Southampton vs WBA - Match Thread

**Ska'dForLife-WBA** · 14-01-2016, 17:16

Southampton keeper Ian Black keeps Albion at bay, the Dell, 23rd April 1949

As we cobble together another impressive unbeaten run - four matches and counting in all competitions - the question on Saturday is whether our good form can see us over the thirty-point line before next week's cup replay and subsequent derby match. Southampton's season, which saw them in the top half as recently as November, has come off the rails this winter and left them somewhat struggling for wins, in spite of victory over Watford midweek. While our home fixture against them in September was a cagey and frustrating affair, there's a chance that we may see a more open, entertaining game this time round; neither side has too much to fear from defeat, and a good convincing win would be a boost to either.

Albion, of course, have to keep one eye on the upcoming fixtures, which are the real must-win games for many of us. But if we can build up some momentum going into them, then so much the better.

aries22 · 14-01-2016, 17:52

Love these pics you produce, Ska'd.

drewks · 14-01-2016, 19:24

....Shane Long seems to be hitting a good patch of form. Still regret he's no longer with us.....will he make us regret selling him (again)?
Can see this being a decent game - fancy a draw Thumb up

BaggieMan · 14-01-2016, 20:13

(14-01-2016, 19:24)drewks Wrote: ....Shane Long seems to be hitting a good patch of form. Still regret he's no longer with us.....will he make us regret selling him (again)?
Can see this being a decent game - fancy a draw

Will never understand why Shane Long was sold in the first place. We sold him cheap to Hull who then sold him on to Soton at a massive profit.

**Ska'dForLife-WBA** · 14-01-2016, 21:17

Because he only had six months left on his contract (eighteen if we'd activated the option) and had refused to sign the improved one that was offered to him. We did well to get a fee for him at all given the contract status, and Hull naturally got a bigger fee because he was on a brand new contract there. No mystery around it at all: our choice was letting him go for £7m that January or letting him go for free a few months later.

betterthanbaird · 14-01-2016, 22:30

Shane will score without doubt, but I'd like to think we'll put in another good performance here and we have a good chance of getting something.

Squirrel Regis · 14-01-2016, 23:13

When we sold Shane Long I thought it was good business at the time. Always gave 100% and worked his socks off but would only score 8-9 a season and missed too many chances.
Problem is I would have him back without hesitation now !
Doesn't say much for who we have recruited since really does it ?
Mind you I haven't forgiven him yet for diving and getting a penalty away at Hull when Dawson was nowhere near him...
Angry

aries22 · 15-01-2016, 08:36

We keep the ball away from Said Mane and Shane Long, and play like we did at Chelsea, we can win this game. 1-0 Albion.

talkSAFT · 15-01-2016, 11:29

While we're down there we could give So'ton Rondon in exchange for Shane....and throw in Chester if they bargain too hard.
(With a bit of luck Saints won't have studied Rondon's poor control and off-the-ball work - they might just think they can get goals out of a player who cost £12m).

BaggieMan · 16-01-2016, 09:26

Play like we did against Newcastle, Sjoke and Chelsea and we will win this one.
Park the bus and we're baggered.