Southampton FC have made a solid start to the season with 4 draws out of the first 5 games, however they need to get a win under their belts and pull clear of the relegation dog fight and victory against Wolves could move them up to 11th.

Watford start today in 11th place on 7 points and they are the target Saints look to as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's this afternoon.

A win over Wolves would guarantee 12th place at the end of the day, but it would be 11th if Arsenal failed to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the 4pm game, although after that Crystal Palace still have to host Brighton on Monday night, a game that could see the Eagles themselves in 11th on 8 points, amazingly if Brighton beat Palace, a result that would suit Saints fans then the Seagulls would be top of the Premier League.

The important thing for Saints though is not to lose the game against Wolves from a position in the table point of view, we start the day only a point above Leeds who are third from bottom, with Newcastle & Wolves the cushion between us.

So a draw will give us a little buffer zone, but a win would give us a 4 point gap and that is a decent distance at this early stage of the season.

But it is not just about the points, we need the win for the confidence, we have turned a corner from the second half of last season, but we do need to start winning games.

In virtually all of those 4 tied games we had the chance to turn it into a win, we should have buried Newcastle, we had one on ones against Manchester United and Manchester City that should have turned into goals, this is a day where we need to start taking chances and winning games of football.

This game will not define the season, but it is the first crossroads in it, it was always going to be a tough start in the first 8 games, in the corresponding fixtures last year we gained just 2 points, after 5 of the 8 so far we have already taken 4 points and now we need to make it 7 from 6 games.

If we do that we have a very satisfying start to the season and a real base to build on, lose the game though and we are in the mix at the bottom, yes we have plenty of time to get out of it, but the earlier we get things done the better.

It won't be an easy game, in both of the last two seasons we have led at half time and then been caught on the break in the second half to lose, we have to make sure that doesn't happen this time.

Photo: Action Images

Mattsgrandad added 09:48 - Sep 26 We just need to get back in the habit of winning games. Now that the defence is not looking so shaky we can go for the jugular of these lower teams and get two or three ahead for a change.
2

underweststand added 11:00 - Sep 26 You covered most of the issues well in the article(Nick) but there is an open question of the side that Ralph will start with . The absence of new signings Simeu and Small from the recent B team squads suggest that sooner rather than later there may be some game time for them. We have seen of late that age is no barrier to selection and it's perhaps better to choose a game like Wolves for an introduction rather than v. Chelsea or Leeds. With Stephens out for for next 3 months (?) means Bednarek will be the mainstay at the back but the recent ultra-defensive displays from Romeu may suggest he has a second career in a more defensive role, and provide extra support with Salisu. Whilst Livramento continues to show up well, some have suggested than he should play further forward and we revert to KWP at RB (?). Certainly Tino could be no worse than Redmond on recent performances.

3

Sadoldgit added 12:01 - Sep 26 Relegation fight 5 games in?
1

allsaint54 added 13:15 - Sep 26 Playing with 10 men again, Redmond starts yet again
3

JoeEgg added 16:15 - Sep 26 Well as I have been predicting we will not beat Wolves! We have lost Ings who was the only player who could score goals. Adams and Armstrong are probably not up to it , and have lirtle chance anyway with the supply they recieve. I will continue to suggest strongly that the main problem lies with a manager, his tactics and the coaching staff that are simply just not to the task. I know a man who is ..........

4

Kenm added 16:26 - Sep 26 whats gone WRONG, after Saints (should have won) Man City game, we FLOP against a team with less fire power than City, fans are now calling for Hassenhutl to be shown the EXIT, my feeling towards him is to go, he never has a plan B or C only an A, the Fans can see whats wrong ?, but he is BLIND and its his way or NOTHING, and its looking like nothing for the fans to cheer about, (sorry maybe if he departs)

3

mattthelegend added 19:40 - Sep 26 Spot on Kenm, it’s his way or no way, the man is too arrogant for his own good.
1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls