please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Hello everyone and welcome back to another matchday thread from Saintsfcfan. I was going to do this tomorrow but it turns out I am rather busy, and with a boring international break currently on, who wants to wait until wednesday. This weekend we have the return of Premier League football as Saints take on Watford. Both sides have had solid starts to the campaign, amassing 5 points each, though Watford have managed to find the net 5 times to Saints 3. First 3 results: Southampton 0-0 Swansea --------------------------------- Watford 3-3 Liverpool Southampton 3-2 West Ham ------------------------------- Bournemouth 0-2 Watford Huddersfield 0-0 Southampton ----------------------------Watford 0-0 Brighton Watford can be considered as having a fine summer in terms of incomings, having bolstered their attack with the signings of Andre Gray and Richarlson raising a few eyebrows among their peers. They also managed to bring in Zeeglar from Sporting Lisbon on deadline day, a much needed left-back following the suspension of Britos after his horror tackle against Brighton in their previous game. Whether Zeeglar will be given his debut this weekend however, remains to seen. Southampton's window saw the signings of Wesley Hoedt, Mario Lemina and Jan Bednarek, adding solidarity to the defensive spine of the team, while the summer-long saga regarding wantaway Virgil Van Dijk ended with the dutch centre-back remaining at St Marys. There is bound to be much speculation surrounding whether he will play for Saints again, and it can be assumed, unless a small miracle happens, that Virgil will not be participating this weekend. Last season's matches: Pre-match quiz I don't want to steal @jonny shuttle 's fun fact section so I'll put in a little quiz section for you to ponder over. 1. Which of these Southampton players have NOT scored against Watford (in their time at the club). a. Jan-Paul Saejs b. Lee Holmes c. Billy Sharp d. Brett Ormerod 2. In the 2008/2009 season, Saints lost to Watford 3-0 at St Marys. In that game Southampton missed two penalties. Who took them? 3. In his time at Southampton, how many goals did Rickie Lambert score against Watford? *Apologies if this is a weak quiz, just thought I'd try out something new. Should I be doing the next matchday thread I will crank it up a notch* Team News Until the press conference later in the week we won't know too much regarding injuries. So far and, touch wood it stays the same, Saint's players representing their countries have come through them unscathed. Questions will surround the possible return of Virgil Van Dijk, but that remains unlikely for now. I think Saints fans will be expecting Wesley Hoedt to make his debut, though there will be some debate as to whether he will be replacing Maya or Jack. As far as i know for Watford, Britos will miss the game through suspension. My line-up Forster Cedric Yoshida Hoedt Bertrand Lemina Romeu Redmond Ward-Prowse Tadic Gabbiadini Prediction I think this will be quite a tough game. Watford have great fire-power in attack and i think our defence will be breached in this game. However, we are at home, we do look solid and are only missing that pass from the midfield to the attack. I would expect a draw at least, but I think Gabbi will fire us home to a 2-1 win. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image COYR!
I'm going for a bit of Lawro logic - we haven't scored a hatful of open play goals for so long we'll win 4-0!
Southampton v Watford Referee: Lee Probert Assistants: Andy Garratt, Daniel Cook Fourth official: Tim Robinson
The Midland Massive is travelling down to the game, not having been put off by the Wolves Cup Game .....glutens for punishment!
Hopefully Boufal gets a run out on the left and Redmond gets a turn in a central role and JWP on the right. Scope there for some swapping over to keep the opposition on their toes. Tadic should be benched. Good if Hoedt gets a start alongside Maya; more wisened head than Jack being that selection.
Great thread @saintsfcfan - much better effort I will be at this match and for these two reasons, I'm going 3-0 Saints!! Pub anyone?
Yeah, he missed the whole of 2015/16 season. Didn't referee in the PL after that until the end of last season.
Hmmm ... are Moldova as good as Watford? I think JWP should be back on the right again as he needs to man up to be central Nathan would be good central but can we survive without Davo's work rate? Will good Serbian game increase Dusan's productivity or premadonna-tivity?
Can't see Wesley playing, after 2 games for the Netherlands. Boufal for Tadic maybe. JWP for Davis. Everyone else pretty much nailed on.
Strange club Watford. No big superstars, change their manager most seasons, a mix mainly of foreign players not many have heard of. It shouldn't work, but it has done up to now. Hoping it will all click for saints and we open them up and take our chances. I don't think Watford will win this, but then again did they buy an attacking midfielder? In which case we are doomed.
Glad I'm not the manager at the mo (not as glad as you lot should be). There's one glaring selection problem for MP, IMO. I'd really have no idea whether to pick Tadic. If he turns up he could be the best player on the pitch but not if he's not firing on all cylinders. I don't think he gets a place. I'd try Boufal from kick off. He need game time, and if we're going to risk a non-performance at least we can guarantee he'll be trying whereas I'm not getting that feeling any more about Dusan. Hate to say it but it's how I feel. Vin
You are not alone vin. They both owe the team some good consistent performances. Let's see a bit more of what boufal can do.