x

Saints Need To Take Inter Milan Game Seriously

Although Claude Puel is right to have rotated his squad in recent weeks and indeed is now in a very busy period, if he puts out a good team against Inter Milan we could find ourself on the cusp of qualifying from the group.

This is not a criticism of Claude Puel's squad rotation policy, far from it I have often said how well he has worked it, however sometimes you have to do a little less rotating and the trip to Inter Milan could well be one of those games.

Although Inter are in turmoil at the moment with the manager and certain players under fire from the fans, the fact still remains they are a formidable side at home and we cannot underestimate them.

If we can go to the San Siro and win then we would not only almost certainly be top of the group and perhaps only one home win away from qualification.

This would be a big achievement for the club and we need to be putting out a fairly decent side.

To make matter worse at the back we are going to be without both first choice full backs and indeed the second choice left back, so it is important that we do not make the situation worse, we need both Virgil Van Dijk and Jose Fonte in for this one.

In midfield it's not so much of a problem as we have the likes of Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and James Ward Prowse on the bench from Sunday and fresh, both are likely to play.

Perhaps the biggest issue though is whether Charlie Austin plays or not, my thoughts are that he should, he is in form and perhaps the fact that Puel substituted him against Burnley with 20 minutes to go when he was in with a good chance of a hat trick is indication that he intends him to play some part in this game.

Sometimes you have to throw players into tough periods, they are very fit and should not have a problem playing three games in a short period every once in a while, of course they cant do this over prolonged periods, but every now and then it's needed to see us through important matches.

I trust Claude Puel to get things right, he has shown us that he knows what he is doing and has earned that trust, however I want us to take this game very seriously and not only make this a great night to remember for the 7,000 travelling Saints supporters, but one of the great nights in our history and a win would certainly do that and as I said earlier put us on the cusp of qualification.

What to read next:

Leeds cruise to comfortable win over Coventry
Leeds totally dominated this game against a lacklustre Coventry City, and if anything should have won more comfortably. It now looks like the team is coming together, though there will be tougher tests in the weeks to come.
Leeds United announce exciting plans to expand Elland Road
The 49ers have been promising to redevelop our beloved stadium ever since they started to invest in the club, and today they have finally published some further details of what it’s all going to involve.
Leeds get back on track against woeful Cardiff
After last week’s defeat, Daniel Farke must have been thankful that the fixture list gave us the division’s bottom team as our next opponents. But although we got the win we needed, it was against a desperately poor Cardiff City who had to play with ten men for over an hour, and somehow it felt strangely unconvincing.
Cardiff Awaydaze
This season’s visit to Cardiff City is on Saturday with a 3pm kick-off, and you’ll find their current stadium to the west of the city centre, only a quarter of a mile from their former home at Ninian Park.
Leeds suffer frustrating defeat at the hands of Burnley
Once again Leeds dominated the possession but couldn’t find their way past a determined and well-organised defence. So it was Burnley who took the points after taking advantage of one of the few occasions when they were able to break downfield.
Leeds pay tribute to former captain Sol Bamba
Sol Bamba passed away on Saturday at the tragically early age of 39. The tribute on the club’s official website was one of many, as the football world paid it’s respects to a defender who was highly regarded by everyone in the game who came into contact with him.
Patient Leeds overcome Hull with strong second half performance
At half-time this game was well and truly in the balance, and Hull City had enjoyed some moments in the first half. But once Leeds had opened the scoring in the second they had no response, and it was comfortable for Leeds in the end.
Leeds get one deal over the line as Tanaka arrives at Elland Road
The club’s official website announced the signing of Japanese international Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf today, though it remains to be seen whether we will land any more of our targets before the 11pm deadline.
Patience Pays off as Solomon signs for Leeds
As Manor Solomon joined us on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, the club were quick to justify their approach to the transfer market when they announced the news on the official website.
Farke hails the best performance of the season as we beat Wednesday
Leeds dominated the game from the start against a hapless Sheffield Wednesday, and at last there were signs of things starting to come together after a difficult start.