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

[SoccerHQ]

I don't think this is quite the decisive game that others do for Smith, but he needs to get something from the next three games (Soton, Brighton, Palace). To me, a 4 game losing streak is par for the course for any team even in to the European places ... an 8-9 game losing streak, however, going to get you the sack at any club, bar one expecting to be anchored to the bottom of the table.

Just checked previous managers.

Lambert was sacked after 5 straight defeats (no wins in 10 overall)
Sherwood was sacked after 6 straight defeats (no wins in 11)
RDM sacked with no wins in 9 games (shows what a balls up he made of that)
Bruce sacked with no wins in 9 aswell

O.k different owners but DS from that probably a few games away from being under serious pressure if that's the metric.

However we obviously have a better squad than in those times and we've now established ourselves back as competitive premier league club so that needs to be taken into account aswell compared to some of those bleak seasons.

[ChicagoLion]

I don't think this is quite the decisive game that others do for Smith, but he needs to get something from the next three games (Soton, Brighton, Palace). To me, a 4 game losing streak is par for the course for any team even in to the European places ... an 8-9 game losing streak, however, going to get you the sack at any club, bar one expecting to be anchored to the bottom of the table.

Just checked previous managers.

Lambert was sacked after 5 straight defeats (no wins in 10 overall)
Sherwood was sacked after 6 straight defeats (no wins in 11)
RDM sacked with no wins in 9 games (shows what a balls up he made of that)
Bruce sacked with no wins in 9 aswell

O.k different owners but DS from that probably a few games away from being under serious pressure if that's the metric.

However we obviously have a better squad than in those times and we've now established ourselves back as competitive premier league club so that needs to be taken into account aswell compared to some of those bleak seasons.

and £300million

[Monty]

We've also been terrible. It's one thing to go on a losing streak, it's another to look every inch like relegation candidates.

[Beard82]

Ive got a good feeling, the sun is shining here, a few personal things have sorted themself out, and I think the necessary talks have happened between the squad and management.

Team is going to play peak Dean Smith style attacking football, and at least one of our forward line will answer their critics.

Think he'll go positive with:

Emi

Cash
Mings
Hause
Young

Sanson
McGinn
Ramsey

Beudia
Watkins
Bailey

Southampton like to press, and well have 2 left footers in the center of defense, so the ball will be moved quickly to the midfielder hence why Sanson.

I think 3-1 Villa:

Sanson, Beudia and Watkins

Will be tight - with the us making it look move convincing then it is.

Players will carry Dean Smith off, and well go on a 10 game unbeaten run til Jan - at which point they finally buy the f**king CDM we have needed for years.

UTV

[algy]

I don't think this is quite the decisive game that others do for Smith, but he needs to get something from the next three games (Soton, Brighton, Palace). To me, a 4 game losing streak is par for the course for any team even in to the European places ... an 8-9 game losing streak, however, going to get you the sack at any club, bar one expecting to be anchored to the bottom of the table.

Just checked previous managers.

Lambert was sacked after 5 straight defeats (no wins in 10 overall)
Sherwood was sacked after 6 straight defeats (no wins in 11)
RDM sacked with no wins in 9 games (shows what a balls up he made of that)
Bruce sacked with no wins in 9 aswell

O.k different owners but DS from that probably a few games away from being under serious pressure if that's the metric.

However we obviously have a better squad than in those times and we've now established ourselves back as competitive premier league club so that needs to be taken into account aswell compared to some of those bleak seasons.

Yeah, but equally Arsenal lost 3 games on the bounce at the start of the season and have come back alright.  Liverpool had 4 defeats on the trot last season (picked up 10pts in 12 games for the first 2.5 months of 2021, which is definitely relegation form) and finished 3rd.

I just don't think that bad runs are particularly unusual or unique to ourselves.  I might be wrong, but I don't think Dean Smith will (or ought) to feel under a lot of pressure right now.  If the bad run continues through November and in to December, though, that might be a different matter.

[Monty]

I don't think this is quite the decisive game that others do for Smith, but he needs to get something from the next three games (Soton, Brighton, Palace). To me, a 4 game losing streak is par for the course for any team even in to the European places ... an 8-9 game losing streak, however, going to get you the sack at any club, bar one expecting to be anchored to the bottom of the table.

Just checked previous managers.

Lambert was sacked after 5 straight defeats (no wins in 10 overall)
Sherwood was sacked after 6 straight defeats (no wins in 11)
RDM sacked with no wins in 9 games (shows what a balls up he made of that)
Bruce sacked with no wins in 9 aswell

O.k different owners but DS from that probably a few games away from being under serious pressure if that's the metric.

However we obviously have a better squad than in those times and we've now established ourselves back as competitive premier league club so that needs to be taken into account aswell compared to some of those bleak seasons.

Yeah, but equally Arsenal lost 3 games on the bounce at the start of the season and have come back alright.  Liverpool had 4 defeats on the trot last season (picked up 10pts in 12 games for the first 2.5 months of 2021) and finished 3rd.

I just don't think that bad runs are particularly unusual or unique to ourselves.  I might be wrong, but I don't think Dean Smith will (or ought) to feel under a lot of pressure right now.  If the bad run continues through November and in to December, though, that might be a different matter.

A point a game for nearly a whole calender year.

[RamboandBruno]

I cant get away from our midfield looking weak tonight whatever combination of available players. I wouldn’t play Nakamba, even though Sanson, Ramsey, McGinn might be lightweight. If Sanson tires and things are going well (which I’m not convinced they will) i might bring Sanson off for Nakamba to see out a game.
In the cut and thrust of the match last week, in an agitated, apprehensive but generally supportive Holte End, i thought Nakamba played ok. But looking back in hindsight, it was hectic and at times headless enthusiasm, there was no control over anything he was doing, he looked more impressive because of the lacklustre nature of other player performances.
I’m struggling to see how the defence gets any adequate cover from the middle tonight. I do hate being like this, im usually full of nerves on match day, but just feel a bit flat. I hope im badly wrong.

[robbo1874]

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

No, Sanson has to start...

doesn’t really matter who starts. Smith talked a few weeks back of starters and finishers instead of substitutes. If he can get that right then we may be a chance. We need every player giving it the full Ron Saunders whether they start or finish the match. Need to cut out giving the ball away, so maybe drop McGinn

[cannock villa]

We've also been terrible. It's one thing to go on a losing streak, it's another to look every inch like relegation candidates.

I think a little perspective it is needed. We have only been terrible on the first game of the season against Watford and for 45 minutes against Arsenal. We certainly didn't look like relegation candidates at Old Trafford, home to Everton and even 80 minutes against Wolves.
Even against West Ham it was one of those games that every conspired to go against us.

[Monty]

We've also been terrible. It's one thing to go on a losing streak, it's another to look every inch like relegation candidates.

I think a little perspective it is needed. We have only been terrible on the first game of the season against Watford and for 45 minutes against Arsenal. We certainly didn't look like relegation candidates at Old Trafford, home to Everton and even 80 minutes against Wolves.
Even against West Ham it was one of those games that every conspired to go against us.

Don't think we've been watching the same games! Everton wasn't great from either side before Bailey but that's fine, and United was a defensive counterattacking performance as was Chelsea where we had space to break into. In every other game our attacking has been haphazard at best and blunt as a spoon at worst - and the only thing that went against us vs. West Ham was our own terrible performance.

[sickbeggar]

Ive got a good feeling, the sun is shining here, a few personal things have sorted themself out, and I think the necessary talks have happened between the squad and management.

Team is going to play peak Dean Smith style attacking football, and at least one of our forward line will answer their critics.

Think he'll go positive with:

Emi

Cash
Mings
Hause
Young

Sanson
McGinn
Ramsey

Beudia
Watkins
Bailey

Southampton like to press, and well have 2 left footers in the center of defense, so the ball will be moved quickly to the midfielder hence why Sanson.

I think 3-1 Villa:

Sanson, Beudia and Watkins

Will be tight - with the us making it look move convincing then it is.

Players will carry Dean Smith off, and well go on a 10 game unbeaten run til Jan - at which point they finally buy the f**king CDM we have needed for years.

UTV

Notwithstanding Sanson being the current  beneficiary of the "better the less he plays" boost, I quite like that team. Better to not play a DCM than play a shite one

[Beard82]

Ive got a good feeling, the sun is shining here, a few personal things have sorted themself out, and I think the necessary talks have happened between the squad and management.

Team is going to play peak Dean Smith style attacking football, and at least one of our forward line will answer their critics.

Think he'll go positive with:

Emi

Cash
Mings
Hause
Young

Sanson
McGinn
Ramsey

Beudia
Watkins
Bailey

Southampton like to press, and well have 2 left footers in the center of defense, so the ball will be moved quickly to the midfielder hence why Sanson.

I think 3-1 Villa:

Sanson, Beudia and Watkins

Will be tight - with the us making it look move convincing then it is.

Players will carry Dean Smith off, and well go on a 10 game unbeaten run til Jan - at which point they finally buy the f**king CDM we have needed for years.

UTV

Notwithstanding Sanson being the current  beneficiary of the "better the less he plays" boost, I quite like that team. Better to not play a DCM than play a shite one

Easy this manager lark - just need Deano to remember it. 

I think Sanson will be the exception that proves the "better the less he plays" boost, and go on to be better than David Silva

[Risso]

I felt all a bit 'meh' about Sanson until that Chelsea game, when he really did look like one of the best players on the pitch. If he can maintain that level then he'll massively improve our midfield, because I haven't seen McGinn or Luiz play as well as that for us in a very long time. Of course, the fucker needs to a) stay fit for longer than 40 minutes every 3 months and b) not fall out with the manager first.

[PaulTheVillan]

I worry if they score early.

I really hope we win as I'd love Smith to work out, but it's not looking good.

I've lost track of who is and isn't available.

I think he'll go...

Martinez

Cash
Mings
Tuanzebe
Targett

Nakamba
McGinn
Ramsey

Beudia
Watkins
Bailey

[sickbeggar]

I've taken Mcginn out of the FF side so I reckon a goal and an assist is guaranteed. May try and buy Nakamba to ensure he doesn't play either.