SaintTex

Maybe it is semantics, but isn't this more of a 5-3-2 ---------------------Forster-------------------- Clyne --------Fonte-------Gardos-----Yoshida-----Betrand --------------Davis--------Big Vic-----------Tadic---------- -----------------Pelle ----Long/Mane----------- we are basically adding an addition CB to our back line (basically replacing Alderweireld with 2 players). Clyne and Bertrand are going to do their usual thing. Maybe it gives them some additional freedom to go forward. It's an intriguing formation.

This game suddenly looms much larger considering our form in the last 3 league games. This is our mostly likely path to football in Europe. We are safe from relegation, but dreams of Top 5 or 6 seem to be evaporating.

right. in just one weeks time, the table looks a whole lot tighter; especially if we get no points tomorrow. We are only 6 points above 10th place Newcastle. We really need 3 points tomorrow.

Forster Clyne -- Fonte -- Alderweireld -- Bertrand Cork -- Wanyama -- Davis Long -------- Pelle --------- Tadic drop Mane, get Tadic out on the left.

he was also caught behind the play for Clichy's goal. Yoshida has been on the pitch for 6 of the 9 goals we have given up this season. And he hasn't been on the pitch a whole lot. First three matches of the season, a half at Swansea and a half against City. I still think moving Alderweireld out of the CB position was a poor decision. You put in Reed or you put in Long and drop Davis back some.

this. Should have hobbled over to the first Man City player available and take him out to start the second half. Oh and then sub him with Gardos. Jeez.

I don't get the Yoahida move. Keep your strong CB pairing and substitute cork for schneiderlin.

the bigger fit from them would be bringing in another player from Southampton. I think the Scousers have soured on the Saint pipeline to Liverpool.

This. I don't believe we have played this type of formation before. Long behind Pelle? Is this the first time Long, Pelle, Tadic and Mane have been on the pitch at the same time? I think so, and it showed. They played as if they were strangers. Clyne and Bertrand were our saving grace offensively, ironically.

COYS! Get all 3 points tomorrow! Doubling Liverpool's points total after 12 games would be glorious! not to mention.. staying within 4 points Chelsea.

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2144746/adam-lallana-looks-lost-at-liverpool Adam Lallana looks lost at Liverpool in a season of struggle at Anfield

ESPN getting in on the speculation.. beautiful way to start the article by the way with the Rodgers quote we all know and love. http://www.espnfc.com/club/southampton/376/blog/post/2141715/can-saints-really-finish-top-four

Yep, people tend to forget we were flying pretty high in 3rd place with 22 points last year after 11 matches and then we fell off the cliff. last year, after 19 matches.. we found ourselves in 9th place. For the next 19 matches, there was very little table movement, we were either in 8th or 9th place for the rest of the year. the next 8 matches (to the halfway point) are critical and will tell us a lot about where we may be at season's end. I personally think we can get to 38 or 40 points by January 1. Most critical to that.. getting all 9 points against Villa, Burnley, and Palace. If we start dropping points in those matches, our outlook will be cloudy.

Movember! It was nice to see it on the main channel as my cable subscriber has yet to offer the extra time package that shows all the games. I could DVR it and everything this time! Usually I have to stream the game on the NBCSN streaming option which is not always reliable. The Liverpool match (game 1) was the last time Southampton was on the main channel. Pretty sure the Villa game will be on the main NBCSN channel as it the only game going on that Monday!

1) take care of games we are obvious favorites.. Villa, CP, Burnley... [9 points] 2) take a few points/drop a few points to.. Everton, ManCity, ManU, Arsenal, Chelsea...[minimal 5 points] -- not saying we couldn't get more than 5 points from those 5 games, but I would be very disappointed if we got less. 3) at the halfway point we will have 25 points + 9 points + 5 points = 39 points! I'll take 39 points at the halfway point!

I wonder how Lallana feels on being included in the "write this one off" Starting XI.

this is my favorite part.

This. It would be best for both parties that he not play here again. This Southampton team is a new chapter, I really don't see him being a part of it as a player. But like noted above.. in the future, one retired as a player.. I think he would/should be welcome with open arms in any capacity.

oh man.. I didn't want to see that. Some seriously bad juju there.

with 9 matches to go to the halfway point in the season, I think what Koeman needs to focus on is taking care of business and getting the 12 points from Leicester, Villa, CP and Burnley. Even if we get no points against the other 5 matches (Chelsea, City, ManU, Arsenal and Everton) that still leaves us: 22 points + 12 points = 34 points at the halfway point. now I do think we can get some points against those 5 clubs, but even if those become 5 losses, we will be in good shape for a top 6 finish with beating the other 4 mentioned above. If we can "steal" 6 points from those 5 clubs and get to 40 points by the halfway point, that would be brilliant. if it becomes a 2 horse race between City and Chelsea, I figure 65 points get us a top 6 finish 75 points get us a top 4 finish

whatever happens in January, I trust that it will be a reasoned decision, both financially and performance-wise. I doubt it would be a one player 30mil signing. It's a pretty tight knit group as it stands now. Any players brought in would have to have the proper personality and character. It can't just only be about football talent. We don't want to create a self-inflicted wound by bringing something toxic into, what appears to be, a pretty happy locker room.

Since Liverpool is on TV every damn week here in the US, they get to be the team I make a point to sit, watch, and root against.

do you think either of them thought they would get so little playing time? I did see the writing on the wall with Rickie (and he may have as well too, but didn't care), but I seriously doubt Lallana thought he was going to sit on the bench for entire League games when he made the move to Liverpool.

Unlike Boruc, Forster doesn't mess around with the ball in the box. Distributes it quickly and efficiently. Doesn't attempt to make the difficult pass when an easier pass is available. GKs need to get it to the players paid to play the game with their feet and get back in the damn 6 yard box.

so, basically, we are doing so well because we give 150%?