Next 2: Arsenal & Chelsea away!

[Glasgow_Saint]

A chance to see how far we've come. Your predictions?

 

Arsenal 2-1

Chelsea 1-1

[CB Fry]

We've earned the right to lose them both but I think we probably won't.

[ashleyb5443]

These are going to be a massive test. Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, & Spurs all in the next month. On the performances so far this season we really could get something from all of them.

[badgerx16]

2 draws.

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

A rare win at Arsenal would be very pleasant, looking forward to it because we now have a team that can give them a bloody good game. Our pressing against their quick passing is going to be very interesting.

[Ewell]

I think the best we can hope for is a victory and a defeat, I cannot see us going unbeaten over both games unless we manage two draws. Either of those scenarios would be a great return. I would say even 1 draw would not be bad but two defeats would be a shame as it would show what most of us already suspect that we are punching a little above our weight and not quite at the big clubs level yet.

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

I'll just add an immense game from Wanyama destroying their midfield would not be surprising, I think he'll be right up for it.

[hutch]

We've earned the right to lose them both but I think we probably won't.

I have to say I agree totally. Really looking forward to the games as well, taking on the best of the best on equal terms.

[Dr. Kucho]

Anything but 6 points from those games and MP should go ff!

 

West Brom were close to a win at SB, we should give Chelsea a tough time. Arsenal on the other hand seem unbeatable atm (Ramsey, Ozil and Giroud are a real handfull), a draw would be like a victory at the Emirates.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Chelsea's dodgy late penalty today took jose mourinho home record to 66 unbeaten!!

 

Thats the one we should win

[Deano6]

Pretty relaxed about them to be honest. Fully expecting to lose both, and wouldn't be concerned if we do. Anything more and I'll be pleased as Punch(eon).

[Greenridge]

After watching the 6 goals go in at the Emirates last September it will be interesting to see just how far we have come in 14 months. Two draws.

[70's Mike]

Bring em on, we have nothing to lose

Just like watching England

[SNSUN]

2 or more points from these two games would be a cracking result. Two draws would continue the unbeaten run, but I'd take one loss if it meant beating the other.

 

Losing both would still not be the end of the world, we've given ourselves an excellent platform to build on for the rest of the season. I bet neither of them are particularly looking forward to playing us...

 

Beat both?

[studentsaint]

Having watched how we were torn apart last season by arsenal, we need to make sure that we track their full backs providing the width as last year our full backs were sucked in with the midfielders and they got in behind us too easily. Also it will be a big game for MS and VW to overcome that arsenal midfield.

[jamesfp1]

Draw with arsenal, beat Chelsea.

[Toomer]

Draw with arsenal, beat Chelsea.

 

Settle with this.

[Cabrone]

Two draws at best but if we were to beat one of these I actually fancy Arsenal, they may be brilliant at times but they do have a midfield that we can overpower and a defence we can pierce IMO.

 

Hopefully both games will be crackers.

[CanadaSaint]

Having watched how we were torn apart last season by arsenal, we need to make sure that we track their full backs providing the width as last year our full backs were sucked in with the midfielders and they got in behind us too easily. Also it will be a big game for MS and VW to overcome that arsenal midfield.

 

Fair comment, but from what I remember we paid Arsenal far too much respect last year; Adkins talked them up so much that we'd lost before we started. Moreover we had the borderline-catastrophic Hooiveld/Fonte partnership, with Fox at LB, and we're light years away from that now. As long as we involve Clyne and Shaw the way we have been, and play a smart press, last year's tables could be turned. I'd be worried if they threw Walcott and Podolski at us because that would take away our Clyne and Shaw forward support, but that's not going to happen.

 

And Chelsea look to be in disarray right now. Mourinho doesn't seem to have much idea what his best side is, and there's no real chemistry developing.

 

Based on all of that, I rather fancy this:

 

Draw with arsenal, beat Chelsea.

[Toadhall Saint]

I would love to beat arsenal - I was at highbury back in the 80's when glen cockerill got flawed by Davis -long story short, we were winning but ended up drawing because of the added time!!! Arsenal at theirs and a win for the mighty Saints - perfecto

[Tom28]

I am a pretty positive guy but I'm loathe to predict results against Arsenal and Chelsea because Saints just keep exceeding even my high hopes and expectations. I just know whatever happens, we'll give both of them a really tough game.

[aintforever]

Beat Arsenal, lose to Chelsea.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

No fear. Lose to Arsenal and beat Chelsea would do. Let Arsenal have 1st and we'll take 2nd.

[Stepgar]

I think what results are showing us is that we should not fear anyone. Palace drew with Everton, west brom at Chelsea (should have won by all accounts) spurs have dropped points! Even have been to Liverpool and come away with three points and drew with Man Utd.

 

Fear no one and let them think about us. Could definitely see us coming with something from at least one of these.

[Gambol2K9]

Wanyama will be key to us beating Arsenal. If he plays well we have every chance, as good a footballing side as they are, they struggle when their midfield is relentless pressured and wrestled off the ball.

[Saint137]

If Arsenal lose tomorrow and we beat them we have a very good chance of going top, Liverpool away at Goodison so could easily not get a win.

[Saint_clark]

Arsenal are due a loss. Chelsea under Mourinho are due a loss.

 

It's a strange world where I will be slightly disappointed getting nothing from these two fixtures...

[Turkish]

Wanyama will be key to us beating Arsenal. If he plays well we have every chance, as good a footballing side as they are, they struggle when their midfield is relentless pressured and wrestled off the ball.

 

If he and Schinderlin can pressurise Ozil and Ramsey when they are on the ball and not give them any space then we have a good chance of getting a positive result.

[trousers]

Chelsea away now sold out

[Saint_clark]

Chelsea away now sold out

 

F*ck!

Anyone who has spare tickets, I need 3. PM me or email me at saint.j.clark@live.co.uk

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Interesting to see the reactions on here.

 

Fully expect us to lose at least one (praying not arsenal as I have a ticket, in the arsenal stand).

 

But it's really not the end of the world if we lose one, or both.

 

I personally think we are capable of getting a result in at least one (no reason why we couldn't in both). We have shown we are capable of doing so since MP came in.

 

Fully agree with Turkish about how key Big Vic & Morgan are likely to be in both games, though they are in most for us with our style of play.

[Miltonaggro]

Arsenal 1 - 1 Saints.

 

Chelsea 0 - 2 Saints.

 

If that happens, it's happening!

[Lord Duckhunter]

The media will obviously be expecting 2 defeats and if this happens we will get the "reality check" headlines. The fact is that these are 2 of the toughest games we'll face all season. Even Man C could conceivably lose both those fixtures, nobody would be questioning their quality if they did. Last season Aresnal picked up something like 2 points from the 6 games against the other top 4 sides and still finished 4th. Two defeats will not be a wake up call, a realiality check or any other such cliche , it'll be 2 understandable defeats made to look worse because they're back to back.

 

As for the games, all things considered and all fit , I would predict 1 point. 5 points from Stoke away, Hull home and those two is a pretty decent return.

 

This will sound stupid , but winning one and losing won, although giving us 3 points , would not be as amazing as 2 draws. Get 2 draws and the media and others will really sit up and notice. One off results happen, so win one lose one, could be considered one of those. 2 draws means we have gone to Old Trafford, Arsenal,Chelsea and Anfield and not been beat.****ing hell going into Dec having only lost one, with back to back home games coming up, its Roy of the Rovers stuff. Two draws and people will really start believing we're for real.

[DuncanRG]

As I've said for all of our tough/away fixtures this season: anything is possible. Two defeats wouldn't surprise me, two wins would be pushing it but we are capable.

 

Let's prepare well and hope the international break goes by with no injuries and a few confidence-boosting performances.

[Jimmy_D]

I think we'll lose to Arsenal and beat Chelsea, but with our form at the moment, all three results are possible in both.

[Gingeletiss]

Everyone making all these wild predictions, let's just wait until we see what Lawro says, he knows you know!

[alpine_saint]

2 draws.

 

Would definitely be a satisfactory haul. Reckon we have slightly more chance of getting a win against Arse - they havent really played a big game yet - lets see how they do today. 4pts woul be brilliant.

[Wade Garrett]

We won't win at Stamford Bridge, judging how important their 12th man was yesterday.

 

Brace yourselves for key decisions going against us in the next 2 games..

[whelk]

Everyone making all these wild predictions, let's just wait until we see what Lawro says, he knows you know!

 

Can say with confidence he will go 2-0 and 2-0

 

He never predicts any defeats for big 6 unless they play each other and then mostly goes for 1-1.

[Saint_Tony]

Yeah both are nailed on 2-0 Lawro predictions. Let's be honest, we will lose a few games along the line this season and these are 2 of the more likely ones. I think we'll lose at Arsenal 2-0 and get a 1-1 draw at Chelsea

[Chewy]

It's surreal, but while my gut reaction thinks two defeats, my head actually thinks we can pick up points. Chelsea look a bit lazy and lethargic to me, kind of like Fulham but with massively more quality. If they turn up with that attitude I seriously think we can win. As for arsenal, this will be our biggest test for the high press. While we all know their back line can struggle under pressure, their front players might be skillful enough to break through our press and then they'll be in space. Also, I doubt Clyne and shaw will be able to get as far forward as normal. Could be a cracking game. Our best hope is that arsenal beat united and start to get a bit cocky.

 

Best thing is though, even if we lose both we'll still be in the mix with 4 of the toughest 6 away fixtures out of the way. Any point will be a bonus IMO but I'm going to predict that we pick up 3.

[Dr Who?]

Would love to go a step further than WBA did yesterday and end the home record for the special one!

 

Would prefer it to be Chelsea next then Arsenal as Chelsea are off the boil at the moment.

 

I think we will be squeezed out of it by Arsenal but we will beat Chelsea.

[Dr Who?]

Would love to go a step further than WBA did yesterday and end the home record for the special one!

 

Would prefer it to be Chelsea next then Arsenal as Chelsea are off the boil at the moment.

 

I think we will be squeezed out of it by Arsenal but we will beat Chelsea.

[Batman]

well, either way after these two games that would have been Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Liverpool away all played

 

going to have a massive say on who win the league/get into the CL

[Appy]

Bring them on, nothing to fear against either of them.

[pap]

Lose both, and we're the plucky little Saints that have finally found the limit of their ambition. Win both, especially if we do so convincingly, and we're title contenders.

[S-Clarke]

These 2 games will be the hardest either side have faced this year, that will be pretty much guaranteed. If that's enough for us to win - who knows. Both sides have got players who can pull something out of nothing, so we'd need an element of luck too.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Think those saying Arsenal have had no hard games yet are unfair.

 

They have played (and beaten) Spurs & Liverpool, and are facing Utd today.

 

Chelsea have also played both the Manchester clubs.

[View From The Top]

As it stands we enter into those two games expecting results. Can't remember the last time I felt like that about playing top opposition away in the top flight.

[rpb]

Bring them on, nothing to fear against either of them.

 

Perhaps they are only high up the league because they haven't played Saints yet....