5string

No Fonte. Surprised & disappointed, hope it doesn't come back and bite us. Maybe Puel feels Yoshi has earned his place with recent performances? Reed in, good. No Davis, bad. Hojbjerg in, good. Redmond starting, bad. Tadic on bench, understandable as he seemed slightly off the pace or out of sorts the other day - was still good, though. Hope he comes on later. Rest of the starters? Yeah, I'll go with that. Bring Long on after an hour to give their defenders the runaround. Still hopeful JRod will get that lucky deflection to trigger a goalscoring run. And Long. And Boufal. Hojbjerg... Redmond... VvD....

You'll miss it.

Yep, good point. I also wonder how many of those 'shots' have been on target. There's probably a stat somewhere.

The number of shots we've had suggest we're making chances, but our shooting is rubbish. What do they say about a striker and confidence? Same goes for a team, maybe.

2 stats I've just read that confirm our recent troubles: - The two Premier League players to have created the most goalscoring chances without having assisted a goal this season are both Southampton players: Dusan Tadic [32] and Nathan Redmond [28]. - Southampton have scored only four goals in their last eight Premier League games, despite attempting 101 shots in total in these games. Yikes!

Should never have let Keegan go to Newcastle. Would he have 'sulked' if we'd kept him?

We now know who the game is going to be about. Imagine the convo at FAHQ: "Oi, Clatts." "Yes, boy?" "2 south coast teams on Sunday. Easy life." "That's beneath me. Aren't any of the Top 6 playing." "It's a local derby. Needs some spice. Get in there." "I've controlled European Finals - internationals. Important games that suit important officials." "Controlled?" "Ok, I'll do it... show them how a real derby works. I'll take my biggest cards. Show them who's boss."

Hmm, I did wonder if Reed would be better than Clasie in this game. I put Clasie in as his confidence is up at the moment. It's a 50:50 thing - don't mind either really. I prefer Hoj further forward - I like how he attacks. We need sparky play like he provides. It's also hard to leave Tadic out, though Charlie Wayman (post 123) has a more probable line up with Tadic in for JRod. It would be nice to see a risk or two being taken - we attacked/pressed really well against Everton, as has already been mentioned somewhere, and I'd like to see that again.

My preferred starting team: -------------Forster-------------- Cedric---Fonte---VvD---Bertrand --------------Clasie--------------- -----Hojbjerg------Davis--------- --------------Boufal-------------- --------JRod-------Long--------- Subs: Yoshi, McQueen, Reed, Redmond, Tadic, JWP, Sims, Olomola May seem strange starting with both JRod & Long, but goals have to come. Hoj & Boufal both attacking style, with Davis & Clasie holding it together. If this starts, I'd hope it would stretch B'mouth, open up the game, which benefits us I reckon.

True. I think squad rotation has been necessary because of extra European games. Still need it during this busy period of the season, but it would be better to have a main core 8 or 9 starting, with only a couple of changes, maybe every other game rather than every single game. I don't think it will happen, though. The habit has been set and it's hard to break a habit. Maybe players expect (have been promised?) to play a certain number of games when fit? Or, at least, not miss 2 or 3 games on the trot?

Recent posts indicate we don't necessarily need an out-and-out striker. Well, I kind of agree, even though having one would maybe solve the problem I think we have, namely: Our midfielders don't want to get into the box - they only want to 'assist'. Think about it, Tadic, Davis, JWP, Redmond, Romeu.. (even Hoj & Boufal, who are good attacking forces) they all hang outside the box, or on the edge, looking for the perfect pass in to set up a striker's easy goal, then take the credit for an assist. Thing is, nobody's going in there, because they're all waiting around for the ball, so they can set up the perfect pass to assist... etc etc. Surely with so many decent midfielders (and I think we do have a good bunch), they should learn to take it in turns to actually get in the box and be that attacking midfielder. Learn to make attacking runs, receive and shoot. Then Long/JRod can hang about and be the strikers knowing they have others joining in the party. It's not rocket science, is it? And yes I know Romeu is a DM, but the emphasis should be on the M. Even Vic & Morgan attacked sometimes.

Good news. Made a good start to his Saints career. Long may he continue.

Good good. Energetic young player. Stay fit, young man!

Yet another disappointment. Feels like a defeat.

How can JWP get booked for that?!

Yeah, all very nice on the halfway line, but GET IT UP THERE YA FANNIES!

Davis spoils another chance. Not his best game tonight - possibly his worst. Bring on Hoj.

My heart just sank a bit with that miss. I now fear the worst. The dreads have arrived...

So slim the ball missed him!!

Saints fans get on task - good stuff! What an effort from Bertrand! Good save

http://www.feed4u.net/watch/1827732/2/Stoke-City-vs-Southampton.html

Getting closer...

Need Hoj on for Davis. Then maybe Tadic for JWP, depending on developments. JRod for Long late on?

Stoke playing like a bunch of revolutionary martyrs. Their fans, the mob baying for the guillotine. We need to rise above all that and attack attack attack.

Goal before half time. C'moooon!!