---------------- Davis------------------ Clyne-----Fonte-----Hooiveld-----Fox ---------Morgan-----JWP-------------- ----------------Lallana----------------- Guly-------------------------Rodriguez ---------------Lambert----------------- We see lots of the ball and win 2-1.
I know its not but it feels like a must win already, having so many hard games early means putting points on the board will be difficult
I'd have to agree - I really don't want to be bottom mid-september with 0 points I don't care how well we play in those games, performances don't equate to points
Wigan play 3-4-3 so will be interesting to see how Adkins combats this as its fairly unique formation in the league. Think we might try 4-4-2 diamond initially. Remember us taking Middlesborough apart at St Marys(who played 3 at back)
Lallana was roaming a lot on the wing too. The main difference now will be that he's involved more and can't hide away. All the players are finding out that the PL is unforgiving and won't let them slack off. In a match like this one where we expect to get a grip on the game, Rodriguez will be able to push onwards into dangerous areas. Rodriguez isn't a conventional winger, so we'll need to pass the ball round a bit to let him get high up the pitch without being caught out. He can be a centre forward too, but Lambert looks like having that covered for now. 433 (or variant) is the way football is heading and without it, we risk falling behind. We'll just have to get used to it. I believe we will in time.
It might feel like that, but it's not. It's really not. To me, a must-win means fatal consequences if you don't win. Your chance of something is over, finished, gone. It's a big game, and one I would ideally like to win. But I'm miles away from thinking of it as a must-win game.
We could get something from this game, but it's not the be all and end all. i think the team is on a learning curve and we will get better as the season progresses. Adkins is a very good manager and he believes in learning and trying things out. Having said that it would do wonders for confidence to get a few points on the board now.
New to this but have been a reader since the old bbc606 I think it'll hopefully be a saints win! Goals from Rickie and Sharp coming on as a sub.
Its not a must win game by any stretch but when the fixtures came out it is certainly one you would have 3pts next to. Our home form is going to be crucial this season so we should therefore be looking at taking 3 points from the of teams we would expect to see in the bottom half of the league. Then we should look at taking a the odd win and a few points from the top sides at home. Whilst away we should look at a couple of away wins and four to five draws against all teams. That'll give us about 50 points and mid table security. Easy.
This will be the game where we see what Clyne is all about, methinks. Wigan will attack down the wing, but they'll also provide plenty of space on the flanks going the other way, so we'll probably see the fullbacks in attacking positions more than a few times.
Old article on Wigan but some of u may enjoy http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/05/16/wigan-stay-up-after-a-switch-to-3-4-3/
Terrible gaston ramirez based banter aside, I am slightly worried by saturday. Did anyone else watch Wigan against Chelsea? I was really impressed by them. After their shaky start they controlled the game. I realise that Chelsea sat back after they had scored two, but still. Wigan should definitely not be underestimated, and it wouldn't suprise me in the slightest if we can only manage a draw.
