Bearing in mind if we win we go top, and since manure aren't playing at home till sunday. I caught some of their game against arse on satda and even though they didn't create much they defended well. I think this might be a frustrating game for us since they look like they defend very deep which would cut out our cut and thrust type of attack.

On a side bar how many one on ones did bellamy miss on satda?? Since he scored the winning goal we can forgive him.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Answers

Alreet pet?

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

This could be just like the Bolton game and I'm frankly very worried. But then, that's my normal state.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

S'ton are much improved and actually a decent team, but not as good as the Toon. They will give us a hard game, but if we approach the game correctly we should win. I expect us to win, perhaps 3-1.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Glad Beattie is out. I've got a couple of tickets for Saturday as I have a window of opportunity in my football calendar!

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

No

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

A few concerns about them, but I think it is more likely to be easier than Bolton.

3-1, as Clarky says, seems about right for me.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

I'll be very disappointed if we don't win because it's the sort of game we should win if our Euro aspirations are to have any credibility.

I think from the way Bobby's talking, he'll put JJ on at the earliest opportunity, but I don't think he'll be on from the start. We'll need to see what Soton have to offer first.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Not as much as Bolton, since we usually seem to do well at home against Soton. However this being the Toon, and Soton's mini resurgence, I do have some concern. I'll have concern for the rest of our matches this season actually. ;-)

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

There are no easy games. So, yes I am concerned. Its clear that at least two of the teams that have been struggling, Soton and Ipswich HAVE managed to get themselves disciplined. We still give goals away - despite the fact that Mr Robson said that Bolton earned their goals there was an element of slackness on our part.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Form over last 10 Premiership games

Newcastle WWWWLLWDWW Southampton WLWLWWLDWD

See - there's not THAT much in it over the last 10 games. Three loses to our 2 and one more draw. If we win 1-0 I'll be OTM.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Yes! let's hope we bury another problem team.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

You might have noticed that I showed no signs of nerves for the bolton game, I am however very worried about this one....Soton have been playing very well....they're a solid team who work very hard, they've got some big men who'll really give us problems from set pieces as well....

They'll keep it tight as well so we'll have difficult opening them up....as has been pointed out on this board we're a much better proposition when counter-attacking than when we're attacking massed defences...

Definite banana skin....

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

When I saw the title of this thread I thought to myself "right, is it dougal or gav who started it?" syme was the author but of course our resident glums d & g were right there with their comments within moments. Nowt changes! I'm with Gav on this one - huge banana skin potential.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

I can see Shearer playing a big part in this game. He needs to disrupt and worry the Saints defence, to allow Bellamy, Robert et al a bit more room. Arsenal have pace and guile with Henry and Wiltord, but not much physicality. We WILL score. Hopefully we'll score more than them.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Concerned about every game. Every Premiership side is capable of taking points off any of the others.

The simple fact is that we are in pole position for the title. Nobody can stop us if we win our thirteen remaining games. We have to have belief in the squad and I think that is there. We have the ability to win on Saturday, the motivation, and the belief. None of this guarantees success but vastly improves the chances. The home games where 3 points are eagerly expected are all potential "potato skins" or "banana blips" as YBR puts it. But we have no reason for fear beyond recognising the fact that there are no certs in football. We can and should win on Saturday.

And if we do it'll be only 12 more games .... :-)

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

I`m worried about this game - it would make life pretty unbearable down here in the `sunny` South if they beat us at home. (:o(

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

I bet wee Gordy is thinking, "Oh noooooo! Not St James Park. So many miserable trips back to Coventry!"

Shearer will possibly make reference to a certain Norwegian Centre Half describing him as finished 3 seasons ago after his 4th whistles into the back of the net.

Get them focussed on crushing everything in red and white stripes.

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002