Looking at the saints side to the side that we have, i think they are a few tweaks away from matching ours. The lad jack cork never got a look in against us in both victorys against a good burnley side. I can't see how gradel nor snodgrass or howson are unable to break through that defence. If i was a saints fan i'd be pretty worried when you consider 51 of our 81 goals scored last season came from our midfield. And once again doesn't like weve stopped there after a decent pre season. Lambert, chamberlain, lallana are prob there best players and if clayton or michael brown can keep these guys quiet then we could be on to a winner. But heard chambers is injured, but could be back for saturday. Schneiderlin is another player i admire, but hes not consistent enough. Saints will have a good season. It took all 3 sides at least 10 games last season to find there feet! All in all saints were quality in league 1 but in fairness like us, should have won the league.
now your just baiting mate, so I'll wish you luck for the weekend and back out onto a different thread. Good Luck
No, I'm not, I was merely responding to one of your fans and stating that, in my opinion, the most expensive ever L1 squad should have done better than you did. If you don't then fair enough, you obviously watched far more of L1 than I did, and you know your squad better. I'm just trying to address every point as they come.
In short, the reason for Brighton winning the league and Saints not... Brighton had a great start to the season, Saints won once in first 5 or 6 games. From what I could see, many smaller teams raised their game when playing Saints, not sure they did as much when playing Brighton, certainly not at the Withdean. But it's all history and doesn't really matter now (although I still feel that Gus Poyet has a bee in his bonnet about Saints)
We never just scraped promotion..we always had games in hand and you know what a pain they are! We finished with clear space between us and Huddersfield. I will take no argument..Saints were the best team in League 1 last year!
Hear, hear! We were only 3 points behind Brighton at the finish, due to a combination of them giving up once they had achieved promotion, and us going on a 6 match winning streak. We also took 4 points off them, which not many teams could boast.
To be honest you cant say the Saints team is a few tweaks behind Leeds. Norwich had far from the best team in the championship last season...
I know very little about Championship sides, so it's a learning curve. Hazarding a guess looking at our players I would be surprised if we weren't just about middle on paper, but it all comes down to the manager. I'm trusting NA to get us higher by getting the team to play above themselves. If it was all based on quality of players the teams relegated from the Prem should go straight back up and we know that rarely happens.
Having looked at your squad I'd say your about right. I'd say we're just that little bit better than you in every position. I feel we'll be in the play-offs (challenging for auto with a bit of luck) and you'll be mid-table possibly looking for a late run into the play-offs like Reading last year.
There is no doubt that Leeds do have an edge. They have a year already under their belts for this league. As one of them pointed out it took them a while to adjust to the standard. The truth is we too have quality players although granted some unknown at this level. I would point out though our midfield and forward line has scored at every level during last season. So underestimate us do......please......pretty please.... at your peril. Blackpool did it last year and perished, Man united almost did but managed to turn it round. Saints as I said have the quality and the fact they have practically played together as a team for nigh on two years will not in any way be overawed.........Either way Leeds will know they have met the Saints when the game ends that's for sure. Both sets of fans will be eager for the replay what ever happens.
Hooray, it's worked! My XI for Saturday: Paynter Gradel - Howson - Snodgrass Brown - Clayton Parker - Kisnorbo - O'Brien - Connolly Lonergan Subs: Rachubka, Bromby, Nunez, Sam, McCormack. Prediction: 2-2. I'm tipping Southampton for the playoffs at least this season due to my weird man-love for Nigel Adkins.
That's a serious looking attack there for Leeds - well certainly the three attacking midfielders any way. But that defence doesn't worry me in the slightest (albeit I do rate Lonergan between the sticks). Very much like us then. Full of strength going forward, with some cracking attacking midfielders, but currently not the strongest at the back. But all indications are that will change this week....
Can't believe we have got to post 60 for a match day thread and it's only Tuesday. Surely at this rate we will need to start a new one for Saturdays game.
