trousers Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2858713,00.html Saints have returned to England to prepare for another test of their Premier League credentials on Saturday. Nigel Adkins' men return from a successful week in Evian-les-Baines, where they recorded victories over Etoile Carouge and Evian, scoring five goals and unveiling two new signings in Paulo Gazzaniga and Nathaniel Clyne. The team comes back home this weekend to continue their progressive build up to the new season against more Champions League opposition. And you can be here to welcome the lads back against Dutch Champions Ajax in a 3pm kick-off at St Mary's this Saturday. Frank De Boer's side are chasing a third successive domestic title in the forthcoming campaign, and the Amsterdammers are warming up nicely too after their 4-0 win over Celtic last weekend. Saints will be testing themselves against some of the best in European football, and with the new season now less than a month away, preparations are hotting up already. As many as three Saints players could make their home debut this weekend, with Gazzaniga, Clyne, and Steven Davis, all possibly making their bows.
Glasgow_Saint Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 I wonder if Scott Dann will attend - could sign for the winning team?
Saint Billy Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 DONT FORGET - game is on Channel 5 Thanks for the reminder GS, I had forgotten!
Saint Charlie Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Would imagine a few players will get more than 45mins for this one.
Saint Garrett Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 First 'proper' pre season game? Davis Clyne Fonte Hooiveld Fox Guly Morgan Ward-Prowse Lallana J-Rod Lambert Subs - the rest.
Golden Balls Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 I heard a rumour they were going to drop the ticket price now it's on tv and refund those who had already purchased their ticket. Have I missed the announcement or is this not happening?
Dig Dig Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 I heard a rumour they were going to drop the ticket price now it's on tv and refund those who had already purchased their ticket. Have I missed the announcement or is this not happening? That would be a bit of a nightmare I should imagine as isn't it also wrapped up in the pre-season ticket?
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Would be good to see Gazzaniga in action.
Turkish Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 That would be a bit of a nightmare I should imagine as isn't it also wrapped up in the pre-season ticket? I heard a rumour they were going to drop the ticket price now it's on tv and refund those who had already purchased their ticket. Have I missed the announcement or is this not happening? You better get used to this sort of thing. this is an example of the "dynamic pricing" some are claiming is a great idea and is going to sweep SFC in the near future.
Mowgli Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 First 'proper' pre season game? Davis Clyne Fonte Hooiveld Fox Guly Morgan Ward-Prowse Lallana J-Rod Lambert Subs - the rest. Based on pre season form NA might swap Sharp for Lambert and Puncheon for Guly but all four will play a part I am sure. As will Gazzaniga and Davies. I would like to see Stephens play a part too. I'm starting to think with him and Seabourne both performing well in pre season we have good choices now at centre back. That's not to say another signing should not be pursued but paying over the odds is something we can comfortably resist.
hutch Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Can this be considered as a yardstick? We've come a long, long way in a very short space of time (I hope).
Saint Martini Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Can this be considered as a yardstick? We've come a long, long way in a very short space of time (I hope). After looking at those line-ups I can say that both teams have come a loooooonng way since then.
Matthew Le God Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Can this be considered as a yardstick? We've come a long, long way in a very short space of time (I hope). Look at our starting XI that day! Davis Murty Molyneux Perry Thomas Wotton Lallana James Gillett Mills Rasiak
Saint Garrett Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Based on pre season form NA might swap Sharp for Lambert and Puncheon for Guly but all four will play a part I am sure. As will Gazzaniga and Davies. I would like to see Stephens play a part too. I'm starting to think with him and Seabourne both performing well in pre season we have good choices now at centre back. That's not to say another signing should not be pursued but paying over the odds is something we can comfortably resist. Yer, I agree Puncheon will probably start. Can't agree with CB though. Seaborne struggled in L1 before his injury. He was unconvincing in the few games he played at the start of last season, and you think he could step in when required in the Prem? No thanks. Stephens has only ever played in L1 at RB, I'm not sure we should be expecting him to be able to hold his own just yet. IMO need to get rid of Seaborne and bring in 2 CB's, 1 who will be first choice.
Matthew Le God Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Stephens has only ever played in L1 at RB. He played in midfield for Plymouth as well.
Saint Garrett Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 He played in midfield for Plymouth as well. Ok, well that still isnt CB is it ?!
Verbal Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Ok, well that still isnt CB is it ?! Ordinarily not, but by the time this argument is finished, 17 pages down the line, even you will want to admit that it is.
This Charming Man Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 I saw Steve Davis in Evian. I said hello to him, he said hello back though he seemed quite glum. Not the kind of attitude we want around the squad. I wouldn't start him until he cheers up a bit.
Window Cleaner Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 I saw Steve Davis in Evian. I said hello to him, he said hello back though he seemed quite glum. Not the kind of attitude we want around the squad. I wouldn't start him until he cheers up a bit. Well I'd imagine that 4 years in the council tip known as Glasgow would take a while to wear off.
Tokyo-Saint Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Ordinarily not, but by the time this argument is finished, 17 pages down the line, even you will want to admit that it is. true
Tokyo-Saint Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 I saw Steve Davis in Evian. I said hello to him, he said hello back though he seemed quite glum. Not the kind of attitude we want around the squad. I wouldn't start him until he cheers up a bit. Probably recognised you from Ibrox and wanted to move along as quickly as possible before you got your flute and sash out and asked him to march with you.
Thedelldays Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Probably recognised you from Ibrox and wanted to move along as quickly as possible before you got your flute and sash out and asked him to march with you.
This Charming Man Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Probably recognised you from Ibrox and wanted to move along as quickly as possible before you got your flute and sash out and asked him to march with you. He loves it. That's probably why he's so glum, there's not enough of that down here. Bet he would've cracked a smile with a rendition of 'The Sash My Father Wore'.
Tokyo-Saint Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 He loves it. That's probably why he's so glum, there's not enough of that down here. Bet he would've cracked a smile with a rendition of 'The Sash My Father Wore'. Should have given it a go then, the French would have loved it.
Dr. Kucho Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 This is a must win game for me. I am driving over with a mate (who is a Ajax season ticket holder) and have been telling him for ages that we play like Barcelona.
DrunkenSaint Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 ...............Davis......... Clyne... Fonte... Jos... Fox .............Morgan............ .....Ward-P.........Davis...... Lallana...................Shaw.. ................JRod.............. Punch might get in there due to good form but i think from the way things have gone so far we're using a 451/433 type of formation. The youngsters have done us well so far least give them ago against a champions league team.
captainchris Posted 24 July, 2012 Posted 24 July, 2012 Yer, I agree Puncheon will probably start. Can't agree with CB though. Seaborne struggled in L1 before his injury. He was unconvincing in the few games he played at the start of last season, and you think he could step in when required in the Prem? No thanks. Stephens has only ever played in L1 at RB, I'm not sure we should be expecting him to be able to hold his own just yet. IMO need to get rid of Seaborne and bring in 2 CB's, 1 who will be first choice. Very harsh on Seabourne who was not as bad as infer. This season he has looked very assured so far and has shown more potential than Fonte to be very fair. Certainly deserves a good run out against Ajax at the very least. Fonte is the one that is worrying me, he looks nervous and edgy too, he finished last season slightly off the pace and has continued similar. Keep thinking it's a blip but not sure about that now.....
S-Clarke Posted 25 July, 2012 Posted 25 July, 2012 Looking forward to seeing Clyne, and also Jay Rodriguez again. Was really impressed with him against Arsenal. I think this will give us a better idea of where we are, as Ajax are at the same stage, but still dangerous and too early to read too much into any end result
trousers Posted 26 July, 2012 Author Posted 26 July, 2012 http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2861927,00.html
Mr Saints Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Look at our starting XI that day! Davis Murty Molyneux Perry Thomas Wotton Lallana James Gillett Mills Rasiak Well done Alan Pardew for getting the ball rolling/replacing the ****
pap Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Who is actually going tomorrow? I've already got a ticket, but am probably going to buy another one so I can stand with my daughter ( the one who says "if I had to support a football team, I'd support Saints" ).
supersonic Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Is it possible that we could see 2 teams like we did in the friendly the other day? I also don't get why people are writing off Seaborne? We'll never know if he's good enough against the highest quality opposition if we never play him against them
Sour Mash Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Is it possible that we could see 2 teams like we did in the friendly the other day? Possible, but unlikely. Reckon most of the first choice side will get a good 70mins run out, with a fair few subs after that.
Saint Garrett Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Is it possible that we could see 2 teams like we did in the friendly the other day? I also don't get why people are writing off Seaborne? We'll never know if he's good enough against the highest quality opposition if we never play him against them Because he struggled for us in L1, and unless the blow to his head has tripled his ability, then he won't be good enough
The9 Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Who is actually going tomorrow? I've already got a ticket, but am probably going to buy another one so I can stand with my daughter ( the one who says "if I had to support a football team, I'd support Saints" ). Nope, watching it on the box to save the money to go to away Prem matches we will lose.
Itchen_block4 Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 ---------------Davis----------------- Clyne----Fonte----Hooiveld----Fox --------Morgan----JWP------------- Puncheon----Lallana----De Ridder -------------Lambert--------------- Can see us using the 4231, trying to get the ball down and move it. It's how we can compete against teams with more talent than us and this friendly is a good opportunity to put that to the test.
Itchen_block4 Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 ---------------Davis----------------- Clyne----Fonte----Hooiveld----Fox --------Morgan----JWP------------- Puncheon----Lallana----De Ridder -------------Lambert--------------- Can see us using the 4231, trying to get the ball down and move it. It's how we can compete against teams with more talent than us and this friendly is a good opportunity to put that to the test.
Sour Mash Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 ---------------Davis----------------- Clyne----Fonte----Hooiveld----Fox --------Morgan----JWP------------- Puncheon----Lallana----De Ridder -------------Lambert--------------- Can see us using the 4231, trying to get the ball down and move it. It's how we can compete against teams with more talent than us and this friendly is a good opportunity to put that to the test.Change De Ridder for Guly and Ward-Prowse with S Davis.
Saint Garrett Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Is Steven Davis going to be fit anytime soon ?
Elmore Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Look at our starting XI that day! Davis Murty Molyneux Perry Thomas Wotton Lallana James Gillett Mills Rasiak Mills is an odd one. Another Saints academy graduate - he did OK for us on the occasions he played and would have been excellent for us in league one that season. He also did well at Scunny, Doncaster and Reading (and played well against us at the Madjeski), but he has now been shipped out to Burnley. Is he not as good as I thought or is it his attitude or what?
farawaysaint Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 It will be good to see how our defence deals with some serious pacey football.
buctootim Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Mills is an odd one. Another Saints academy graduate - he did OK for us on the occasions he played and would have been excellent for us in league one that season. He also did well at Scunny, Doncaster and Reading (and played well against us at the Madjeski), but he has now been shipped out to Burnley. Is he not as good as I thought or is it his attitude or what? Think he is mid table championship quality. Thats why he seemed good when we were in lg1. He did a decent job for Reading, but now they need better players, like us.
Itchen_block4 Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Change De Ridder for Guly and Ward-Prowse with S Davis. Doubt Davis will start. If he is fit, I reckon he'll come off the bench. JWP has some nice ability on the ball and I'd like to see us use it now so we can call on him during the season.
Saintjersey Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Is it possible that we could see 2 teams like we did in the friendly the other day? I also don't get why people are writing off Seaborne? We'll never know if he's good enough against the highest quality opposition if we never play him against them If you watched the 4-4 game against P'Boro you will have seen how CMS absolutely destroyed Seaborne. I'm scared to think what Premier League strikers would do to him.
Mowgli Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 If you watched the 4-4 game against P'Boro you will have seen how CMS absolutely destroyed Seaborne. I'm scared to think what Premier League strikers would do to him. An indication of how effective CMS was that day. One game tells you nothing about Seabourne. Actually it does not tell you a whole lot about CMS who still blows hot and cold.
Saint Garrett Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 Seaborne is ok when we're winning and knocking it round the back, but when we have a team attacking us he is absolutely woeful. I would rather bring in 3 CB's, get rid of Seaborne and have Stephens as our 5th choice...or even bring in one and have Stephens as our 4th.
ottery st mary Posted 27 July, 2012 Posted 27 July, 2012 I am so glad that NA with my help picks the mighty Saints side... We would not have a squad the way some of you netball players swirl your handbags ...
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