vince Posted 31 January, 2012 Posted 31 January, 2012 ok, I'll do it. Massive game, given they are 5 points behind us with a game in hand. Cardiff/Blackpool and WHam/Millwall make it an interesting day. I think we'll spring a surprise up there - 2-1 saints.
S-Clarke Posted 31 January, 2012 Posted 31 January, 2012 Huge game, they are really on our coat tails now. Tearing up behind us at 100mph with no sign of slowing down. We can slow them down though. Was hoping for a win today tbh as I'm not sure we can stay top 2 with two points, but this is exactly the sort of game that we'll go and win. Shame that Jos is out for this though as Zigic is finally playing to his potential. Such a threat, needs a couple of players on him.
SNSUN Posted 31 January, 2012 Posted 31 January, 2012 Peculiarly, I think we'll win too. We'll play well, injured players will be back, Sharp will be in, and we'll turn in our performance of the season to win. 3-1 Saints. Maybe wishful thinking, but we need to show our mettle.
K,Billy's supersound Posted 31 January, 2012 Posted 31 January, 2012 cant see anything other than a defeat. brum on absolute fire atm and being home infront of a crowd roaring them on i think we will fold. would be very happy with a draw.
Colinjb Posted 31 January, 2012 Posted 31 January, 2012 As a Coventry resident, I would just like to say.... "We're coming for you......"
trousers Posted 31 January, 2012 Posted 31 January, 2012 Here's hoping Millwall can hold West Ham to a draw in the lunchtime kick-off and likewise Blackpool at Cardiff (3pm KO) Should set us up nicely as I've got a hunch we win't lose at Birmingham in the evening KO.
SuperMikey Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 -----------------DAVIS------------------ FRAZER-----FONTE-----MARTIN------FOX PUNCHEON---CORK-----DEANO---LALLANA ----------LAMBERT----SHARP------------ Subs: Bart, Harding, Schneiderlin, Chaplow/De Ridder, Lee Absolutely vital that we don't lose this one, I would be happy with a point as well tbh. Looking for Sharp to make an impact.
S-Clarke Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 -----------------DAVIS------------------ FRAZER-----FONTE-----MARTIN------FOX PUNCHEON---CORK-----DEANO---LALLANA ----------LAMBERT----SHARP------------ Subs: Bart, Harding, Schneiderlin, Chaplow/De Ridder, Lee Absolutely vital that we don't lose this one, I would be happy with a point as well tbh. Looking for Sharp to make an impact. Yep, exactly the team I would go with. This is the sort of game for Deano and Cork, not Morgan IMO. Adkins has a call to make on Punch, he's not quite fit yet and Saturday may come a bit too soon for him to start again - but we'll see. We do have options now though, you look at the bench and see players that can come on and making an impact. Refreshing. No disrespect to Holmes and Forte, but seeing them on the bench didn't inspire confidence what so ever.
Roger Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Yep, exactly the team I would go with. This is the sort of game for Deano and Cork, not Morgan IMO. Adkins has a call to make on Punch, he's not quite fit yet and Saturday may come a bit too soon for him to start again - but we'll see. We do have options now though, you look at the bench and see players that can come on and making an impact. Refreshing. No disrespect to Holmes and Forte, but seeing them on the bench didn't inspire confidence what so ever. Where was de ridder tonight? Expect puncheon to start again. Is guly back for sat for the bench and also chaplow. Jos back for burnley? By burnely we should have unreal options.
S-Clarke Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Where was de ridder tonight? Expect puncheon to start again. Is guly back for sat for the bench and also chaplow. Jos back for burnley? By burnely we should have unreal options. De Ridder has a bit of a tight hamstring, and Guly has a problem with his thigh - don't think we'll see him for a few games. Jos is out for another week according to NA.
laughba Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Davis Richardson martin fonte fox Lee Hammond cork lallana Lambert Sharp This would be my call if............. Lee can play in that position... I think he could. I believe he adds a lot of energy to the team when he plays, and would be better than Punch? Anyone else think that could work?
Roger Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Davis Richardson martin fonte fox Lee Hammond cork lallana Lambert Sharp This would be my call if............. Lee can play in that position... I think he could. I believe he adds a lot of energy to the team when he plays, and would be better than Punch? Anyone else think that could work? No puncheon better imo.
John Boy Saint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Got my Manc mate in tow for this as we are working up there at the NEC so will be welcome diversion, on last 6 games form we will get dinked, on the second half performance of tonight though it could be an entertaining game if our Mojo is returning Just hope Nigel can get Lallana wired into the mains and every time he takes one touch too many he gets a right old buzz!!
Avenue Saint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Can't wait to have jos, chappers and sharp to call from!
Saint_Jonny Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I am scared about this one! Hate watching games on TV I always turn into a weirdo that my house mates don't want to go near! I imagine I'll be unbearable on Saturday.
rick1976.4.38 Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 looking forward to this.theyve not lost at home this season,so a big ask for us to turn them over,id settle for a draw.they are the form team and look good for automatic promotion,think it will be the rest of us fighting for second.coys
Lighthouse Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I'd probably go with the same 16, except Sharp in for Connolly. Possibly have De Ridder in for Falque too if he is fit. I'd take a draw in this one, it's one of those 'must not lose' games really.
woodsaint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 looking forward to this.theyve not lost at home this season,so a big ask for us to turn them over,id settle for a draw.they are the form team and look good for automatic promotion,think it will be the rest of us fighting for second.coys Dont think brum will win the league. Just like us back in november, they are on a very good run but they wont sustain it and will have another spell of indifferent results, this league does that. This game could start a good run in Feb which can leave us sitting pretty going into the last 12 or so games. Going for a hard fought 2-1 win
MOSaint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I think the sheer number of games, combined with the low number of players their manager has played so far may catch up with Birmingham in the run in, march especially is a very busy month, not counting FA Cup progression and Birmingham have already played 39 games this season. However, right now they are on fire. Still think if Saints can get back to playing anything like the way they were when we were turning sides over earlier in the season, and the second half tonight was encouraging, we can sneak it. Davis Richardson Fonte Martin Fox Puncheon Cork Hammond Lallana Lambert Sharp Subs Bialkowski, Harding, Schniederlin, Falque/De Ridder/Chaplow (Depends who is fit, Chaplow preferably), Lee Connolly should take a backseat now we have Lee and Sharp, when the going gets tough he goes missing far too often for my liking.
Pilchards Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Two things going in our favour, Zigic won't play Saturday after he got badly injured on his 4th goal & Hughton will no doubt win the dreaded manager of the month award. PLUS we have Puncheon firing on all cylinders and Sharp will be ready to kick start us again. I'm convinced it will be a 4-1.... to brum
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Nothing at all to stop us doing to Brum what Leicester did to us - we have the quality. When they have the ball we need to be all over them like a rash all over the park. Then hit them on the break with the pace in our team. Would be very happy with a draw but if its level with 10 to go they will push on and we might even nick it.
jasoneuelllfanclub Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Maybe our away form will be the catalyst for promotion push and we scrape some home wins. I think at home teams have worked us out and we struggle to break teams down but on the road teams play to their own strengths which may benefit us. Not sure if we can leave wings so exposed away from home like we did tonight so play 4 across middle but have lallana and punch rotating sides. Rigid 4 across middle may be ok away from home as teams will come at us more.
Sour Mash Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Nothing at all to stop us doing to Brum what Leicester did to us - we have the quality. When they have the ball we need to be all over them like a rash all over the park. Then hit them on the break with the pace in our team. Would be very happy with a draw but if its level with 10 to go they will push on and we might even nick it. Apart from Brum being in a great run of form & tearing up every team they're playing? Great news if Zigic is out, but I think we'd do very well to come away with a point.
S-Clarke Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Two things going in our favour, Zigic won't play Saturday after he got badly injured on his 4th goal & Hughton will no doubt win the dreaded manager of the month award. PLUS we have Puncheon firing on all cylinders and Sharp will be ready to kick start us again. I'm convinced it will be a 4-1.... to brum Zigic is out? Excellent (not that he's injured, hope he's fit soon....but they don't have much up top as it is)
Ampersound Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Can't see us winning this one (on sky for starters!) but I gave Ipswich no chance last night so hopefully my predictions will continue in the same vain. They've scored 18 goals in the last few games... Also only conceded 6 at home in the league. They will lose at home at some point this season.
S-Clarke Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Can't see us winning this one (on sky for starters!) but I gave Ipswich no chance last night so hopefully my predictions will continue in the same vain. They've scored 18 goals in the last few games... Also only conceded 6 at home in the league. They will lose at home at some point this season. Bristol City fans were saying the same when they came to SMS....! If this league teaches anyone anything, it's that no result is guaranteed. Anyone can beat anyone, home or away, top or bottom.
dronskisaint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 As a Coventry resident, I would just like to say.... "We're coming for you......" Yow...surely?
Vershinin Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I think we'll win. One of the first games all season that we are underdogs, Brum are on fire and will be going all out for the win. Will suit us nicely. 1-3 Saints. COYR
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 cant see anything other than a defeat. brum on absolute fire atm and being home infront of a crowd roaring them on i think we will fold. would be very happy with a draw. Why! when have we folded this season. We have lost but never folded...
Orange Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Can't wait for this now. Fact we didn't win yesterday puts even more importance on this.
London Saint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Given Birmingham's form and game in hand I am amazed that they are still 9/1 to win the league (especially with WHU and Saints inconsistent form) Just put a tenner on them each way at that price!
Nexstar Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I think this will be the toughest game of the season to date, they are bang in form and it's away, with pressure starting to build. I would echo Super Mikey's team as it has a solid midfield and a lot of attacking potential. Really difficult to call, but even a draw would be a very good result.
JRM Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Given Birmingham's form and game in hand I am amazed that they are still 9/1 to win the league (especially with WHU and Saints inconsistent form) Just put a tenner on them each way at that price! that is a very good price, i have watched quite a few of their Europa league games and they are a very good side, they gave Braga a hell of a game away from home and we will do very well to get a point there. I think they will go up automatically, but find it strange the arrest of their owner for money laundering hasn't effected the club that much, was hoping they would lose a lot more players. I am pleased they are still in the FA Cup with a tough game at Chelsea, we need them to have a couple of defeats to get them out if this winning run , hopefully the huge number of games they are having to play this season will catch up with them
pangy Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 It will not be a easy game that's for sure,I am hoping Sharp will give us a massive lift as he should be just as lethal as Rickie is and that will have defenders worried.plus they lost Ridgewell yesterday so that is a bonus in our favour Whats like St Andrews like as a ground? never been before so looking forward to it. Also make sure you wrap up warm the temperature is supposedly to be around -5 !!!
the saint in winchester Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 IF the man-mountain Zigic is playing (I see some of you thinking he will be injured) how would you all feel about us bringing in our own mountain - JAIDI ??? Up against his old club, motivated, given a challenge of a one-on-one against Zigic - how about it? If Zigic is out, then yeah - Fonte and Martin.
JRM Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 i wonder if they have under soil heating, could be a frozen pitch? http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2655603
Saintjersey Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 This is a match where the pressure should be off the players given Brum and our respective forms. Going by form we should get hammered, however this is Saints and maybe we will spring a surprise. A point would be good and a win would be outstanding.
Toomer Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 No reason why we can't go there and get a result, would settle for a draw though.
derry Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Puncheon could be the find of the season. He was outstanding when moved into the centre. Our central midfield is poor, no momentum, sideways and backwards passing, IMO we need only one of the three alongside Puncheon. He has played CM for MK Dons and could provide a threat from midfield. Sharp and Lambert up front with Chaplow/Guly/DeRidder on the right. Get back to the sharp pass and move football, with a bit of sharpness and breaks from midfield for a change. We have been worked out and now the CM isn't really providing a threat or movement.
saints-cris Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I was at the Millwall v Birmingham game a few weeks ago so got to see them up close. To be honest, as crazy as it sounds they were really naff until the red card, then the next red card inevitably opened the floodgates. First half they were dominated by 10 men convincingly. What the are however, is very solid at the back. Davies and Caldwell are very good at this level. Think they've lost Ridgewell and Beasajour this window too?
ohwhenthesaints Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 ----------------Davis----------- Richardson--Fonte---Martin--Fox --------------Hammond--------- Puncheon-------Cork------Lallana ----------Sharp----Lambert Bench: Bart, Harding, Morgan, Lee and one from Guly, Chaplow, Connolly or De Ridder depending on who is fit.
positivepete Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Puncheon has played CM for MK Dons and could provide a threat from midfield. . I (and many others) saw Puncheon play CM for us away at Wycombe, and he had to be moved after 20 mins! Not going to hold that against him all his life, but I think we have enough CM's without needing JP there.
Dog Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 0-2 Saints It will be a turning point, and get us back to winning ways.
LGTL Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 I see Birmingham are the latest team to become Barcelona..we have a habit on this forum of talking up teams before we play them. Yes they are in excellent form, but so were we at various points of the season, and it can go to pot as quickly as it arrives, as we have witnessed. If Zigic is missing that's a big loss, Ridgewell has gone too, although he was awful at SMS. Massive game and I see no reason not to go there in confidence. Davis Richardson Fonte Martin Fox Puncheon Cork Hammond Lallana Sharp Lambert
Bucks Saint Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Zigic is out? Excellent (not that he's injured, hope he's fit soon....but they don't have much up top as it is) I know he got 4 last night - hats off and all that - but he had done pretty much sod all this season before that? Leeds back four is terrible according to my season ticket holder mate
Micky Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Park the bus - take a point - decent result in the circumstances.
Appy Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 Have I missed something? Where does it say Zigic is out?
Mowgli Posted 1 February, 2012 Posted 1 February, 2012 i wonder if they have under soil heating, could be a frozen pitch? http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2655603 What is the bloody obsession with frozen pitches. Someone yesterday was asking if the Cardiff game was in danger ffs. If the air temperature falls below zero during the day - for a prolonged period - there may be a chanceof the ground freezing. Day time temps are well above freezing at the moment and even night time temperatures are rising by the weekend. Back to football, the form book says Birmingham will win this but one thing that has proved very unreliable this season is the form book. Saints confidence is rising and I predict goals for both Lambert and Sharp on Saturday. 2-0 Saints.
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