I have thought that a 3-1 scoreline seemed sensible but yesterday's results mean that the pressure is on us to win. Couple with the fact that the game is a lunchtime kick off, I don't think that the match will be a pushover. The first twenty miinutes will be really testing and Pompey will be up for this and will endeavour to make it difficult. A failure to snap up three points will seriously dent our promotion chances. Reading seem nailed-on Champions to me and we will get nothing out of our game against them.
Wow, Mr Optimism. We win today and Monday, then only one team look nailed on Champions. If we go into Friday with two wins, I can't see us losing against them. Ten man Leeds could and should have nicked something yesterday. Keep the faith. In Nigel we trust.
I think today will be an interesting test of our promotion credentials. Portsmouth are ****e, simple as that. We need to be able to win this game, derby or no derby, if we're serious about being promoted - let alone champions! Realistically we should beat Portsmouth today, then win away at Palace as realistically they have very little to play for. We should also beat Coventry fairly comfortably. If we can then scrape a win and a draw out of the Middlesborough and Reading games then I see no reason why we won't be promoted as champions. But it all starts today chaps! COYR.
I can't see beyond Reading for the title if they come to our place and win. And to be honest, I've got a feeling that even a draw will be enough for them. Unless we take maximum points today and Monday, I'd expect us to need to beat Reading to have a chance of the title. But of course none of that matters, as I care little about title. It's all about automatic promotion, and if the title goes with that then all the better.
I've not got once ounce of nerves at the moment. Something tells me I wont still be feeling like that in a couple of hours time though.
My Prediction Southampton 1-0 West Brom Reserves We score in the first 10 minutes, fans go crazy expecting the floodgates to open. Nothing really happens in the second half and the skates outsing us in the last 10 minutes claiming they have 'better fans' because of this
You have nerves of steel st brendy! You always seem so calm and measured...I don't know how you do it! You must be related to Nigel? I'm sat in the Plymouth University Library trying to get some revision in but failing because I can't stop the nerves about the game today, same goes for yesterday! Best of luck to all fans red and blue off to the match today, lets hope there is no trouble and of course the right result at the end. Give it your all, honourable saints fans as you would expect the team to when they run out on the pitch
I'm not sure that I'm related to Nigel, but think I do have to credit the great man for making me "calm and measured". There are some managers out there who I think would lead to me tearing my hair out each week, but not Nigel. His influence has rubbed off on me ten fold (although I would like to think that I was a fairly calm and measured guy even before Nigel took over - just not this much!).
2-0 Saints - Lambert x2 Davis Richardson Jos Jose Fox De Ridder Spiderman Hammond Lallana Lambert Guly Subs: Martin, Cork, Sharp, Puncheon, Barnard.
After the results yesterday this has become a 'must win' game because we cant let Wham close the gap on us. We SHOULD win, but there lies the problem! I will be (hopefully) watching the game via live streaming although I would love to be in that number at SMS! Come on Saints, Lets get our top spot back.
Team just announced: Davis, Richardson, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Guly, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Lambert, Sharp 4-1 Saints COYR!
That is the starting line-up I was hoping for. Much more confident now. Saints will surely score at least three with a shut out at the other end.
Are we going to start with a 4-2-4 or 4-4-2? Sadly for Portsmouth their line up seems to have been altered due to injuries.
Good luck one and all. Come on Southampton, we have just got to ignore all the rivalry and play this as another game where we just need 3 points. We cannot get involved or side tracked by the derby influence, it's just three points that need winning for promotion.
Good afternoon. Long time no speak. Come on Saints! I'm nervous but I think we'll beat them comfortably enough.
