it’s yet another massive game.
And one that I think might really be a season maker or breaker, as opposed to the Spurs game.
Southampton’s home record is truly appalling and it’s the reason they are where they are in the league.
In 13 games, they’ve won only three, drawn two and lost eight according to footystats.
Actually, I’d recommend you have a glance at that site, as it makes for interesting reading.
While we have the worst record for conceding goals in the league and that’s partly the reason, we have the second highest goals per game ratio.
At least we’re entertaining if you’re a neutral fan.
Anyway, the point is that Southampton playing at home actually gives them a 19% disadvantage compared to playing away which is somewhat strange, albeit it makes sense because they’re a decent counter-attacking side.
Squad status then and the good news for us is that Mings should go straight back in defence, probably in place of Engels.
As for Southampton, Kyle Walker-Peters, Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond are all unavailable.
Those Southampton home statistics give me encouragement, but we all know we’re probably the best club in the whole English game for bringing poor runs of any kind to an end for the opposition.
The fact that Southampton counter well worries me though, given our horrendous defence and it’s likelyhood in making a costly mistake at any time. Couple this with the fact that either the team or the management, or probably both don’t understand what “see the game out” means and well, I’m a lot more than worried.
Still, I was listening to radio WM on the way home from work and the question was “would you be be happy with a point?”.
And I’m really not sure I would.
I’d have been happy with a point at home to Spurs, but feel this is a game where we really ought and really need to get all three.
The problem I have is that I keep thinking that if we can’t beat these with that home record, then who can we beat?
Not that our away record is any good.
I suspect this game has something like a 2-2 draw written all over it.
But I can’t contemplate us drawing, let alone losing this one.
Hence I’m going for a 2-1 win.
If we don’t get it, I suspect I’m going to be feeling pretty downbeat tomorrow afternoon.
Meaning it might actually be fortunate in that I won’t have to witness it, because I’m working.
