If it is Pelle, it would actually throw Spuds in terms of how they'd expect us to play. We'd have a frighteningly quick front 2/3.
Good point. If there is an injury, I'm ruling out Forster, as we'd have recalled Boruc PDQ if it was.
Artur Boruc played for the Cherries today so it might be risky recalling him if Fraser was injured. Edit: Just seen Tom's post, of course Boruc would have been recalled before he played for Bournemouth.
Let's just say Pelle is injured [it's probably a hoax, but I'll go with it], then Long would come in to lead the line with Mane and Tadic either side. What we'd lose in physicality we'd gain in speed. The worst injury would be Morgan. Or, dare I say it, Victor. Yes, Jack can come in and make himself into an almost seamless patch, but then we'd have nobody else reliable on the bench as back up, to enforce or change the tactic in the most important area. Hey, perhaps it's Toby or Florin. Maya is almost certainly out anyway, and Koeman would rather he didn't limp off with Japan.
As long as Jose is not injured... I'd be gutted for him if he had to withdraw form international squad.
Saw that yesterday, considering Koemans press conference was after training, surely he would of said something there and then when he said who was out etc? No one's pulled out from International duty either which would be a sign if someone was injured and it was serious.
The rumour is third hand from someone who claims their friend is a free-lance journo. It makes little sense as, surely, the one thing a journalist is going to do with inside info is write an article about it...
I am not really worried. If it was Forster then it'd be a concern, but not one of te out field players would worry me. Morgan - play cork of Vic Clyne - Toby at RB CB - play the one who was left out Bertrand - Targett Any midfielder - play the others Pelle - we play a faster and very fluid from three. Oh blimey, we have a stronger squad. COYR
Ronald Koeman ‏@RonaldKoeman 3m3 minutes ago Congratulations @GPelle19 ! Hope that you score tomorrow for #SouthamptonFC! Think we can rule out Pelle (if true!) as Koeman reacts to Pelle's Italy call up.
My Saints preview for the game tomorrow https://medium.com/@GGalpinFootball/saints-preview-89534f4c5bcd
Think this will be a tricky one. I think we are vulnerable to the high press. We have been sloppy with passing at times as was evidenced against Swansea. MP will be looking to exploit that. They can also kill us with time of possession, especially if we go down early. I think it will be a stern test of our back four. Not so much in their marking and tackling ability maybe, but can we effectively play from the back and achieve total football. Seems like a job for Cork. But Wanyama has been looking better when we have possession lately so maybe this will be his chance to show his stuff.' But can Pochettino actually harness his side and get them playing like a team the way he did with Saints? I think this game could well answer a lot of questions for both sides.
I know 'the best revenge is living well', and we're living pretty well right now, but y'know what's also pretty good revenge? Revenge. I want to win this game something fierce.
Wanyama must play. They only have goals in midfield and he will massacre them. Plus he is the only player we have who can match Adebayor in physicality.
