This is set up for 3-5-2, more down to personnel than anything else. We must just be wise to the pressing game of Southampton. It's got nothing really to do with system, it's application. You can lose playing any formation, I'd be more concerned with 4-4-2 against a pressing side than a 5-3-2. 5-3-2 easily becomes 3-5-2 when attacking, we just need to be on the front rather than the back foot. Harper Elmo Macca Bruce Davies Figueroa Livermore Thudd Meyler Jela Long
Harper Elmo - McShane - Davies - Figueroa Meyler - Livermore - Huddlestone - Boyd Jelavic - Long Could always slip Quinn in instead of Boyd, but would leave Brady/Aluko/Koren on the bench as possible impact subs.
Looks like my early season prediction of comfortable mid-table for you guys is spot on, still a very good chance of you finishing higher, all depends on how it goes in the cup! 2-2 tomorrow night, looking forward to it, should be a good game and I'm expecting to see some good football.
Is it any more of a ridiculous fixture then ours at Brighton next Monday night? Also they don't only develop young talent they poach it from all over the country including Hull.
Elmo at RB in a 4-4-2 is utter madness. We go for three at the back we would be playing available players more naturally; I prefer 4-4-2 but playing a back three is getting too much criticism. The back three pick themselves and are proven. Thud, Livers, Meyler in the centre, Elmo in his best position, Brady left. Play Jelly in front of Long and leave Aluko as the impact sub. We have a strong bench, which gives us a system change in the second half, depending on how Soton set up and perform. A big difference this time is we will be making mischief at the other end and that will allow us more time on the ball.
If you have poached anyone from City it'll be because our academy currently consists of a sand pit with jumpers for goal posts.
I can't remember Southampton poaching any of our players, what do you mean busdriver? It's fair game for our better equipped league associates, especially given the fact our 'academy' is so piss poor. It's light years behind the rest of the PL clubs and probably most Championship clubs.
I think this game could well be decided by who scores first. If we score first I think Saints will win. If you lot score first then it's going to be very difficult for Saints.
One the one hand I agree - if Rosey is unavailable we're not well equipped to play 4-4-2. The personnel at our disposal suggests 3-5-2. On the other, Fez thinks Elmo is part of the spine of the team...
Who have we poached from Hull exactly? Ok we nabbed Lallana from Bournemouth when he was 12, but we turned him into the player he is today. Shaw was rejected by Chelsea for being too short so we didn't poach him. Ward-Prowse has been at Saints all his footballing life.
Why change a winning system? It should be: Harper Mcshane. Davies. Bruce. Figueroa Elmo. Livermore. Huddles. Meyler Long. Jelavic
