Sadio Mane is the 6th most fouled player in the EPL. Would probably have been higher if he played for another club as we are apparently the worst behaved club in the league. Let that be a lesson to him....join another club and the boys will fix him in the 2 games against Saints.
The Britannia Stadium is usually very cold and windy (remember the goal from their keeper, bouncing over Boruc?). The weather forecast (OK the general forecast on the BT website) is for snow on Friday and Saturday in Staffordshire. Should make for an entertaining, free-flowing game. Think Brazil in Mexico 1970. Then wake up and put on several more layers. Can Bovril freeze? Mind you, it won't stop me going
Don't know which is worse, a footballing Stoke team or the old rugby playing Stoke. We are so inconsistent we might even get a result. Would take a draw.
Got zero confidence for this one. I just can't see us scoring against a well balanced stoke side. Without Fonte I'm worried about our organization at the back.
Question, last three games without Victor 1 point from 9, do we miss his presence? I have been on and off the fence all season over Victor maybe some of the players feel more comfortable going forward if they know Victor is covering, that is when he is eligible to play!!, just a thought.
He is a player who divides opinion and I believe this is because it is often difficult to judge his import ace when he is doing well. Take the West Ham game. I thought he was having a blinder until he got sent off but his stats probably didn't show much. He is not blessed with a great first touch and can mis place more passes than a lot of other midfielders but he does have a presence on the field. Romeu and Clasie have looked very good together though.
I agree Romeu and Clasie have been great, as we are lacking an attacking midfielder, I would try Romeu in that roll with Calsie and Victor more defensive midfielders with Clasie. Unfortunately Ron could not try something like this while Victor is banned.
I think you're right: Romeu would be great as a no.10, he gets forward into the box very well (almost scored on Saturday too). Perhaps Ron should swallow his aversion to Harry Reed and play him alongside Clasie?
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/arti...llery-pre-stoke-city-southampton-2996547.aspx Long and JRod in training gallery.
I was thinking the oher way. Clasie further forward. Somewhere in the dark pit in the back of my brain I think Clasie has scored a few for Feyernoord, where as Romeu I think has something like 3 career goals. Worth trying one of them. Ps. Not ignoring Davis, just hypothesising
Ah ok. I wasn't sure, but he a thought he's got a few more. No, perhaps we need to send some scouts back to the Channel Islands
Whatever happened to Le Tissier's son who if I remember correctly was excellent in a testimonial about ten years ago when very young..
I'm not worried, don't think he had been on his game most of the season and am interested in seeing our other options...
Just having flashbacks on the last time Jose didn't play I suppose Although Romeu and Clasie have done well. I don't recall a long term Vic absence not being accompanied with a drop in form. Perhaps it has more to do with Clasie not being able to complete 90 minutes or 2 games in four days. Vic adds an extra physical presence too. Chelsea and Bournemouth both scored from set plays
