Match Day Thread Brighton vs Southampton Saturday 30th March 3:00 pm

Thankfully I was wrong this afternoon! By all accounts, Cardiff were robbed but the result probably confirms this as the decisive weekend in this season's relegation battle. To recover a five point difference over 7 games is achievable but I think is this remains the same after another two games, it will confirm that Cardiff will be playing in the Championship next season. Cardiff must feel unlucky this afternoon and will dictate that they will have to go out a win the next fixtures as opposed to playing for draws.

 

Alderweireld og?


Oh what a fun weekend

 

Id much rather he'd have scored at the other end.

 

This is setting up for us to extend “it’s our year” for another season!

Cannot bloody wait

 

It looks pretty bleak for them...Man City away next and then a trip to Burnley, which could seal it.
Even if they manage to get something from there, it’s Liverpool & Man United still to come from the final five.
It would be a hell of an escape if they can pull it off.

 

https://readsouthampton.com/2019/03...ue-ruled-vestergaard-out-of-brighton-victory/

Ralph says Vestergaard is out with a long standing groin injury.

 

This is why I only do short standing

...coat already partially retrieved

 

That means Jack next week, as we'll presumably be reverting back to a 3 for Liverpool.

 

Pierre confirms he used to be a bit of a ****
The change in his attitude and body language on the pitch has certainly been noticeable.
Always easy to forget these are young men, still maturing.

 

Just looking at last years final PL table and with our current points and goal difference we would have finished the season just above Swansea on GD, though we've got 7 more games to go! 3 more points takes us level with last seasons points tally. Not relevant to this seasons relegation battle, but just found it mildly interesting.
Edit: We've won one more game than last season already too.

 

The Ralph effect.

 

Aren’t we all?

 

Been a great change. He is my player of the season so far. Every time he gets the ball he now turns and runs at the opposition which is brilliant compared to the endless back passes we used to watch him and the other do. Gets the crowd going and get the other players attacking as well.

 

But this now sets us up as the team that finally destroys Liverpool's hope of the title.

 

If could be the Hughes effect...

 

Fingers crossed VVDs ankle has swelled up this morning and he won't be available Friday.

 

Nothing trivial, I hope?

 

He got clattered late on and Klopp confirmed Virgil had to have ice packs on his ankle.

 

'clattered'? Whatever happened to Benali-style challenges? Or Roy Keane style, come to that? I'm not advocating deliberate injury, just something that will keep Virgil out of action for, oooh, I don't know, maybe 6 days? I'm quite happy for him to be fit enough to play, from Saturday morning, onwards.

Perhaps I should put away my wax effigy of VVD, with all the pins