Matchday! Only 30miles to travel there and back instead of 350 miles. Just a shame it's a Pulis WBA but can't have everything COYRs
We are apparently playing in the away kit. Sorry if this has been discussed but won't that clash horribly with black and white stripes?
People and politicians like to be able measure things to be able to understand achievement that is why people see our league position as a measure of our performance. For me it is more subjective. Have I enjoyed this season? Yes. We have had some great times. How good did we all feel walking away from St Marys on Wednesday evening? Puel is a great coach and a number of our players have improved considerably under his guidance and I am looking forward to next season with or without one or two players rumoured to be going..
Let's just have the three points then. Connoisseurs of the beautiful game can get their fix watching Middlesborough Vs Burnley
I wouldn't risk Manolo today, even if he feels ready. Going to have a battle on our hands, and if we can stand up to that, and have Long chasing like Weds, then we stand a good chance (with a little more luck). The last thing groin repairs need is a kick in the nads........
After the Palace game on Wednesday (yes I did go!) I do get the distinct feeling this game will be a little bit of an anti-climax...LOL!
Whatever our opinions about Saints or WBA I don't think there is anyone on here who thinks today is going to see another four goals away from home for Saints or indeed a 4-3 goalfest. Now I've said that get ready for a 6-6 draw.
Every WBA v Southampton game I have been to has ended 0-0 (three times). The most memorable being a snowy day at the Hawthorns where Prutton missed an open goal in the last few minutes in the season we were relegated. The other memory was a young Gareth Bale hitting the post from a dead-ball situation.
For all the credit Koeman got, his sides were always set up to defend first. Not quite a Tony Pulis side, but you need special attacking players to make the difference. Ps. most fans will accept any kind of football if it is a winning brand. It is just when you are not that people are a lot less tolerant with hoofball.
Today is going to be really tough with so many players missing, against a solid side that are strong at home when we are poor on the road and not the most prolific of scorers! I would take a point.
Against Palace, had Boufal been on the bench he would almost certainly have come on and probably for JWP. So, thank goodness, with hindsight, that he wasn't fit.
I predict a 2-1 win for Saints. Us to go a goal up, West Brom to equalise then Cedric to get in behind their 10 man defensive line late on to slot home the winner. He's due a goal, especially after Maya proved our defenders can still chip in midweek.
Thanks, Claude. We are wonderful....well, most of us.....mmm, some of us.........one or two anyway. Ok, it's just me.
I always remember good old John Osborne playing in goal for WBA. He used to chat to the crowd throughout the game and I remember him picking up a butt end thrown at him and smoking it in one game. He also said he wasn't bothered by a 3-0 opening game of the season defeat at the Dell because he'd played in teams so bad that they used to celebrate getting corners.
A CB who hasn't played in over 1yr due to ruptured Achilles making his debut in midfield? No thanks. Put him at CB Stephens has done ok but this chance has come too early. We won't be starting maya/Stephens next season (I hope) so get cacares on.
