VILLA AT ST MARYS

Can Saints stop the rot and get the much-needed win? Unless we can start winning again this week we will soon be sliding down the table. I hesitate to say how I feel about it......but a 1-1 draw seems the most likely result to me at the moment!  

The injuries are mounting up so after 2 defeats would even accept a draw, will be interesting to see how Gazzinger makes out in goal as am assuming he will start in place of Kelvin. Problem now with the colder weather more injuries are likely but hopefully we will start with a buzz, take the game to Villa and see if we can break them early to boost what must be a weaken confidence.

Like you Mike think 1 -1

Ironically, the fact we both were thinking it could end 1-1 has boosted my confidence slightly, as surely it must be unlikely we would both forecast the correct scoreline. Think we could win 2-1............please.

A lot of sense in this....

http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/04/southampton-must-find-the-knockout-punch-against-aston-villa-4212524/?


Not so happy about this one.....

http://www.footymatters.com/articles/english-football/premier-league/premier-league-preview/villas-reunited-front-three-can-snatch-a-win-at-southampton/?

well we threw that game away, Villa were poor, 4 attempts on goal all kick and rush but our defending was shocking. Yoshida was very poor and indecisive, Fonte came on for Cline who went off injured yet Pochitino kept Yoshida in the middle where we conceded both second half goals. second was Corks fault had the ball and was easily dispossessed, Could see why Cork is not in starting 11 was rusty which is understandable but his lack of physical presence means he will struggle to get back into the team unless he steps up. Gazzinger while not directly at fault with the goals looks like a scared rabbit never came for the ball and have to hope Kelvin is fit for Saturday. Gazzinger needs games but not in the premiership his lack of confidence spread to rest of the team. Davis played well as did Lambert, Wanyama another who went off injured and just think we see how much we miss him as he sits in the middle of the park in front of back 4 and gives great protection.

Injuries are now piling up so what we don't need is tough games coming thick and fast!

By the way yet another appalling display by a so called premiership referee Jon Moss, we were kicked of the park with Villa players a typical Lambert side playing the man after the ball. At the end Shaw taken out late and high, without doubt a red card and totally bottled it yellow card then booked Ozvaldo for the following exchange. The tackle was disgraceful, not needed and exactly the type of tackle that needs to be kicked out of the game but weak referees like Moss simply don't have the bottle to be refereeing at this level.

Only saw it on Sky, but seemed to me that defending was extremely shoddy......and we needed more bite in front of goal. Cameras showed Cortese looking extremely unhappy/annoyed and I wonder if he is now re-thinking the plan not to make January signings.
I agree the ref was shocking, it seemed we should have had a clear penalty for a foul on Osvaldo.

What last couple of games has shown is we are definitely improving as a team but still do not have the depth in the squad in key positions and have I think the goal keeping one has been obvious. We were totally reliant on Boruc staying fit and cannot understand if Cortese's plan is no additions in January now, even before the injuries it would have been an opportunity to look at bringing future targets. We also cannot afford to have the likes of Ramerez just sitting on the bench, they either play or sell and use the money on another player to improve the squad.

Think a young centre half would also be worth bringing in, certainly Yoshida on last nights showing and his form in internationals say he will never really have it for this level, nice guy but not tough or decisive enough for a centre half