Southampton (a) Pre Match Thread

[Mickyblueeyes]

Be interesting to see how far we've come under Enzo - our first biggish game since last year I would say. We've buckled too often in the last two years when even a little bit of pressure was applied. Enzo has had to pick up from the parasites last year what Rodgers, Rudkin and Top and co did in terms of reducing standards and expectation will take us years to overcome but what you want to see is a team that does have some fight in them when things are not going right. Enzo is a breath of fresh air in comparison and I think that basic standards is a must for him. Hopefully that means even if it doesnt go right it isnt embarrassing which is something last years regime was very much happy to accept. 

 

I really want to see how we deal with what I consider to be two very good strikers at this level. We are still very questionable at the back and I think that is more so down to the personal rather than just the tactics. It will also be interesting to see if we do dumb it down (given the opponent) for Faes and Vestegaard to avoid their usual brain fart. Kel needs a goal or two. 

[Cameron Davidson]

1 hour ago, Weller Wing said:

Most importantly 

What are the best pubs,pre match,  for away fans?

Post match as well, as we're staying down there , but get the 1st bit out the way, for starters👍

Yates I think still, on the high street. 

[jmono84]

4 hours ago, adejo92 said:

They do play a similar style of football, but we have had a tendency to make mediocre teams look good so far.

 

Not to mention, albeit early days, Armstrong is the league top scorer with Che Adams 1 goal behind him and as a team, they've scored 3 more goals than us.

 

We've been very fortunate so far with shocking opposition strikers. If we allow Adams & Armstrong through on goal, like we've allowed every other team through, then we won't be as lucky.

 

Southampton's 5-0 loss was a combination of them having an off day, but also Sunderland were really really good & they were really direct and clinical. We are neither so I expect a very boring, possession based game, from both teams with the deciding goal coming from who ever manages to put away the very few chances that will be created...

Shocking opposition strikers! We’ve defended really well in our 5 games. Half of the goals scored against us (2) were exceptional finishes (Cardiff & Rotherham), Hull deflected goal and yea our defending was really poor for the Cov goal.

 

Can ppl stop making out we have been this lucky team not to have conceded more when in fact the stats say teams have been very clinical with the little chances they have created.

 

Anyway Southampton will be a good test to see where we are but after watching both teams play I think we’re more solid and will get a win.

[ClaphamFox]

I'll be watching the game on TV with a Southampton fan who lives in my village. We exchanged texts earlier and so say he is not confident would be an understatement. He's convinced we'll beat them; I'm not so sure....

[HankMarvin]

25 minutes ago, jmono84 said:

Shocking opposition strikers! We’ve defended really well in our 5 games. Half of the goals scored against us (2) were exceptional finishes (Cardiff & Rotherham), Hull deflected goal and yea our defending was really poor for the Cov goal.

 

Can ppl stop making out we have been this lucky team not to have conceded more when in fact the stats say teams have been very clinical with the little chances they have created.

 

Anyway Southampton will be a good test to see where we are but after watching both teams play I think we’re more solid and will get a win.

Our expected goals against p/m is higher that our actual goals against, so yeah we have been fortunate in some matches 

[jerry]

4 minutes ago, ClaphamFox said:

I'll be watching the game on TV with a Southampton fan who lives in my village. We exchanged texts earlier and so say he is not confident would be an understatement. He's convinced we'll beat them; I'm not so sure....

Feel that there is an extra edge from a Saints perspectives since the 9 -0. They have had the better of things since. Hopefully not a second successive defeat.

[Fox92]

32 minutes ago, jmono84 said:

Shocking opposition strikers! We’ve defended really well in our 5 games. Half of the goals scored against us (2) were exceptional finishes (Cardiff & Rotherham), Hull deflected goal and yea our defending was really poor for the Cov goal.

 

Can ppl stop making out we have been this lucky team not to have conceded more when in fact the stats say teams have been very clinical with the little chances they have created.

 

Anyway Southampton will be a good test to see where we are but after watching both teams play I think we’re more solid and will get a win.

Cardiff and Coventry both missed one on ones against us, regardless of what stats you're reading.  Obviously they were not converted but I think if these chances fall to someone like Armstrong on Friday then we will see a different story. Lucky for us Coventry had just sold Gyokeres.

[jmono84]

17 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

Cardiff and Coventry both missed one on ones against us, regardless of what stats you're reading.  Obviously they were not converted but I think if these chances fall to someone like Armstrong on Friday then we will see a different story. Lucky for us Coventry had just sold Gyokeres.

Covs chances were from tight angles and not that clear cut. Teams will create chances against us but to say we crap defensively is just not right. We’re largely in control every game but we struggle to create solid opportunities due to teams deep blocks. That’s our season so far

[jmono84]

30 minutes ago, HankMarvin said:

Our expected goals against p/m is higher that our actual goals against, so yeah we have been fortunate in some matches 

Probably unfortunate we didn’t concede another against Cov but all the other games we limited teams to very few chances.

 

We’re doing good defensively, just need to be better at creating chances.

[adejo92]

1 hour ago, jmono84 said:

Shocking opposition strikers! We’ve defended really well in our 5 games. Half of the goals scored against us (2) were exceptional finishes (Cardiff & Rotherham), Hull deflected goal and yea our defending was really poor for the Cov goal.

 

Can ppl stop making out we have been this lucky team not to have conceded more when in fact the stats say teams have been very clinical with the little chances they have created.

 

Anyway Southampton will be a good test to see where we are but after watching both teams play I think we’re more solid and will get a win.

I mean if you honestly believe that, fair enough.

[dbtcity]

44 minutes ago, jmono84 said:

Covs chances were from tight angles and not that clear cut. Teams will create chances against us but to say we crap defensively is just not right. We’re largely in control every game but we struggle to create solid opportunities due to teams deep blocks. That’s our season so far

Tight angles… wasn’t Simms clean through pretty much exactly the same as the lad from Cardiff in the second half… I agree we’ve been unfortunate with a couple of the goals we’ve conceded but we could quite easily have conceded 2/3 more minimum with how open we’ve been especially in the second half of games

[Fox92]

51 minutes ago, jmono84 said:

Covs chances were from tight angles and not that clear cut. Teams will create chances against us but to say we crap defensively is just not right. We’re largely in control every game but we struggle to create solid opportunities due to teams deep blocks. That’s our season so far

I wouldn't call Cov's chances from a tight angle but I also wouldn't agree with the statement that we're rubbish defensively. We still open up a lot, to much for me, and these two next games (Southampton, Norwich) will be the real tests of that.

Edited 13 September 2023 by Fox92

[SouthStandUpperTier]

By the way, this game will be our first chance as a club to sample The Bobby Madley Comeback Tour. He's not reffed one of our games since we beat West Brom away 4-1 in March 2018 (Vardy with the over the shoulder left-foot volley - Mahrez, Nacho and Iborra the other scorers).

[fazzyfox]

23 minutes ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

By the way, this game will be our first chance as a club to sample The Bobby Madley Comeback Tour. He's not reffed one of our games since we beat West Brom away 4-1 in March 2018 (Vardy with the over the shoulder left-foot volley - Mahrez, Nacho and Iborra the other scorers).

My reaction on reading this news:-

 

 

[ARTY_FOX]

1 hour ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

By the way, this game will be our first chance as a club to sample The Bobby Madley Comeback Tour. He's not reffed one of our games since we beat West Brom away 4-1 in March 2018 (Vardy with the over the shoulder left-foot volley - Mahrez, Nacho and Iborra the other scorers).

I'm not joking when I say he has to be the worst referee the premier league has ever seen. 

 

Atleast once a game he made a game changing mistake. Awful ref. Awful person. 

[jerry]

1 hour ago, ARTY_FOX said:

I'm not joking when I say he has to be the worst referee the premier league has ever seen. 

 

Atleast once a game he made a game changing mistake. Awful ref. Awful person. 

Let's get our excuses now prior to a possible loss , down to the referee as usual 😉

[Guest Col city fan]

Southampton are not the side they were at the start of the season.

This’ll be tough, but there is no reason we can’t come away from this with at least a point.

It’ll be interesting this one, could easily go either way.

1-1

[Dahnsouff]

It’s actually the mentality on display I am most keen to see in this match

[Tom12345]

On 04/09/2023 at 19:18, filbertway said:

Putting Ndidi in one of the main positions in the system where he will be receiving the ball under pressure and expecting to build attacks from the back would be entertaining as hell to be fair

 

We know how that will turn out. Easy goals to opposition and we can’t get out of our half.

[Brooksy]

4 hours ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

By the way, this game will be our first chance as a club to sample The Bobby Madley Comeback Tour. He's not reffed one of our games since we beat West Brom away 4-1 in March 2018 (Vardy with the over the shoulder left-foot volley - Mahrez, Nacho and Iborra the other scorers).

Still not forgiven the absolute charlatan for that disgraceful penalty call at WHL in 2016.

[darko2k7]

Missing this am on a plane back to the UK,  I'm sure the GF timed the flight 

[Gazza M]

These have just come off the back of a 5-0. If we can ride the inevitable storm from them and the crowd early doors I think they will crumble again. We need to show our spirit and positive attitude.

 

 

[Supergray22]

7 hours ago, ClaphamFox said:

I'll be watching the game on TV with a Southampton fan who lives in my village. We exchanged texts earlier and so say he is not confident would be an understatement. He's convinced we'll beat them; I'm not so sure....

Sounds like a plot for ‘the league of gentlemen’

[Pliskin]

7 minutes ago, Supergray22 said:

Sounds like a plot for ‘the league of gentlemen’

They will be having the local butchers sausage for tea! 

[ClaphamFox]

24 minutes ago, Supergray22 said:

Sounds like a plot for ‘the league of gentlemen’

You don’t know the half of it, mate 

Edited 13 September 2023 by ClaphamFox