Disappointing that we're having a repeat of the start of last season with Bertrand out with the same injury. Targett looked good on Sunday though, looked stronger to me. We could be starting with only 1 of our first choice back 4, but Yoshida alongside VVD at CB wouldn't worry me. Be interesting to see who starts at RB, presumably Cedric is first choice (although he wasn't under the LD), but if he isn't match fit yet, will it be Pied or Martina?
I thought Martina looked good in the friendlies I saw him in. Pied looked okay last game, but Fraser was having to shout at him constantly to get him in the right shape...
Yoshida and Targett are both capable deputies, if we don't trust them to do a good job against Watford, then we should really start to get worried about the quality of our options from the bench.
http://www.wdsport.co.uk/2016/08/isaac-success-a-big-doubt-for-watford-opener-at-southampton/ Success a doubt for Watford on Saturday. And the player.
Good joke - and good news. From what I hear, he's been one of their best players in pre-season. Fingers crossed he's out!
Pied's a converted winger, and -- as seems to be standard with our right back signings -- doesn't seem to exactly have the positioning down.
http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/43460/ An interesting interview with a Watford fan on the Ugly Inside Video channel. They haven't had a very successful preseason as a new manager beds in with a new style of play...he thinks they aren't ready for us on Saturday and he predicts a loss. Watford could be a good chance for Puel to open with a win, but heaven help him if we lose with some tough away games coming up. I'm confident as I liked the look of us last Sunday.
The media will find it hard to get easy soundbites from him. He analyses things at length, so they will have to work harder to get the main points from what he says.
Thought Pied looked fine with the ball. One hairy moment when he and Forster got confused when Pied headed back the ball from too close in and Forster put it out for a corner. Probably won't happen again.