UP FOR THE CUP AGAIN.....

We haven't been able to sell all of the tickets so luke warm could well be right. Our players may well be tired after the Leicester game as we do not have the squad to be able to keep switching the team around.

the problem of selling the tickets is yet again down to the clowns that run the club. Never known such a protracted criteria to buy, wouldn't allow any of ST to buy more than one, loads of parents wanted more to take their kids, no offer to schools for unsold tickets. The ticket office have been pretty poor for a few years now and unfortunately have got worse not better, another sign of the "Southampton Way" has lost its way, we aren't very good both on or off the pitch.

I think they might surprise us on the pitch, many of the players will be their last chance to get to a final so think they might raise the game, will need a bit of luck and for once a referee that is willing to give decisions against the big clubs but we could pull it off, we know that last week for 60+ minutes we were the better team.

Plus the failure to issue a red card could have been the difference between victory and defeat.

Well today we will see if our players have any fight left in them. Plus, if they have whether they still have at the end of the match. I hope they put up a good performance first hoping for a win and the chance of revenge against Utd in the final.

Well they didn't play to bad, needed that bit of luck and didn't get that. Solid first half performance though didn't create to many chances but after a nervy start were able to contain Chelsea. So annoying to concede straight after the second half, but ball was bouncing around and just fell nicely for Hazard who set up Giroud, thought Lemina should have done better in making a tackle. We did have chances though Long only had to poke the ball forward when 1 on 1 as Cabellero had committed, instead usual poor touch meant the chance was gone, think we should have had a penalty with a handball from a corner, that bit of luck which you know if at the other end would have been given. Redmond had a decent shot that again Caberello didn't have much idea about, and could easily have spun into the goal and Austin never touched Caberello when he went up for the ball, you know that 9 times out of 10 a foul will be given but that time a ref actually watches the contact and gives it then it wont to be team playing a top six team. Second goal was to be expected pushing for the equaliser, Hoedt lost his man again and not for the first time Cedric failed to pick up a player at the far post for a header.

So back to the league and while winning 3 out of 4 is possible it is extremely unlikely.

McCarthy 6 did okay if he could do much about the goals
Cedric 5, thought he had a poor game, often cut back after getting to by line and his defending on crosses is poor.
Hoedt 6 think at fault for the second goal but had a fairly good game that aside
Yoshida 8 played his heart out and never gave up, made couple of crucial tackles. Should be our captain next year
Bedanek 7 another good game beginning to look might be a decent prospect
Bertrand 5 didn't get forward enough when we had 5 at the back,
Romeau 7 back to his old form and covered a lot of ground
Lemina 5 had spells in the game when looked good but others where he was out of position, jogged back a couple of time when Chelsea were attacking
Hojberg 7 another determined display, hope we can keep him if we go down.
Long 6 certainly works hard but his poor touch cost us an equalizer
Austin 7 won quite a few balls and has to be our main hope of goals in the last few games.

Subs
Tadic 6 did okay
Redmond 6 did seem to be more direct
Gabbadini 5 think we should give up on Gabbi and try Carillo, doesn't look like scoring a goal again so may as well try something different.

While a few will no doubt be on the first flight out at the end of the season if we go down if we can keep Yoshida Bedanek,, Roemau, Hojberg , with youngsters such as Sims, Targett, McQueen, Gallagher, Hesketh and some experience with Davis, Austin McCarthy and JWP then I would be quite optimistic. desperately need 1/2 Right backs

Bedanek has been a big plus for us as he gives us hope for the future. We may just have found a good CB pairing with Yoshida. Both able to operate in back 3 as well so hope we can keep them both.

Thanks Matty, a nice report as usual.

Away to Brighton.....looks like a defeat to me!

Well suspect the battle of the reserves and see the team has plenty of changes as I thought would be the case with Gunn, Bedanek, Targett Yoshsida, Gabbadini all starting and Gallagher on the bench.

I am going for us to win on penalties, no extra time, with Gunn being the hero!

Well close to penalties and would have backed Gunn. My brother is a Brighton ST holder and said we had to much experience for them and deserved to win though left it late. Yoshida, Gunn, Ward Prowse impressed him. Hopefully the players that did well get the chance to keep their places away to Palace would be disappointed if some are not picked. I would expect Yoshida to replace Hoedt, Bedanek or Stephens to replace Cedric and Ward Prowse to keep a place in the midfield.

Away to Everton the reward😡 not having much luck and Bournemouth another easy home tie. At least the fringe players are getting proper games to keep match fit.

Trouble is we will probably go out against Everton..... and that will bring an end to the chance to test the fringe players.

After Everton's performance today against West Ham we may have a chance!

Everton will I'm sure pick a reserve team, how many changes Hughes will make. Difficult to predict.....but Saints need to develop a clinical touch.....and determination in front of goal

Relieved to get through this one.... and hopefully get some confidence for the next few games.

Not shown on TV, but listening to the commentary on Radio Merseyside it seemed that Targett, Redmond and Gunn had specially good games, while Ings, Lemina and Yoshida also played well.

Do Saints have a chance at Leicester? I see Ings is still unfit.

Have to say not really interested in the result. At least a defeat will help increase the likelihood of Hughes leaving by the end of the year. A win might give some confidence but with City at home next round hardly worth the effort of more games with potentially more injuries.

Still no Bedanek or Romeau, another reason why Hughes has to go unless they have injuries, two of our better players in a terrible season who never get a game. The problem is Hughes.

Leicester to win 2 0

Possibly being a little over-optimistic now, but I do not really see Saints as being in any realistic danger of going down to the Championship with HRH in charge.

I hope he chooses a team to win the game as, with a reasonable draw, I can see him getting a decent cup run going...... not going completely mad and forecasting that Saints could win the cup but I could see us getting to the semis, or the last 8 at least....

I think he will play a few of the youngsters as staying in Premiership will be his priority and the current squad do not have the depth needed so will not want to risk some of the key players. I think our lack of goals will be an issue and suspect Derby will really want to win this one so going for a 2 0 defeat, and to be hoenst not that worried so long as win our league home games,

Well a draw was a good result but another game for RH to see some of the youngsters and will hopefully be one of Hojberg's suspensions. So long as avoid injuries and also progress then will be okay. Yet again unable to keep a lead with a fairly experienced side

I am really starting to get annoyed with the number of times Saints get a lead and then lose it. A 1-goal lead being frittered away is one thing but they should have the qualities available to protect a 2-goal advantage, how many times this season have they had a 2-goal lead and failed to win? At the moment it seems that no lead for Saints is secure.....

Well I have to admit Saints proved they can hold onto a lead on Saturday.

Now, can we beat Derby? My vibes are pretty good but not wanting to bock it by saying anything.

Having done the hard stuff and drawing away from home can see us losing this, its the Southampton Way!

Really difficult one to call as think Derby will not want to risk their best players but that may mean they play with more freedom. Be interesting to see who starts, Hojberg and Valeray suspended, Obefemi out for a few weeks, Bertrand out probably for a couple more weeks, Lemina still not fit, in view of that do we risk Romeau with Saturdays game a big game to follow up on the win last week? Can see quite a youngish team starting, a start for Elyoushi, think Gallagher will get some time on the pitch.

I think it might go to penalties so toss a coin as to who goes through

Your vibes were pretty accurate Matty!!!! That the end of any Cup interest for this season.

I am used to Saints losing (aren't we all?) but this game made me angrier than most.......

1. Apart from the first few minutes, Derby (a Championship side) were the better team and I'd have to say it would have been unfair on them had Saints got through.
2. Yet again, Saints could not hold on to a 2-goal lead.
3. Immediately after his disgraceful penalty miss which was clearly going to cost us the game, the TV cameras showed Redmond apparently laughing and joking with a Derby player, and not looking the slightest bit guilty about his 'effort'!! I am surprised not to have read something about it anywhere.....

In a way I don't think losing will prove to be a bad thing, squad isn't good enough in depth so having extra games will have impacted on league form. Also showed that you cannot expect to have lots of youngsters all ready to play in PL. So far only Valaray has looked the only one that may step up and even he has a lot to learn. I didn't see the incident after the game but wouldn't surprise me as that is the way of modern players, don't think he would have been finding it so funny if someone like Franny Benali was around.