Match Day Thread Southampton v Aston Villa - Capital One League Cup - Weds 28th October 2015 ko 7:45 pm

Dear oh dear, that attitude won't do. What ever happened to being greedy.? Win tomorrow and all the points at the weekend. Nothing less expected.

 

If we lose the South Coast Derby then I will be worried. The Beach dwellers are seriously under performing due to a string of injuries and an insistence on trying to outplay better opposition. We will win.

The Villa game is obviously more unpredictable, but we should be greedy and beat a team that lacks confidence. This is the new Saints, we don't have to trade anymore.

 

Will be interesting to see how we play without Mane.

 

Absolutely.! Well said.

 

We did it several times last season and won.

 

Not sure everybody knows about this but Saints started to video the conferences with the written press this season. It's the bit where Jordan Sibley winds the normal press conference up. Well, the cameras keep rolling and Saints publish these Extras after the overnight newspapers have been printed and are on their way to newsagents. It's a good idea and makes for a different interview. Here he talks about Gaston, Juanmi, Jay, etc:

 

Really interesting. This'll probably be the bit to actually watch out for, from now on. It's where the likes of the Daily Echo and the local agency reporters (whoever they are ) get to ask their questions.

I also think, and I'd be interested to know others' views of it: Ronald's body language is different and makes for a better interview, when the SKY and BBC cameras have been turned off. When I was last at Staplewood, I noted how different it all seemed once BBC and SKY had stopped filming and he was just sat there with those of us who were there for the newspapers and the Press Association, for example.

 

That was the first thing I noticed in the three of these I've seen. He's more relaxed, he shares a smile or two and he gives better, more detailed answers, which he will allow to evolve a little bit. I've been finding these written press Extras [let's call them that as Saints do] far more informative and enjoyable.

 

Yep, I'm glad it's not just me who thinks that.

When the BBC/SKY cameras are rolling, it's almost like he's a batsman, guarding his wicket and playing the necessary shots.

After those cameras go off, the written press tend to go down to the front row and just sit opposite, engaging in what is essentially a conversation in many respects, rather than a straight Q & A. He goes into far more detail, elaborates and is more engaging*. Good stuff.


* - (not that I don't find someone of his pedigree engaging when they talk about football!)

 

Yep, it actually stops being a rigid interview from multiple questioners to a conversation around the room. Good stuff. Long may they continue to do these.

 

It also helps that he finally gets to answer Saints related questions. I may skip the televised portion altogether and just watch this from now on. The disrespectful questioning in the televised portion makes my blood boil.

 

Glad Koeman has confirmed what most fans thought about Gaston...good player who isn't physically suited to the EPL, he tries hard but has also had bad luck with injuries. This is why a lot of fans wish him well....have never doubted his commitment. He then went on to describe Juanmi in virtually the same terms...let's hope we do better with him than we managed with Gaston.

Also mentions that being a manager you can expect to be sacked...Nigel said the same thing: Every day as a manager brings you nearer to the sack. Very few managers escape that....even winning the league can't always protect you.

Just noticed on Sky stats that Southampton have lost 4/5 of the last fourth round matches in the League Cup

 

THIS!!

 

Ron's comments about Juanmi are interesting and also encouraging. I had began to wonder whether he was becoming a misfit and would end up being sold off at some stage, but Ron sounds optimistic about him. It seems to be more about adapting to the PL and to living in a foreign country (language etc) and hopefully, we shall see what he is capable of soon. People spoke of Jay's return as like having a new player and I feel Juanmi will also be like that as we have seen so little of him. I think he will get some reasonable game time tonight.

 

But the one we didn't was last season.

 

Real opportunity for us tonight with last nights result. Strongest possible team please Ron! Gutted about Mane, espescially with Long & Jrod out as well. Juanmi or Gaston in to replace Mane?

Really nervous about tonights game...

 

I can see nothing other than a Saints win tonight, full house, opposition low on confidence and with no manager. 3-1 (still my favourite score line)

 

I'll carry on though, if its ok

 

Here are the numbers ahead of the Quarter-Final draw:
1. Everton, 2. Hull City, 3. Sheffield Wednesday, 4. Stoke City, 5. Liverpool / AFC Bournemouth,
6. Manchester City / Crystal Palace, 7. Manchester United / Middlesbrough, 8. Southampton / Aston Villa.

Quarter-Final ties are to be played during the week commencing 30th November 2015.

The Capital One Cup Quarter-Final draw will be made on Wednesday night live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth.

 

Benteke to miss Liverpool game tonight after colliding with the wall that is Victor Wanyama.