It's a Saturday home game, it's at 3 o'clock, and I'm doing the match thread again. What could possibly go wrong? This is my third thread in a row, so hopefully we can keep on picking up the points even if it means I have to do more of these threads! On paper, certainly before the season, and even now, this game would be down as 3 points for us. But this is football, and that coupled with the fact that we were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline at Turf Moor in December should make us wary of taking Burnley too lightly - just ask Man City. That being said, we were very unfortunate to come away from Lancashire with nothing in the reverse fixture. We controlled the game, had the better chances, Tadic had a penalty saved, and Barnes scored a very lucky deflected goal. It came in the midst of our woeful five match losing run, and prior to the low point of our season: Sheffield United. Enough of that though. On Sunday, we played some superb attacking stuff in the first half against Chelsea. Mane looked unplayable at times, and Tadic and Long looked very bright also. We showed the other side to our game in the second period, with some resolute defending, outstanding goalkeeping from Fraser and great team spirit to get a well earned point. Who knows how valuable that point could be come May. Burnley, as well as being full of confidence after beating the fading PL champions on Saturday evening, will be buoyed by Sunderland's appalling defeat against Villa, which leaves our good friend Mr Poyet out of a job, and the Clarets just a point from safety. Last six games (League): Saints (7th) - WDLLWD Burnley (8th) - DLDLLW Referee: Roger East Team News: Saints: Elia should return and there is currently no news of any knocks picked up against Chelsea, so most likely a fully fit squad to pick from, with the exception of Jay and Mayuka. Big Vic being just one yellow card away from a two match suspension is something to note however. Burnley: Marney and Long are long term absentees. Matt Taylor is unlikely to feature, but the three Saints old boys: Ings, Jutkiewicz, and Vokes should all make their squad. My Saints XI: -----------------------Forster----------------------- -----Clyne-- Fonte---Alderweireld-----Bertrand------- ---------Davis----Schneiderlin----Wanyama------- ---------------Mane-----Long-----Tadic----------------- Unchanged side for me. Prediction: Saints 2-0 Burnley
Looking forward to this one, even though i can't go. Will be great to wake up on saturday morning and think, football day. Enough of this playing on sunday/monday crap.
For the record, it will be a close game of we don't score early. If do score early i can see it being 2/3-0.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/11862191._/?ref=mac Article in Echo where Fonte says drawing at Chelsea will be meaningless unless we beat Burnley. I would never call getting a point off a top side meaningless...after all our failure to take enough points off the top clubs has been a problem...but I know what he means. Our situation means that we have very little room for manoeuvre in the last 9 games. Now is the time to really hit our straps.
So you're saying the 2-0 win against Newcastle in our first season in the PL was a close game? P.S I cannot use smileys at work so will be hard to see when I'm joking, like now.
A badly out of form and jaded striker in for a pair fresh legs who was a constant threat against Chelsea on Sunday? Why?
Long is not the most talented player and doesn't often create much but I do believe he unsettles defences causing them to make mistakes from which others can profit. As such I believe he deserves to start as does the rest of the team. Lets not forget, we were very good against Chelsea in the first half without having to play through Pelle. We got behind their fullbacks more often than I think I have seen this season.
He shouldn't be jaded now. Apart from 10 minutes against Chelsea, it's been over 2 weeks since he last played. Add into that a mini-break to Switzerland for team-building purposes he should be refreshed and more confident.
Yeah maybe. I'd still start with Long though. He did well against Chelsea, he's currently looking the more likely to score imo, and his pace gives us just as many options as Pelle's strength. Plus it's maybe time to change the teams approach for a bit, and not make playing everything through the big target man the first option every time.
Long earned his place last weekend, in my opinion it would send a horrendous message if he is dropped to the bench after a performance like that.
I liked the way Long played. I'd keep him in as well even though the game is likely to play out very differently. This one has "park the bus" written all over it. Pelle has not shown much the few times we had games like that so I'd like to see what long can do.
I'd start Long, Trippier likes to get forward so I think with two pacey forwards up front we would have a better chance of getting in behind their defence.
I don't think he was actually THAT good. A typical Long performance - lots of effort and running which was effective on Sunday. Him and Mane were a dangerous pair, but it was Mane with the majority of the threat IMO.
I agree he played well, but I don't think dropping him to the bench would send out any horrendous message. It's horses for courses. Burnley will present a different style of challenge. One that will suit Pelle, in my opinion. With Long on the bench we can try either/both at some point anyway. Still, Ronald will decide.
http://talksport.com/football/premi...ccess-rate-all-time-revealed-150318140088?p=5 Talksport discussing the top penalty takers amongst PL clubs. We already know who is top
Can't comment on the last game as I have only seen highlights, but having two fast players provides quite a distraction for defenders. Mane may be more effective because Long is playing.
