Unavailable:
Swansea – No unavailable players
Southampton – Gardoş, Rodriguez, Wanyama
Last Saturday, as Victor Wanyama
miscontrolled a simple ball to intercept, and then watched Dimitri Payet tip
toe around him, leaving the Kenyan clutching at thin air – I just had an
inkling, being the pessimistic person concerning Southampton, that it would
hurt Saints in one of two ways. Either the talented Frenchman would feather the
accelerator and make his way towards goal, and slam the ball into the net to
leave the press purring again, or the Saints midfielder would do something
completely rash, and unnecessary. It was the latter. The Kenyan attempted to scythe
Payet down with a scissor tackle that barely caught the man from La Réunion,
but his antics of waving his legs straight up into the air as if he was a
woeful synchronised swimmer did the trick. Yes, it could have been a yellow,
but the Saints man was dismissed, and I have already used all the adjectives
under the sun to describe how idiotic it was (that was one of those adjectives)
to leap in in the manner he did.
But I would now prefer to concentrate on the
aftermath of that incident, and the added grit that has levered Saints back up
the table. With a strong, organised spine, the team rallied, and remained
focused until the end bar one West Ham header that flew past Fraser Forster’s
left-hand post. After an uncomfortable start to the season, José Fonte has come
to the fore once again, and seems to be somewhat more adept in the
centre-centre-back role within that back five. As the last line of defence
before the opposition try to breach Forster’s goal, the Portuguese can order
and shift his team around as if he is looking over a chess board. Last season,
he was stuck on the right-hand side of the three centre-backs while Toby
Alderweireld was given the nod, but this time round, the Saints skipper has the
most responsibility. Marshalled by the Portuguese, and Oriol Romeu who was
roaming around the midfield with the necessary aggression to knock the Hammers
off their game, the team were also aided by leaving two up top which left a
lingering doubt in the visitors’ mind about how many men they should leave
back.
The workmanlike performance that has seen
them over the line in the last three outings will have to be mixed with a bit
of panache and style to see them take the spoils against Swansea though. The
hosts are on form currently with new manager Francesco Guidolin helping his
side away from the relegation zone. Well regimented, and blessed with flair,
the Swans just miss that Midas touch in front of goal. Bafétimbi Gomis is a
powerful presence, however he has been suppressed by a combination of injuries,
and a lack of confidence.
Meanwhile, Saints have a squad that is nearly
injury-free, with Florin Gardoş and Jay Rodriguez both making their way back
onto the pitch. The charge for Europe could be on when you realise the strength
in depth that they possess. A two-week break after this fixture will allow them
to rest, therefore a performance full of vigour and high intensity should be
expected by Ronald Koeman’s men in South Wales.
Key
Battles
Cork v
S. Davis: Jack
Cork will be desperate to impress after Ronald Koeman informed him in the most amiable
of ways that he would not be usurping Victor Wanyama or Morgan Schneiderlin
last season. Such was Cork’s hunger, he was discontent with being No. 3 in
line, and upped sticks to move to Swansea, where he slid into place perfectly.
A neat, tidy player whose tackling ability was often overshadowed by
Schneiderlin’s abilities, the former England Under-21 man, can also deploy
balls forward to hurt Saints, therefore it will be imperative to shut him down
early. Returning midfield maestro Steven Davis certainly has the tools to do
this. With the Northern Ireland captain back in the side, Saints instantly
become a better side, as he provides a certain doggedness along with a talent
to link play up, as well as a consistency that makes him a key man for Koeman.
Routledge
v Soares:
After going through several unsuccessful spells at various clubs at the start
of his career, it had been thought that Wayne Routledge’s talent would fizzle
out, as he slid down the Football League. He was however, revitalised at
Swansea, and even though he has been less prolific this season, he is still a
difficult player to contend with. Cédric Soares will have to be wary of the
winger attempting to race inside – or outside of him.
Possible
Line-ups
Swansea:
Fabiański
– Rangel, Fernández, Williams (C), Taylor – Cork, Ki – Ayew, Sigurðsson,
Routledge – Paloschi
Nordfeldt, Amat, Britton, Gomis, Montero,
Naughton, Barrow
Southampton:
Forster
– Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte (C), Bertrand, Targett – Romeu, Clasie, S. Davis – Mané,
Long
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