2 unbeaten So it's time for the 'not a derby derby' and we visit Dean Court desperate for a result after a return of 1 point from 5 matches so far and with an ominous looking trip to Arsenal coming up before the international break. Bournemouth have done brilliantly under their new manager who took them to a respectable 12th place finish in his first season in 23/24. Made an indifferent start this season and are possibly missing Solanke who they sold to the North London Yobbos. Would like to see us unchanged in this one and try to build a settled team as much as possible. We'll have to be much less sloppy in possession than we were at times against Ipswich as they're a very effective high pressing time who'll be bang up for this and will be confident in forcing errors. Hopefully we're willing to mix our play up a bit to try and make them think twice. On Sky so no doubt they'll have their hype machine in full flow and we'll have to hear dross about this being a huge rivalry all night. Can only see a defeat here I'm afraid. Reckon we'll score but end up shipping 3 or 4. UTFS
RM always calls for bravery and one area where I think we need to be braver is the way the midfielders receive the ball. With Downes, Lallana and Fernandes we now have three midfielders who should be more capable of receiving the ball on the half turn, as Downes did when he fed the ball through for Archer against Ipswich, second half. For me this is one of the best ways of breaking through the press and I hope we see more of it. It could also lessen the intensity of the next press because the opposition might not get so tight, if they have previously been left stranded.
Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.
Well done for getting it up early Libbs but can't like it due to the negative prediction. We're going to ****ing smash 'em!
Two games, two games undefeated Two games undefeated I say Two games, two games undefeated Playing football the Southampton way
Think this will be our biggest loss so far this season tbh. First good pressing side we've faced and we **** the bed when facing pressing sides in the Championship.
Last time I went to Bournemouth, I got Covid and sunburn. So I'm hoping Saints can avenge me on Monday night.
Fernandes isn't a wide player. Would be wasted out there. Would go with Lallana deeper, Fernandes number 10 and Cornet on the left.
I think we can definitely get at least a point here. Bournemouth are a good side but haven't been consistent to start the season. They were pretty bad at Everton until Everton collapsed in the last few minutes. If that hadn't happened they'd be on 2 points. Hopefully Bournemouth fans are unaware of how good Dibling is and get a nasty shock when he tears Kerkez a new one.
