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+----- Thread: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread (/showthread.php?tid=9805)
Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 03-10-2020
![[Image: Soton.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/dbVMXJ6/Soton.jpg)
Having just about recovered from the disappointment of last Saturday, we travel to the south coast tomorrow at midday for a crucial early match against Southampton. Whether we look on the Chelsea result as a point gained or two dropped, the fact is that we're off the mark but still (understandably) winless after a tough start. The Saints got their own first win of the season last week at Burnley, but we still have to regard them as a potential relegation rival and a real target for points this weekend.
The opposition's main threat indisputably comes from Danny Ings, scorer of all three of Southampton's goals so far this campaign, though he's supported by ex-Blues man Che Adams, still adjusting to Premier League life with four goals last year, and the now 33-year-old Shane Long who remains a super-sub. For Albion, Callum Robinson looked clinical against Chelsea, though defensively we remain without Kieran Gibbs who's now serving the last game of his suspension. Naturally there are no easy games at this level, but with the international break looming, we need to aim for a draw at minimum in this one.
Famous fans: For a one-club city of 250,000 people which can claim large swathes of Hampshire as a catchment area, they're surprisingly thin on the ground when you get past the ex-players. Crooner Craig David, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, naturalist Chris Packham and former glamour model Lucy Pinder are about as notable as it gets since Sir David Frost died, while attempts to pad out the numbers with ex-sprinter Iwan Thomas are a little undermined by the fact that he grew up a Spurs fan. You take whatever you get, I suppose.
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Blue Baggie - 03-10-2020
Best have a guess at the formation and players selected.
3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Johnstone
Ajayi - Ivanovic - Bartley
Fulrong - Gallagher - Livermore - Townsend
Pereira - Robinson - Diangana
Button - O'Shea - Sawyers - Hegazi - HRK - Field - Phillips
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Slick_Footwork - 04-10-2020
Johnstone
O'Shea
Ajayi
Bartley
Townsend
Livermore
Saywers
Edwards
Pereira
Diang
Robbo
Bench:
Button
Furlong
Ivanovic
Harper
Field
Krovinovic
Robson-Kanu
Such a confusing selection... Looks like it's a return to 4 at the back. Gallagher not even in the squad. Johnstone still in goal after last week's performance!
Obviously hoping for a win but honestly can't make head nor tail of Bilic's selections anymore. It's like he pulls them out of a hat. Why even go 5 at the back for the first 3 games? Mind boggling.
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Blue Baggie - 04-10-2020
I'm confused dot com ?
4 at the back away from home.
Ivanovic and Krov on the bench
No Gallagher Hegazi Austin
Sawyer's keeps his place.
We haven't got the luxury of introducing our signings slowly. Time to get on with it.
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Worldclassalbion - 04-10-2020
I’m disappointed with this team selection. Johnstone, Sawyers Keep their places, Ivanović, Krov On the bench and no callagher?
Gotta trust Slav but have to say I think these are the sort of teams we can beat and this selection is very odd.
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Slick_Footwork - 04-10-2020
Does anyone get the impression Bilic might be sending a message with his selection?
Seems to me it's a message to Dowling that he's not getting the players he wants.
That's the only explanation I can think with Kipre and Gallagher not in the squad...
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Blue Baggie - 04-10-2020
Bilic is able to see the guys in training so I assume he bases his selection on what he sees every day, where we have 90 minutes
We have to go with him.
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Worldclassalbion - 04-10-2020
Early doors. O’Shea not at the races. Johnstone one great save but distribution very poor again. One straight out of play and a pass into the midfield giving the bell away.
Saints knocking out around. Johnstone another great save
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Blue Baggie - 04-10-2020
Johnstone keeping us in the game. Defence normal shoulder shrugging.
Sawyer's I'm afraid is a spectator again and O'Shea struggling. Lots of fouls Saints not letting us play the ball.
A yellow for Jake Che felt that one.
RE: Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread - Worldclassalbion - 04-10-2020
Johnstone outstanding at the minute