It's the latter of course. I think it is slightly harsh on other players if a new signing just walks straight into the team. Especially in the position where we are most spoilt.
Long instead of Juanmi for me. Mane and Long on the wings interchanging. Tadic central and occasionally interchanging with the wingers. That's how I'd set us up. After how fluid Long and Mane were against Villa last season I have to go with that. -------------Stek Cedric Fonte Yoshida Targett ------Wanyama Clasie ----Mane -Tadic -Long -------------Pelle Edited this a few times. I'm undecided what I'd go with in the second leg. It depends how the players perform individually in the first game and obviously the result.
----------------Stekelenburg----------------- --Soares-----Fonte---Yoshida-------Targett -------------Wanyama-----Clasie------------- ---Tadic-------------Mane---------Juanmi---- -----------------------Pelle---------------------
I'll be heading down from London after work. Really hope we win. The last couple of mid week losses made the return journey at 11 downright miserable. Especially the Manure/Lpool game where they were all on their way back to London as well.
Southampton have confirmed that the first leg against Vitesse will Kick Off at 8:05pm BST, and will be shown live on BTSport.
I was considering the idea of switching sometimes to a 3-5-2 formation. I see three things in favor of it: 1. We now have a number of strikers (Pelle, Long, Juanmi, Mane, Jay) and it would be a waste not to use them, so it would be good to play a formation with two strikers. 2. We have full backs who are very accomplished going forward. We all know about Bertrand on the left (and Targett his understudy), and Cedric on the right has impressed us all I think especially with his attacking prowess. 3-5-2 formation would allow both our full back plenty of opportunity to venture forward and show their abilities.. 3. Playing with three central defenders and also having and extra man in the midfielder would gives us numbers necessary to compensate the loss of Morgan Schneiderlin and his influence on our defensive stability. Only drawback of playing 3-5-2 I can think of is that, at the moment, we don't have three central defenders. (senior ones, that is). Maybe when we buy another CB it could be a good formation to utilise sometimes. I'm talking generally here, not for match against Vitesse.
So excited for this one now, seasons start is almost here! Going to new forest show for the day before the game, buzzing.
Just checking I don't see it as walking straight in. From July 1st its a new start. Do your job in training, perform, work hard, impress the boss, get in the team. That's football - it's about today.
I wouldn't change from the side that started against Feyenoord. Think that's a well balanced side. Juanmi, Long, Jay Rod & JWP give us strong and varied options from the bench too. Feeling very positive about the start to the season. Think this could be an enjoyable game
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/13498132.Feyenoord_gave_us_a_taste_of_Europe__says_Fonte/ I'm so glad Jose is our captain
I wouldn't be against that at all, I only put Juanmi in as a lot of people seem excited about hjm and want to see what he can do.
So is nobody going to pick Rodriguez? I would start him, as a few have stated above this match is really important and we need to try and build up a good lead to ease the pressure of the away leg. Stekelenberg Targett Yoshida Fonte Cedric Wanyama Clasie Rodriguez Mane Tadic Pelle Juanmi, Davis on the bench.
