I really wish I could begin a preview with a sentence something along the lines of “I’m well confident we’ll take the three points here”.
But you just can’t, can you?
While we apparently looked better against Watford (I didn’t see the game and had no wish to after seeing the result, news highlights apart), we have to admit that Watford are really no great shakes and will probably struggle overall this season. Hence we really should have expected to beat them at home.
But we didn’t, purely down to yet more schoolboy defending, a problem that has been ongoing for far too long.
We’ve had a very good history over the last 40 years or more of having a very good central defensive pairing and this is probably the saddest part for me, when it comes to our demise over recent years.
I’m tempted to say we have on paper, decent defenders, in Micah Richards and Ciaran Clark (although I accept he’s marmite), but they aren’t decent are they?
Certainly the facts say so anyway, as we’ve conceded 27 in 14 games.
My opinion is that the midfield generally don’t have the steel to stop the opposition and our full backs are just not good enough to be expected to do the attacking/defending blend that’s being asked of them.
And what that boils down to, is that if you face an onslaught, you’re going to concede.
Add that to a goalie out of form and a massive lack of confidence, where we’re making such simple mistakes and you’re going to concede even more.
You can easily argue that we don’t score enough either, but Stoke have scored a goal less than us, yet sit 14 points higher than we do. So that’s not the real problem, although missing Benteke obviously doesn’t help.
Hence why it’s all about the defence.
And what do we see in the squad news?
Well Clark is suspended and Richards is looking doubtful with a knee injury.
Okore is fit and will probably come in and as much as I like him this isn’t an ideal game for him to start as he isn’t going to be up to speed.
And Lescott will also be available, where I’ll just say that’s not ideal, given what we’ve seen so far this season.
So it isn’t looking good is it?
In other squad news, Jack Grealish is still training with the kids so won’t be available.
To be honest, that’s no loss for me, as he doesn’t do enough work in a relegation destined team.
We need fighters and he simply isn’t one, although he does have a big future in a better performing, more confident team.
My money says he’ll be re-instated to the squad next week, but it doesn’t matter.
Perhaps more interesting is that Gabby is available.
Has he really been injured or has he just taken a break after all the criticism he’s faced?
Or is that second point just a figment of my imagination?
Who knows? But either way, if he’s back in a better frame of mind and fired up, I’m willing to see him start.
But surely it has to be last chance saloon for him?
Unfortunately, I suspect that his ridiculously high wages will mean that he’ll figure in the squad more often than not, regardless of what us fans think.
As for Southampton, Jose Fonte is a doubt, while Jay Rodriguez, Fraser Forster and Florin Gardos are still out.
I’d probably normally say that’s decent for us, but when you look at the way we’ve played, combined with what’s been some pretty poor luck up to now, I don’t see our losing streak coming to a halt.
I’m expecting us to concede at least one, given the defence, although I’d expect us to score too.
It’ll be interesting to see how the manager approaches this one.
Surely any sensible manager will try and play with the thought of not conceding being the priority?
But we tried that against Everton and it proved a disaster, because as soon as we concede, we don’t have the balls to fight back, especially against a better, more cohesive team, which Southampton definitely are.
My opinion says we should go at Southampton from the off with the hope of getting an early goal, which would put the home side on the back foot.
But then we have the problem where we don’t create enough chances.
We’re in trouble aren’t we?
I’ll go for a 3-1 loss.
And that’s if Southampton cruise their way through the game.
Sorry lads, but I have no faith in us whatsoever getting anything from this one 🙁
Already made my prediction. Back four of mutton, Lescott, the tea lady and Richardson = 7-0 to Southampton and that’s If we get lucky.
OK that’s the rum talking but even taking a sensible optimistic view all the omens are bad. Saints on a 3 match losing streak playing us means (like Swansea) they get a free win. So I’m with Badger 3-1 Southampton.
I have absolutely no idea where our next point (let alone win) will come from.
3-1 saints & that’s being kind to us. 🙁
I think we will win by 2 to 1.
I know it’s hopeful but lady luck has its charm and we’re in need of it now.
Not much to disagree with you on that Badger, Grealish will be back on Monday he’s been told to start training with the first team, yes sounds about right 3-1 maddening to think the team you love hasn’t a cat in hells chance on previous results performance, still we live in hope.good luck to them.
Who gives a shit?
We will win 1-3, and put in a good performance, we have to once this season ……. Surely!
I wonder if other sides see us as a cure to their bad runs? Think Saints have been looking forward to this one?
I can see mane & pelle ripping are weak defence apart again so hold on boys for this rough landing 5-1 mane hat-trick 🙁
Am a shit weekend for me……
Defeat by three goals due to our poor resilience and lack of assurance at the back. Maybe Okore coming in means he knows he will have to take his chance and he will have a stormer. But I doubt it.
I think ayew will again be isolated, midfield will be non existent and traore will get the last 20 minutes to prove he still isn’t fit.
Oh and I would genuinely rather see Bacuna let back than Richardson. He works hard…but he is poor.
I hope I am completely wrong and we hit then on the break to win.
I think 3-1 is being optimistic and, as I’m normally an optimistic person, I’ll go with Badger.
Worried though that Saints will be hurting after that thrashing by Liverpool and they’ve got some proven goal scorers…
Oh well there’s always the next game…..which is against Arsenal :-((
Can’t wait for this season to end
We will surely win today. Have to at some point get a result. Today is the day when our season turns around. If we could get a couple of wins over the next 3 games we are still in with a fighting chance. I can hear the pundits already “where did that performance come from” !
Positive thoughts (till 3.00pm anyway)
UTV
Cannot believe Stoke are two up in 15 minutes against Man city, they are the lowest scorers in the league.
It’s Stoke’s strongest attribute, counter attacking between Shaqiri and Arnautovic against an awful Demichellis and Otamendi. If we played against those 2, probably would’ve gotten a goal against them, if we ever crossed that is.
I am sorry to say I have lost all faith in the team especially the defence. Southampton win today 3-0 . I hope I am wrong.
Ilori on the bench I nearly fell off the bar stool,okore back nice one.I’m optimistic already.
Hi Giddy – didn’t miss ‘the bar stool’ get it down yer! Off to a rum shop for lunch which will be showing one game live – hope it’s not the Villa – it would just sour the rum!
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS
Team to play Southampton: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna, Gana, Veretout, Sanchez, Sinclair, Ayew, Gestede
Subs: Bunn, Ilori, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Richards, Traore, Gil
Looks like Bacuna at LB
ILORI’S ALIIIIIIVE
I questioned if he was still on this planet.
Probably just a hologram
Just had a quick glimpse at our away end it looked half empty if that.
utterly crap defending already !
Can’t believe this Southampton sould be 2 up already.
My god, it’s like shots in.
guzan hutton two biggest jokes in premier league