please log in to view this image Aston Villa v Saints please log in to view this image Monday 24th November 8pm Live on Sky Match officials - Referee: Phil Dowd Assistants: D Cann G Beswick 4th Official: Anthony Taylor OK so after what has seemed a very long break a chance to get back to some proper football on Monday with a visit to Villa. We've had a reasonable record there over the years drawing 0-0 last season and winning 1-0 the season before, a Rickie penalty. Villa have made a stuttering start this season and currently sit in 16th spot with 11 points from 11 games. They have the worst attack in the PL having only netted 5 times so far this season and will be without Benteke on Monday. Saints go into the game riding a crest of a wave and we are looking for our 12th win in 13 matches. We have the best defence in the English leagues and only Chelsea have scored more PL goals. Lets hope the injury concerns around Morgan and Tadic disappear but there has to be a doubt about Davis being fit to start. Ron will be hoping no-one else has picked up any knocks on their travels. Think I'd go with Fraser Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Morgan Vic Cork Long Pelle Tadic Subs KD Gardos Targett Reed Davis Mane Mayuka Its been a while since we've been live on TV so lets hope we can keep this stunning run going. COYR!!
I'm glad it's the Monday game. We had so many players off on international duty that the rest will be welcome. I also had a little look at the odds this morning and we are almost nailed on favourites with the bookies. I can't remember the last time we were such favourites in a top flight away game.
good performance from clyne and forster last night. I'm sure they will appreciate they extra few days to recover. tough run of fixtures now for sfc
We're lucky to have extra days to recover and to be in a position where we can't drop from 2nd whatever happens in the Saturday and Sunday matches, though, for the Saints fan, it lengthens the tedium. I regard this as a very important game...we must continue the momentum to keep confidence up for the games against our true rivals . If we win these games, we don't need to win every game against potential end-of-season top 6 sides, because we are in the position of strength.
We must play Jack, Vic and Morgan in the big games against City, Arsenal and United. So this is a good opportunity for them to play together before those games.
Benteke being suspended is a big plus for us. Really can't see where their goals would come from but always an opportunity for an unknown fringe player to make a name for himself. Our guys should be pumped up from their international duties so I am expecting a clean sheet. Lets just hope we can unlock a defence in a team that would be probably quite happy with 0-0
Our defence is a major strength, but I don't want us to become a 1-0 team (effective, but far too stressful on the nerves). Time to start scoring freely again.
I know it's a bit early but it's been ages since we've had a Saints Match thread, so I've stickied it. Any other mods looking in, please be gentle with me!
Assuming the worst with injuries (Morgan, Davis and Tadic), the line up looks like this... Forster Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Wanyama Reed Cork Long Pelle Mane Subs Davis K, Gardos, Targett, Isgrove, Mayuka, McQueen, Rowe Still looks strong enough to me and a chance for some of the youngsters to make a name for themselves coming off the bench!
Morgan and Tadic will be fit. Morgan and Tadic will be fit. Morgan and Tadic will be fit. Now it must be so.
Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić Tadić There, he'll 500% be OK.
To make it 1000% sure, and impress SaintinSerbia even more: Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić Dušan Tadić.
Davis if fit is one of the first names on the team sheet, surely. Match against Swansea is a reminder he has to be in the team if we don't want to be overrun.
