Southampton v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread - Friday 5th November 8pm

[dorsetvillian]

Our one local game. Would love to think Villa will turn it around but after the last four performances I'm struggling to be positive.

[ozzjim]

Ramsey is fit which is good news.

I would be starting the normal back 4 with Tuanzebe for Konsa simply to have a right footer on that side. McGinn, Ramsey and Nakamba kind of picks itself. As does Bailey, Buendia and Watkins. Only argument I would have is to play El Ghazi over Buendia.

[Legion]

2-0.

[richtheholtender]

Wolves are similar to us and we lost a close game, arsenal finished above us and spent an additional £100 million + (they're better than us), spurs finished above us (they're better than us and west ham finished significantly higher than us and again spent additional funds (they're better than us). Southampton are closer to where we are so let's not make them out to be prime Barcelona.

[ChicagoLion]

Wolves are similar to us and we lost a close game, arsenal finished above us and spent an additional £100 million + (they're better than us), spurs finished above us (they're better than us and west ham finished significantly higher than us and again spent additional funds (they're better than us). Southampton are closer to where we are so let's not make them out to be prime Barcelona.

Pretty sure that the owners were not thinking we would lose to those teams so easily having invested so heavily.

[SoccerHQ]

Sanson FIT.

Luiz, Ings and Traore all still injured/unavailable. Didn't read about Ramsey but assume he won't make it.

[sickbeggar]

I'm just gobsmacked we haven't picked up another couple of injuries by now. Have they cancelled training?

[ozzjim]

Sanson FIT.

Luiz, Ings and Traore all still injured/unavailable. Didn't read about Ramsey but assume he won't make it.

Ramsey is fit too

[Demitri_C]

Midfield easy to predict

Mcginn ramsey and nakamba

A easy midfield to run through. I expect another losing battle there and another loss

For me chuk comes in for nakamba

[ozzjim]

Would be even easier to run through!

I would be sorely tempted to play Chuck in a free role further forward, not too unlike Jack had, maybe coming from the left side.

[Dick Edwards]

If Sanson is actually fit I'd get him on the pitch as soon as possible.

[Proposition Joe]

I heard that McGinn got himself a suspension with his yellow card at the weekend, I guess that was bogus info. I also heard Ramsey was out for a couple of months.

My midfield 3 if Sanson and Luiz are fit:

Sanson-Luiz-Nakamba

Sanson basically plays the McGinn role, but with better technique, and I think ball retention is crucial. Nakamba can do the headless chicken role as long as he selects the simple pass.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As long as they don't press us we're in with a chance. We're at our best when we press the opposition but still haven't worked out what to do when they do it to us.

I'd love a win but predict a 0-0. Hope I'm wrong and we finally start showing the quality we have.

[SoccerHQ]

I heard that McGinn got himself a suspension with his yellow card at the weekend, I guess that was bogus info. I also heard Ramsey was out for a couple of months.

My midfield 3 if Sanson and Luiz are fit:

Sanson-Luiz-Nakamba

Sanson basically plays the McGinn role, but with better technique, and I think ball retention is crucial. Nakamba can do the headless chicken role as long as he selects the simple pass.

McGinn is on 4 yellows so one match ban next time he gets booked.

Available for Friday.

My middle trio would be Nakamba-Sanson-McGinn. Might aswell give Sanson a run to see what he can do now.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

SJM has played a lot of football this season and probably needs a rest. Agree that Sanson is the obvious right side replacement. The only question is whether he's up to speed or not. It would be a very brave man to drop McGinn tomorrow despite a very poor performance against West Ham.