please log in to view this image VS please log in to view this image Saints play Manchester United at St Mary's on Sunday 20th at 16.00 hr (on SS1, starting at 15.30). Referee: Mark Clattenburg; Assistants: S. Beck and J. Collin; 4th Official K. Friend Injuries: Southampton--No reported new injuries. May be still too soon for Clasie and Bertrand. Man U--Phil Jones (blood clot, 3 weeks). Rooney (fitness test, hamstring). Last 5 PL games. Southampton: Newcastle (D), Everton (L), Watford (D), Norwich (W), WBA (D) ManU: Spurs (W), Villa (W), Newcastle (D), Swansea (L), Liverpool (W) Southampton now lie 11th (with 6 points) after a 0-0 draw away to West Bromwich Albion. A third clean sheet in a row being a positive, but another disappointing failure to score and win an entirely winnable match against a negative side. In contrast, Manchester lie 3rd (with 10 points) whilst also being unimpressive because they can score that magic single goal when needed....winning 1-0 against Spurs and Villa. Their last match was a more impressive 3-1 win over Liverpool where their final goal was scored by the expensive wunderkid, Martial. United will certainly give us more room to play and may even give us a chance to score, so a positive result is possible if our defence (now including the long awaited VVD) keep up their good form.
It's going to be strange seeing Morgan line up against us Wanyama and Romeu to start this one me thinks. I'd like to see: please log in to view this image
Mane has to play on the right in this one, will cause Shaw lots of problems with his pace Id go with Stekelenburg Cedric Fonte Van Dijk Bertrand (if fit) Wanyama Romeo Mane Davis (Long) Tadic Pelle Not sure on Davis or Long as can see Longs pace being used off of Pelle too
Although we've all been talking about the lack of a cutting edge in attack, I don't think we've looked all that solid defensively. It's true we've had three clean sheets in a row, but Norwich and WBA hardly attacked us. Even so, both had decent opportunities and Watford missed a couple of absolute sitters. I can't see United being so generous. Hopefully both Virgil and Oriol will play and give us a more solid look, even better if Ryan is fit. I'm all for free flowing attractive football, but good defence comes first in my book not to mention the heart rate.
Is you r clock 12 hours out Fran.? L:ate Tuesday evening please. And not a club emblem in sight. You do realise these things have to be done with enthusiasm. You were dead keen the first time.!
I doubt RK would throw Bertrand straight in, though a bonus I guess if he's fit enough. I do hope that Targett can pull out a decent performance if picked (I have a sneaky suspicion Yoshida may be though). I really am perplexed by our defensive performances this year, clean sheets without convincing, the Everton debacle, yet Van Dijk impressing. God I hate losing to Man U, so here's to a more confident Saints, and wobbly United.
Oh goodie, I have an excuse to flounce off even if we win Two things: had to do something as American Football was on Sky and you get it when it's given (as my old Nan used to say).
I thought you turned the Grid Iron off [I read posts], and if you don't want to do match threads anymore that's fine.
I had time to do the match thread because I turned the tv off. I will be delighted to continue if Saints beat United...a woman has to do what a woman has to do.
