Match Day Thread Southampton vs Arsenal 01.01.2015

Doubtful :- http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

 

Never upset your mother!

 

Shock horror! Paul Merson predicts a 2-1 Arsenal win because they're on a roll

 

Well he would. I hope Matty laughs in his face at FT.

 

Lawro has gone for 1-1. Fair enough. And I agree with his comments!

Lawro: "Saints are better than Spurs and Liverpool at the moment"

 

If he had gone for 3-1 Saints, then I would have said fair enough. 1-1..? Don't think so. They're no Chelsea

 

Arsenal are a good side and the last 2 games at St Mary's have ended in draws. Perfectly reasonable to predict a draw.

 

Perfectly reasonable, yes. But 3-1 is a better prediction. I'm only giving Arsenal a goal because it's Christmas.

 

Had Morgan been available, I think I'd have liked to see us revert to our recent 3-5-2 formation, with Davis being tried out as right wing back. But alas there is no Morgan.

Tadic is a slight issue for me. His lovely assist aside, he still seemed a little off it against Chelsea. Especially with his crossing. Do we stick with him, or bench him? If we do bench him, I don't want us to revert to a 4-3-3 (or 4-4-2 with Mane LM). The important thing for me is to keep Mane through the middle/in a role where he doesn't need to defend. But maybe a 4-4-2 diamond might work, with either Reed coming into the midfield and JWP being the focal point of the diamond, or Long coming him and either he or Mane being the focal point.

Either way, Tadic or no Tadic, I'm very much assuming that we'll be seeing a minimum of two changes, namely Bertrand for Targett and JWP for Morgan.

 

Clyne is on the cover of the Matchday Magazine. When will they learn that is usually the kiss of death for a player?

 

Mayuka every week from now on then...

 

Poor Mayuka.

 

Let's put an opposition player on it. Genius or what!

 

If Clyne is out can Bertrand do a job a RB and play Targett LB or is Maya the better choice?

 

Koeman's interview at 2.00 today.

 

Koeman's interview (unless I've missed it...not having a good day today ).

 

No, I think you're OK. 2pm I heard, so the timer is accurate.

 

Clyne out at least until after Ipswich

Wonder if that could mean a switch for Bertrand and Targett coming in? Or will we continue with Yoshida at right back?

 

Missed some of it...blooming visitors. No visiting during the football season...dats de rules. Clyne out, though his tenses got a bit scrambled. Like what he said about formations....players make formations, not formations make players. In other words, we will sometimes have to change the formation to suit the players available. We'd like to keep Toby, but up to player. Also mentioned keeping Bertrand. If we get a player in in January, it will be a forward, but no one is leaving.

 

Also said he was pleased with Targett, but Ryan is first choice.