Saints vs Man City - Build Up

[Lighthouse]

The away bankiest of away bankers, this one. Personally I have a cheery feeling of, 'oh well, they can't possibly disappoint me.'

As for the team; Adams and Smallbone looked decent so I'd play them instead of Long and Romeu. As well as Vest played today, City aren't giants and I'd bring Stephens back for this one.

 

Apart from that, keep it as is and see what happens.

[The Kraken]

City looking imperious at the moment at Newcastle. 75% possession, 18 shots to 4. Though tbf Gayle missed an absolute sitter to make it 1-1.

[Harry_SFC]

McCarthy

KWP

Stephens

Bednarek

Bertrand 

Smallbone

JWP

Armstrong

Redmond

Adams

Ings

Subs: Gunn, Vestergaard, Vokins, Valery, Romeu, Djenepo, Tella/Boufal, Long, Obafemi. 

Smallbone in CM instead of Romeu as we'll need a bit more mobility in there against City. I wouldn't bother playing Hojbjerg again after his recent performances. Adams deserves a chance up top for the rest of the season now. 

Edited 28 June, 2020 by Harry_SFC

[Pilchards]

Probably our easiest game of the season.

I say give a few fringe players a game to even it out for City.

[trousers]

Anyone think Guardiola will start to play a significant number of fringe players now that the PL title is done and dusted? (yes, I know they were never going to win it, however, psychologicially we're now in end-of-term territory...). That said, no doubt a fringe-player Man City line-up would still be favourtites against our strongest starting 11....

I guess there will now be a feeling amongst Saints fans that we should now take the opportunity to field more of our fringe players in the remainings games, given we're now safer than safe from relegation. However, given how close we are to 8th place, my view is that we should continue to play our best starting 11, or as close to it as possible. That said, I would now make Adams a regular starter ahead of Long or Obefemi. I think Adams is a better player than those two anyway, so won't weake the team anyway.

So, for me, the starting 11 vs Man City should look like this:

McCarthy

KWP - Vestergaard - Bednarek - Bertie

JWP - Romeu

Armstrong - Redmond

Adams  - Ings

Edited 29 June, 2020 by trousers

[waylander]

City have a game on Thurs against Liverpool, granted they have  deep squad but there's a chance of "after the Lord Mayor's Show" malaise.

[John Boy Saint]

Wasn't until I saw this post that I realised we seem to have the rub of the green on this next set of games, in that we have a week between Watford and City - City play Thursday against Liverpool then us on Sunday.

We have our next game on the following Thursday then the following Monday which is reasonable enough, although travel could be a pain as both are away in the north west. 

 

[Saint Garrett]

Wouldn't be surprised if we change up the formation for this one, 4-2-2-2 would be a bit dangerous I think.

Their defence, you can get at it definitely.

I'd be looking to camp on the edge of our box and try and hit them on the break, despite their constant tactical fouling.  Despite Vestergaard excellent performance yesterday, I worry about him against quicker strikers.

Can see us going something like...

McCarthy; KWP Bednarek Stephens Bertrand; Romeu; Armstrong Smallbone JWP Redmond; Ings

Or possibly with the extra man at the back and going 5-4-1.  Could Djenepo make an impact off the bench?

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Could Djenepo make an impact off the bench?

I forgot Djenepo was available for this one, although doesn't affect my proposed starting line-up. Great to have him back as an option off the bench though.

[alehouseboys]

9 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

Wasn't until I saw this post that I realised we seem to have the rub of the green on this next set of games, in that we have a week between Watford and City - City play Thursday against Liverpool then us on Sunday.

We have our next game on the following Thursday then the following Monday which is reasonable enough, although travel could be a pain as both are away in the north west. 

 

An hour on the big silver bird, they should cope.

Think we'll treat this one more as an away game tactically, so easy win then!

[S-Clarke]

58 minutes ago, trousers said:

Anyone think Guardiola will start to play a significant number of fringe players now that the PL title is done and dusted? (yes, I know they were never going to win it, however, psychologicially we're now in end-of-term territory...). That said, no doubt a fringe-player Man City line-up would still be favourtites against our strongest starting 11....

I guess there will now be a feeling amongst Saints fans that we should now take the opportunity to field more of our fringe players in the remainings games, given we're now safer than safe from relegation. However, given how close we are to 8th place, my view is that we should continue to play our best starting 11, or as close to it as possible. That said, I would now make Adams a regular starter ahead of Long or Obefemi. I think Adams is a better player than those two anyway, so won't weake the team anyway.

So, for me, the starting 11 vs Man City should look like this:

McCarthy

KWP - Vestergaard - Bednarek - Bertie

JWP - Romeu

Armstrong - Redmond

Adams  - Ings

Their 'fringe' players include Sane, Jesus, Foden, Silva, Mendy, Cancelo 🤣

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Their 'fringe' players include Sane, Jesus, Foden, Silva, Mendy, Cancelo 🤣

Indeed... I probably meant their 'Tier 3' fringe players....

Edited 29 June, 2020 by trousers

[SaintBobby]

We're big underdogs for this one, obviously, but i'm quite tempted by the 10/1 avialble on a Saints win. I put our chances of a win at higher than 9%, I think!

[austsaint]

17 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

The away bankiest of away bankers, this one. Personally I have a cheery feeling of, 'oh well, they can't possibly disappoint me.' As for the team; Adams and Smallbone looked decent so I'd play them instead of Long and Romeu. As well as Vest played today, City aren't giants and I'd bring Stephens back for this one.

 

Apart from that, keep it as is and see what happens.

You could not possibly replace Romeu after his performance yesterday.   Agree about Adams - he is going to repay any faith Ralph can show in him.

[SaintsFan86]

For this game I'd personally like to see Ralph tweak the formation a little, Still in keeping with our play style, but a little more defensive., i think 4 1 4 1 should be adopted here;

Macca;

KWP Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand;

Romeu;

Armstrong, PeH, JWP, Redmond;

Ings.

[Baird of the land]

Think i'd bring back Hojberg for this. This Isn't a game suited to Romeu, whereas yesterday was. Mobility over strength needed.

If stephens is back him in too for Vestergaard, for same reason. 

Armstrong definitely in for Smallbone.

Might be worth giving Gunn a game depending how he looks in training.

[Shroppie]

6 hours ago, trousers said:

Anyone think Guardiola will start to play a significant number of fringe players now that the PL title is done and dusted? (yes, I know they were never going to win it, however, psychologicially we're now in end-of-term territory...). That said, no doubt a fringe-player Man City line-up would still be favourtites against our strongest starting 11....

I guess there will now be a feeling amongst Saints fans that we should now take the opportunity to field more of our fringe players in the remainings games, given we're now safer than safe from relegation. However, given how close we are to 8th place, my view is that we should continue to play our best starting 11, or as close to it as possible. That said, I would now make Adams a regular starter ahead of Long or Obefemi. I think Adams is a better player than those two anyway, so won't weake the team anyway.

So, for me, the starting 11 vs Man City should look like this:

McCarthy

KWP - Vestergaard - Bednarek - Bertie

JWP - Romeu

Armstrong - Redmond

Adams  - Ings

I'd just have Stephens for Vestergaard.

[trousers]

1 minute ago, Shroppie said:

I'd just have Stephens for Vestergaard.

Good point. Forgot that Stephens was only suspended for one game.

[SaintTex]

jeez.. was looking at City's run-in.. after they play Liverpool 

13 Saints

14 Newcastle

15 Brighton

18 Bournemouth

16 Watford

20 Norwich

Hopefully a very emotional game Thursday (City i would image really wants to beat them), and then a big emotional drop after.

[JRM]

Didn't we play them away twice just after our 0-9 and actually did quite well (despite losing) regained some spirit and pride, we should approach this game in the same way, don't leave a lot of space at the back they'll just pick through the gaps. 

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst with our home record. Even if we lose hopefully Ings can get a goal or two, has a Saints player ever won the golden boot before? 

[Professor]

Do you remember the days when a goal from Rickie Lambert was such a certainty that you it felt as if we had a one-goal start in every match. It's beginning to feel like that with Danny Ings. On Sunday, it would be nice to see Shane Long as his starting partner, with his speed setting up some chances.  Much as I can sympathise with the idea of giving Adams his chance, I'd rather have him on from the bench later in the game.

At the back, there are at least two issues for Ralph to consider.  In the back four, like a few others, I felt that Vestergaard did a lot to restore his reputation this week.  On the other hand it's hard to overlook how Jack Stephens has grown into the CB role.  The partnership with Bednarek is a strong one and I suspect that with Stephen's suspension completed, he will be back in the side.  Defensive midfield is more of a problem.    Højbjerg is normally ahead of Romeu for selection, but with his refusal, so far at least, to show a wish to stay at the club, the difference between them could be cancelled out by lack of commitment.  Romeu played well against Watford and should retain the shirt. 

In attacking midfield, Smallbone's assist for Danny Ings' first goal against Watford ought to allow him to keep his place.  A tough one because of Armstrong's goal against Norwich, but as in the Watford game, I think it's likely that Ralph will prefer Smallbone to start, but giving way to Armstrong later in the game.

[Gingeletiss]

41 minutes ago, Professor said:

Do you remember the days when a goal from Rickie Lambert was such a certainty that you it felt as if we had a one-goal start in every match. It's beginning to feel like that with Danny Ings. On Sunday, it would be nice to see Shane Long as his starting partner, with his speed setting up some chances.  Much as I can sympathise with the idea of giving Adams his chance, I'd rather have him on from the bench later in the game.

At the back, there are at least two issues for Ralph to consider.  In the back four, like a few others, I felt that Vestergaard did a lot to restore his reputation this week.  On the other hand it's hard to overlook how Jack Stephens has grown into the CB role.  The partnership with Bednarek is a strong one and I suspect that with Stephen's suspension completed, he will be back in the side.  Defensive midfield is more of a problem.    Højbjerg is normally ahead of Romeu for selection, but with his refusal, so far at least, to show a wish to stay at the club, the difference between them could be cancelled out by lack of commitment.  Romeu played well against Watford and should retain the shirt. 

In attacking midfield, Smallbone's assist for Danny Ings' first goal against Watford ought to allow him to keep his place.  A tough one because of Armstrong's goal against Norwich, but as in the Watford game, I think it's likely that Ralph will prefer Smallbone to start, but giving way to Armstrong later in the game.

I actually thought he was average against Watford, lost an edge of speed, and that my friends, is his greatest attribute. Adams look just as quick.

[Pamplemousse]

Park the bus and hope for the best

[eurosaint]

If fit, I would definitely play Shane Long !

His pace on the break, his non stop hassling and nuisance value could unsettle their defence which is their weakest point (not that weak, I accept !)

He also gels well with Ingsey and right now I don't think we have a better combination up front. Sure Adams could come good and will get game time but in a match where we're liable to rely on breakaways that's my preferred option !

[M271]

I agree Gingeletiss, a few times during the Watford game when breaking Long looked like he was running through treacle and was easily snuffed out by the covering defender.

I think that Adams should start the next 6 games to assess one way or the other if he can make the grade in the PL.

[Saint86]

Stephens has come back quite a few pounds heavier and several yards of the pace. After the weekend's game i'd give Vestergard a chance.

KWP should keep the right back spot, and I'd actually keep Romeu in midfield because his technical ability is far beyond PEH's. Smallbone did well, but you have to start Armstrong on current form.

I'd start Che Adams up front and give him a crack.

We've got nothing to lose in this one, and i bizarrely fancy us to get a result.

[fanimal]

Well if the chance that Jack set up at Norwich was off the pace then he should be lightning when fitter

[Shroppie]

2 hours ago, M271 said:

I agree Gingeletiss, a few times during the Watford game when breaking Long looked like he was running through treacle and was easily snuffed out by the covering defender.

I think that Adams should start the next 6 games to assess one way or the other if he can make the grade in the PL.

I agree he seemed to lack his usual pace, but was that after he got a knock?

[St_Tel49]

19 hours ago, Shroppie said:

I'd just have Stephens for Vestergaard.

Isn't Stephens banned for three matches?

[Sarnia Cherie]

On 29/06/2020 at 10:24, John Boy Saint said:

Wasn't until I saw this post that I realised we seem to have the rub of the green on this next set of games, in that we have a week between Watford and City - City play Thursday against Liverpool then us on Sunday.

We have our next game on the following Thursday then the following Monday which is reasonable enough, although travel could be a pain as both are away in the north west. 

 

Have you seen the stats on our away games?  Bring them on!

[Shroppie]

43 minutes ago, St_Tel49 said:

Isn't Stephens banned for three matches?

Just one, for denial of goal scoring chance

[beatlesaint]

30 minutes ago, Shroppie said:

Just one, for denial of goal scoring chance

Oh so the straight red = 3 games doesn’t apply anymore then ? Didn’t realise that.

[Charlie Wayman]

On 6/29/2020 at 9:56 AM, trousers said:

Anyone think Guardiola will start to play a significant number of fringe players now that the PL title is done and dusted? (yes, I know they were never going to win it, however, psychologicially we're now in end-of-term territory...). That said, no doubt a fringe-player Man City line-up would still be favourtites against our strongest starting 11....

I guess there will now be a feeling amongst Saints fans that we should now take the opportunity to field more of our fringe players in the remainings games, given we're now safer than safe from relegation. However, given how close we are to 8th place, my view is that we should continue to play our best starting 11, or as close to it as possible. That said, I would now make Adams a regular starter ahead of Long or Obefemi. I think Adams is a better player than those two anyway, so won't weake the team anyway.

So, for me, the starting 11 vs Man City should look like this:

McCarthy

KWP - Vestergaard - Bednarek - Bertie

JWP - Romeu

Armstrong - Redmond

Adams  - Ings

Yep! Agree exactly. Best we have at the moment.

 

There's a good chance of getting something out of this match. I will take a punt on 1-2 to Saints!

Edited 30 June, 2020 by Charlie Wayman

[John Boy Saint]

59 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Oh so the straight red = 3 games doesn’t apply anymore then ? Didn’t realise that.

No it’s a lesser Red you could almost call it an Orange, he didn’t set out to smash the player to smithereens just last man before keeper and goal so a soft red, think handball on the line might be a soft red too, but if you have been sent off already this season that becomes 2 match ban 3 times etc......Pretty sure Wanyama got pinged on that one for us once.
 

[Lighthouse]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

Oh so the straight red = 3 games doesn’t apply anymore then ? Didn’t realise that.

It never has as far as I know. At least I don’t remember it in the 20 years or so I’ve been watching football. 3 games has always been reserved for violent conduct or a dangerous tackle.

[beatlesaint]

11 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

It never has as far as I know. At least I don’t remember it in the 20 years or so I’ve been watching football. 3 games has always been reserved for violent conduct or a dangerous tackle.

Ok cheers, my mistake, I blame lockdown 😁

[Shroppie]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

Oh so the straight red = 3 games doesn’t apply anymore then ? Didn’t realise that.

Never has applied for DOGSC.

[Tom & Gerry]

McCarthy

KWP - Stephens - Bednarek - Bertie

JWP - Romeu - Hojberg 

Djenepo- Redmond

 Ings

Steel in midfield, pace up front

[DT]

If he starts Valery we'll know he's bats. Same for Obafemi for me. Personally wouldn't start Hojberg either - Smallbone deserves another chance to get valuable experience against the best.

[simo]

2 nil Saints

[saintquin]

Just a shame we're at home!

[verlaine1979]

13 hours ago, eurosaint said:

If fit, I would definitely play Shane Long !

His pace on the break, his non stop hassling and nuisance value could unsettle their defence which is their weakest point (not that weak, I accept !)

He also gels well with Ingsey and right now I don't think we have a better combination up front. Sure Adams could come good and will get game time but in a match where we're liable to rely on breakaways that's my preferred option !

As someone says above, Long didn't have the pace to trouble Watford. At least twice he had the chance to drive one on one against the last defender, and twice he was reeled in and dispossessed within a few yards.

[Lighthouse]

16 minutes ago, verlaine1979 said:

As someone says above, Long didn't have the pace to trouble Watford. At least twice he had the chance to drive one on one against the last defender, and twice he was reeled in and dispossessed within a few yards.

It's just one of the Shane Long tropes which seem to get trotted out, without any bearing on the actual game. Like the one about him and Ings being a great pairing when really it's just Ings being a great player and Long happens to be on the pitch. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

We’re playing a home game, so it matters not which players make the squad...we will lose this one and possibly quite heavily.

Having said that, I would like to see Smallbone and Adams given a start.

[austsaint]

4 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

It's just one of the Shane Long tropes which seem to get trotted out, without any bearing on the actual game. Like the one about him and Ings being a great pairing when really it's just Ings being a great player and Long happens to be on the pitch. 

Have to agree - Long has never really been capable of using his pace one-on-one in possession, partly because his control and touch aren't that good.  The chasing lost causes, harassing defenders and winning a few headers have some value, especially off the bench, but surely it's time to give Adams a chance to play along side Ings.       I remember SL looking pretty good at times when playing alongside Mane -he was younger and faster too; very surprised he got the two year extension.

[Shroppie]

10 hours ago, LeG said:

For me...

Gunn

KWP - Stephens - Vestergaard - Bednarek - Bertie

Armstrong - JWP - Hojberg - Redmond

Ings

 

4222 when attacking and 541 when defending 

Djenepo and Long from the bench around 60mins. 

 

There is absolutely no way Ralph will go back to three CBs

[WALK DMC]

4 hours ago, Shroppie said:

There is absolutely no way Ralph will go back to three CBs

Ralph has done wonderfully away, but I've yet to see any big improvement at home. Perhaps he needs to try a different formation altogether and use 4-2-3-1 at home (but keep to 4-2-2-2 away). Something like: 

KWP - Stephens/Vestergaard - Bednarek - Bertie

            JWP - Hojberg/Romeu

Djenepo - Armstrong - Redmond

                       Ings

 

I'm not sure that experimenting with a totally different formation against Man City is a great idea, but I am fed up seeing us getting humiliated at virtually every home game - we need to do something different .........     

[hypochondriac]

Great news guys Norwich can no longer overtake us! 

[eurosaint]

On 30/06/2020 at 23:45, Lighthouse said:

It's just one of the Shane Long tropes which seem to get trotted out, without any bearing on the actual game. Like the one about him and Ings being a great pairing when really it's just Ings being a great player and Long happens to be on the pitch. 

Ings himself has stated that playing alongside Long is a pleasure as he takes defenders away and creates space for him...

Ralph on many occasions has used SL for this purpose and unlike you, seems to value his contribution ! For sure, the Watford match was not his best but in the wider scheme of things he still has a role to play and a lot to offer, hence his new contract !

 

[woodsaint1]

1 hour ago, eurosaint said:

Ings himself has stated that playing alongside Long is a pleasure as he takes defenders away and creates space for him...

Ralph on many occasions has used SL for this purpose and unlike you, seems to value his contribution ! For sure, the Watford match was not his best but in the wider scheme of things he still has a role to play and a lot to offer, hence his new contract !

Well said. Despite his apparent lack of goals, Long is still a good option for us