First match of the season without Martin Wednesday night sees the visit of Liverpool for an EFL cup quarter final in a match which seems much more appealing than it did 24 hours ago. Liverpool's form has dropped slightly since the last time we played them in November with a couple of recent draws in the league making it even more likely that they'll rest a fair few for this. Hopefully we'll see no Salah of VVD lining up at least. We on the other hand have nothing to play for in the league bar reaching at least 12 points and therefore there is no reason not to go as strong as possible. The players will surely be as relieved as much as the fans are for the change in the manager situation and let's hope it gives the whole club a massive boost at a perfect time. Liverpool's reserves will still be the favourites of course but Nathan Jones against Man City and all that. Is anyone who had no intention of going to this while Martin here now tempted to get a ticket? Hard to predict a lineup when we know nothing of the bloke in charge currently but I'm going to risk breaking my drum by pleading for Paul and Archer to both start and see it they can start to develop a partnership. Already had two two-match unbeaten runs this season so let's have another one. Be nice to replicate the last time we faced Liverpool at home in the league cup... Let's not think about the time before UTFS
Southampton FC (First Team) v Liverpool FC (First Team) EFL Cup Referee: Hooper, Simon Assistant Referee: Holmes, Adrian Assistant Referee: Long, Simon Fourth Official: Smith, Josh
Archer in for Sulemana for me. Wouldn't be starting Lesley either. Lallana and then Aribo off the bench.
I would stick Bree in for this one. Hopefully, renewed hope in players and fans and gain some confidence back
I've got a feeling that this match will be one extreme or the other. We'll either nick a win and everyone will say how much it proves he should have gone earlier or we'll get battered by their reserves and it'll be "oh yeah we're still really ****"
Weather forecast is for heavy rain and moderate breeze 13 c. Just what we need when we are already down in the dumps.
Both Archer and Sulemana should be involved. I recognise that the latter is not on a lot of fans Christmas card list but somewhere in there is a decent player that did not flourish under RM and needs a confidence boost and could do well. One thing is for sure and that is the squad turning out tomorrow need to show that they have a passion and commitment to the Club and most of all its supporters. My two grandsons and son will be there, unfortunately I’m not. No doubt they’ll let me know soon enough as progress etc!!
Downes has had it before. THB was given it by Armstrong when he went off against Spurs. Bednarek would be a good bet imo, or Lallana if he is fit to start.
So along the lines of the City match two years ago who's gonna be our surprise scorers tomorrow to replicate Mara and Djneppo? I'm gonna go Diaz and Sulemana in a 2-1 win. Spurs in the semi please.
It looked like Armstrong initially went to hand the armband over to Downes on Sunday, only for Downes to point him in the direction of THB instead. So I'm guessing it'll be THB who starts as captain tomorrow.
Well considering the players were given time off and haven’t even met the caretaker manager, I’d suggest that another absolute battering is on the cards unfortunately
Just musing here. When we played in the FA Cup last season, Liverpool fans told me how impressed they were with Sulamna. If anyone's forgotten he scared thieir defence ****less n the irst half hour or so. In the 2017 second leg, the same fans told me that they were delighted when Redmond was subbed as he was, as one put it, '****ing scary'. Both these players have had their critics, to put it mildly. Is there something about followers of a team that means we don't see players as our opponents do? I remember stopping at a service station on the way home from Manchester after we'd lost 2-1 to a United team driven by Wayne Rooney and getting into conversation with United fans telling me how crap he was. So, tonight a repeat of that 2017 first leg 1-0 with a goal from Sulemana is my call!
