Our last two games, against Manure, have ended 1-1, but we have to go back to 2003 for our solitary home win at St Mary’s. Our win record against them, in the last 20 years or so, has to be amongst the worst in the top flight and, I know this will surprise many of you, we are especially prone to conceding points to them after taking the lead. Who would have thought that? So not just a Ralph thing, when Utd are involved! Following our 1-1 draw at SMS,last season, Manchester United had “now recovered 36 points from losing positions in games in the Premier League against Southampton; the most by any team against an opponent in the competition”. Not a record to be proud of and might get trotted out, at some point, by the commentators, along with a reference to a 9-0 score line that happened when our squad was at it’s weakest, something that never gets mentioned. I am hoping that Utd return to their smug, arrogant attitude and think that they just have to turn up to get the points, giving us the edge in aggression. Might be a case for 4-3-3 or 4-2-2-2 with Romeu drafted in to help close down the space through the middle, although I fully expect Utd to try and take advantage of the space behind our FBs, with balls into the wide areas that will potentially drag the CBs out of position and create gaps to be exploited by the likes of Fernandes. Would be good to try Mara next to Che, to see if there is a partnership to be had, especially as both seem to have an eye for a pass. Oh, and my 55” tv STILL hasn’t been delivered, despite being given the date 18th August as the latest that it would be delivered, so unless that changes over the next couple of days, I will have to carry on watching on the 32”.
Check the small print, Badger/San Tejon: Does the 18th August delivery date actually specify the year? Oh, and I predict a 1-1 draw, with Man Utd getting an equaliser in the 43rd minute of added time, after the crowd have left, and the groundsmen have finished mowing the grass.
Not building my hopes up but 5 minutes after posting the attached message I had a phone call to say that the tv would be with me approximately 50 minutes later, so about 15.40 CET. Like a big kid now, looking out the window in case he drives past
Saturday 27th August 2022. Southampton v Manchester United. == 12:30 KO. - please log in to view this image Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Marc Perry, Eddie Smart. Fourth official: Anthony Taylor. VAR: Peter Bankes. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton. Credit Tom.
I am sure you have all been waiting for an update. Yes they did drive by before returning, after driving round the block. Mind you the numbering is weird in the street. Anyway, to stop disrupting the thread (that’s usually TIOON7’s job) it is in and the fire stick is up and running. 2-1 Saints now
This is a good test for our younger players. I was horrified by the Liverpool game where a number of Utd players went down holding their face after minimal or no contact. The ref wasn't fooled but it was clearly designed to wind up Liverpool (though Salah was also guilty of play acting). Our players will need to be prepared so they react in the right way and keep cool. If they do, we should win this.
Dull draw but a nice winnable game at least. Will go to this if pricing is decent. Should be a kids for a quid game imo. Maybe £15 for adults? Certainly no more than 20 anyway.