Match Day Thread West Ham United vs Southampton 25/09/2016 4pm Kick-off

Hello all and welcome back to another Match Day thread by Saintsfcfan. Of the fixtures I have covered so far this is by far the toughest one, despite the current poor form of West Ham.

Saints have won their past 3 games, scoring 6 goals with no reply. West Ham on the other hand are having a bit of a poor run, having conceded 8 in their past two league games, and having to rely on a Payet freekick in the last minute to beat Accrington Stanley. This will be no easy game for Saints though, as West Ham have the quality to spank any team in the league, as was shown last season. Former Saint loaner Antonio is on fire in the goals department and Payet can work his magic at any moment. Saints have their own in-form man in Charlie Austin, having scored 4 times in his past 3 games and he will be looking to not only keep that run going as well as ramming the comments of West Ham chairman David Gold (that he had no knee ligaments) down his throat. Saints will also hope that Jay Rodriguez will be back in the match day squad after a recent injury scare, whilst record signing Sofiane Boufal could possibly make the bench.

My team
Forster
Martina Fonte Van Dijk Bertrand
Romeu
Hojbjerg Davis
Tadic
Redmond Austin

Subs: McCarthy, Yoshida, Cedric, Clasie, Hesketh, Boufal, Long

Prediction: Will not be an easy game but can see Saints winning. 2-1: Austin with both.

COYR!

 

Austin has some word shoving to do.

 

Just bagged myself a ticket for this one. Just 20 minutes on the tube so it'd be rude not to. Picked up a spare so I'll be going on my own though.

(I'm not normally a loner, I promise)

 

I will be watching it in a pub in Skegness, straight after a big fat roast dinner.

 

I go to most games on my own to be honest, none of my friends family are either not Saints supporters or if they are aren't the type to buy a membership etc. so I always end up with a seat on my own. Still a good crack though, espescially as it's up the road for you. I went WHL on my own earlier this year!

 

I'm disappointed as my boy's team have drawn a bye in the cup, so don't have a game and I could have gone

Still, a Charlie winner will cheer me up, especially if it is last minute, offside, a push on the centre back and he knocks it over the line with his "dodgy" knee after controlling the ball with his hand.

 

Join the old farmhouse clique. I'll get you an application form.

 

Boufal on the bench??!! Really??!!!
That's about 3 weeks early isn't it? How exciting if we get to see him for a few minutes.

 

It's very much a maybe but wanted to think positively. I said last week that we were quietly confident of maybe getting him on the bench, haven't heard anything since so will have to see what Claude says tomorrow.

 

I tend to do away games alone too. It's a sad lonely life at times, but I usually end up in a bar chatting to the home fans.

 

It might just be that with recent results and Hesketh showing his stuff, that we don't feel the need to rush him. Better be safe.

 

Could arguably be the best option, especially with such a congested fixture list. Hope Jake makes the bench.

 

Yeah, pressures off. Really looking forward to seeing him though.

 

Hardly ever go to away games these days, but I'm going to Leicester on my own. And Inter (wait while I pinch myself and say that last one again). I don't expect to feel lonely though.

 

No Jay Rod by the looks of this from Adam Blackmore:

Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport 17m17 minutes ago
Am told by non-club source Jay Rodriguez in Germany having possible groin/hernia op - couple of weeks they think but not gospel #saintsfc

 

Not nice but much better than what was feared before the scan.

 

Poor Jay

 

That guy really can't catch a break can he!

 

It won't be long before Jay Rod has been entirely rebuilt out of metal and plastic. He'll then sign a 200 year contract extension and knock Micky Channon off the leading scorer list.

 

All feeling very Michael Owen for poor old Jay. Unfortunately it's what often happens after a bad long term knock.