Robbie Savage said on 606 after the Chelsea game that we seem to raise our game for the bigger teams - Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City, which is easy to say but I believe incorrect. The reason we beat those teams is because they probably underestimated us, but more importantly came to beat us, so the game was more open. Unfortunately, teams that come setup not too loose, park the bus, and we have real problems breaking down. Also I thought Baggies were one team this season that made us look poor, so although I would love to win as I can't see us getting anything in the away games that we have left, I think a draw is more than likely.
I see what you mean Ashby, but lets hope the boys are doing work on that because if we are that predictable we will get picked off next season. Gaston seems to be improving rapidly and am sure will be our key pickpocket to unlock bus parkers...
I believe we will want it more than them, so I'm going for a Saints win, Our defence has looked much more solid just lately so we'll probably concede a shocker, but still run out winners 2-1.
---------------------Boruc---------------------- Clyne-------Yoshi--------Hoiveld---------Shaw -------------Schneid------Cork---------------- Punch------------Gaston----------Rodriguez-- -----------------Lambert----------------------- Subs: Gaza, Fox, Fonte, Lallana, Davis, Mayuka, JWP I think start with punch maybe, but you can't leave out J-rod. Sorry lallana, to come on for punch at 60m or so. Unless lambert not fit in which case Jrod starts up top with lallana wide left. Gaston to be replaced by Davis at 60m or so. Mayuka/JWP to get a 10m run out if we're 2-3 goals up. Prediction- 3-0 win. Got to be optimistic and we're 'due' a big win.
You are right to worry, it's the human side coming out into the open. More worrying to me, is the barrage of criticism that will appear on here, if fate does the dirty on us Saturday. I just hope it doesn't come to that and we can all be happy chappies, full of cameraderie and bonhomme.
apologies if its not "the done thing" to advertise stuff....but got a spare ticket for saturday. if anyone wants it (at a knock down price) send me a message!
Mauricio Pochettino: "It's important for us to finish the season well. We have to get the maximum points from the games left." "That starts with Saturday's game against West Brom, who are a tough opponent." "This game is vital, but all games are vital because winning means you will climb positions in the table." "There's four games left, and we want maximum points from all four. If we do that, we'll all be happy."
Pochettino says James Ward-Prowse is out, after picking up an injury with the U21's on Sunday. Also says Morgan picked up a knock earlier this week - but is now fine.
You know, the only thing I don't miss about Adkins is hsi coyness in interviews. Poch comes out (well, his interpreter) and actually gives us injury news.
I'd like to see Chambers make the bench ahead of Guly in that case. Mayuka's certainly ahead of him now, and two of Lallana, Rodriguez, Ramirez, Davis and Punch will also be on the bench, meaning we've got 3 attacking options ahead of him. If we're two goals clear and looking comfortable with 5-10 minutes left, i'd love to see him have a run-out at right back.
I long thought it was a club policy to employ almost a blackout-curtain approach with the media, but apparently not.
[video=youtube;_RkB-IUOeWU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RkB-IUOeWU&feature=player_embedded[/video]
I have a feeling that were we to have another long-term injury like Lallana's, we might see more circumspection in his answers.
I think it's apparent that the news blackout was of Nigel's doing rather than a club policy. He believed that any information could be important to the opposition. Don't think Mauricio shares that view.