In the abscence of a match thread , we''ll let BBC Sport Set the scene http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20189996 A game too close to call? Will it be a back to the wall fight and win for the Saints or will a resurgent Swans under returning Captain Gary Monk be blessed with all three points ? please log in to view this image
I see Lawro predicts that we will lose 1-2. If we don't match Saints' urgency and physicality he might not be too far off the mark either. We certainly have the ability and class to win this but we really will need to snuff out Lambert in particular and the goal threat from their strikers/midfield in general. What worries me is that, as well as Monk has done recently, Lambert is the type of centre forward who could gobble him up in much the same way that Holt used to. Garry does not have the strength, the height or the mobility to deal with this type of player. He (and the rest of our defence) will have to rely on our midfield putting in a real shift to nullify the service in to the strikers. It will be a good test to see if they are up to it and we do NOT want any show ponies putting in token tackles to give the impression they are working. We need genuine effort out there. If we can do that, the quality in our team, together with our improved form, should be good enough to get a result. Saints' defence is crap and I think we can tear it to bits on the counter; but we need to make them fearful of that, so they don't press us and create momentum and confidence. Let them do that and we can kiss the game goodbye. Some fast, incisive raids early in the game will help implant the idea for them not to become too adventurous. For me, I'm going to predict a nervy 2-1 win in what I believe will be a difficult match.
Im going for a draw game or narrow win. agree about Lambert, he will tear us a new one if he gets into the game from the start, monk may play and that wont help matters. Southampton are the type of team we always seem to struggle against since being in the prem, for some weird reason when we were in the championship we would put these types of teams away no problem . Southamptons players will be key, if they really want to put in a shift for their manager then expect a serious battle, if a few of them arnt sure adkins is the answer for prem survival, a few may decide to hang him out to dry,ive not seen any evidence of this when ive watched southampton but all players tend to blame everyone else except themselves so you never know!! this is a game almost impossible to predict it could be a hammering for us for southampton or a high scoring draw or a fraught 0-0 !! i really have no idea!! Sneaky 2-1 to the swans ...i think
I reckon we can get the win if Ki and Britton sit behind Michu with Danny back upfront. A deep lying Michu would pull their fairly poor defence with him and I can see lots of opportunity for Pablo and Routs to cause a nuisance as a result. We really need to take our chances but I reckon we can steal the points. 2-1 to us Michu and Pablo to score for us Lambert for them. Good point there about Monk Ivoralljack. We will have to be very solid to contain Lambert.
We will win 3-1, it would be more if Mark Gower was playing !!!! I think we've got far too much for Southampton if we play as we can and I think we will. Michael Laudrup is clearly one shrewd and tactically spot on manager and not for one minute will he allow any complacency.
Will tactics win this ?? i tend to think its just going to come down to who wants it the most, we have the ability to compete with anybody in this league what we fall short on is the physicallity, Chico would have been a big help today but its going to be intresting to see how the new boys cope with a game that will require 100% attitude right from the start. Maybe a strong referee will be required for this match, any idea who the referee is for this game ?
I'm sure I read somewhere that it's Dowd Edit: Sorry, it's Marriner www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/matches/2012-2013/epl.match-preview.html/southampton-vs-swansea Not a bad record with him in charge either. He did send Dyer off against Wigan last season though http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/swansea-city/schiedsrichterdetail/verein_2288_471.html
I'm guessing that he hasn't got going at all this season then? We could say that if Michu, De Guzman, Ki, Hernandez or Routledge get going you've got no chance. Any one of them capable of having a huge influence on the game, if all 5 click it could be a cricket score
I'd take a point, need to keep it tight. I see this as a very similar to playing Norwich, and were not good away against Norwich. I do fancy us to win only by the odd goal, but it will be tough fought match. I will be heading off to St Mary's later after taking my son to football, meeting up will Dilli at the ground. Come on U Swans.
WERE NOT being the operative, I think that's going to be a different fixture now with more physicality and a manager capable of mixing it up tactically
Good luck with that, you may have have a chance if ffs isn't there too, but both of them were wheeled in on trolleys last week wearing Hanibal masks. What ensued will leave me scarred for life
For me a point would be disappointing today. These are games where we come, play the way we know how, crack the nut wide open and take the points - all three. It's all well and good to slap ourselves on the back and self-congratulate about our performances against Citeh and Chelsea, but these are the bread and butter matches where we need to demonstrate that we really belong at the top end of the table, no messing around and execute .. otherwise we're only conning ourselves. We win, we own possession, and if we get really going we pile it on. Time for Ki, Britton and JdG to battle, control and force the issue. Time for Pabs and whoever else to show their value. Time for Ash and Monk (I'm presuming) not to pull any stupid **** at the back .... If we struggle it will be because we concede a soft goal against the run of play.
I agree it could be a tough match, but I think most would be disappointed if we don't win this today. Let's face it - a lot of us said we'd be very happy with a draw against Chelsea - surely then, we should be aiming higher with our expectations against Southampton ( no disrespect ). They haven't had the best of starts and we should be looking to take advantage of that. I'd take a win by a goal - anything less will leave me deflated. We really need to show we can keep a clean sheet as well.
It's about time we took the teams below us seriously, and give them the same intensity as teams such as Chelsea, if we are capable of getting a draw from the Euro Champions, then I think it's fair for any Jack to expect a win today, having said that, I don't like the fact that old man Monk is in the line up, where is Chico? Still I think we will nick it, going for 2-1 to the Swans!...................
