Match Day Thread Stoke v Saints 12/03/16 at 15.00 hr

Merson says 2 - 1 Stoke no surprise there.

 

Oh my, its all a bit negative on here !!!

My response to ...
Stats - They mean nothing. Most results this season go with energy and desire. We show that, we win.
Inconsistency - Only 2 teams have been consistent this season - Leicester & Villa. (See Energy & Desire for explanation)
We're on a bad run - And this has to change at some time as we aren't going to lose all our remaining games. So why not tomorrow?
Someone said 5 at the back was defensive again - I thought we'd settled this. When deployed well against the right opposition it is anything but giving us width, wingers when we attack, CBs the option to occasionally go forward in open play knowing we can cover for them ... but providing 5 defenders when we are under the cosh. Modern football is about flexibility and transitions from defence to attack and vice-versa and 4-4-2 can lack that.
We know we can beat anyone if we play well ... and lose to anyone if we don't.
Predictions? I've made a few, but then again, too few to mention. If we don't win, then we'll definitely draw, that is unless we lose.

My recommendation for those brave enough to be going is to Park at the Rugby Club less than a mile down Stan Matthews way. A good crowd and good beer. Then stay there all afternoon as it will be warmer and more welcoming than the Britannia Wind Tunnel

 

Oh go on then seeing as you're asking politely

 

I think that you should see a visit to Stoke as a 'rite of passage' for away fans, especially us soft Southerners - anyone who would deliberately travel several hundred miles to watch 90 ish minutes of attritional football, whilst being blown around by wind that's off the top end of the Beaufort Scale is clearly not a plastic fan. Certifiably insane, possibly, but definitely not a fair-weather follower. It won't stop me going, but I may need several hours of lying in a hot bath to regain any feeling in my extremities. 1-0 to us it is, then.

 

This was an interesting press conference. I do prefer the questions from the written press as they tend to focus on Southampton questions as opposed to trying to get a soundbite on the latest football gossip.

Think it's fair of Ron to say that Virgil has a more laid-back mindset. In some instances that mentality is useful in terms of keeping cool and composed under pressure, but it can lead to lapses and as a defender you shouldn't just be focusing on where you should be, but also where your team mates should be and I hope Ron is able to coax leadership qualities out of VVD.
We have some decent young defenders coming through and Virgil could play an important role in bringing those players through to first team level

 

It's given out nice calm weather for tomorrow so you southern softies will be ok lol

 

3-5-2 for me.

Forster
Cedric Yoshida Van Dijk Bertrand Targett
Davis Romeu Classie
Mane Long

Subs: Stek, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Tadic, Juanmi, Pelle


With the full backs instructed to keep getting foward, no matter how much Stoke are getting into the game. We saw against Chelsea that when the wing backs got forward, we found it far easier to keep the ball and create attacking chances. When they sat back and made a 5-3-2 Chelsea could dominate the game.


Do we know if either Gardos or Rodriguez are ready? If so I'd have them on the bench

 

Jay is expected to play for the U21's on Monday so hopefully won't be too much longer. No idea what has happened to Gardos. It's all gone quiet.

 

Ron said last week that Gardos wasn't as far forward as Jay is.

 

Gardos is further behind in the training, because his problem was with the knee.
He still needs more building up, in training.

 

I've forgotten who he is.

 

For Two Bob I will tell you.

 

Somebody who shouldn't be sold as has been suggested. Let's give the boy a proper chance and see whether he's up for it.

 

So Victor can play in the next game....must admit I thought there was another one, so good news. Ron will need every player available for selection. I bet Wanyama will be ecstatic....must have been boring for him....training but no chance of a game. Hope he's learnt his lesson....RK said only yesterday that he had no problem with Fonte's red card...that can happen in a game, but has no time for stupidity when there is no danger (hope your ears were burning, Vic).

 

Ron was guilty of a few Fonte like 'tackles' in his own career. Most notably on David Platt.

 

Did I not like that.

 

Poor old Graham. "Thanks very much referee, you've just cost me my job."

 

Ron had a real dig at Victor. Do I have a problem with a red card, no....do I have a problem when the same player gets three in a season...yes.