Southampton Vs Sunderland Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image St Mary's Stadium please log in to view this image Match Apointments please log in to view this image Preview Southampton need to prove the defeat at Tottenham was a blip and that their early season form is not just a flash in the pan. Sunderland, meanwhile, have drawn too many but would gladly take a point from St Mary's. They knocked the Saints out of both cups last season to extend their unbeaten run against them to eight games. The last man to hit a top-flight winner for Southampton against Sunderland was James Beattie - 11 years ago. Gus Poyet maintains the finest achievement of his first year on Wearside has been instilling a gritty fighting spirit into the side. It saved them last season, and they have only lost three of their last 15 games in all competitions. John O'Shea has been an ever present in those matches, marshalling a defence which has conceded just 15 goals in that run. The Irishman has had a wonderful week, scoring a famous last-gasp equaliser against Germany on his 100th cap, before signing a contract extension at Sunderland. Just six Sunderland players won caps during the international break, only three of whom played twice. In contrast, more than a dozen Southampton stars have been away. Travel will have left some squad members drained but others will have been buoyed by international success - such as Graziano Pelle, who scored the only goal against Malta on his Italy debut. The Premier League Player of the Month for September has bagged six goals in his last eight games for club and country, with Southampton firing in more crosses than any other top-flight side to suit his style. Sunderland will need to stop the service from Dusan Tadic, who has scored or created 60 goals in 73 league appearances for Twente and Saints since the start of last season. He was involved in the Serbia-Albania controversy this week though. How much will that have taken out him? The fall-out from international duty will be crucial in what will be a tight match. Southampton have the meanest defence in the English leagues. At the other end, there's been no better shot stopper than Sunderland's Vito Mannone this season. A score draw would not be a surprise. Southampton Team News Koeman has no new injury worries following the international break, but revealed that he is yet to catch up with Emmanuel Mayuka and Sadio Mané with the pair set to return from their countries today. Sunderland Team News Sunderland full-back Billy Jones is ruled out with a muscle injury sustained in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week. He joins Sebastian Coates, Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez on the sidelines. Key Men please log in to view this image Southampton- Graziano Pelle With four goals already in his first 7 appearances for the club, Graziano Pelle already looks to have a major say on where the Saints finally end up in the table this season. Heâs worked well so far at the centre of Koemanâs fluid front three, with 1.6 chances created per game and averaging around 3.3 shots on goal per 90 minutes. He already has an entry for the Goal of the Season contender with his stunning overhead kick against QPR, but his link-up play with his teammates is one area that can improve further; heâs averaged 30 passes per game so far with an accuracy of just 70%, and losing possession against a packed Sunderland midfield with Lee Cattermole in a defensive enforcer role could spring the Black Cats on the counter attack through Johnsons pace on the flanks, so itâll be up to the Italian to take more care with the ball and hold on to possession whenever possible. Since August 2012, Pelle has scored 54 goals in 64 league appearances, and heâll be hoping to extend that run of form against a stingy Sunderland defense that has only conceded 7 goals so far this campaign. Sunderlandâ John O'Shea The Republic of Ireland international has had a fantastic week so far, and will be hoping to carry that into this crunch fixture. The former Manchester United defender scored a last-minute equalizer against world champions Germany in Euro qualifiers earlier in the week on his 100th international cap, and then followed it up by signing a two-year contract extension with the Black Cats, for whom he has made more than 100 appearances since joining in 2011. The outcome of this game will be decided by how well his partnership with Vergini keeps Southamptonâs fearsome front three of Tadic, Pelle and Mane at bay, and Sunderland will need their captain to marshall the defense expertly if they are to get anything from this game. Posters Prediction This week we welcome thematch.co.uk writer Tom Murray, better known on the Not606 Southampton board as saintsfcfan. He'll be joined by our very own wise fella with their take on the weekends clash. Thank you for your time gentlemen. Stats & Facts Head-to-head Sunderland are unbeaten in their last eight league and cup games against Southampton (W4, D4). The Black Cats knocked Saints out of the FA Cup and League Cup last season, but both league meetings were drawn. Southampton Defeat at Tottenham halted Saints' run of six successive wins in league and cup. Southampton are chasing a third straight home win and are unbeaten at St Mary's since a 1-0 defeat by Cardiff in April. No team in the Premier League or Football League has conceded as few league goals (five) or home league goals (one) as Saints. They have delivered 164 crosses from open play in this season's Premier League - more than any other side. Graziano Pelle has been involved in five goals in his last five league games (four goals, one assist). Sunderland The Black Cats' 3-1 win against Stoke was only the second time in 21 league games that they have netted more than twice. Connor Wickham's strike against the Potters ended his run of nine Premier League games without a goal, while Steven Fletcher's brace halted his streak of 13 league and cup matches without scoring. Gus Poyet's side have lost two of their last 13 Premier League games, including just one this season. Head to Head please log in to view this image Last Corresponding Fixture please log in to view this image Form please log in to view this image Betting http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/southampton-v-sunderland/winner Links http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/fans/away-fans/ Streaming http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=280496&part=sports
"One area Pelle can improve on is his link up play" Good thread but the above statement is rubbish. His link up play has been mostly excellent with some really nice flicks and lay offs. Stats don't always tell the whole story.
Very good match thread Funky Junky ! Think its going to be a tight game, Sunderland are a decent side now but Saints to win 1 - 0.
I know they day dont change a winning side but that was 2 weeks ago and a very deliberate team selection for that oppenent. Pelle is a unit so we need our best centre back in the team in Wes Brown. Rodwell would also come in for Gomez. Away from home against a good oppenent then chances will be at a premium so we need our best goal getters on the pitch Adam Johnson in for Buckley. -----------------Mannone--------------------- Vergini-----Oshea-----Brown------Van Aanholt ----------------Cattermole-------------------- Johnson----Larsson---Rodwell------Wickham ------------------Fletcher---------------------
I like Buckley but agree 100% ..... Johnson is tougher andputs a shift in tracking back. Buckley allowed Stoke to run away from him, the length of the pitch, and score.
I fancy us for a win whoever Gus goes with. Manager and Player of the Month curse for them, 8th/9th top tomorrow night.
Tough game that's for sure...A draw from this game would be good, but a win would be bloody marvelous..Ha'way the lads...
Toughest game of the season to date, Southampton are arguably, in fact scratch that, they are better this season than last. They seem more natural balanced and reliant on individuals, Clyne is for me the best RB in the league and selling Chambers for daft money and restoring him to first choice is like a new signing. Pelle has worked, and Dusan Tadic is a ****ing beast of a player can go inside or out with pace, we simply must look after this lad or he will torment us. Sneiderlin, fair play to the lad, everyone knows he wants away but his form has barely suffered, a cracking player, Wanyama is an absolute ****ing tank in CM. If I'm honest, I'm expecting us to compete, but struggle to avoid a narrow defeat in this one that doesn't offend me in any way, but, against that expectation I'm gonna stick us down for a very hard fought 1-1
We're going to be pushed right back and we won't see much of the ball, Buckley is one of the few who can provide pace on the break. AJ doesn't like to defend and never performs when deployed deeper, this game is a Buckley game all day long for me like.
At home they have turned over the Mags , drew 0-0 with WBA and beat QPR 2-1, we need to have no fear. I really think we're good for at least a point. We have a bit more than those 3 teams. Fletcher and Conner up top, Buckley and Johno on the wings, Rodwell and Cattermole in the middle. Attack and go for it !
It's gonna be a bloody tough game but we do have a reasonable track record against them, and I have a feeling they might underestimate us and expect to turn us over easily. I reckon it'll be an entertaining 1-1 draw.
good pre match post as always bry ,had our words but hats off again ,tomorrow is one of this seasons away games i will not be able to go to cannot even watch it online ,i think we will do well to get a point imo.
Harsh. Was't Billy J was caught offside on the overlap and no one stood over the ball to stop the quick free kick which left us out of shape at the back? Think Buckley's earned the right to start again . Though I do like Johno.
That was Buckley, he just stood whinging at the officials and allowed the move to start. He then trotted behind the Swansea player, Moses I think, until Adams got hold of it. Buckley was left standing but a determined run would've allowed him to make a challenge.
At home they have turned over the Mags , drew 0-0 with WBA and beat QPR 2-1, we need to have no fear. I really think we're good for at least a point. We have a bit more than those 3 teams _________________________________________ Didn't you lose to one of those teams?
Thanks again for the thread Bri. I think Poyet will pack the midfield in a 4-1-4-1 and hit them on the break so I think he will start: Mannone Vergini O'Shea Brown Van Aanholt Cattermole Larsson Rodwell Gomez Johnnson Wickham
