Hi Saints I will take a point if offered right now to be honesty, anything beyond that would be a bonus. I noted someone highlighting Pilkington as a 'man to watch', on current form, with the exception of Saturday, Wes Hoolahan is the man in midfield with Bassong pulling the strings at the back. Ruddy not playing is far from ideal but the replacement, mark Bunn, looks pretty solid too so is hard to say just how much of a loss Ruddy will be if it is just for one or two games.. My real reservation about this game is our historically poor results both at St. Mary's and the Dell. I never saw us win at either before leaving the UK. If I can witness that elusive win on a stream, that will do me nicely. Here's hoping for a decent game whatever the outcome
Hi tom, I would change our key man to Wes hoolahan. The bloke is in fine form and arguably the best of his career, I will imagine one of Adkins jobs for this game is to stop him playing. If you don't then you could be in trouble. Bassong and Tettey are in very good form aswell as you can tell from our recent results and lack of goals conceded. As for the game itself, it will be certainly a tough game for us and I'm personally expecting a narrow saints victory or a score draw
That was me. I wasn't 100% sure, thanks for the info, I'll just pop down to Southampton to let Nigel know! Also, my Dad went to the game yesterday and, rather unsurpisingly, saw Chris Hughton coming out of St Marys. I am sure he will have been impressed by what he saw!
Got to be the same team if everyone is fit. If Morgan gets booked here, he misses Liverpool and returns for the must-win against Reading, so could be preferable. Jay Rod looked dangerous when he came on yesterday, so I wouldn't be too worried if he has to come in.
I reckon Adkins will name an unchanged team apart from a swap of Lambert for Rodriguez. The Rod looked really sharp when he came on and his goal was not off side. I think Adkins will rest Lambert but he'll be back in for Liverpool.
Even if Lambert recovers from his knock, I think he will be rested. Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday will be our toughest run of fixtures so far, and he will need to rested for one of the next two in any event. There is no room for sentiment at the wrong end of the Premier League, but Lambert is going to be really up for it at Anfield, he's been looking forward to it ever since the day we beat Covenrty and we owe it to him and ourselves to make sure he's fighting fit and firing on all cylinders. Besides, it's a perfect opportunity to give Rodriguez a chance.
Sorry I like Norwich but with confidence sky high I will predict 4-0 to the saints,but with this ref who knows as long as he is centre of attention he will happy
I don't think Clattenburg could be actually manage to be worse than the last two refs we've had at home.
I was at the Fulham game and he allowed Damien Duff to dive and roll around on a few occasions winning cheap free kicks and general he is a very poor ref. I thought in league 1 and the championship the refs were poor and would be better in the premier league but as of yet the refs have been poor...... Monday rant over...
Clattenburg had one iffy game and now everyone thinks he's rubbish? He's one of the best we've got, probably the most well-regarded after Webb, and refereed the Olympics final remember. He's going to be better than Atkinson that's for sure!
Oh he's definitely better than Atkinson. I think he is and will be a good referee. My top 5 referees: 1. Howard Webb 2. Mike Dean 3. Phil Dowd 4. Mark Halsey 5. Mark Clattenburg
Looking back at my comments after the Fulham game I wasn't particularly happy with the ref but the last two have been absolutely terrible. In fairness to Clattenburg he could have sent off Schniederlin or Yoshida for two yellows in that game. We had a disallowed goal but Lambert was climbing on the defender I seem to remember
You thought Mike Dean was terrible?? He had an excellent game. Unless you mean the last 2 at St Marys.
Yeah thought you meant that. I would happily have Mike Dean and Howard Webb as our only referees this season.
Lambert looks doubtful, he picked up a knock so think he'll be rested. Going to be a tough game maybe 2-1 us but who knows.
This made me chuckle Dream a little dream for me. Saints were very impressive against Newcastle and your football is both excellent and entertaining. However, Ba and Cisse were bullied by your defenders and this meant you saw a lot of the ball as you pressed well and never let Newcastle play. I think Holt will ensure we get some of the ball up the pitch and with Tetty and Johnson fighting for possession in the middle I can see us getting a foothold in the game in a way Newcastle couldn't do. Hoolahan, if given space could rip apart your defence in a way Ramirez and Lallana could do to us. The game will probably come down to which team works harder without the ball. Our midfielders need to make sure your attacking players cant play their football on the edge of our box because if they do it will be curtains for us. If we can do that I think we will win. 1-0 Holt p.s very worried our brilliant albeit clumsy centre halfs might catch either Lallana,Puncheon or Ramirez in the box.
