Fulham vs Southampton 2pm Sunday 22nd

[coalman]

So here we are, the final game before Christmas with Saints travelling to Fulham in search of the win that would see them fail to establish the record for the lowest ever points total at Christmas. Russell Martin will be sitting down to watch this one on TV in front of his Saints FC Christmas tree as designed by famous Danish creator Ramus Ankersen. A tree that is unbalanced, expensive to assemble with more parts than are needed and which it's impossible to put a star on the top of. Not only that but it's designed in such a way that all the presents at the bottom are for someone else (yes I've been sitting on that gag for a while).

However this is a Southampton freed from the shackles of Russball. One that is no longer compelled to offer up their opponents multiple clear cut chances per game or wait until the opposition has had a chance to reorganise before launching counter attacks. In Simon Rusk we have an interim manager which we know nothing about but who has inherited the most hospital-y of hospital passes. Will we get the limp hangover of the 1st half against Liverpool or the more positive 2nd? For once the fans will be turning up with actual hope that it might just be different this time around. Fulham are going to be disappointed that they didn't get the automatic 6 point buffet they were expecting from us along with the opportunity to play players back into form that we've offered every other team this season.

It's another game on TV as Sky recognise that both teams will be thinking about Europe albeit in different ways. The Cottagers have a genuine shout at it this year while Saints will just be wishing that we were at the end of the table where such things were a consideration.

As for the teams, well Southampton are still with a Jack Stephens shaped hole at Central Defensive Midfield Fullback Sweeper assuming they try to reprise the football of the season thus far. By the time Jack comes back there's an open question as to whether they'll even be a place for him in the line up with Rasmus burning up the phone lines trying to line up a replacement. An activity akin to a fat 50 year old bloke messaging 20 year olds on Tinder (I know all about this one). Chances are we'll still be trying to find the "right candidate" while Russ is sending Lucy a Valentine's Day card next year. The important thing is that finding the next manager is about trusting the process - something which all Saints fans know too much about right now. Whether Rasmus gets Dragan's credit card in January to go shopping is an open question - in any sane universe one would assume not.

Even with all that hanging over the club, Saints can approach this with a small measure of hope. The locked in death march to the worst ever is no longer a certainty - what we get instead is anyone's guess.

[Kenilworthy]

I wish it were any other team this Sunday. We never get any luck at Craven Cottage. We will outplay Fulham and they will win. Would quite like Taul Paul to take Traore out.

[Pamplemousse]

There's a way of playing and the second half from yesterday is that way. Aggressive, getting the ball forward quickly, balls into the box causing problems.

They lost 4-1 at home to Wolves recently; a bit like Brighton they tend to struggle against teams they should be beating. So hopefully we benefit.

[trousers]

20 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

There's a way of playing and the second half from yesterday is that way. Aggressive, getting the ball forward quickly, balls into the box causing problems

Agree in principle and, yes, I know I'm sounding like a scratched record, but I'd venture that we don't have the requisite fitness levels to maintain that kind of intensity for a full game. The decision therefore I guess is whether we should go hell for leather in the first half, and then consolidate any advantage in the second half, or do like we did last night: containment for 45 minutes then let them loose after the break.

Edited yesterday at 09:19 by trousers

[Saint Fan CaM]

14 minutes ago, trousers said:

Agree in principle and, yes, I know I'm sounding like a scratched record, but I'd venture that we don't have the requisite fitness levels to maintain that kind of intensity for a full game. The decision therefore I guess is whether we should go hell for leather in the first half, and then consolidate any advantage in the second half, or do like we did last night: containment for 45 minutes then let them loose after the break.

I agree - at this point the players are not conditioned to sustain continual fast paced attacks. However, they should be able to operate a high press - something Fulham will almost certainly be looking to apply to us as Saints will still try to play out from the back when they can (and they should but only if the risk is low). Unfortunately the high press is less feasible with a back 5 and that seems to be the preferred system still with Rusk. Consequently also, our midfield suffers as Downes and Aribo are often stretched. The only way to manage this is to allow Fulham to have periods of possession, but not near our penalty area.

[saintant]

2 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

I agree - at this point the players are not conditioned to sustain continual fast paced attacks. However, they should be able to operate a high press - something Fulham will almost certainly be looking to apply to us as Saints will still try to play out from the back when they can (and they should but only if the risk is low). Unfortunately the high press is less feasible with a back 5 and that seems to be the preferred system still with Rusk. Consequently also, our midfield suffers as Downes and Aribo are often stretched. The only way to manage this is to allow Fulham to have periods of possession, but not near our penalty area.

Play as we did for most of the second half and see where that takes us at half time. With plenty of subs to call on when needed I think this gives us the best chance of getting anything out of this game.

[Pamplemousse]

3 hours ago, trousers said:

Agree in principle and, yes, I know I'm sounding like a scratched record, but I'd venture that we don't have the requisite fitness levels to maintain that kind of intensity for a full game. The decision therefore I guess is whether we should go hell for leather in the first half, and then consolidate any advantage in the second half, or do like we did last night: containment for 45 minutes then let them loose after the break.

Yup agree with this. The second half strategy is a lot easier for us if the other team is also chasing the game I.e. it's 0-0. We left ourselves with a bit too much to do yesterday, but the logic behind the plan was sensible.

[Yorkshire Saint]

 

I agree that ...

This has to be a record for the forum for posts in a row saying "I agree" - don't tell the COT FFS, they will think we are on to something.

3-1 Saints

Edited yesterday at 12:37 by Yorkshire Saint

[danjosaint]

Ditch the 5atb go 4231, drop Bednarek for Wood(can't believe I said that) bring in Taylor over Manning then a bit left field play Downes and Kwp with Dibling, Fernandes, anyone who can do a job off the left plus Archer then unleash the clumsy TP 

[saintant]

10 minutes ago, danjosaint said:

Ditch the 5atb go 4231, drop Bednarek for Wood(can't believe I said that) bring in Taylor over Manning then a bit left field play Downes and Kwp with Dibling, Fernandes, anyone who can do a job off the left plus Archer then unleash the clumsy TP 

Agree on 4231 formation.

[notnowcato]

4 hours ago, trousers said:

Agree in principle and, yes, I know I'm sounding like a scratched record, but I'd venture that we don't have the requisite fitness levels to maintain that kind of intensity for a full game. The decision therefore I guess is whether we should go hell for leather in the first half, and then consolidate any advantage in the second half, or do like we did last night: containment for 45 minutes then let them loose after the break.

Let them loose after the break or after being 2-0 down? Containment was key, we shot ourselves in the foot as per usual and then had little choice but to go for it.
If we had gone into the break at 0-0 I don’t know for sure but I’d have thought more of the same in the 2nd half would’ve been the call. 

[Appy]

They’re a very good side, we’re not, that’ll probably tip it in their favour. 

[notnowcato]

5 minutes ago, Appy said:

They’re a very good side, we’re not, that’ll probably tip it in their favour. 

We can only hope for a little complacency. 
Expect us to set up the same we did against the mickeys. Lallana starting would be good for us. 

[benjii]

I wouldn't mind us trying a 352 with Tall Paul and Archer up front.

Downes, Fernandes and Lallana in mid, with KWP and Sugawara wide.

[Charlie Wayman]

This is the first of five winnable games in a row. That one letter change of management may be enough to inspire the team to three points. 2-0 to Saints. The march back to respectibility begins here

Altogether now chaps; We are Southampton, we are not going down!

Edited yesterday at 19:42 by Charlie Wayman

[Give it to Ron]

7 hours ago, Kenilworthy said:

I wish it were any other team this Sunday. We never get any luck at Craven Cottage. We will outplay Fulham and they will win. Would quite like Taul Paul to take Traore out.

Had one of our great aways there about 2012 with a 3-0 win. Lambert pass to Jay and brilliant finish. 

[Green]

We were so good in this match. 

[John B]

3 minutes ago, Green said:

We were so good in this match. 

With good England International players Lallana Labert Jrod Clyne

[Harry_SFC]

53 minutes ago, Green said:

We were so good in this match. 

One of my favourite away games that one.

[Baird of the land]

Hoping for

ramsdale

sugawara wood Thb bednarek manning

aribo downes fernandes

archer tp

 

use dibling as an impact sub in 2nd half.

[AlexLaw76]

I really hope we continue with 5 at the back, surrender the middle of the park and leave archer/armstrong isolated up top.

that really works well!

[coalman]

I feel slightly sad as Friday had become trust-the-process day where I could reliably expect to be told that our football was working and how well we've trained this week. Now if I want some pre weekend gaslighting I'm going to have to do something drastic like phone my ex 

[Pamplemousse]

Fernandes, Armstrong and Lallana are one yellow card away from suspension and a nice Christmas off...

[Oldandtired]

16 hours ago, benjii said:

I wouldn't mind us trying a 352 with Tall Paul and Archer up front.

Downes, Fernandes and Lallana in mid, with KWP and Sugawara wide.

I quite like the old fashioned idea of little and large up front, balls played in to large, knocked down for little, boom, back of the net.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

I know I'm crazy, but I've got a sneaky feeling we're coming home with 3 points.

Cam Archer and BBD with the goals. 

2-0.

Bosh.

[trousers]

----------------------- Ramsdale -----------------------

---------THB --------- Bednarek ------- Woods --------

KWP ------------------------------------------ Manning

--------------- Downes ---------- Aribo ----------------

---- Sulemana ------------------------- Fernandes -----

----------------------- Tall Paul -------------------------

Fulham 2 Saints 4 

Ivan Juric's Red and White Army!

COYR!

[CSA96]

41 minutes ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

I know I'm crazy, but I've got a sneaky feeling we're coming home with 3 points.

Cam Archer and BBD with the goals. 

2-0.

Bosh.

To be fair, I didn't actually think you were crazy until I got to this bit 

[Football Special]

4 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

To be fair, I didn't actually think you were crazy until I got to this bit 

Big Ben will have a new lease of life under the new boss 

[trousers]

Anyone know what time today's pre-match press conference is / was schedule for?

Edited 10 hours ago by trousers

[Zorba]

11 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Big Ben will have a new lease of life under the new boss 

BBD - Big Ben?

It’ll be BAREitAND BEN DOVER when Ivan the Terrible sticks his boot up his lazy arse!

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

Anyone know what time today's pre-match press conference is / was schedule for?

It was at 13.30

[trousers]

21 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

It was at 13.30

Yep, just watching it on catch-up now. Another day off for the players yesterday then.... #sigh

[Pamplemousse]

More days off than points

[saintant]

Ramsdale

THB Bednarek Wood

Sugawara Taylor

Fernandes Downes

Dibling Archer

Tall Paul

 

[Harry_SFC]

27 minutes ago, trousers said:

Yep, just watching it on catch-up now. Another day off for the players yesterday then.... #sigh

I'm glad that Juric sounds like a hard taskmaster. The players need a few home truths I feel.

[Wade Garrett]

We’ve got Juric in.  We’ll fucking smash them.

Edited 7 hours ago by Wade Garrett

[hypochondriac]

I'm in a box for this. The mighty saints to come roaring through for a 2-1 victory and I'll remember hardly any of it after all inclusive beer. 

[saintant]

Looks like Juric will be taking charge for this providing he secures a visa in time.

[Midfield_General]

4 hours ago, trousers said:

----------------------- Ramsdale -----------------------

---------THB --------- Bednarek ------- Woods --------

KWP ------------------------------------------ Manning

--------------- Downes ---------- Aribo ----------------

---- Sulemana ------------------------- Fernandes -----

----------------------- Tall Paul -------------------------

Fulham 2 Saints 4 

Ivan Juric's Red and White Army!

COYR!

Sulemana ahead of Dibling? 

[Challenger]

4 hours ago, CSA96 said:

To be fair, I didn't actually think you were crazy until I got to this bit 

His Christmas piss up has started early.

[austsaint]

9 hours ago, Football Special said:

Big Ben will have a new lease of life under the new boss 

It’s certainly time he did something - Big Ben.   

[Andy Hill]

Another loss incoming. Fulham are where we should be.

[miltonroad]

Archer and Paul up top. 3 points incoming. 

[trousers]

5 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

Sulemana ahead of Dibling? 

Hmm, good point... Knew I'd forgotten someone in my haste to see how Sulemana operates in a counter-attacking set-up. That said, Tyler has just played two games in quick succession so might be due a rest anyway... (?)

Edited 27 minutes ago by trousers