Match Day Thread FA CUP. Southampton vs Walsall, Sat, 6 Jan 15:00

We are so close now to the longest unbeaten run in the club’s long history. Any result at home to Walsall will put us on the precipice of greatness.

And if we lose it will be another damp squib.

Let’s get a good mix of youth and experience in and smash this.

3-0 win.

 

Gonna be so nice watching a game without the nerves.

Minutes for Dibling, Amo-Ameyaw and Meghoma would be good.

Full 90 for Mara and Charly.

 

Saturday 6th January 2024 15:00 ko Emirates FA Cup third round

Southampton v Walsall

Referee: David Webb
Assistant referees: Rob Smith & Hugh Gilroy
Fourth official: Darren Drysdale

 

I'm not sure I've watched many Saints games without nerves creeping in at some point.
Walsall will be up for this for sure.

 

Walsall beat Grimsby 6 - 1 away yesterday.

 

Yeh but Grimsby are no great shakes are they?

 

Wallsall are 11th and Grimsby are 20th in Division 2.

 

Grimsby, now let me think. Then history doesn't repeat itself does it?

 

Stephens, Charly, Fraser, Mara and Charles aren't regular starters, or at least haven't been recently, so I'd expect to see about a 50/50 split between first team and youth.

 

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-walsall/kader/verein/899
I know very little about the Walsall team, but being an FA Cup game anything could happen.

 

Falling one game short of equalling the unbeaten record by losing to our third 4th tier side in a year would be peak Saints.

 

Never bet on the favourite in a two horse race may be gambling jargon but the banana skin description for cup matches is appropriate for this game. I'll hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

 

All I really care about is that KWP is nowhere near the team. I wouldn’t even have him on the bench.

Give him a rest, he’s earned it.

 

Bazunu
Bree Jack Holgate Meghoma
Charles Charly Smallbone
SAA Mara Fraser

I reckon I would start like that.

 

Holgate might be gone by then. Maybe Charles at CB, and Aribo in midfield.

If Aribo isn't at Afcon.

 

In more ways than one, this and last season just gets on with his job, no fuss etc

 

We might be limited by lack of options at the back. If we play too much youth we’ll loose. Even if Holgate hasn’t gone yet I doubt we’ll cup tie him if he is going. THB will probably have to play alongside Stephens. Is Bree back from injury?

 

Basically a whole week either side of each game. I'm sure we'll rotate a fair few but I don't agree with this 'rest everyone' notion and think that could actually damage momentum too.

 

Yeah I am a fan of a strong team, get 'job done' by say 60 mins, then 5 subs

 

Bazunu or Lumley
Bree Jack Holgate or THB Manning
Charles Charly Smallbone or Aribo
SAA Che or Mara Fraser
would do it for me

Dibling on the bench

Walsall are on a run of form
Beaten Notts County, Wrexham & Crewe recently, all in Promotion/Play-off positions