PREVIEW: Southampton v Manchester City

Unavailable: Southampton – No Players Currently Unavailable

                       Manchester City – Touré, Silva

Of all the teams to fall foul of Ronald Koeman’s tactical tinkering in the last couple of years, Manchester City have not been one of them. When they arrived at St Mary’s last season, Southampton were challenging at the top of the table, and were about to face three self-appointed big boys within the course of eight days. They fell at the first hurdle. City are not well known for being tactically resolute, but Manuel Pellegrini’s men pushed Saints’ wing men high and quickly – the hosts simply couldn’t cope, and repeatedly lost possession. Pellegrini was cunning, and his players rammed three goals past Fraser Forster into the Chapel End goal.

Yet, City are rarely so adept at carrying out plans such as these – particularly without the guidance of leaders like Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta. Meanwhile, Joe Hart may be screaming, and screeching, and pulling out his hair which is so beautifully maintained by his Head & Shoulders, but his impact as a senior player is obviously reduced in goal. Alan Pardew noted a similar problem in his tenure at St Mary’s when Dean Hammond replaced Kelvin Davis as team captain. You rarely see one of Pellegrini’s men visibly rallying others and enforcing a plan, as opposed to giving it to Sergio Agüero and hoping for the best. To be fair, that often works. With Real Madrid to face at the Bernabéu in midweek though, the Chilean will no doubt ring the changes, possibly leaving his team somewhat dishevelled. The organisation that earned them a heartening stalemate at the Etihad could be left at the wayside, and that should play into Saints’ hands.

However, this will clearly be a tougher challenge than the one that faced them at Villa Park last weekend. That was a mere stroll through the various claret shirts who were supposed to be marking them. Four goals were notched with Saints barely getting out of second gear. Villa meanwhile, don’t even need an MOT. The car needs to be scrapped. Immediately. No, this will be one of those times where Koeman has to don his tactical cap, and figure out where to hit City, and when. Three words spring to mind. Quick. Direct. Central. It may not be pretty, but it could well be effective enough to stifle the visitors on Sunday. This game was made for Shane Long and Sadio Mané to disturb a backline that will probably be without Vincent Kompany.

It would be fair to speculate that the Dutchman will revive the 5-3-2 formation for this game with the strength of City’s attack initially, and see how the game pans out. If his attack is suffering, he has a complete squad to choose from, and change his side at any given moment with a quick alteration of shape. The Saints boss will most likely believe that only a win will be necessary to usurp and Liverpool and West Ham in the hunt for Europa League football, and the added firepower of Jay Rodriguez and Charlie Austin could force the issue from the bench.

Key Battles

Wanyama v Delph: This will be a test of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad, and one man who will be desperate for a game is Fabian Delph. Predictably, Delph has been unable to bridge the colossal gap of talent that exists between Villa and City, and although Fernando and Fernandinho do not fit into the world-class talent bracket at the Etihad, they are superior to the Leeds academy graduate. An “up and at ‘em” attitude does not make a top Premier League performer, but Delph will want to prove naysayers such as myself wrong ahead of the Euro’s. Victor Wanyama’s role will be crucial in this game – breaking up City’s attack and get Saints on their way. The Kenyan is often at his most active when the opponent is on the front foot, therefore Sunday’s game should see him perform well.

Long v Mangala: A City fan once told me that if you are in the Champions League then you will be forced to pay through the roof for any sort of marquee signing. Eliaquim Mangala is a stunning example of this – a mere £30m for a player who permanently looks uncomfortable and awkward at the back. That encounter at St Mary’s last season was a glaring example of his inabilities. In a match where his team were so incredibly at ease, the Frenchman still managed to pick up a senseless couple of bookings to earn an early wander to the away dressing room. He will most likely be given an opportunity on Sunday. Ronald Koeman’s message to Shane Long should be clear. Stick to him, and then run off his back – every single time. City will most likely play with a high line, and the Irishman could wriggle away from the centre-back from the off.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Forster – Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte (C), Bertrand, Targett – Wanyama, Romeu, S. Davis – Mané, Long

Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Clasie, Rodriguez, Tadić, Pellè, Austin

Manchester City: Hart – Zabaleta (C), Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov – Fernandinho, Delph – Navas, Nasri, Sterling – Iheanacho

Caballero, Sagna, Kompany, Fernando, Bony, De Bruyne, Clichy

PREVIEW: Aston Villa v Southampton

Unavailable: Aston Villa – Amavi, Agbonlahor, Okore

                      Southampton – Austin

Randy Lerner’s statement on Friday surely came with good intentions as the American looked to bridge the colossal chasm between himself and Villa’s long-suffering fans, who have no doubt been preparing fresh bed linen all week on which to scrawl messages to display their immense discontent. Ahead of this weekend’s game, Lerner looked to employ a “man of the people” stream of consciousness approach to convey how much pain he was feeling as the West Midlands club had their inevitable relegation confirmed last Saturday at Old Trafford.

At one point, he stated that the memory of “Ashley Young scoring a late winner against Everton still romantically nourish[es]” him. Now, imagine if the similarly maligned Rupert Lowe penned a note to Saints fans in 2005 upon their relegation to the Championship declaring how his last waking thought of the day was always devoted to Brett Ormerod notching against Watford in the FA Cup semi-final. Surely, it just isn’t an acceptable moment to say such a thing. Fans want to know what is going to happen to their club, and gain as much objective information as possible. Of course the American cannot disclose every last nugget of intelligence from the boardroom (although that would make an excellent fly-on-the-wall documentary), but those words should have been solely concentrated on Villa’s future. To be fair to him, at least he admitted full responsibility for the club’s slide into the second tier.

The playing situation is not ideal for caretaker Eric Black either. Gabriel Agbonlahor has continued his downward spiral with some more ill-inspired choices while it also transpires that Jores Okore doesn’t really fancy the prospect of turning out for an already-relegated side. Other players who have at least made it onto the pitch seem to be completely lost – like hedgehogs being forced to find food when they should be hibernating. Southampton simply have to take advantage on Saturday if they are to keep that faint flicker of Europa League qualification alive. Ronald Koeman has plumped for a 4-4-2 in recent weeks, and must do the same at Villa Park. It pinned Newcastle back. It pinned Everton back. And it will certainly pin Villa back. A blood and thunder approach with impetus coming from a driving midfield will be required to force their timid opponents into reverse gear. This may not be a game for Steven Davis to start – he is remarkably tidy, but not obviously built for either wide position, and more defensive-minded players will be needed in the central midfield slots.

As much as that approach should prove to be effective, Saints must sustain it, and not become impatient should Villa manage to cobble together a backbone. Yet with Koeman’s often direct approach – peppering the opposition box with teasing crosses – the visitors to Villa Park could become that nagging doubt for United, West Ham and Liverpool if they collect three points.

Key Battles

Bacuna v Clasie: Leandro Bacuna has plummeted below the expected level of a Premier League footballer this year, but remains in the midfield alongside Ashley Westwood. He has not been adequately disciplined in the engine room – leaving opposition defences vast amounts of space to break into. Jordy Clasie should seize on this, and pick Sadio Mané and Dušan Tadić out, if they delve into a central area to leave Saints’ full-backs with more space. Ronald Koeman continues to show faith in Clasie, and will most likely leave the impressive Steven Davis on the bench in favour of him on Saturday. He will not get a better chance to put his mark on a game.

Ayew v Fonte: Villa recently cancelled their Player of the Year Award, but had they not, Jordan Ayew would have won it at an absolute canter. Direct, strong, and fleet-footed, he has been the sole bright spark in a below-dismal season for his side. Over the channel, he has always been outshone by older brother André, and that continued as the Swansea recruit of last summer impressed in his early days in South Wales, but Jordan continues to lead the line well for a permanently beaten team. A mid-table side could do far worse than snapping the 24-year-old up in the summer. José Fonte will have to control his team in what could be a vile atmosphere at Villa Park while keeping a careful eye on Ayew, and if the home side are to have any joy, the striker could well be a central figure.

Possible Line-ups

Aston Villa: Guzan – Hutton, Richards (C), Lescott, Cissokho – Bacuna, Westwood – Gil, Gueye, Sinclair – Ayew

Bunn, Clark, Sánchez, Kozák, Lyden, Gestede, Grealish

Southampton: Forster – Martina, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Tadić, Clasie, Wanyama, Mané – Long, Pellè

Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Romeu, Ward-Prowse

PREVIEW: Everton v Southampton

Unavailable: Everton – McCarthy, Browning, Hibbert, Jagielka

                      Southampton – Austin

Eight months ago, Everton visited a buoyant St Mary’s drowned in sunlight with Southampton fans expectant ahead of their Europa League tie with Midtjylland. What followed was the strongest performance that Saints have faced this season as of yet. Roberto Martínez’s men would suck their opponents in, and then spit them out again, but ever so elegantly. The hosts sprayed the ball around in the early exchanges, yet whenever they made a serious foray into the attacking third, the Toffees would snuff it out instantly, and then gallop forward – streaming away to leave Saints trailing in their wake. It was the complete away performance and Everton looked to be primed for Champions League qualification.

Well, that hasn’t quite happened has it? And were it not for Everton’s upcoming cup semi-final against United, then the tension around Goodison Park may have reached an untenable level for Martínez this summer. A side brimming with talent leaks goals on a regular basis, to the point where the drab stalemate that they nabbed in midweek at Palace may well have been regarded as an achievement. Such has been the meek effort this season, that the seemingly mild-mannered Leighton Baines recently questioned the chemistry in the team – the left-back who has spent a number of years in the role of Martínez’s talisman. It tells a story. The former Wigan boss has never had to face criticism during his time in England – earmarked as a young, forward thinking intellectual who would drive the Merseyside club further than David Moyes ever had. The Scot may not have always been exciting, but no one could ever doubt the backbone of a team that featured Lee Carsley and Thomas Gravesen. Martínez’s side is undoubtedly talented, but his side can topple quicker than a pyramid of cards.

Yet he could not have handpicked a better opponent to visit Goodison Park this Saturday in terms of a recent favourable record. Saints’ performances have been decidedly better across Stanley Park at Anfield, but have struggled under the weight of Everton’s attacking prowess on the blue half of Merseyside. That prowess could be significantly weakened though – Ross Barkley and Aaron Lennon are both major doubts for this match, and their absence would dramatically reduce the Toffees’ threat as a driving force. That should allow Saints to concentrate a little more on their own attacking merit.

Sadio Mané, Steven Davis and Shane Long will all have the creative license to break beyond Everton’s defensive midfield to threaten, while Graziano Pellè has become a very effective focal point again. This is largely due to the fact that Victor Wanyama and Jordy Clasie are emitting confidence from the base of the engine room. But will it be enough to break the Goodison hoodoo?

Key Battles

Lukaku v Van Dijk: Oh how José Mourinho must be sitting uneasily at home witnessing what he could have built at Chelsea with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in his ranks. They fled for pastures new – unable to flourish in West London – and their careers have blossomed elsewhere. Even in this tricky season for Everton, Lukaku has been better than ever, bulldozing through defences with pace, power and clever positioning. He is a complete striker, and will provide a real test for Virgil van Dijk. The centre-back continues to excel, and he will relish that physical battle on Saturday. The challenge will be not to be too distracted by the Belgian, allowing others to break into space.

Stones v Mané: The other thing that has dramatically changed since the start of this season has been the value of John Stones. The centre-back gave a masterful performance at St Mary’s in August, but has struggled in recent times, and has lost his place in the side due to the emerging Ramiro Funes Mori – the left sided centre-half adds balance alongside Phil Jagielka. But the elder statesman is currently unavailable allowing Stones to prove his maturity. This Saturday, he could well be faced with two difficulties a) Graziano Pellè revelling in a physical tussle with him, and b) Sadio Mané running directly at him. The latter may prove to be a somewhat more difficult task if the Senegalese is part of a forward three and cutting in from the left. This will leave Stones and Seamus Coleman with a decision of how to thwart the attacker as he attempts to slip between full-back and centre-back.

Possible Line-ups

Everton: Robles – Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines – Bešić, Barry (C) – Deulofeu, Mirallas, Koné – Lukaku

Howard, Gibson, Oviedo, Niasse, Barkley, Pienaar, Holgate

Southampton: Forster – Martina, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Clasie, S. Davis – Long, Mané – Pellè

Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Tadić, Romeu, Ward-Prowse

A chat with the creators of a Sunday League beer? Mine’s a pint please

Credit: Lee Turner

If you’re sat down in front of the telly on Saturday night, you could grab a can of this delicious IPA to accompany your viewing of pundits in questionable shirts as they praise Saints’ recruitment policy once again…

Stood in the centre of Oxford on a Saturday in the build-up to Christmas last year, I felt two things: a) Pissed off at the hordes of people continuously barging their festive cargo into me, and b) Craving a pint after a self-imposed weekday drinking ban.

With that in mind, my friend and I sought refuge in the craft beer bar-cum-pizzeria, Beerd. Wandering up to cast my eye over the array of beers on tap, one immediately stood out – Sunday League Relegation Playoffs. I’m a complete sucker for some football related novelty, and after one sip of this tasty red IPA, my Scroogeish mood had been banished by the power of hops.

I later discovered that this was in fact the second of two ales sharing the same name made by a collaboration between two breweries – Hopcraft Brewing in South Wales, and Wild Weather Ales to the south of Reading. Intrigued by this two legged affair, I made my way to meet one of its innovators, Iain Clarke at Wild Weather, who told me about how its unique name came about.

“The name is a bit of a play, because essentially you’ve got six or seven core, well-known [craft] brewers in the country. Basically, whenever they do a collaboration, Facebook goes nuts about it. All the internet goes nuts about it. People will spend silly money on these beers.”

“When you’ve got two little unknown breweries so to speak, nobody cares. Hence, Sunday League Relegation Playoffs! There were a few names that were banded about like the Friday Night Covers Band. It was all just a friendly jibe. Everyone else does these big beers but we’re both shit, and sort of having a bit of fun with it!”

This analogy is a perfect example of what Iain describes as the “great community feel” that exists amongst smaller breweries. The tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation shared between Wild Weather and Hopcraft is similar to the relations held between clubs at non-league level, all of whom are well aware of their place in the established order.

But how did the taste of the two beers link to the idea of blokes hoofing a ball around on a gusty Sunday afternoon? The first ale was a session stout with “oranges for half-time”, which has obvious Sunday League connotations – it may not be the opportune moment for your centre-back to glug a pint down at the break though. On the other hand, the red IPA has more of an unintended Wimbledon theme with it being a “fruit based beer that stinks of tinned strawberries. There’s no real connection to any sort of football,” according to Iain.

Yet, when I asked him about the likely winner in a two legged tie between the two beers, Iain joked that the red IPA would triumph despite its lack of footballing pedigree, because “the stout would be a fat man!”  We can only hope that Hopcraft Rovers and Wild Weather FC will meet again for a re-match – although both deserve promotion.

PREVIEW: Southampton v Newcastle

Unavailable: Southampton – S. Davis

                       Newcastle – Elliot, Mbabu, Haïdara, Krul, Good

Newcastle fans have rarely enjoyed their long trips down to Southampton in the Premier League era. They have witnessed implosions from their side, as well as moments of unbridled brilliance from those in red and white. No doubt the image of Matt Le Tissier running with one arm aloft sporting the 93-95 Dimplex strip is etched on the retina of many a Geordie. Then there is the more recent pain. Three consecutive defeats with an aggregate score of 10-0 at St Mary’s. That record is almost too good for Saints fans – the inevitable anomaly has to strike at some point. The question is – will it come this Saturday for Rafael Benítez’s first victory at the club?

The season started at the Bernabéu and will end in a grim relegation scrap for the Spaniard, and while no one can question his hunger for management – you have to wonder why he has taken on such a job. His stock was high following his inevitable sacking at Madrid, and he could have waited until the summer for another opportunity, but evidently the challenge at Newcastle was too appealing. You could argue that it is a win-win situation for the Liverpool boss. If he keeps the North-East side in the top tier, he will have praise heaped on him from all directions, and have a prestigious club to re-build before next season. And if the Magpies slip through the trap door then you can justifiably point to the soap opera that is becoming more tired by the day at St James Park. It would leave a blemish – albeit a small one – on his impressive CV though.

That first win is crucial – particularly after one point from a possible nine in the last three games. Benítez’s new side have raised their level on occasion throughout those games, and have a degree of attacking flair, but there has to be more spirit from the spine of the team. Too many times did they allow Norwich to wander through for a chance on goal last Saturday, and the Magpies defence was unable to give any protection to reserve ‘keeper Karl Darlow. The former Forest man has seemed distinctly uncomfortable when in between the sticks, no doubt suffering second stopper syndrome – when the ‘keeper who’s on the bench plays no football whatsoever, whether that is in the first team or with the Under 21s.

You would imagine that this is where Ronald Koeman would concentrate his efforts – a direct approach going straight down the visitors’ throats. If Victor Wanyama and Jordy Clasie can get to grips with Jonjo Shelvey spraying early balls to Aleksandar Mitrović, then Newcastle’s primary outlet will be cut off, and Saints can retain possession to control the game. The return of Shane Long will most likely leave the visitors’ rearguard unsettled, and Koeman’s men need to just pin their opponents in. If they can, maybe they will add to that St Mary’s aggregate score.

Key Battles

Long v Taylor: Steven Taylor is a Newcastle stalwart, but his involvement over the last few years has been severely limited due to significant injuries. His stop-start career in recent times can leave him off the pace when he returns, and Shane Long could seize on this. The centre-back is slow on the turn, and if partnered with the sometimes erratic Chancel Mbemba, both could be stranded if Saints pressure the duo on the ball.

Ward-Prowse v Tioté: With Steven Davis unavailable for this game, it could present an opportunity for James Ward-Prowse. The Saints academy graduate played his part well in the Liverpool game when he came off the bench to occupy the third central midfield role. He linked the play together and was clever in his movement to stretch the Reds’ defensive midfield. Cheick Tioté is another Newcastle player who has not performed well in a black and white shirt for some time now. While he can be strong in the tackle, he is often reckless, and does not manage games effectively. Ward-Prowse should be able to test his abilities on Saturday.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Forster – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Clasie, Ward-Prowse – Long, Mané – Pellè

Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Tadić, Romeu, Martina, Austin

Newcastle: Darlow – Janmaat, Mbemba, Taylor, Dummett – Shelvey (C), Tioté – Townsend, Wijnaldum, Sissoko – Mitrović

Woodman, Coloccini, Cissé, De Jong, Lascelles, Pérez, Rivière

PREVIEW: Leicester v Southampton

Unavailable: Leicester – James

                      Southampton – Gardoş

The hour’s gone forward. The sun is out. The season is on the final straight. And Southampton are prepped and ready to fight for European football. With the exception of Florin Gardoş, Ronald Koeman has a completely fit squad to face a semi-satisfactory run-in. Half of Saints’ remaining fixtures have to be put in the “fairly tricky” category, but categories have such as these have been lobbed out of the window this season anyway. Form and points count more, and if the Liverpool comeback didn’t inspire the team, then nothing will to be frank.

Such a rousing comeback has not been seen at St Mary’s since Jonathan Forte and Lee Barnard turned MK Dons over in 2011, and wave after wave of Saints pressure shunted the Reds out of the way. Power and pace were the order of the day, and some of the play was riveting. It was direct, and it was effective. Even in the periods where Koeman’s men have picked up during this season, it has not been scintillating stuff beyond a win at Stamford Bridge, but when they smelt blood a fortnight ago, they ravaged Jürgen Klopp’s bright new hopes.

Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mané came off the naughty step with devastating effect, and reminded Saints fans why there was so much hype about them at the start of this season. Although Mané notched two clinical goals, it was Wanyama’s display that was a personal highlight. The sheer amount of second balls that the Kenyan won in midfield gave Saints the platform to camp out in Liverpool’s half, and shove the pendulum over in the home side’s favour. It was also the way that he interacted with Oriol Romeu that proved to be key. In previous times when the two have sat together in that defensive midfield role, they have trampled on each other’s toes, and have failed to discover a suitable level of comprehension. Yet on this occasion, they complemented each other to good effect to let Mané and co terrorise Liverpool’s fragile core.

They will have less luck with Leicester’s back four this Sunday. Claudio Ranieri has engineered a side that is built on a spine where the vertebrae have been unaltered this season for an obvious reason – consistency usually brings success. The Foxes have kept on steamrolling over the various patronising comments to leave them as undoubted favourites to lift the crown. That rigid base is supplemented by the now well-documented talents of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy who have fired them up the table with a mix of sumptuous skill and drive, that renders defences incapable of restraining them.

But Saints have aspirations of their own, and Koeman’s men will never stand on ceremony against “superior” teams. The Dutchman will hope to irk the neutral on Sunday with an unlikely victory at the King Power.

Key Battles

Kanté v S. Davis: It is rare that a manager has enough trust in his central midfield that he doesn’t consider it a risk to only play two men in there, but the high level of performance from Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kanté has been so consistent that it is completely understandable from Claudio Ranieri. Drinkwater is neat and tidy, but Kanté is a different breed of midfielder. He does not just merely safeguard the defence. The Frenchman instigates moves when he has the ball, but patrols the midfield when he does not. Hustling. Harrying. Regaining possession. Then setting his teammates away and driving on. Hovering and alert to whatever danger may be coming. Drinkwater and Kanté have the presence of three midfielders, leaving Ranieri with the ability to play two strikers.

Ronald Koeman rarely uses only two in his engine room, and Steven Davis is likely to be that third man who will look to evade Kanté’s shadow. Ironically, despite probably only being second in the ranking to be the club’s player of the season, he dipped far below his high standards in the comeback against Liverpool – constantly losing possession. Yet an improved showing from the Northern Irishman for his nation in his last two outings should give him the confidence to believe he can overcome Kanté.

Okazaki v Fonte: Shinji Okazaki is often the forgotten man in Ranieri’s attacking options but he has been a key figure in their title push. Able to slot in up top or on the left, he gives balance and versatility to the Foxes, and has an infectious work rate. If Saints commit any errors, he will seize on them, and José Fonte will have to be cautious after his disappointing first-half performance against Liverpool. It is likely that that was due to Koeman’s instructions in the first period though – which saw the Portuguese at left centre-back. The Saints captain simply cannot operate in that position, and Daniel Sturridge ruthlessly exposed the Portuguese’s awkwardness stood to the left of Virgil van Dijk. Back in his natural slot, he will hope to quell the Japanese.

Key Battles

Leicester: Schmeichel – Simpson, Morgan (C), Huth, Fuchs – Mahrez, Kanté, Drinkwater, Albrighton – Okazaki, Vardy

Schwarzer, King, Schlupp, Gray, Ulloa, Wasilewski, Inler

Southampton: Forster – Martina, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Romeu, Wanyama, S. Davis – Mané, Tadić – Pellè

Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, Clasie, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Austin