Match Day Thread Pre-Season 2015

It's a shame he wasn't speechless The image he was trying to project didn't match the room in the background, did it?

 

Going back to Yoshida...he nearly scored with a header again on Thursday. I think we can see a plan coming to fruition...as Ron said, we don't score enough from set pieces.

 

It's probably an old fashioned stereotype but English teams do tend to be better at set-pieces. We certainly looked threatening when the delivery was half decent on Thursday. So this could prove an effect weapon in Europa.

 

Espanyol playing a friendly at Reading today, judging by the reports on the Reading site http://wall.readingfc.co.uk/Event/Reading_FC_Wall
it isn't very friendly. 0 - 0 FT

 

I wonder how we will do....will depend upon if we play a team made up totally of those not involved in the Europa games. We aren't that good that our second string will give a good showing. I know the tickets were cheap and friendlies are often rubbish, but I hope a few first teamers are played out of respect for the fans.

 

For me, Sunday is all about minutes for Jayrod!!

 

I would leave Pelle out of this match, and the one against Vitesse. One of the issues last season was our over reliance on him which led to his burn out. There's no need for him to play these matches, given all the options we have in attack. Let him be fresh for the opener against Newcastle.

Against Vitesse, as they have to chase the result, one might argue it would even be better to hit them with pace and counter them mercilessly with Mane/Long/JRod/Juanmi (take a pick)

 

Friendly aside, I am willing to bet that Pelle will play in every match for which he is fit.

 

Being overly critical, Koeman's only weakeness last season was his over-reliance on Pelle. I was very impressed with Long/Mane at Chelsea, and I think our relatively poor away form is an area we should be aiming to improve upon. I'm hopeful he will be more willing to try a pacey counter-attack this season, but not holding my breath. There is also a good chance that Pelle will improve even more now he's used to the league. Exciting times.

 

How many we think will be at this one, debating if it's worth it?

 

Well, I'll be there. Couldn't not go for a fiver .....

 

TEAMS

SAINTS: K. Davis, Martina, Fonte, Caulker, Targett, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Long, Juanmi, Rodriguez, Pelle.

Subs: Gazzaniga, Cédric, Yoshida, S. Davis, Mané, Tadić, Reed, McCarthy, Debayo, McQueen.

ESPANYOL: Pau, Arbilla, Duarte, Raíllo, Álvaro, Javi López, Montañés, V. Álvarez, Caicedo, Salva Sevilla, V. Sánchez.

Subs:

Ref: Lee Probert

 

Strong line up

 

We should consider fielding Pelle also for the u21s this season. He needs to get some game time under his belt.

 

Why? To knacker him out more?

 

I was being sarcastic, duh.

 

Are there any streams about for this game, anyone know? Cheers.

 

Try going through the OS

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150802-live-southampton-vs-rcd-espanyol-2587808.aspx

 

Match is listed on most streaming sites, but it remains to be seen whether any of them will work.

 

All my usual suspects saying 'banned'or similar. Anyone found one?