Match Day Thread SOUTHAMPTON v WATFORD

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SOUTHAMPTON v WATFORD

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Saint Mary's Stadium
Saturday 13th April 2024
Kick Off : 1500 BST

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Games against West Bromwich, Leeds, Ipswich and now Southampton, means that Watford are having quite an influence on the promotion run in, despite being lost in mid-table. Can they hold the Saints this time, go one better and sneak a win, or will tired legs see Tom's invigorated side succumb to a first defeat for him?

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Russell Martin sees his side 10 points behind Leicester and Ipswich, although they have two games in hand, still has games against the Foxes and Leeds, so it is maybe unlikely, but they do still have a chance of making the top two.
Saturday's goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers was deemed to be another two points lost ahead of facing a Coventry City side that have the quality to defeat any team in this division
Southampton were able to see off the Sky Blues, though, as they prevailed by a 2-1 scoreline for just their fourth victory in 10 league fixtures.

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As for Watford, they are very much a team in transition courtesy of Tom Cleverley taking on his first managerial role on a caretaker basis.

The former midfielder has made the necessary impact, however, with the Hornets collecting seven points during a five-match unbeaten spell.​

None of the games that have ended in draws have been against teams outside the top eight in the table, highlighting the outstanding consolidation job that Cleverley is currently doing.

If Tom can coax another display similar to the one against the Tractor Boys, Gino will have to give some serious thought about what to do next season.

Team News

Nothing for certain, but TC has said, “There might be changes to freshen it up a bit on Saturday.”

Our Officials

Referee:- JOSH SMITH

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Assistants:- Matthew Jones and Sam Lewis
Fourth Official : Sam Purkiss

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How about another draw?

Southampton probably aren't going to get 2nd but form their point of view a win will put pressure on others above them.

Probably won't be the same game as Wednesday because Southampton tend to try and play from the back slowly and break the press.

 

A few weeks ago, before TC took up the task of making the players into a team the fans wanted to watch, people were saying they couldn't see where we would pick up another point when you looked at the fixtures. Well, we have picked up points in games against the better sides in the division, and you have to wonder why the same players couldn't beat teams that seemed to be very poor. This season could have been very different.

 

Can't be with you this afternoon visiting friends. Enjoy the game all and lets hope for another positive performance.
COYH

 

I dare say the Saints’ players will be throwing themselves on the floor constantly. Remember the salmon leap into the box at the Vic where the player injured himself in his desperate attempt to get a penalty?

 

I liked VI, but nearly every player looks better under TC. Kayembe may be an exception - I’ve always been a fan of him.

 

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So Dennis, plus his groin, is being played with Bayo. This looks like a team set up to attack.

 

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Andrews must be knackered again ..

 

I’ve not been a huge fan of Ryan, but he’s improved dramatically under TC. I think he’s reassured by having three centre-backs behind him if he goes up the wing and gets caught out. Without that very real pressure, well, at least with that lifting a lot of the pressure, his passing has been much better. And he does have a lot of pace.
I loved his last gasp very strong shoulder barge down in the Rookery/SEJ corner of the pitch last week against Leeds.

 

FFS.

 

Bang goes my 0-2 prediction

 

Om the train to Barca.
Hope me tinternet holds.
COYH.

 

No clean sheet today then

 

I’m afraid I went for 2-1 home win. But I am a miserable sod.

 

Chinga su madre.

 

We’ve been so good recently. Lucky at times, but I’ve really enjoyed our performances under Clevs.

 

On a brighter note, Luton conceded an early goal too...

 

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