Southampton v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[tomd2103]

Talking to a Wigan fan this week, he said that we need to get NZogbia into the "hole" behind Bent and a centre forward and tell him to just roam about and cause trouble, without limiting him to a position. He was adamant that he is the best dribbler in Europe behind Messi and that given the right freedom he is a brilliant player. Maybe with Ireland looking pretty average last 2 games, swapping him for Charles might be worth a go.

I agree Ozz. We need to put N'Zogbia in a hole and fill it in with concrete.

2 really good posts, though I'm sure Ozz meant 'last 2 seasons...'

Ireland has also played in the midfield that has seen the upturn in the last 3 games and has worked hard for the side.  I doubt he'll be dropped except through injury.

Not sure about that.  I can see him making way for Westwood this weekend. 

[The Man With A Stick]

Talking to a Wigan fan this week... He was adamant that he is the best dribbler in Europe behind Messi

Was it Dave Whelan by any chance?

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Talking to a Wigan fan this week... He was adamant that he is the best dribbler in Europe behind Messi

Was it Dave Whelan by any chance?

Think he meant the mouth dribbling ......

[rob_bridge]

According to Wikipedia, James Beattie is currently without a club after being released by Sheffield United.

He did, however, endorse the Conservative Party at the 2010 general election over his concerns at the 50p top rate of tax.

Not so much a turkey voting for Christmas as a sausage roll voting for Boxing Day

That made me laugh

[robbo1874]

So he's like whatever, and I'm like whatever so I sez that I'd cut and paste this from another saints website.

So I'm like whatever

I know a lot of Villas cos I'm living up Birmingham now. They're proper buzzing going on like against Newcastle and Swansea it was like watching the 1970 Brazil team or whatever. This ST holder I work with is genuinely saying this is the best Villa team since 1980something. Was they good then? Bit before my time.

Their tactics, apparently, is hunting the ball down in packs high up the field to win it back early. Don't like the sound of that. I don't reckon we like it when they do that. I prefer them to sit back in their half and let us have a go.

I said you ain't got a good right winger have you? He's like not particularly, why? I'm like no reason....

I read that in my head with a Vicky pollard accent. Properly made me laugh.

[robbo1874]

Talking to a Wigan fan this week, he said that we need to get NZogbia into the "hole" behind Bent and a centre forward and tell him to just roam about and cause trouble, without limiting him to a position. He was adamant that he is the best dribbler in Europe behind Messi and that given the right freedom he is a brilliant player. Maybe with Ireland looking pretty average last 2 games, swapping him for Charles might be worth a go.

I agree Ozz. We need to put N'Zogbia in a hole and fill it in with concrete.

2 really good posts, though I'm sure Ozz meant 'last 2 seasons...'

Ireland has also played in the midfield that has seen the upturn in the last 3 games and has worked hard for the side.  I doubt he'll be dropped except through injury.

Not sure about that.  I can see him making way for Westwood this weekend. 

I don't look at it now as players getting dropped or rested. I just think we're picking the best team available to start the game against whoever we're up against. The one notable exception I think is given being dropped for Guzan.

[VillaAlways]

Lawros prediction
Southampton got a battering from Arsenal last week and are bottom of the table without a point but, as with Stoke, you have to remember who they have played this season, and Saints have already faced both Manchester clubs this season.
The difference between the two clubs is that Stoke chairman Peter Coates has been around football for a long time and he knows that, win or lose, you don't get carried away. I am not sure you can say the same thing about Nicola Cortese, his counterpart at St Mary's.

Adkins led Saints to back-to-back promotions
Saints boss Nigel Adkins is a good manager and has not suddenly become a bad one but he seems to be under pressure and he really needs a win.
To get one on Saturday would be a massive result for Adkins and would stop the murmurings about his future.
We are hearing rumours about Rafa Benitez and Harry Redknapp being lined up to take over and the papers will not stop talking about Adkins being on his way out while Saints are struggling.
I have a feeling they might get a positive result against Villa, though. Paul Lambert has a lot of young players in his team and that means they will be up and down.
Lambert has had a difficult start as Villa boss but I think his side's fans know he has inherited a bit of a mess and he will not get any problems from them.
For Villa, going forward, the partnership up front between Darren Bent and Christian Benteke holds the key. It looks promising and if they hit it off then it will buy the young players in their team some time. That's what Villa need.

Prediction 2-1

But even though Liverpool are shit he's got them to draw 1-1 with Man Utd

Twunt

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Bollocks to Lawro, Mo Farrah says we'll win 1-0.

[maidstonevillain]

Although having us down to lose, I thought it was a reasonable assessment.

[VillaAlways]

Although having us down to lose, I thought it was a reasonable assessment.

I agree Maidstone He just annoys me that I don't think he has ever predicted Liverpool to lose, no matter how shit they are

[rutski]

Although having us down to lose, I thought it was a reasonable assessment.

I agree Maidstone He just annoys me that I don't think he has ever predicted Liverpool to lose, no matter how shit they are

who gives a shit if he thinks we are going to lose, lets hope everyone thinks we are going to lose everygame and keep the claret and blue steamroller going and crush them all!

[johncvilla88]

Rotation time! Man City Tuesday and they don't play until late Sunday.

My team:
Lichaj Clark Baker Bennet
Herd Westwood Holman N'Zogbia
Benteke Agbonlahor

Subs:
Given Burke Bowery Williams Ireland Wiemann Bannan

[N'ZMAV]

Lawro is a spaz.

[Brend'Watkins]

To me that's quite a shit assessment by Lawro.  No mention of the great performance last week where he had us down to lose.  I bet he hasn't even seen us play in the last few weeks.

[hartman_1982]

I agree with the "up and down" bit and that Bent and Benteke could look promising but I find the bit  where he says they need to work to "buy the youngsters time" a bit patronising. I am not expecting world beaters but they have been fantastic in the main so far. He also fails to mention how well we have played as a team in the last two matches. TWAT!