View From The Top Posted 12 February, 2012 Posted 12 February, 2012 By the time I get back to blighty's fair shores I'm hoping to see Saints back on top and the skate bast ards in administration.
mightysaints Posted 12 February, 2012 Posted 12 February, 2012 Just met a nice hammers fan in bar in bansko bulgaria. He mentioned that alladyce is not liked and they hate the style of hoof ball being played
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 12 February, 2012 Posted 12 February, 2012 2 things- Our key man in this game has got to be Hooiveld, he was outstanding in the home match and with their striking options he needs to do the same again. Also, Lallana is just starting to get back to form, and he wasn't even playing when we beat them at SMS.
Pilchards Posted 12 February, 2012 Posted 12 February, 2012 I saw the build up to the last West Ham goal they scored, defender hoofed it 60 yards into the sky and it bounced about until someone poked it in, what a disgrace to the premiership if this team get in. A massive game where we must put away our chances and on paper we have far too much for them.
LGTL Posted 12 February, 2012 Posted 12 February, 2012 Fone and Jos are vital in this game. If WHU go long ball it'll play right into our hands.
Cabrone Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Sorry but how is that harder for them? Plus it is way too early to be discussing run-ins in the first place, and let's be honest, when we beat West Ham we went five points clear. What does it count for now? Very little, and I can't imagine the result on Tuesday will have much more of an impact if any. There are still a lot of games left. What I meant was that apart from those 4 games we have either exactly the same or (theoretically) significantly easier fixtures than them. Therefore if we can get close to their points tally in these 4 matches then (on paper) we should have every chance of overtaking them. But as you say there is a long way to go and injuries\suspensions are going to have a big impact. I just hope we have got all our bad luck out of the way over the last 2 months. I also think we should be good enough for at least a draw at their place.
Toomer Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Take the momentum from Saturday into this game and there is no reason why we can't come away with a result.
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Looking forward to it... Wish i was going... Wish it was on telly.... COYS
corky morris Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 They should be renamed West Hoof Utd from what I saw at SMS & on the TV. They aint quite as nasty as Brighton, but watch out for the moaning at the ref from the 1st minute & how they try to influence decisions. Hopefully we get the luck & the win!!!!!! Hoof......................................
dubai_phil Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Build up Disasters. 1) Honey, where are we going for Valentine's Night Dinner? Why upstairs to the office with a PIzza of course, have to listen to SaintsPlayer, crunch game away to... ouch or 2) Ooh have you got me a present for Valentines Day? Uh yes, I got a case of Old Speckled Hen. WTF? How is that for ME? Well darling it will make me Happy and you always say ...ouch So tough juggling act for many wimps I suppose. Would also start with Hammond & Punch for this one, although can see that Guly's extra height would be helpful. Simply don't think Big Sam would be so naive as to give us room to play them off the park with Morgan & Cork starting in CM
trousers Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I'm in the West Ham end with a Hammers supporting mate. Gonna be a frustrating night one way or the other!
Maggie May Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Think we'll lose. Tadanari Lee will score, though.
farawaysaint Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Dioup out, Nolan out and Cole upfront as a lone striker? We should beat them and I greatly look forward to reading the semi-meltdown on their forum it should be loads of fun.
Saint Garrett Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Surely they'll start with either Maynard or Baldock? Don't think we'll change from the weekend, I much prefer Guly when he plays at RM, and it also seems to bring out the best in Frazor. Chappers on the bench? 1-2 or 1-1 COYS!
London Saint Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Punch should start this one. Think he could have a good game. I am going for a 1-1 which would be a decent result, although their home form has been dodgy and they have had some funny results at Upton park
Jack Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Hoofballers 1-3 Footballers IMO. Lambert (2), Sharp.
Foxstone Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I don't think Fat Sam is certain what his best side is to be honest, and I think they have managed to engender some fear into the opposition by their semi-impressice squad sheet and the fact they are "Wet Spam" ! We must not fear them, let them fear us and I'm sure if we play nour football in the same manner as we did on Saturday we should be fine.
Mockney-Ted Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 West Ham fan here chaps. Yes we don't play very good football, in fact it's awful, but for all that, we are top of the league. Wonder what will happen if we actually start playing well, or dare I say, good football? I don't believe you are stronger than us on paper by any stretch, I think we have the strongest squad in the division by a country mile. However, we do not play the football we should do, and most West Ham fans would concede that you do play far more attractive football than us. Expecting a tough game and a cracking atmosphere under the lights! Southampton will certainly score at least once, depends how many we can put in your net.
Nexstar Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 West Ham fan here chaps. Yes we don't play very good football, in fact it's awful, but for all that, we are top of the league. Wonder what will happen if we actually start playing well, or dare I say, good football? I don't believe you are stronger than us on paper by any stretch, I think we have the strongest squad in the division by a country mile. However, we do not play the football we should do, and most West Ham fans would concede that you do play far more attractive football than us. Expecting a tough game and a cracking atmosphere under the lights! Southampton will certainly score at least once, depends how many we can put in your net. Umm...
iansums Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Most of my family are Wham fans so this is massive for me. Speaking to my brother yesterday he was saying how pleased he was that Nolan is out, thinks they play better football without him.
AussieDog Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 One advantage of living in australia...the match kicks off here on Feb 15th so no worries about Valentines Day! Build up Disasters. 1) Honey, where are we going for Valentine's Night Dinner? Why upstairs to the office with a PIzza of course, have to listen to SaintsPlayer, crunch game away to... ouch or 2) Ooh have you got me a present for Valentines Day? Uh yes, I got a case of Old Speckled Hen. WTF? How is that for ME? Well darling it will make me Happy and you always say ...ouch So tough juggling act for many wimps I suppose. Would also start with Hammond & Punch for this one, although can see that Guly's extra height would be helpful. Simply don't think Big Sam would be so naive as to give us room to play them off the park with Morgan & Cork starting in CM
SuperMikey Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 West Ham fan here chaps. Yes we don't play very good football, in fact it's awful, but for all that, we are top of the league. Wonder what will happen if we actually start playing well, or dare I say, good football? I don't believe you are stronger than us on paper by any stretch, I think we have the strongest squad in the division by a country mile. However, we do not play the football we should do, and most West Ham fans would concede that you do play far more attractive football than us. Expecting a tough game and a cracking atmosphere under the lights! Southampton will certainly score at least once, depends how many we can put in your net. You've definitely got a stronger squad (much more experience at the top level) but Big Sam isn't bringing out the best in them, whereas Nige is getting the best out of a team of players one might not necessarily placed in the automatic promotion places at the start of the season. I'm looking forward to the game, you've been better on the road and we've not been great away, but we'll go out and try and grab a goal before 20 minutes. We've not yet lost a game this season where we've taken the lead... Will be very interesting to see who comes out on top in this one!
Mockney-Ted Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Yes we are a far better side without Nolan in it. He is a huge waste of space. Very thankful he won't be in the first XI tomorrow.
saints-cris Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 The thing that baffles me is they have about 50 strikers but end up playing 1 up top. When they passed it around at St Marys they looked a class above, but otherwise it was painful watching. If they hoof, we can handle them. Really hope we win this, and I think we will.
Mockney-Ted Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 You've definitely got a stronger squad (much more experience at the top level) but Big Sam isn't bringing out the best in them, whereas Nige is getting the best out of a team of players one might not necessarily placed in the automatic promotion places at the start of the season. I'm looking forward to the game, you've been better on the road and we've not been great away, but we'll go out and try and grab a goal before 20 minutes. We've not yet lost a game this season where we've taken the lead... Will be very interesting to see who comes out on top in this one! Can't disagree mate. How we are top of this league I will never know. It's a strange season, strangest season I've ever seen. I'm calling a 2-2 draw tomorrow.
SuperMikey Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Oh, and this is the team that we should play. Unchanged from a cracking performance on Saturday. ------------------DAVIS------------------ FRAZER-----FONTE-----HOOIVELD-----FOX GULY-----MORGAN------CORK-----LALLANA ----------LAMBERT-----SHARP------------ Subs: Martin, Hammond, Chaplow, De Ridder, Lee No Bart on the bench again because this is a game in which we need to be offensive.
saints-cris Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Only change Id make would be Punch for Guly.
Nexstar Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Only change Id make would be Punch for Guly. Agreed, we need to get right at them from the off and starting Puncheon would be more effective than bringing him on later IMO.
Webby Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 This hoof ball argument that this makes them inferior to us is getting a bit boring. They're top of the league so it must be effective. We're second so our style is effective too. All it means is that one is nicer to watch, but ultimately, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Look at Greece in euro 2004. Boring to watch but they won it.
doddisalegend Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Only change Id make would be Punch for Guly. Me too. I reckon there isn't a team in the division who are going to be able to stop us with an on form Lallana and Puncheon playing on each wing (baring a snow storm of course) and swapping back and forth. Add Lambert and sharp up front and that has got to be enough to give any teams defence nightmares.
Tokyo-Saint Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I wouldn't be surprised to see Jiadi on the bench for this one. If we have a narrow lead with 10 minutes to go, they are bound to pepper our box with hoof balls. No one better than Rahdi at dealing with this. Really looking forward to this one, although I expect it may be cold and boring. I hope we are singing, 'we are Southampton, we're top of the league' at the end of the game. Really hope we don't sing it if we go 1-0 up in the first half though!
Nexstar Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I wouldn't be surprised to see Jiadi on the bench for this one. If we have a narrow lead with 10 minutes to go, they are bound to pepper our box with hoof balls. No one better than Rahdi at dealing with this. Really looking forward to this one, although I expect it may be cold and boring. I hope we are singing, 'we are Southampton, we're top of the league' at the end of the game. Really hope we don't sing it if we go 1-0 up in the first half though! Jaidi is playing a reserve game tomorrow to build up his fitness
Crazy Diamond Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I genuinely didn't notice Kevin Nolan more than once or twice during the game at SMS. It's a huge advantage for them that he's not available by the sounds of it!
SuperMikey Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 The BBC Solent commentary team noted that we play our passing game better when Guly's on the right, and I must say that I agree with them. His link-up play is great and he drifts inside, allowing Frazer to overlap down the right. That's a tactic we'll be looking to employ given their LB is f*cking appalling (George McCartney)...
pingwing Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Anyone recommend a pub near by the ground before/after the game? Haven't been there before and will probably like a drink after the game to let the tube quieten down a little
doddisalegend Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 The BBC Solent commentary team noted that we play our passing game better when Guly's on the right, and I must say that I agree with them. His link-up play is great and he drifts inside, allowing Frazer to overlap down the right. That's a tactic we'll be looking to employ given their LB is f*cking appalling (George McCartney)... I think Puncheon and Adam showed how good they can be against Birmingham, even in the snow, they were running rings around them (shame our strikers didn't want to shoot). Now take out the snow and imagine how good they could be with firm footing underneath. Guly had a great game on the right saturday but for me he really is better up front or just behind the strikers...I remember reading an interview with him in the matchday programme were Guly said he prefered to play central and didn't think out wide was his best postion.
Appy Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 The BBC Solent commentary team noted that we play our passing game better when Guly's on the right, and I must say that I agree with them. His link-up play is great and he drifts inside, allowing Frazer to overlap down the right. That's a tactic we'll be looking to employ given their LB is f*cking appalling (George McCartney)... According to their forum, McCartney is out.
Shroppie Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Anyone recommend a pub near by the ground before/after the game? Haven't been there before and will probably like a drink after the game to let the tube quieten down a little Everything close to the ground is very partisan - strictly home fans only. So if you're risking it, no shirt and keep quiet. I'm heading for the Black Lion near Plaistow tube. Good real ale and far enough out to be ok, but still not sure about shirt. Think I'm doing this one in civvies. staying overnigth so may fancy a few post-game around London Bridge.
scotty Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 This hoof ball argument that this makes them inferior to us is getting a bit boring. They're top of the league so it must be effective. We're second so our style is effective too. All it means is that one is nicer to watch, but ultimately, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Look at Greece in euro 2004. Boring to watch but they won it. Thats a point right there. Am I the only person that read the build up thread when we played them at St Marys and saw a link to the whu fansite? There was a fan saying "they play some nice tippy tappy football but they wont be able to cope with big sams hoofball". For some reason, I found that profoundly depressing, maybe because w ham always used to be renowned for their attractive playing style for as long as I can remember. Cant believe their fans would be thinking that, much less saying it.
London Saint Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I think Puncheon and Adam showed how good they can be against Birmingham, even in the snow, they were running rings around them (shame our strikers didn't want to shoot). Now take out the snow and imagine how good they could be with firm footing underneath. Guly had a great game on the right saturday but for me he really is better up front or just behind the strikers...I remember reading an interview with him in the matchday programme were Guly said he prefered to play central and didn't think out wide was his best postion. I think generally Adkins prefers to play Guly for home games and so will opt for Puncheon tomorrow night as I think his work rate will be higher than Gulys. Nothing wrong with rotating that position - as he says its not about 11 but the whole squad. In Nige We Trust!
SuperMikey Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 According to their forum, McCartney is out. Oh. Who do they say will play there instead? They had some 17 year old that played LB for them earlier on in the season who did pretty well by all accounts. I think Puncheon and Adam showed how good they can be against Birmingham, even in the snow, they were running rings around them (shame our strikers didn't want to shoot). Now take out the snow and imagine how good they could be with firm footing underneath. Guly had a great game on the right saturday but for me he really is better up front or just behind the strikers...I remember reading an interview with him in the matchday programme were Guly said he prefered to play central and didn't think out wide was his best postion. Punch has done well, but I think Guly has that technical aspect to his game which Punch doesn't quite have. Jason is much more of a wide player which inhibits Frazer's overlapping which is how we score a lot of goals. Guly drifts into the middle and plays behind the strikers when we attack which gives us that extra man in the box if Frazer has the ball out wide. Puncheon might start though because Guly does tend to disappear sometimes in away games...
alpine_saint Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Is it overstating the situation to describe tomorrow as a season-defining game ? Why am I so worked up about this one ?
Window Cleaner Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 I genuinely didn't notice Kevin Nolan more than once or twice during the game at SMS. It's a huge advantage for them that he's not available by the sounds of it! Depends whether Morgan can shut down Noble as well as he did Nolan.Straight man for man marking job if I remember correctly.
Doctoroncall Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 did i read somewhere that Nolan is suspended for three games? Yes. Diop and McCartney are injured. Need to take advantage of Potts the youngster or an out of position player at Left Back.
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Is it overstating the situation to describe tomorrow as a season-defining game ? Why am I so worked up about this one ? Can you predict a loss as you did for Burnley....
Saint_Jonny Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Just watched the highlights of the WHAM home game again, what a game that was! Real cracker. Reckon we can get a result tomorrow, show them a good'en. 1-2 to the Saints.
Window Cleaner Posted 13 February, 2012 Posted 13 February, 2012 Is this on tv anywhere? Probably not, isn't it a Champion's League night??
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