I think we'll have another 'W' on the recent end of our form guide after this weekend. How about a nice traditional 3-1, and save the clean sheets for our last two away games?
The quicker we get the first goal the better as Liverpool showed, absolutely battering them for 80 mins at Anfield then somehow getting caught out on the break late on. They might not do much attacking away from home, but any defence drilled by a Steve Clarke side are going to be well prepared. I think the most important thing is that we press them very high first half. While I really like Lukaku as a player, a) he isn't quick, and b) Jos's aerial duels success rate is stunning this season, so if we play with a high line and get Clyne and Shaw forward, I think we'll have a lot of possession and chances first half. I'm hoping to see: Boruc Clyne Yoshida Hooiveld Shaw Morgan Cork Puncheon Ramirez Lallana Lambert Clyne and Puncheon's link up play down the right has been sensational in all the home games i've sat in the Itchen this season, so I'd like to see Punch come back in the side to play on the right flank. Ridgewell and possibly Thomas/Fortune down their left is certainly a weak link. With Mulumbu suspended and Brunt probably filling in with Yacob at CDM again, I'd back Gaston to find pockets of space in and around WBA's back four, and generally have a very successful afternoon. Cork will probably have ample time on the ball to take over Davis's playmaking duties. I think ROdriguez would be most effective coming on in the second half (much like against WHU), when players are tired and WBA become more stretched. Mayuka also deserves another chance after last Saturday, would like to see him come on for the last 10/15 if we've got a 2-goal margin. 3-0 home win: Ramirez (2), Lambert
Right, another prediction on another thread. 3-1 this time as I'm getting confident. Any more threads and I will keep going up!
Posters may have noticed that two threads are now merged. The earlier thread, posted just a few minutes beforehand, got the nod to lead the shebang. And I can uncross my fingers because it worked correctly.
Indeed, the BBC do it the opposite way to Joe's link. I prefer it that way too. BTW, I notice from his link, that we're second in the form table for the last 5 matches, behind Arsenal. Bridesmaid again..!
Soccerway is a good website. Nice and light with none of the clutter that the BBC and Sky both fill their pages with. Obviously it doesn't have any of the journalism, but it's my first choice for checking results, fixtures, tables, etc. They cover leagues from the most obscure of countries as well.
Indeed very easy and quick to navigate, I use it as well, coincidentally what I was referring to when I said earlier in the thread that I had seen it done both ways.
If we don't win I reckon it'll be 0-0, possibly 1-1. West Brom are incredibly negative away, they'll definitely come for a draw given our recent home form.
WBA are the ideal team for us to put the PoMo pressing style into action, we should go for all out, relentless attack from the off. They are well drilled and will park the bus and look to get it to wassisname up front asap, so get him covered and we should be fine. With not too much to play for and a run of bad form lets hope they will not be as interested as they could be. Saints will be favourites for this one- always a reason for unbridled pessimism!
