Going to be a good and close game. I think Saints will win 2-1 but a draw would do me, you are a good team that will push us all the way. How is the injury list looking?
Some things we probably didn't know about Southampton. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/lists/10954666.10_interesting_things_you_may_not_know_about_Southampton/ God's House Tower was the first dedicated artillery fortification built in England. It was constructed in 1417, as part of the drive to fortify Southampton following the French raids some 80 years earlier. The town gunner was paid sixpence a week. Canal Walk was once a thriving narrow street full of shops and homes known as The Ditches as it was also the path of a stream taking waste from the old town. What is now Southampton Central Railway Station was originally intended to be part of a network of canals. The Central Parks in Southampton were common land (Llamas lands) for residents of the medieval town, and used for cultivation up until August each year, when they were then used for grazing Llamas. The site of the Civic Centre - which incidentally was the first building in the country to have the name Civic Centre - was a large open space for lepers. The Mayflower, the famed ship which brought the Pilgrim Fathers to America, actually set sail from Southampton. There were in fact two ships - The Mayflower and The Speedwell, which left Southampton together in early August, 1620 having been repaired by Southampton tradesmen. However, the smaller Speedwell was soon found to be taking on water, so the two ships diverted to Dartmouth for repairs to be redone properly before setting sail again. Clarence Birdseye tested herring sticks and cod sticks on shoppers in Southampton who thought they were made from the fingers of fish, and the name stuck.
Will still be a tough game. I have always liked Hull and cheered them on when they got promoted, just won't wish them well this weekend.
I think it will be a really good game, both sides have flair players as well as a solid defence, hope we win but fancy and would be happy with a draw.
I still can't believe he cost less than Gaston! Even Chelsea will have their work cut out to keep him quiet.
Dawson and Jelavic - both out - have been two of our best players so far this season so they are big losses. We now have Hernandez as a lone striker with Ben Arfa in behind, Hernamdez doesn't really suit being alone at all so that's a bit of an issue. Dawson out probably means Bruce will play, Bruce is a terrible footballer and hoofs the ball away more than he passes it, but he is a decent and committed defender. McGregor and Harper both injured so we have our 3rd choice keeper starting which is a worry to some. He flaps at crosses too much for me which will be a worry when balls are put into the box for pelle. I reckon Saints will dominate the game as we'll struggle to keep the ball up front without Jela. I'd predict a 1-0 or 2-0 win for you lot but we do have players like Diame/Ben Arfa/Hernandez who can score out of nowhere so we could still nick points from the game.
My first visit to Southampton was in 1960 en route to Hythe via the ferry for a job interview at DuPont. The following day went to see them play Sunderland(won 3-2) having just been promoted to Division 2. Incidentally, I was offered the job but opted for another in Lancaster. My only other visit was in 1966 when I left by ship for South Africa on migration from the UK. A few days into the sail listened to a very poor static affected commentary of the World Cup final. Missed at least 2 of the goals!
A good memory. We were very young in our house and in extra time we kept asking when was Dr Who going to start. We won in case you still don't know.
