Firstly, a belated Merry Christmas to all. I hope you all had a lovely day. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time for Santa to bag 3 points for us on boxing day; he blames the board on short notice and treating him and his staff like "ho ho ho's" whatever that means... Anyway: Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024 Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT Venue: Selhurst Park, London Right, here we go then. Palace might think they’re safe sitting 16th, but we all know they’re one bad result away from a full-blown panic. Meanwhile, as we know, Saints are rock bottom and in desperate need of points. The new manager bounce fell flat, but there are definite signs of improvement under Ivan Jurić; Saints are tackling, pressing high up the pitch and, to the dismay of Russell Martin loyalists: Saints are creating efforts on goal. HEAD TO HEAD: Saints have beaten Palace 16 times compared to their 13 wins over us. Last time at Selhurst, Palace nicked it 1-0. Time to return the favour. GREATEST ESCAPE, EVER: In my mind the greatest escape I can think of was the 1999 season. https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/10/match.sport9 If Saints manage to pull this off, surely this will top that? What's your greatest Saints great escape story? OH WHEN THE SAINTS!
CO @SAINTOSPREY Sunday 29th December 2024 Selhurst Park, London 1500 KO Crystal Palace V Southampton Referee: Michael Salisbury. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Darren Bond. VAR: Graham Scott. Assistant VAR: Akil Howson.
Guehi will be suspended for this as he picked up his 5th yellow of the season against Bournemouth apparently
Interesting - Meanwhile, Juric says Germany international defender Armel Bella-Kotchap could still have a role to play at St Mary's Stadium. Having spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, Bella-Kotchap has made only one appearance for Saints this season in the Carabao Cup. Juric said: "I saw him playing here two years ago and he was incredible for me. He started to play in the German national team and he has the potential. "Now it is about him. I said to him to work really, really hard and we will see in a few weeks if he will be ready. "I think Southampton needs him and we willhelp to give him a chance. Now it is only on him and if he wants it."
He's saying all the right things here. 100% agree with him offering every player a fresh start. Now it's up to ABK.
I really can’t remember the final game of 1999 v Everton, but I remember the 2-0 v Wimbledon at Selhurst like it was yesterday The Matty Free Kick and Corner were just typical of him One of my best ever away games without doubt Atmosphere in the Arthur Wait stand was phenomenal and the noise swamped any Wimbledon support I seem to remember that there were a lot more Saints fans around the rest of the ground too We took 50 coaches there and as I walked past them, after the game, stuck in the middle of them was a coach full of Japanese tourists taking photos of us through the windows
Remember it well & the Everton game as well. Definitely a stellar away day. My missus says my memory is crap but this suggests otherwise!
So, I think we should have the same starting line-up as West Ham Only Q for me is start with Adarma or Cam with TP?
One issue we will have is TP has barely played this season, so in theory he’s not going to have the fitness to play all game every game over this busy period. I was surprised he lasted the whole game against West Ham tbh! However, assuming he does start this, I really want Archer to get a proper run in the team. He is our best finisher and can create a goal from nothing and we have precious little of that elsewhere in the team.
