However a look at the recent history of these two clubs would perhaps suggest that tussling for 8th isn’t actually a bad prospect at all.
United were in the Championship just four seasons ago and at that same time the Saints were in the league below. Southampton have done well, consolidating last season and pushing on this although the feeling with Newcastle is that we could have tried to push on a bit further although realistically a look at the top of the table would seem to suggest that the top six positions are somewhat settled before the season even starts so just how far we could “push on” with our, ahem, limited resources remains an open question.
Looking shorter term, three points are on offer and both sides will be looking for them. Southampton will want to win in front of their own fans whilst United will want to win to put the midweek defeat against Everton behind them. Which way it goes will depend on the day.
Southampton:
Mauricio Pochettino has a number of injury concerns ahead of the match. Nathaniel Clyne and Kelvin Davis are definitely ruled out while defender Maya Yoshida looks set to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Additionally Jay Rodriguez, Steven Davis, Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin all doubtful.
Newcastle:
Mathieu Debuchy and Loic Remy remained sidelined although the latter is expected to resume training next week. Tim Krul is also set to miss the next few games after picking up a knee injury so Rob Elliot will deputise. Davide Santon could be set for a return following his recent absence.
Previously…
The two sides drew 1-1 at St James’ Park back in December so there is no “league double” on offer this time around. What I can say is that this fixture tends to heavily favour the home side as the following figures are set to show.
On the South Coast (The Dell and St Mary’s) there have been 38 games played between the two sides. United have won just five times compared to 22 wins for Southampton with 11 draws making up the rest. In the North East 39 games have been played with Newcastle taking all the points on 29 occasions compared to just the four wins for Southampton with a further six draws between the pair.
That means that United just shade the overall head-to-head having won 34 of 77 matches to date. Southampton have won 26 matches with the points being shared 17 times.
Stats and facts…
Southampton have lost just one of their last 20 home league games against Newcastle. That was a 2-1 defeat back in September 2004 – a game in which Stephen Carr registered his one and only goal for United.
The last goalless draw between these sides was in 1972 at St James’ Park: 41 league matches ago.
Southampton have lost 18 points from winning positions this term – more than any other side- while Newcastle have gone on to lose all the nine matches in which they’ve been trailing at half-time – the worst record in the division.
Final thought…
I’m not sure whether it’s just me or if anyone else is feeling like this, but I’m honestly struggling to find myself getting motivated for these games. The reality is that we are where we’ll roughly end up come the end of the season and that has been the case for some time. It’s just not exciting having nothing to play for. dare I say it, but even the lingering threat of relegation last season was more enticing than what we are going through now. Having said that, a win is always welcome.
Alan Pardew will return to the stadium, if not the dugout, tomorrow and apparently we’ll notice his presence once more. I’m not quite sure what that means but if I was a player I’d consider wearing a skull cap, just in case. It will be interesting to see if there is actually any reaction because if I’m struggling for motivation then is it not at all possible for the players, despite the fact they are paid a fortune, to be feeling the same?
I hope not as the fans who have travelled the length of the country deserve much better than that.
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 29th March, 2014
Time: 3pm
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
I’m reading things like Southampton have bigger finances than us and can afford to invest more in their academy than us. Why is this when their owner is actually dead?
Also not really encouraged to hear Pardew say Ashley has agreed to splash the cash on a striker. One striker? Is that what he thinks we need? Sorry but there is something seriously wrong here. This football club is just no longer a sporting institution and I’m questioning what the point in supporting it is.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart17, not sure if the figures are correct, but it makes interesting reading….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_football_club_owners
Southampton are in the hands of the Liebherr trust, every one knows Liebherr I imagine ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Football, as the sport of the people and the proleteriat, has been kidnapped by big business. Despite their huge purported wealth, some owners like to play big, some like to play small. Ours apparently likes to play small, ably supported by wing man Pardew who can be relied upon for his nonsensical sound bites.
I know where you are coming from Stuart, but I fear the toon is too deeply entrenched in wor genes… :-).
I reckon with someone like Platini in charge of UEFA or FIFA, we may see a fight to bring the madness of the money in the EPL under control. Watch this space…
Munich Mag(Quote)
its all bs stuart if ashley wanted to take this club forward he could,but the man has zero ambition to take this club anywhere.as for pardew im sick of hereing the same ***** out of his mouth…as for the days game i hoping we can nick a draw but doubt it like southhamtpon are a good team,il sit and watch it on the android box with a few chilled ones like. 😆
hitman(Quote)
I would hope all the talk about our poor finances was smoke and mirrors from Pards to try and stop us getting quoted inflated prices in the summer….However after the last few windows I won’t hold my breath. “We couldn’t quite get them over the line”
Oblong(Quote)
Thanks Toonsy. Don’t see us getting anything out of this one tbh, which is a shame as I don’t particularly like the Saints that much. They have had good investment in the team though and look a competent side, more over the club has ambition to progress that much is obvious. Pity then we can’t say the same for our owner, unless you count safety and a balanced set of books as ambition 🙄 . Truth is Toonsy is spot on ,it’s very hard to get up for our remaining games when alls that’s on offer is probably 8th place 🙄 . I’m not that fussed if we get 8th or not tbh, if we aren’t aiming for top 6 and Europe then ,7 ,8,9, 10th it’s all the same to me. Anyway I want to see a committed whole hearted performance today what ever the outcome of the scoreline, and would be nice to see Cisse get a couple more too, but I do fear we’ll lose this one. Prediction 2.0 to the saints 🙁 .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Oblong, he can use as much smoke and mirrors as he wants but the fact is the whole world and his uncle know we have the Cabs cash plus some and therefor we’ll get held to ransom. Ofcourse Jabba won’t stand for that BS and we’ll inevitably miss out on our real targets ,assuming we actually have some 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Anyway on to today. What’s people’s thoughts on the team?
Personally I want to see some changes after the other night. Dummett and M’biwa to be dropped along with De Jong.
I’d go with
——————–Elliott——————–
Anita-Williamson-Coloccini-Haidara
————–Tiote—-Sissoko————
—————–Marveaux—————–
Ben Arfa————————Gouffran
——————–Cisse——————–
Subs: Alnwick, M’Biwa, Dummett, Santon, Gosling, Armstrong, De Jong.
I think that bench speaks for itself 🙄
Oblong(Quote)
Kim
I’m just trying not to get my hopes up. I’m expecting quotes like…
“Abeid has done well in Greece..He is like a new signing”
“Obertan has had a bad time with injuries since he came here. He has put that behind him now though and he is looking like a world beater in training”
“We decided to give Shola another year and with the number 9 on his back I’m sure he will provide us with the goals we need this season”
Oblong(Quote)
Oblong, I am curious as to how Abeid develops. Maybe we can at least make a bit of money from him..
Munich Mag(Quote)
I just hope the players put a shift in as tues was dire, so I expect to see a bit of fight and desire and maybe get a draw but I wont be surprised to see us struggle to get a point
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave , Agree totally mate , an improved performance is top of my list possibly even more than the result as last Tuesday we looked like a relegation confidence sapped outfit. 🙁 Contrast that with the shift the Scum put in against Liverpool the following night and you would be hard pushed as to who were the team in the ******* imo, sad but true. 😳
KIMTOON(Quote)
Manure get one back , Rooney 1.1 now , Moyes heartrate must be coming down a tad now 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)