Match Day Thread Chelsea vs Southampton Thursday 26th Dec 3pm

First of all, Merry Christmas one and all! Really hope you all enjoy the holiday season with friends and families. Maybe Saints can make it a little bit more cheerful, but if not, it’s only a game so who cares.

Right, on to business. We’ve only played poorly away from home once all season; Burnley on Day One. So I reckon we can take something from the Bridge. Hopefully our 4-1 home defeat to them will make them overly confident, and with Arsenal (away) as their next fixture, we can expect them to rest a few players (please let it be Kante).

For us, we need to rest a few too, seeing as we have a winnable home game against Palace on 28th.

Ings for Che
Hojbjerg for Romeu
Yoshida for Stephens/Bednarek

Unfortunately I think any more than that will remove any chance of getting a result.

Myself, usually I’d go for a classic Saints ‘play-well-go-a-goal-up-buckle-under-pressure-late-on’ 1-1.

But seeing as I’m currently the host with the most, I’m gonna predict that yes, miracles can happen! Our back four are gonna be as solid as Boufal’s kitchen table, and keep a bloody clean sheet for once. So, it’s gonna be 1-0 to the mighty red and white ma-SHEEN!!!!

 

Same team as the Villa game for me although I would have Ramsey for Cedric but we all know that won’t happen
Cédric was truly dreadful at Villa Park

 

Yep, Cedric was utter dogsh!t again. I don't know why he is unable to jockey; he just has to put a foot in every time, and usually give away a free-kick. So frustrating. I'd almost be tempted to go with JWP or PEH instead.

 

Thursday 26th December 2019
CHELSEA V SOUTHAMPTON 3 pm. KO

Referee: Jonathan Moss.
Assistants: Marc Perry, Eddie Smart.
Fourth official: Gavin Ward.
VAR: Simon Hooper.
Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.

 

Jonny Moss. Oh dear.
Rotate for this one. Jwp & PEh both one yellow away from a suspension.
Ings can have christmas off.
I'd even let Gunn have a run out.
And lastly, lets ruin Velery's xmas party plan by playing him.
Hell yeah.

 

Was expecting some terrible songs. Disappointed here.

 

What the flippin flip does an Assistant VAR bod do?

 

Mystic No7 is going for a Saints win 2-1. Last 5 mins winner. Pierre though unfortunately (maybe ) will pick up a booking.

You heard it here first.

EDIT: As long as Willian doesn't do what he has just done....

 

Liaises directly with the Premier League to decide which outcome is better for TV ratings.

 

Changed it a bit to reflect how VAR has worked for us this year

 

I wouldn’t be resting too many, especially not an in form keeper.

 

I wouldn't rest anyone.

Play your best team, every game and you may be surprised what happens.

 

We play four games in nine days.
No way we can play the same eleven.

 

True, but rest some of them and we will get thrashed, ruin the already fragile confidence and then the next game it nervy etc.

 

I know, and we should believe that we can get something. But, one days rest is not enough for these guys. Its dangerous. And we are two injuries from crisis.

 

Yep a bit of a catch 22.

Who'd be a manager eh? (Expect 30,000 at St Mary's every other week and all of us on here )

 

Side note.
I fully expect Ralph to pick the strongest 11.
This is the way.

 

Watching our next two opponents on sky now, Chelsea look brilliant so rotate for this one but Spurs look an absolute shambles so that’s the game to target

 

McCarthy
Cedric Stephens Bednarek Bertrand
Romeu PEH
Armstrong Redmond
Long Adams

Really torn about Ings. He's in the form of his life but I'd rather he was fresh for Palace.

 

Yep me too. He is in such good form, that it is almost like if he misses a game he may have to start all over.

Maybe start with Ings, wait for him to get his first and then bring on Adams on 12 mins to give Ralph a real selection headache for Palace.