And so it begins, fellow Saints fans! We are back! We are in the Premier League! And we have much to talk about ahead of our game on Sunday! (Hence why I started this early) Away to last seasons champions, Manchester City, firstly well done to them, they made it an incredible final day of the season! The Story: Back to back promotions for us over the last two years. We have had quite the journey. Our Team and Formation: This pre-season we have been practicing a new set up by playing 4-3-3. This has worked on a couple of occasions, but not as much recently, it takes time to adapt to a new style of play. Anyway, I think we will line up in a defensive 4-3-3 line-up on Sunday, as follows: Davis Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox Schneiderlin, Davis, Lallana Guly, Rodriguez Lambert Subs: Gazzaniga, Shaw, Seabourne, De Ridder, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon, Sharp (Team as of 13/08/12) Score Prediction: Man City 4-0 SAINTS Season Prediction: 15th - I think it'll be close, but there are worse teams than us and I am confident that we can match anyone at St Mary's with the crowd right behind us! Based on our very few signings and lack of experience, I think we will get caught out by a City team who totally outplayed Chelsea yesterday. However, having said that, team spirit is a massive and can play a big part! Ok, No whinging or moaning if things go down hill early on, it's a long season and it's going to be very exciting!! COYR!!!! (MORE TO FOLLOW LATER)
No Richards, potentially no Hart, Balotelli and Silva may not be up to match fitness...it could be are day. Just have to get past Aguero, Tevez, De Jong, Milner, Toure, Kompany and a few other decent players in order to achieve glory. I never predict the score and I never say we will lose. BUT, we will score!!
I feel that we might sneak a goal...but only because city often got a bit complacent last season after putting 3 or more in the other team's net!
Genuine score prediction - I think it will be 7-0. I have been to to the last two pre-season games and no matter what anyone states the formation does not work. It may do eventually but not with Rodriguez on the left wing and not with Fonte and Hooiveld as a back pair. If we lose 7-0 I won't be disheartened as it's Man City but if we follow up with a loss at Wigan using the same tactics / players I will start to worry. 4-3-3 requires pace in attack, precision passers and a rock solid backline. We can't really tick any of those boxes right now. The current crops of players requires 4-2-3-1. Davis Clyne Fonte Hooiveld Fox Davis Schneiderlin JWP Lambert Lallana Rodriguez JWP has the legs and passing ability to play the inside right channel more effectively than Guly or Puncheon. Much like in the Milner mould. He is young, versatile and offers defensive stability (watching the full back). This is not supposed to be negative. Just my assessment.
Score Prediction: Man City 4-1 Southampton. Scorers: Rickie Lambert. Team: Davis Clyne Fonte Hooiveld Fox Schneiderlin Davis Lallana Puncheon Rodriguez Lambert Subs: Gazzaniga, Richardson, Sharp, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Chaplow, Hammond
It's not impossible lads but it's a tall order. We stuck 2 past them at Loftus Road and 2 past them at the Etihad. Ok so we lost both games 3 - 2 but you've got to get at them if you can. Show them too much respect and they'll destroy you Ok I'll admit it helps if you - A. Don't employ joey Barton B. keep 10 men on the pitch C. Put 5 men on Yaya toure! Anyway good to have you back and best of luck
Who would have said Wigan would lose 9-1 at Spurs, or Chelsea put 7 past Stoke, Villa, Sunderland all in one season. Stranger things have happened.
For me Hammond is a must pick, does a great job battling in midfield and runs for the team all game. He is also good at retaining the ball and thumping it upfield if necessary, getting blocks in..need I go on? How Hammond isn't one of the first names on the team sheet along with Schneiderlin in games like this I honestly don't know. I will be really disappointed if he doesn't play. I would set up like this ------------ Davis ---Clyne Fonte Hoovield Fox ---Morgan Hammond(c) Davis ----Guly---------------- Lallana ---------------------------------- ------------- Lambert I'd use Sharp, Rodriguez and Puncheon from the bench. If we play those personnel I think we could pull off a shock draw or go down by a goal or two. If we set up like in the OP I can see us losing by 3-4+ goals. By the way I haven't really been following the pre-season much. I understand we're playing 433 instead of our 442 and 4312 plan B from last season. Is Lallana down above as LCM or LM/LW? He is far too lightweight to be in the midfield battle in a game like this and he played LM/LW all of last season
Hammond is terrible.His tackling abilities doesn't inspire me with a lot of confidence,he runs around and tries hard,but he rarely succeeds with a well timed tackle,he is in essence,a poor man's Barry. Don't worry mate,Hammond won't play .
I don't think it will be 7 but can only see a Man City win depending on damage limitation. Pre-season doesn't mean that much but it's been pretty disappointing and I think most of the people on this board who seemed to think we'll be pushing top-half are slowly realising we aren't as strong as they originally thought. I'd expect Saints to go out to win the game with the same confidence had in the last 2 seasons and just ensure if it does start looking like a demolition then shut up shop to protect GD.
