Evening all and welcome back to another match day thread by Sainstcfan. We are almost at the end of the irritable international break and back to the proper Footy, in fact the final leg of the season as it were. In the past we would roll our eyes at the break and say it always disrupts our flow but I genuinely believe this time it will be to our advantage, with Sparky given a full two weeks with the squad to further implement his style of play. The was a certain difference between the two halves against Wigan so hopefully the boys have taken his plans on board as we begin a huge run of a fixtures. Saints continue their galavanting away from home, with West Ham the next stop on their trip back to St Marys. This is a massive game and season defining in my view. With Arsenal and Chelsea still to play, as well as Manchester City, games against the teams around us are running out and I have to say that this is as must win as they come. Lose this and it will be very hard to keep our head above water for when May comes around. It’s a lot of pressure on Hughes to get the result but hopefully he will revel in it, and more importantly so do the players in what will be a very toxic atmosphere at West Ham. If you thought Saints were in a mess, the fans of West Ham will tell you to hold their drink. Atrocious scenes at the London Stadium, when they lost 3-0 to Burnley, showed a real club in crisis. Fans invading the pitch whilst the vast majority formed a mosh pit below the directors box to hurl abuse at the owners. If there is a game to get an early goal, this is it. If Saints can get a quick 1-0 lead, the crowd will turn on the players and then some. Thankfully David Moyes hasn’t been able to turn around their fortunes, so confidence will be rock bottom going into this game. Let’s capitalise! Team news: Ryan Bertrand returned home early from England duty but it is not thought to be very serious and should be able to play. Charlie Austin will hopefully return. West Ham will be without Andy Carroll (thank the ****ing Lord). My team: McCarthy Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand JWP Hojbjerg Lemina Boufal Austin/Carrillo Gabbiadini Prediction It will be a weird game but we simply have to win. Genuinely excited to see how Sparky will set us up. I’m going 2-0 Saints. Gabbiadini to score early, West Ham to huff and puff and then Austin to seal it late on, running and celebrating in front of the West Ham’s to spark absolute chaos. COYR!
I'm going for 3-1 Saints. 1-0 down, forum in meltdown, then sparky changes the second half and KUMB and the olympic stadium goes into meltdown! COYRRRRRRReds!!!!
Just hope the fans don't disrupt the game when we are winning. If we are losing they are welcome to tear the pitch up. #onlysaintsmatter
We win this 3-1 as we have always played well at WHU. Austin hat trick on his first game back. Big riot on the final whistle.
What ? - a manager can change things during a game to positively influence the result ? What lunacy is this !
I very rarely classify any game as "must win", but I think this one qualifies, really. Especially as it's hard to see us getting much out of the next two games (maybe a point, maybe more, but let's be realistic).
If Austin really is back for Hughes's first game then this will go in a book explaining how new manager bounce obviously isn't real.
Let's hammer another iron nail into the hopes of the Brady bunch and give them an Olympic size headache.
I predict a small profit for Saints ... Sorry, a small win. I get confused with all these football terms Hopefully Gabbi won't keep getting caught with an overdraught ... Doh, I mean offside Thank god the football has returned
Ah man how great is it to be able to talk about footy matters!!............The next 8 games are all 6 pointers. We are really going to need to see what the players are made of. Apart from a better type of football lets see some passion for a change. Com'on you saints lets be 'avin ya................Its all in your hands, (and the refs )
