St Mary's Stadium, 19th May 2013, 4pm kick off. So the last day of the season is approaching, and we can all sit back, relax and enjoy the day rather be a nervous wreck until kick off. Hopefully Saints can sign out with a flourish and put on a show for the fans. Match officials Referee: Lee Probert Assistants: G Beswick and A Garratt 4th official: S Attwell Team news For Saints there isn't a lot to say. Only Guly was ruled out through injury against Sunderland. Ramirez and Fox serve the final match of their 3 match bans. Will we see either in a Saints shirt again? I hope we see Ramirez next season, Fox should be sold IMO. For Stoke, it is Michael Owen's last ever match before he retires from professional football. I hope he gets a run out. Form guide Southampton: DLLDDW Not a great run but fatigue must be a factor at this stage of the season, as we haven't got a particularly big squad. Stoke: LDWWLL Stoke got themselves out of trouble with back to back wins against QPR and Norwich. My prediction Saints will end the season with a bang as a brace from Rickie and a Morgan goal giving Saints a 3-0 win.
I hope we beat Stoke and end up 10th or 11th. We have had a more than respectable season and the final table should reflect that.
This would be the perfect time for goals from Luke Shaw and Jack Cork, together with at least one each from Rickie, Morgan, JRod, and an injury-time header from Artur Boruc. The question also arises, will either of our former strikers score against us? Will Crouchie and Kenwyne actually appear on the pitch together during play? Will Michael Owen survive the warm up? Will Tony Pulis take his baseball cap off? I'll settle for 4-1 to Saints.
I think: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin; Puncheon, S.Davis, Rodriguez; Lambert. But if we really want to mix it up, then I'd say... Gazzaniga; Clyne, Fonte, Forren, Shaw; Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin; Puncheon, Lambert, Rodriguez; Mayuka. Think Pochettino will take it seriously and want to win with the first team in order to secure a higher league finish. May help in the market.
I want full strength and full commitment from Saints, the home fans deserve them to put in 100% and I'm sure the players will want to go out with a bang. The amount of money for each position also means that although there is no chance of relegation, we definitely have something to play for.
I honestly think Lloyd Isgrove might be in with a shout this week ... he was in the squad last week, and was part of the pre-match warmup, but De Ridder was preffered on the bench ahead of him.
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It's all about the number 3 for me. 3 points for Sunday 43 points for the season No lower than 13th for the final league position I'll be entirely happy with this outcome! P.S. Maybe Maya, (number 3) to bag his first goal as well!
