Dan previews Saturdays game against Sunderland and suggests that it it time to unleash Charlie Austin to open up the goal scoring floodgates.

On Saturday, Claude Puel’s men will host Sunderland now managed by Premier League favourite, David Moyes. Currently, Saints have had a better start to the season than Sunderland with a point from their opening two matches, Sunderland have started with consecutive losses.

The question on everyone’s mind when the boss sat down in front of the media was whether, Ryan Bertrand will be fit enough to play. Thankfully Bertrand has been training with the squad and is available but a decision on his fitness will be made on Friday. Also, Oriol Romeu is available after coming off after just ten minutes against Manchester United meaning that there is a full squad available for the game.

Puel also praised the reaction to last Friday’s defeat at Old Trafford from his players and that he is happy with the work put in on the training pitch but that it is important to make that hard work worth something against the Black Cats.

He also said that it will be a difficult game because of Sunderland’s strong defensive line, others may disagree with that comment.

If we are to finish in the top eight, let alone top half this season then Saints must receive maximum points in games against teams like Sunderland (no disrespect to the Black Cats). This is a great opportunity to pick up the first three-points of the season in-front of the home fans against a team who has already been quoted for a relegation battle by their own manager. A good performance could break the dreaded curse of the international break which would be fantastic as the next game is a trip to Arsenal.

My Predictions:

I’m saying a 2-0 win for the Saints, we will want it more than them and have much more quality to get all three points. We have a full roter of players to choose from whereas they’re struggling with injuries.

My line-up:

Forster, Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand, Romeu, Højbjerg, Davis, Tadic, Austin, Redmond

The main thing that sticks out is me choosing Austin instead of Long. I love Shane Long but after misplacing a fantastic opportunity to score in a game where we weren’t going to have many chances, Austin should get a chance. I think he’s our best finisher in the squad and could be crucial when we go forward.

Photo: Action Images

BaselSaint added 09:48 - Aug 26 Thats tough on Long. For me he is the more likely to score.
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HungrySaint added 12:34 - Aug 26 Long and Redmond play off the shoulder of the last defenders but at Utd last week we just didn't move the ball forward quick enough to allow that to happen bar that one unfortunate miss. If we build our attacks slowly and let teams defend deep then Austin is a better bet as a target man. But if we counter attack and hit teams on the break it's Long and Redmond for me all day.

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