeu Lemina Tadic Davis Redmond Gabbi Will Hoedt start or be on the bench? Prediction - it will be a tough away game and I think a fixture that could catch us out. A point wouldn't be bad by any means. 1-1. COYR!!!
McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand, Romeu, Lemina, Tadic, Davis, Redmond, Gabbiadini. 3-1 Saints...
Has everyone written off JWP? McCarthy Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand Romeu, Lemina JWP, Davis, Redmond Gabbiadini
-------------------------McCarthy------------------ Cedric, Can't Decide on the CBs, Bertrand ------------------- Romeu, Lemina------------- Gabbiadini -------- JWP -------------- Tadic ---------------------- Austin ---------------------- Gabbiadini on the right, allowing him to roam...it's also a position he has is well familiar with. Tadic on the left, just because I'm curious whether being deployed on the left will cause him to remember how to football. Can swap for Redmond if not confident that he will indeed remember.
I realise it's a bit of a slap up job. If I have time before the weekend I will try and spruce it up. If we win then I'll make sure the match thread after the international break is a super sexy one with all the bells and whistles.
I can`t see Tadic or Boufal being suited to a trip to a pumped up Huddersfield. Leaves us short of flair, but we can`t afford luxury passengers. Redmond and Davis to start please.
Nope, your attitude is slacking. You must start as you mean to go on. Wholehearted or half hearted - you decide The thread gods are watching!
I need a strong dose of confidence. We have had a draw and a win in the PL and yet I'm nervous about facing Huddersfield! Admittedly they have done well so far and any team can beat any team in the league, but I would like to feel more confident than I do....I would like a modicum of hope. I don't usually feel like this till matchday. Is it too early for a stiff gin?
Bonus Fact about Huddersfield: Huddersfield is literally the home of Rugby League – the town invented the sport in 1895 in a dispute over payments to players. The John Smiths Stadium is now home to the Huddersfield Giants who, interestingly enough, won all four Rugby League cups in 1914.
Even more relevant: Huddersfield Town FC was the first English team to win the league 3 times in a row. Only Manchester United, Arsenal & Liverpool have since earned this achievement.
