please log in to view this image Southampton v Hull please log in to view this image Saturday 9 November 3pm Match Officials Referee Howard Webb Asst referee - D Cann, S Massey 4th official - R East OK folks so it's back to the Prem on Saturday after the disappointment of going out of the cup yesterday. Personally I have no issue with the team MP selected. Top flight football is now a squad game not just about 11 players and it was vital to give a few fringe players a run out last night. I'm certain we will field a totally different side against Hull. Our opponents have made a great start to the season with 14 points from 10 games. Their best result being a 3-2 away win at Newcastle. They struggle to score goals, only 8 so far but have a mean defence with only 10 goals conceded. In the games I've seen they've played some good football with Huddlestone looking particularly impressive in midfield. Saints come into the match not having lost in the PL since a 1-0 defeat to Norwich in August. MP has pretty much a full squad to choose from so hopefully we can bounce back to winning ways and maintain our position in the top 6 before the next boring International break. I'm going for a 2-0 Saints win with a double from Rickie! My team would be Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Victor Morgan Jrod JWP Adam Rickie Subs KD Chambers Maya Cork Davis Gaston Dani COYR!!
Would have put this down as a banker at the beginning of the season as I thought Hull would struggle. Can't argue with 14 points from 10 games though. Struggle to score but good defence sounds familiar. Am desperate for us to win this home game before the international break and some difficult games, but could be a 0.0. Hope the boys have their shooting boots on.
Tough game this. Heart says 2-0 head says 1-1. We will need to play like we did against Fulham to win, as they are the exact type of team that we struggle against. Solid, strong and organised. We are capable of beating them but I can easily see a stalemate like the west ham game.
G'day Saints fans. No doubt my user name gives it away but for the sake of clarity - I'm a Hull City fan! Although you are obviously entitled to feel confident, there are plenty of us that feel we can get something from this game if we play to the same standard as our recent performances. Mind you - the odd sad git aside - optimism is probably an essential part of being a football supporter. Just wondering lamballana, if your view of our probable demise, (in a thread you started back in August) has changed? A little bit of trivia that may interest you - My family history for several generations is Hull and the Tigers are still a big part of my life but I do have a Hampshire and Southampton link in a couple of ways. I live in Melbourne now but my last year of schooling was actually in Hayling Island - way back in 1974. For those of you old enough, that was the year (I'm pretty sure) that Sunderland beat Leeds in the FA Cup final. Secondly, I am very happy to have the acquaintance of John Sydenham who I'm sure most of you know has resided in Australia for many years now. John is my brother's father-in-law and when he visits Melbourne from Perth, we often catch up. He's a lovely bloke and for someone who was a genuine star in his day, very humble. I'm sure we'll enjoy some banter this weekend. Back to the game and my incurably rose tinted glasses - Southampton 0 - 2 Hull City.
Phew...started from bottom and thought you were going for a Hull victory We should be favourites in our present form and at home, but can never be too confident. The type of game on Saturday depends on whether Hull are strong in defence by playing near their own goal or because they play a high line like us. We struggle more with teams that don't come out to play. Afraid I don't know their style as I haven't seen one game. Going for a 1.0 or 2.0 to us.
Morning Saints. I think we need our best XI available if we're going to get anything out of this game and we've had some issues recently with injuries. In fact, at our recent game against Spurs we had seven first team players missing, though our second string did manage an admirable performance. Brady and Aluko are two of those missing and if they manage to return, our chances of scoring increase dramatically. Hopefully, we'll find out at today's press conference if they'll be there or not, I'm saving my prediction until I know.
We're very lucky to have him (Bruce); nobody gets everything right but he hasn't got much wrong since joining us. OLM is right - if Brady and/or Aluko are available for Saturday, our chances will improve dramatically!
Assuming we, Hull, manage to get Brady and Aluko back from injury, I would expect to see; Harper Rosenior McShane Davies Figueroa Elmohamady Huddlestone Livermore Brady Aluko Sagbo Like Brady and Aluko, Elmo has the pace to counter your high line, however his crossing has been dire in recent weeks. Sagbo is the one to watch for me. He has shown glimmers of what he is capable of with some brilliant touches and turns. Its about time he bagged a couple and staked his claim in the starting XI. I'm expecting a nervy affair with one goal winning it either way.
I think if Hull play 442 then we should win. We dominate in midfield against 5s so a 4 would be a nice treat. I'm not usually one for predicting a win, but a confident Hull side is just the kind of Hull I want to face. If they think they can win, I am sure they won't. I'm going for 65% possession for Saints... and a nervy 1-0 win.
im going 2-0 saints , or 0-0 / 1-1 .......haha . Hull are a good team , doing well and it really could go any way , there are no easy premier league games , (although man city probably enjoyed playing norwich last week ) .......I have to be honest though and feel we are the better team , and on our form this season i dont think that it is arrogant at all predicting a home win . I am more than aware there are many arrogant saints fans (every club has them ) but reading back , i have to agree that looking at the fixtures both pre season and now and if saints really are aiming for those European places that they talk of then I cant disagree that Hull at home is a game that we should be aiming for nothing less than 3 points , thats my opinion im sure many will disagree , but I mean that with no disrespect at all ......
Very random trivia: we've had three fourth officials in a row who are Saints fans or have had links to the city.
If Aluko plays, it will be more of a 4-4-1-1, he plays quite deep picking the ball up and unpicking defences, with only Sagbo playing as an out and out striker.
