Two things to say. One, yes of course I would rather we saved ourselves rather than relied on others to do it for us. Unfortunately, the reality so far this season suggests that we can't. We need that help. Two, even if we do win today, that doesn't win the day can't be improved even further by results going our way elsewhere. Without question though, the most important match for us today is at the London Stadium.
Next 5 games: Burnley vs Saints 2-1 (1-1) Saints vs Stoke 1-1 (0-0) Newcastle vs Saints 1-1 (3-0) Swasea vs Saints 2-1 (P) West Ham vs Saints 2-0 (3-0) Last 6 Arsenal vs Saints 3-0 Saints vs Chelsea 1-2 Leicester vs Saints 3-0 Saints vs Bournemouth 2-1 Everton vs Saints 2-2 Saints vs Man City 1-4 32 points is my prediction My predictions point wise is bang on
And there is that Newcastle goal. For me, a goal that works I our favour. I always thought that if we were to lose today, but continue to have any sort of chance of survival, it would have to involve letting Newcastle go. The same distance between us and Huddersfield being maintained is some small crumb of comfort.
And indeed, with the full time whistle blown, I would suggest that Newcastle can be removed from the equation. Right now, us and/or Stoke getting to 36 points looks a tough ask. But even if either of us were to, Newcastle still have a home game against WBA - not to mention six other matches - to push their current total of 35 points upwards. West Ham and Palace are mathematically still far from safe, but I've never really believed that they are in it. So for those on here who still have hope, it is surely two from four between us, Stoke, Swansea and Huddersfield. Brighton could yet be sucked into yet, but they have a string of chances to save themselves first. Yes they missed their first one today, but it's still a couple of weeks away yet until they might want to stock up on toilet paper. (Or not, because it two weeks time we're probably still be on 28 points)
It amazes me how anyone can appoint Mark Hughes as a manager, his managerial record is abysmal you will rue this decision
His managerial record isn't actually that bad. He's not the messiah...but I don't know if you noticed the position we were(are) in. Not sure who you think we could have got to come in and save our season. One things for sure, we were going down with Pelligrino in charge so at least we rolled the dice...even if far too late. Today can hardly be laid purely at Hughes door. And even if you want to, it's not like we signed him up for the next 2 years. Short term appointment. Last desperate throw of the dice. Not many/any saints fans were delighted and excited about his appointment, but we can recognise that he's better than what we had...even if it doesnt work out.
Just accept your fate and look forward as we do to the derby again next season..........................................
Game in hand on Palace will be crucial. But, reality still says that the two places (above WBA) will be a battle between Stoke, Palace, Huddersfield and Saints. Still in their own hands..... and while there's hope; fans MUST KEEP THE FAITH.
I always thought our GD might just get us that one place up we need, but even that's being eroded. Hughes would have had more of a chance if he'd been brought in just a few games ago...because you can then afford the odd loss that is almost inevitable. A few matches to make us world beaters is a big ask and that is what we need. Of course it is not impossible, but every week there are fewer teams that can be sucked in, so I'm building a shell and preparing for next season. Staying up will just be a nice surprise.
The goal difference isn’t just being eroded. It’s being eroded by our near rivals. Double whammy. Ours worsens whilst theirs improves.
The only chance I see now is if Huddersfield fail to pick up any more points for the rest of the season. With us picking up a few points.. or a win before the end of the season.
Don’t forget Stoke, they have to carry on losing too. Looking at their run-in, they might just fail to get more than a couple of draws.
Arsenal's next two games are at home to Stoke (today), and us next week. It would be very Arsenal-like to win one of those 4-0, and lose the other.
The implied percentages for relegation given Betfair's odds: 100% WBA 71.5% Stoke 43.5% Southampton 42.7% Huddersfield 14.2% Swansea 11.5% C Palace 8.8% West Ham 5.7% Brighton 2.2% Newcastle Not over yet. Vin
Table / Fixtures, still suggests that the bottom three will come from WBA (certs!), Stoke, Saints, Palace, Huddersfield and Swansea. Fundamentally, Saints still have everything to play for..... as the saying goes, it is all "in their own hands" The squad/ team WILL surprise somebody, sooner than you think, and will scrape together enough points in the next 7 x Prem. matches to avoid the drop.
Nope. I don't think any of the postponed matches from QF weekend do. I'm wondering if the PL want to put them all in the same midweek (like they have done with the postponements from SF weekend), and if so then the fact that City and Arsenal are both still in Europe complicates/delays matters.
