Unavailable: West Brom – Foster, Chester
Southampton – Forster,
Gardoş, Bertrand, Clasie
Southampton
and West Brom had something in common last Tuesday, as they both firmly
declined the interest of Tottenham in their respective players. While both
Victor Wanyama and Saido Berahino expressed their wishes to depart, the two clubs
decided that it was unacceptable to acknowledge any eleventh-hour bids for
crucial players. It was a clear stand from both clubs against player power. Reportedly,
Saints are particularly reluctant to conduct any business with Spurs as they
now constitute a genuine rival. This Saturday, both Wanyama and Berahino will
be thrust back into action, in what could prove to be an intriguing clash of
tactics from Ronald Koeman and Tony Pulis. It would be unjust to state that
Pulis only has one strategy though. Since his Stoke exit, Pulis has employed a more
diverse set of tactics including the long ball game, but also adding wing play
as an important component to his approach.
Southampton
will have to be resolute against that threat on Saturday – particularly in the
early knockings of the game, when West Brom will attempt to take advantage of
the fact that many Saints players have been away on international duty. Moreover,
Koeman will be wary of the Baggies pushing for an early lead in this game after
last term’s encounter at The Hawthorns. Saints seemed lethargic as the game
kicked off and the Baggies smelt blood; with Berahino scoring the only goal of
the afternoon as the ball dropped to him on the edge of the area. From that
point on, Southampton were unable to pierce West Brom’s stout resistance, built
on rigid organisation from Pulis. Koeman switched formation from 5-3-2 to
4-2-3-1 as Florin Gardoş was sacrificed in the first half, but it was to no
avail, as Saints lacked the necessary imagination to find a way back into the
game. Yet it will be unlikely that Koeman should have to make such a structural
change mid-game this weekend, after the success of his tactics against Norwich
last time out. He elected to switch back to a fluid 4-2-3-1 after the
disappointment of the “hoof it and hope” strategy in Denmark, and it paid dividends
with the Canaries being blown away. The task this Saturday is somewhat more
exigent though, as Saints have not won away in the Premier League in nine
attempts, and Pulis will be determined to secure West Brom’s first home win of
the campaign.
Key Battles
Fletcher v Ward-Prowse: It should be a classic battle in the middle of the
park as old comes up against young this weekend. Veteran Premier League midfielder
Fletcher is finally enjoying a good run of playing time at The Hawthorns after
horrendous injury troubles, and he acts as a leader and a vital vertebra in
West Brom’s spine. Often underrated at Old Trafford, Fletcher sits in the
midfield and picks the ball off his centre-backs before finding teammates upfield
with unerring accuracy, while also being strong in the tackle. Therefore, James
Ward-Prowse will have his work cut out this Saturday, if he is to impress once
more in his deeper midfield role with Oriol Romeu. The duo seemed very much
compatible against Norwich as Ward-Prowse put in one of his best displays in a
Saints shirt. Perhaps, he has finally found his role in the team, but this will
be put to the test by Fletcher. He will have to provide a connection from the
centre-backs to the No. 10 while remembering his newfound defensive
responsibilities. If Ward-Prowse becomes anonymous in the game, Fletcher will
undoubtedly take advantage. Koeman could decide to push Ward-Prowse further
forward, but he will still need to evade Fletcher’s clutches in order to form a
cohesive understanding with Graziano Pellè.
Lambert/Rondón v Fonte: Despite being an integral part of the team last season,
the Southampton skipper has not replicated that form so far in this campaign.
After putting in a decidedly nervous performance against Midtjylland, the
Portuguese helped Saints to a clean sheet last time out, however he was not
tested a great deal by the mercurial Cameron Jerome. This Saturday will prove
to be more of a challenge, as he will have to prepare himself for a physical
confrontation – possibly with a familiar face in the shape of Saints legend Rickie
Lambert. The England international will not only be a menace in the air but
also provide attractive one-touch play that his teammates can feed off. Moreover,
the Liverpudlian will be desperate to put in a good shift against his former
side. On the other hand, Salomón Rondón could be given the nod, but he only touched
back down in England today, after travelling back from international duty. West
Brom’s record signing was a prolific goalscorer in Russia, but it remains to be
seen whether he can be a success in the Premier League. Having said this, his
pace and power would keep Fonte occupied. Add in the challenge of having to
marshal Virgil van Dijk on his Saints debut, and the possibility of Berahino
feeding off either Lambert or Rondón, the Southampton captain will have to
demonstrate his abilities, in order for his team to have a fruitful trip to the
Black Country.
Possible Line-ups
West Brom: Lindegaard – Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Brunt –
Morrison, Gardner, Fletcher (C), McClean – Lambert, Berahino
Myhill,
Yacob, Evans, Gamboa, McManaman, Gnabry, Rondón
Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Targett –
Romeu, Ward-Prowse – Mané, S. Davis, Tadić – Pellè
K. Davis, Yoshida, Long, Rodriguez,
Wanyama, Martina, Juanmi
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