Here we go again, it's non-stop when there isn't an international snooze, so I spy Loading's record over the horizon. Four games unbeaten and perhaps there's signs of things starting to click a bit in our general play. We just need to put the round thing in the mesh part. Before we get to the poem - a word on psychology. No, not their psychology, our psychology. If you're watching the game, can I suggest putting your phone down and not coming on here until full time? Just an observation, but I largely did that against Swansea and it meant I was actually watching the game (rather than arsing about typing), but also didn't have my perspective influenced by anyone else. It was pretty nice really. You can then come on here afterwards and notice how you watched a totally different game to a lot of other people. Trouble is when you spend time on here during games, you naturally get influenced by the opinions of others, and start thinking someone is being ****, when you hadn't even contemplated it previously. Probably cos they weren't. Group-Think. Avoid where possible. Also, please never mistake the fact that some people are able to emotionally regulate themselves with a lack of passion or ambition. Anyhow, that said - main sporting question is whether we keep the same team. Bristol City are good, annoyingly, and much as it will make people wail and whine, a draw this time around would actually be a handy result. So with that in mind, I personally don't mind the five at the back for this one. Only question would be how we put our front players into a jigsaw - I'd be happy enough to drop Adarma in order to integrate Fellows. If he drops Scienza, I think people can lose their emotional regulation a bit. The other question would be "is Jelert carrying a knock". Otherwise, same team. To continue our epic ode - we move into a more philosophical territory today...Penguin Books have been in touch asking whether they can publish the full piece if we stay unbeaten the rest of the season. We're in tough negotiations. Ode to the Unbeaten (a continuation). Still, Quiet. Tap, Noisy. Science of the left, probing. Good fellows to the right, languid and true. Tip tap, tip tap, Still. Trebuchets fire into a crowd, An archer. Arrows against posts. Wherefore the fisherman, Capturing joy with his net.
Another thread from Le Tissier's Draws. So this will almost certainly be another unsatisfactory draw.
We will win, lose or maybe draw this. Whatever the result I guarantee: A meltdown from some Still is out of his depth comments SR out X player isn't a Championship forward Southampton has fallen FWIW, 2-0 to Saints.
All fit and healthy I'd go: McCarthy Jelert, Edwards, Wood, Wellington Jander, Charles Fellows Azaz Scienza Archer I just don't like 5 at the back and want to see more forward motion - THB was just a bit too pedestrian in the last game for me. But if the same team rolls out and wins - what do I know?
I'd be looking at making minimal changes to yesterday's starting XI. The odd like-for-like swap, for fresh legs, might be sensible (eg Manning For Wellington, or Downes for Jander), but nothing else.
Not sure I get the love for Welington based on what I've seen. Or is it just a case of he's not Manning?
I quite like Welington but he needs to stop giving away stupid fouls by pushing players in the back. It's not even subtle!
I thought he was solid yesterday - one of his best games in a Saints shirt, albeit against very limited opposition. But the way he constantly gave away stupid little fouls was infuriating. He needs to cut that out quickly.
Bristol City's last three home games: LOST to Oxford 3-1. Drew with Ipswich 0-0. LOST to QPR 2-1. 1 point from 9 against three mid-table sides. No way we should be showing them any more respect than this deserves. FOUR attacking players on the pitch minimum, not three.
Very tough game and we have put extra pressure on ourselves by not winning in our recent matches. Honeymoon period definitely over, a win to get the relationship back on track
I too am going and the last time I saw a Saints win full stop was 26/12/2011, so no chance we win. Plus City seem to be a bogey side for us
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest this might be a draw. We'll have a 20ish minute or so period where we play really well which we'll all cling onto going into Blackburn. Think we have quite a few not606ers going to this one?
Think we may need to revive 'Southampton Nil' from the Puel days at this rate. Armstrong and Archer's practice for this game needs to be 10 hours of tapping in from 5 yards. Get Jander in as well even though he is center mid.
