Tonight, in amongst the frenzied climax to the transfer window is a little distraction to entertain us while we await all the big, final hour panic buys in the premier league. Looking at the lineup, it doesn't say much for Janmaat's future under Gracia that Mariappa is preferred at right back. Capoue still starting in midfield is abhorrent. I'd rather have Watson stay and play instead. Pereyra's not been great this season but he's better than Capoue! Interesting Deulofeu starts immediately. I wonder how long he'll last given what Everton fans had to say about "one lung". Also, where's Wague? Does anyone know if he's injured? Maybe the one foreign player of our current 18 who'll miss out.
If only the sun was shining, it was August and it was 25 degrees then maybe just maybe this could have a possibility.
I quite like Southampton as a place, but the ground and surrounding area for me is a bit bland, it's not much different from any other modern large-ish industrial site stadium - the Liberty Stadium likewise isn't great but is redeemed by the fine panorama. I thought of putting down Man City, but it's many years since I've been there and the fact we have pretty much zero chance of getting anything there these days means the appeal has waned somewhat. Agree about Brighton, it's only really worth it if you can make a day of it, otherwise it's a bit boring if you just intend to go straight there and back, especially if the team puts in the kind of non-performance they did last December. And similar to Palace, it would be nice if there was a way of going back on the train without getting bruised ribs from the intense crushes!
Fark sake... We'll get embarassed and in his debut game, Deulofeu will get in an argument with the travelling Hornets whilst accidentally elbowing Holebas during the event - breaking his nose and making him cry. As a result, Gracia will start shouting at Gerard for giving Holebas a 8 month-long injury and consequently, the squad morale will be worse than when Okaka shagged Silva's bird. Calling it now
They grabbed a Stokie steward in hopes he can play right back - intelligently changed 'd' to a 't' in hopes of fooling everyone
Scullion? Btw, my predicto text thing after ‘Scu’ suggested Scullion & Scum. This thing is intelligent!
I'm confident we'll find stoke as rubbish as ourselves. And that defloufoue will be the difference. I'd also have put maps at right back a few weeks ago. Janmaat or femenia to return in games where we want more attacking width.
Disappointing that Kaboul isn't fit enough yet. Also disappointing to see Deeney start a match away from home - this is really his chance to prove the doubters wrong or right.
I don’t think it says that much about Janmaat. This is a tactical switch to counter a physical team. There’s often a bit of an overreaction to someone getting dropped or benched. Mostly it’s just business as usual.
Time will tell, I'm reading in to it a bit more given it's Gracia's first league game. I wouldn't personally say Mariappa is any more physical than Janmaat - more likely to survive a physical battle without injury, yeah!
I think we are doing well. Started brightly getting the balls down the channels early letting our pacey wingers close them down. Stoke look very average. Come on!
They looked more dangerous on the break but I got a feeling we can nick this. Big 2nd half coming up 2-0 to us Deeney & Capoue!
Did anyone see Deeney walking off with Deulofeu and put his manly arm round him? He’s really taking the leadership thing seriously.
Doing OK and but bear in mind Stoke have easily the worst defence in the PL and we haven't looked much like scoring in open play since that Prodl half-chance which is a little concerning. And "average" is flattering Stoke a bit, they're where they are for a reason. Still a better game than the same fixture last season, but I have a feeling we'll need a bit of luck to edge a tight game.
Thats a good point to be honest, this was a 'must not lose' more than it was a 'must win' Clean sheet is a nice bonus also
I wish he would take the 'footballing ability' thing a little more seriously Absolutely dire again tonight
So in 180 minutes of trying we fail to score against the worst defence in the PL. Better performance today but seriously our decision not to reinforce our attack this January wtf????
To be fair, that's a good result against a tough Stoke side. Chins up lads and bring it against those Chelsea rent-boys!!! 'Mon the 'Ornets!!!
Well at least we've got a bit of fight about us, under the snake we would have collapsed Deeney and Gray are beyond ******, they are beyond lower league ******, a wheelie bin and a post box would have created more
