yeah we have a game on Sunday against the surprise team of the season - we defeated them in the first game of the season luckily - and both teams have taken a different trajectory since then. Soton haven't dropped off as most predicted - but they aren't as in form as before. We are markedly better - but still aren't scoring regularly. Time for Sturridge, Balotelli, and Sterling up top? This game is pretty crucial for top 4 aspirations. A win is almost required - and I think we can get it with our renewed energy .... hope nothing is left over from the lame penalty kick issue.
I was cringing and had doubts going into this fixture last season and we came out on top, so I'm hoping of some repeat history (recent history, nothing else ).
A win in we are right in the thick of it. A loss and we can start focusing on the cups. Pretty much as close as you can get to a must win in February.
mignolet can.. skrtel.. sakho ibe...............................moreno henderson.. allen sterling.. sturridge.. coutinho OR, if you're feeling adventurous, lovren in and emre can in the midfield for allen. it's tough because logically, i want to keep can in the much-improved backline, but the heart wants to see him marauding in the midfield. maybe the usual start him in the back and then sub in lovren and push him up if we need a goal? hopefully sturridge keeps shaking off the rust.
This is a good line-up to start with. Still worry about Lovren back there but hopefully we can play him against Bistekas and at the end of this game after we go up 3-0 so we can play Can more time in the midfield.
One game at a time - the next one is Sunday against the Saints...win and we look really good in the "Arsenal Cup" for top four... Spurs (just one point above us) take on West Ham (just four points behind us)...also on Sunday The Gunners (just three points ahead of us) are at Crystal Palace on Saturday The "Best Team In the League" (according to their manager, and just five points ahead of us) take on the depleted Swans on Saturday in Wales... No guarantee that if we win we move up the table...but a win is important - play hard and have fun!
With just 2 days rest, I think you have to make a few changes to the team. I'd bring Balotelli in for Coutinho and Markovic in for Moreno. I'd also strongly consider Can in midfield but would still be nervous about Lovren against his former team. Maybe Kolo Toure is an option.
So, the Saints. It's telling that none of the 3 players we got from Southampton are guaranteed starters, isn't it? Meanwhile, the club from which we got them, and which was expected to implode, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to be judicious with resources while making demonstrable progress on the pitch at the same time. Yet, once we seemingly differentiated the chaff from the good stuff, we have done remarkably well while generally playing good football. Long may it continue. I am with Suss here about not starting with Lovren in this match or any match soon, for that matter. Largely the same 11 who started against Beşiktaş unless Lucas has recovered from injury and/or Sterling for Lallana.
I'd say don't mess with the back 3 until we get a real right back. I was concerned about our lack of chances at goal the other night, I hope they're over that. So much possession so much control and so much diddling about. It just gives the oppo more chances for a breakaway goal. And for the haters to blame the back 3 and minge. I was wondering how they would have reacted had minge let one in like Timmay the other night. Off his line and out of position and the guy just chipped it by him. Not the first time Howard has done that either.
Maybe it is - pelle has not exactly been prolific lately... I expect to see Lazar in for Ibe and Balo for coutinho.
I expect to see Markovich too...not sure for who, but since he can't play Europa he should play tomorrow... Great result for Swansea - yeah? Our ol' boy JonJo is doing more for us with them than he did when he was for us...
BR just blasted Mario publicly for being lazy on the field. I'm not sure how he starts him after that.
Lovern's primary issue is that he is rash and out of control. if there is one game he's going to try extra hard to prove himself its against his old club. Far too big a risk.
If we score early, I think we'll slay them. If we don't, it'll be on a knife-edge. Best case: 3-0 or 4-1. Worst case: 0-0, 0-1
This will make or break Southampton's season. They were booed off in each of their last two home league games (loss to Swansea, draw vs West Ham) and need to make a statement and win this game to show they are in it for the long haul. We have the cups to fall back on, but of course really want to make a run for the top 4 in the league. Still though, most of the pressure will be on them.
I think we need to be patient and conservative in this game. Like Cody667 said, the pressure is definitely on them. With the slight dip in form especially at home the crowd will be on them. Add the fleet of Soton stars that left for Liverpool, there is a little revenge in the air that the crowd will want. I think we should let them push looking for something and hit them on the counter with our speed. This would be an ideal game for Lucas to sit and do his thing. Have Patience. Grab a 1-0 and get the heck out of there.