Match Day Thread Southampton vs Everton 15/08/2015 12.45 pm

Hello! This Saturday Saints have their first home fixture of the Premier League season against Everton. It is live on BT Sport 1 and in the Ultra-HD channel, with a 12.45pm kick-off.

Everton drew last week at home to newly-promoted Watford 2-2, with Arouna Kone getting an equaliser late on. Saints started their campaign with a 2-2 draw as well, albeit away to an improved Newcastle side. Despite being the lesser side for 70 minutes or so during the encounter, Saints came away with a feeling of what might have been, Sadio Mane having squandered two chances in extra-time.

In terms of injuries, Ryan Bertrand is still some way from making a return. Gaston Ramirez has an unsure return date. Jordy Clasie played for the under-21s on Monday, however came off a small knock. He should be fine though. For Everton, Baines is most definitely out, with Mirallas a doubt.

Likely line-up:

Stekelenburg
Cedric Fonte Yoshida Targett
Wanyama Davis
Tadic Mane Jay
Pelle

Subs: Gazza, Cuco, Caulker, Clasie, JWP, Long, Juanmi

With this being a home fixture, Saints will want to get the three points. Being so early in the season it is hard to be sure just what this Everton side will accomplish, so expecting a close game. Saints to win 2-1.

 

An away draw was a decent start, but would be encouraging to see that St Mary's is a fortress again this season. We seem a bit disjointed in defence compared to last season, but still look very good going forward. Don't like playing late compared to most teams, an early win and a sit back watching the other suckers would be ideal.

 

Hoping to make it to this game but I'm having a hand operation on Saturday morning. I've cadged the morning spot and it's at the RSH so I'm hopeful but I might not be on time. I certainly won't be clapping, regardless of what happens.

So, as a fellow injuree, what's the latest timescale for Ryan's return?

Vin

 

buzzing.

 

Of course if we win this we'll be 3 points better off than this time last season. If we replicate that over the entire season we'll finish on 117 points.

Which would be amazing as there are only 114 max!

 

http://www.skysports.com/football/n...n-from-injury-gives-southampton-an-extra-lift

Only 3 players are left from the ones that played along side Jay when he was injured. Hadn't really thought about that. Good article.

 

Love the optimism but sadly if we win this we are still 2 points down on last year as we beat newcastle. I'm sure we will pick up points this season where we lost them last. Swansea at home example

 

Good read, but amazed to read that only 3 players remain at the club from 16 months ago. Of course we realise that players have left (our noses have been rubbed in it enough), but still a surprising fact.

 

Stats can prove anything....let's go with the positive interpretation.

 

Looking forward to this. Hopefully a repeat of our match last season ... play Harrison Reed again!!

 

I'm convinced he should have started against Newcastle. He's looked really good pre-season and never let us down last. He's not Morgan but he would certainly break up a lot of attacks, taking pressure off our back four.

 

Stekelenburg
Cedric Fonte VVD Targett
Wanyama Davis
Tadic Mane Jay
Pelle

 

Now that's quick.

 

To get the most out of our attacking full backs we need to be playing with two CDMs really. Reed to start alongside Wanyama

 

I'd like us to set up a bit differently then we did last match. Playing in the same formation and with the same players is playing into Lukaku's strengths, it instantly reminds me of that match when he destroyed us completely.

 

We do need more cover. This is us in attack, with basically four strikers and two attacking fullbacks forming a line on the edge of the Newcastle's penalty box

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and then this is us moments later, when we lost the ball , only four players in our half, two center backs and two central midfielders, and also Cedric trying to get back. I think this is the situation prior the the first Newcastle goal.

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Thank you Gary Neville

 

I have a feeling that we may see Caulker at CB for this one, with Yoshida at left back.

 

We went 3 at the back against Everton last season and dominated the game. Could do it again?

-------------Stek-----------

------Caulker--Fonte--Yoshida---------
Cedric--Wanyama--Classie--Targett
-------------------- Davis--------------------
------------Pelle----------- Mane----------

Subs: Gazza, Martina, Tadic, JWP, Juanmi, Long, JRod,

 

Can the person who makes the match thread please include the match officials in their OP. It really isn't difficult to find out.