Article: Stoke City v Southampton match thread | Southampton FC, Football

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino, speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday's game away to Stoke City: "So far, we're really happy with the season we're having. The players deserve all of the credit.

"They [Stoke] are still a very physical team, so it's clear that we will face a very difficult opponent on Saturday."

He also says midfielder Steven Davis and forward Dani Osvaldo, who missed last week's 2-0 win over against Fulham, are "better".

Just some stuff from BBC as we don't have any conference related posts yet!

 

My head says 0-0 but I think we could sneak this 1-0. I don't think it will be a high scoring game.

 

Where's DTLW when you need him!

 

They are playing better football, but are a physical and somewhat aging team. If we play our normal I can see us wearing them down and them conceeding free kicks in dangerous areas. First goal JWP this Saturday

 

It's up on the OS, matey..!

 

Whoops hadn't checked.

 

Slightly funny bit in the pre-match conference... [this isn't 100% accurate but it's essentially correct]

Journo: Are you in for a new defender in the transfer window..?

David: ¿Estamos en un nuevo defensor en la ventana de transferencia ..?

Mauricio: [Grimaces and shakes head] No..!

David: [Grimaces and shakes head] No..!

Faint giggles from journos.

 

I worry about us picking up injuries here. I think in the away match adkins was careful in his selection avoiding players he considered to be fragile. We will be fast and intense potentially drawing a lot of free kicks but I see it as a risky game for some of our players.

 

That's because tomw19 started the match thread.

 

We're doomed!!!

 

Does anyone have good recommendation for where to watch saints on tv in Miami?

 

2-0 win. Osvaldo to start and score.

 

Who would you drop for him? Rodriguez and Lambert should start as they were excellent against Fulham.

 

I'm aware, just feel like he'd be well rested and could start ahead of Lambert who may be used from the bench. Nothing against either of them and if football was a game played by robots I'd start the exact team from last match.

 

1-1

 

Right, against Stoke. One of the most physical teams in the league. What a great idea.

 

The only reason you'd start Osvaldo right now is based on reputation. He hasn't earnt it.

 

I'm not sure about that generally, he's shown more over the season than Rodriguez has - for the Stoke game, I'd agree because Rodriguez was very good against Fulham, but on the whole Osvaldo's been impressive enough that he'd get in the team on ability, if not form.

 

I think it's unlikely that Osvaldo will be starting against Stoke. I can't see him any of the training photos from today.

 

Poch said Osvaldo and Davis are better...not that they were fit.