Match Day Thread Southampton FC v Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Europa League, Thursday 8th December, KO 8.05pm

Can't work out if Spurs are doing this on purpose (to avoid falling into the EL). They've battered Moscow, but keep on hitting tame finishes etc. And now they concede.

 

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-12-07/image-gallery-training-southampton-hapoel-beer-sheva

Gallery of last training session.

 

We appear to have signed Batman

 

Where is Boufal?

 

Wouldn't fancy a trip there just before the cup final mate

 

I make it then that Besiktas, Lyon and Copenhagen are the CL drop-outs who we could potentially get in the last 32, should we qualify tomorrow.

 

Are Fiorentina not seeded? I am sure Saints fans could do with a visit to a city ooozing with culture, great wine, and hospitable people, If it is FC Rostov, then get some seriously warm clothing for the trip as the average temperature is at least -10 even in late February, early March!!

 

Fiorentina or Lyon would be lovely.

 

Interesting. The club seem happy enough with not qualifying for European competition again next season.
Might play into our hands in the PL in '17/18 like Chelsea/Liverpool this year.

 

Matchday

 

Dear Gods of football; There is really only one thing I want for Christmas this year. I would happily swap assorted socks, books, cooking utensils (every year, **** knows why) etc. plus give my dinner to a homeless person, in exchange for a Saints win tonight.

Make it a comfortable 2-0 before half time, and I'll even consider going to Midnight Mass

 

It`ll be interesting to see how beer saver shape up for this game, They need to score. They might try and keep it tight for the first 20 mins, then get on the front foot once the crowd get quieter. I don`t think they`re good enough to play on the counter all game. We score first, then we pick them off as they go for it.

 

I reckon they'll park the bus from the off, aim to frustrate, and be more than willing to wait 90 minutes for their chance. Can't really see them going on the offensive at any point,

 

Come on Saints!!

BUZZING

 

Nerves, nerves, nerves, nerves, nerves...

 

Starting lectures early today means this day is really, REALLY gunna drag. Come on boys I believe in you!

 

Now I know a 0-0 would kill a few of our fans tonight but at least we aren't the ones chasing a goal at the moment. Could you imagine watching 90 mins of Saints trying to get through an 11 man wall all night, with them rolling around every time we get near them.

 

Despair beats nerves.

 

1-0 Saints wont make much difference to them either. I think they'll play a waiting / counter attacking style. Gonna be a nervy night guys.

 

I'm both excited and terrified. .................