Can't get used to being favourite to win so feel a bit nervous because of that. Too much of the old Saints still in my head. The sensible part of me can't see us losing but think Leicester will defend like mad so I'm going for 2-0.
We all feel like that....despite years of success. We won't win every game (though would love to), but we have every right to feel confident...even against Chelsea, City etc. No team will be over confident facing us. Like that journalist said, we've gone from being a team no one wanted to play for to a team no one wants to play.
On the basis that Leicester will have 10 men behind the ball, I would start with Mane and Cork over Long and Wanyama. When Cork plays I think we are better with the ball. Wanyama's defensive qualities hopefully won't be required. Before I get accused of Corkism, I would be starting Wanyama against Villa and Man City as I think his skills will be needed in both those games. Anyway, back to Leicester, both Vic and Long could then be brought on to protect our lead(!). However, I think Ron will start with Wanyama and Mane. The rest of the team is picking itself at the moment.
The last sentence being the big difference between us and Leicester. You only need to read their fan boards to see that almost everyone has a different starting line up with usually no more that 6-7 players the same (compared to 9 for us). I am also pretty sure they make several changes in most games
Do you think so? Even at home? I know they did the classic 'park the bus' on us at St Mary's last year.
Need an early goal...are you listening Wanyama? WBA stopped us (though they are a better side than Leicester). It can be very hard to play a team lacking ambition. Go back a lifetime and we often squeezed out a result when our back was to a wall.
Didn't they do it there too last year? 0-0? One thing that would favour Corkie is them playing Sanchez as despite them being poor against QPR, I thought he was excellent without the ball. He was always nipping in to intercept and pinch the ball and could do that against Vic. On the other hand, they play one up front and rely on getting people in the space between striker and midfield, which is where Vic is so effective, so I'm torn. I'd certainly go with Corkie Saturday.
That's a few times I've read that we need an early goal. I don't think so. Yes it would be nice, but this team will break someone down eventually. The West Brom game was only the second game together and it showed. If teams want to come and feel confident that it's 0-0 after half an hour or even half time, then great. I believe we will get through eventually. We are playing a different possession game now. It used to be keep it, keep it, keep it. Now, it's keep it, create, create, get it back if we don't keep it. Last season we didn't get men beyond their defensive line. This season we get several players beyond that point, hence the midfield goals.
I think the Wanyama goal had a dramatic effect on the game...without it we would have scored more as Hull had to step up the game. This made it look a more even game, though our defence allowed them only one shot. Against Leicester on the contrary, I think an early goal (first 15 min) would open them up and we could score more.
An early goal could open teams up more, my point was that we don't 'need' one. I believe we'll break them down eventually without one. If we want a goal fest, then yes, an early goal will help.
