Saturday 14 May 2016

PREVIEW: Southampton v Crystal Palace

Unavailable: Southampton – Clasie
  Crystal Palace – Cabaye, Ledley, Zaha, Chamakh, Appiah

So, it comes down to this, a shoot out for Europa League football on the final day of the season where Southampton could finish anywhere from 5th to 8th. Victory ensures 7th – but it could be oh so much more. Or maybe that is too greedy at the moment. 7th obviously represents a stab in the dark, as ironically, six days after this game, United will face Sunday’s opponents Crystal Palace at Wembley. Louis van Gaal’s men have not been the most reliable of units this season, and I’m sure that many Saints fans will feel odd supporting Wayne Rooney and his band of highly underachieving brothers.

If Saints could find a way into the Europa League football, it would be colossal for the club, as it acts as a real vehicle for progression, and the opportunity to showcase the players’ ability on a larger stage. Sure, the financial figures coming through it would be nothing to write home about compared to being part of the Premier League that will be dripping with cash, but it offers the chance to compete against some of Saints’ supposed equals abroad, as well as some pretty large fish.

HOWEVER, there is the rather important matter of actually obtaining those three points. Some seem to think that it will be a mere formality after slicing through City and subduing the supposedly sumptuous Spurs. They are incorrect – this has the potential to be a prime case of “after the Lord Mayor’s show”. Palace have the tools to rumble anyone within their squad – cup final or no cup final next week. Then, there is the small issue of Alan Pardew. How he would enjoy three victories over the club that gave him the sack after a 4-0 win at the sun-drenched Memorial Stadium in August 2010.

I am not suggesting that Pardew would have any malice for Saints, nor for Newcastle for that matter, as he will repeatedly claim before any such game like a pull-string toy. Yet, imagine Pardew tomorrow if he could secure a victory ahead of the FA Cup final when he gets home. He will probably crack open a beer and smile broadly whilst considering frustrating days under Nicola Cortese and Mike Ashley. There is also the small matter of the Palace boss and his squad catching a steam train home with fans post-match. Nobody wants to be sat opposite a discontented fan in an old style compartment after a tonking. Palace will be spirited.

It is also an opportunity for those such as Dwight Gayle to impress. The striker has rarely enjoyed a long run in the side, but he toppled Stoke last weekend, and will want to stake his claim for a starting position at Wembley. If not, then a chance to act as the hero from the bench. Also, I cannot see the Palace regulars leaping out of challenges like it’s a testimonial. Sod’s law dictates that they will then probably get injured walking their dog this week.

Saints should be equipped with the right mind-set. Unlike last season, they have come from the chasing pack, and are just behind United and West Ham who have been touted as Champions League potentials throughout the season. Ronald Koeman has been brave in recent weeks, adopting a 4-3-3 that features Jordy Clasie as one of the holding midfielders instead of using both Victor Wanyama and Oriol Romeu who focus on the defensive rough and tumble in the midfield. His reward could come on Sunday, and his side will be biting at the heels of United and West Ham.

Key Battles


Ward-Prowse v Mutch: On Friday, James Ward-Prowse signed a new long-term deal with the club, and it is in games such as these where he must step up now, and dictate play – particularly in the position which he seems to prefer – anchoring the midfield alongside the protecting figure of Victor Wanyama. In that quarter-back role, he can pick the ball up from deep, and spray passes to engineer openings. He has to imprint himself on proceedings and act as a creative figure at the back of the engine room. He will most likely face Jordon Mutch whose career has stalled slightly at Palace. He is an energetic box-to-box player, and Ward-Prowse will have to match him as well.

Fonte v Wickham: José Fonte has once again been Captain Fantastic at the back for Saints this campaign. As excellent as Virgil van Dijk has been, Fonte has marshalled him as well as Ryan Bertrand at centre-back on occasion, and has led the team from a sticky first half of the season to a resounding second half success. He will relish this physical battle with Connor Wickham who is a complete No 9. Should the Palace frontman have a season free from injury, he could creep onto Roy Hodgson’s radar. Wickham is not just a battering ram though – he leads the line with creativity and ingenuity, and Fonte will have to be prepared.

Possible Line-ups


Southampton: Forster – Martina, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, S. Davis – Mané, Tadić – Long

Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Romeu, Pellè, Austin

Crystal Palace: Hennessey – Ward, Dann, Delaney (C), Souaré – Puncheon, McArthur, Mutch, Bolasie – Gayle, Wickham

Speroni, Mariappa, Campbell, Jedinak, Adebayor, Sako, Kelly

Friday 6 May 2016

PREVIEW: Tottenham v Southampton

Unavailable: Tottenham – Bentaleb, Alli, Dembélé
                       Southampton – No Players Currently Unavailable

In this season which you think may have a low-budget ending of “and it was all a dream” at its climax, Tottenham and Southampton would both probably describe their respective campaigns as bittersweet. Probably around 25% bitter, 75% sweet. Spurs never had the title quite in their grasp – it was always a carrot that was dangled ever so slightly too far in front of them. Their young, hungry players leapt towards it, but their approach on Monday night highlighted that it had taken its toll on Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Distasteful didn’t really cover it as the visitors could see the trophy gleaming in Claudio Ranieri’s hands while the match drifted away from them. It must have also been incredibly frustrating that the first time Chelsea had genuinely fought this season was to ensure that their London rivals did not take the title. Yet Spurs have to look at the wider picture – not a video of Wes Morgan being wheeled around Jamie Vardy’s kitchen floor in slow motion. They have pushed and developed, and Pochettino’s tactics have proved a match for any opponent. They may need to be altered when they face crème de la crème of the Champions League, however that question should be for another day.

Saints should also be content with what they have offered. The word “if” will inevitably be banded about, but with a push for Europa League football still in motion going into the final two games – it has to be judged as a success. Saints just do not currently have the players to sustain a challenge for Champions League football, as consistency can elude them over the course of nine months. Yes, shabby cup performances should be analysed briefly, but in the summer.

Now is a time to look forward and gamble on grabbing as many points as possible in the next two games. Last Sunday’s demolition of City should have gone some way to fuelling the necessary belief for the chase. The losing Champions League semi-finalists were run ragged through a direct approach with Dušan Tadić at the core of everything threatening that Saints engineered throughout the afternoon. The Serbian attacker has not been in such fine form since Ronald Koeman’s honeymoon period at the beginning of last season. He glided from left to right, then dropped into the hole at times, and picked the visitors off to devastating effect. He propelled his team, who also showcased a gritty side to their game to deny City when they had plenty of possession at the start of either half.

That may well come in handy at White Hart Lane on Sunday, but that is not to say that Saints will not have an attacking presence in the game. Pochettino’s tactics are still based on blood and thunder high pressing, and Koeman can exploit that. Saints haven’t beat the North London side during the Dutchman’s tenure – or since their return to the Premier League for that matter – however Spurs will surely still have a hangover from Monday night. Saints have to strike while the iron is hot.

Key Battles


Mason v S. Davis: As a clear shot of Moussa Dembélé scratching away at Diego Costa’s face came to light, there was no doubt that a replacement would be required for this Sunday’s game. It is likely to be Ryan Mason. The England international is a useful squad player for Spurs, but is severely limited when compared to the Belgian. Mason covers ground well, and has the ability to put in a crunching tackle – but sometimes they are a tad too crunching. The Spurs academy graduate is liable to losing his head, and Saints must frustrate him on Sunday when they have the opportunity. Steven Davis will inevitably be ready to play a key role, nabbing the ball away from the home side before picking that sensible pass.

Walker v Tadić: As I mentioned previously, Dušan Tadić put in a stonking performance last Sunday, and that was partly due to the freedom allowed to him as he continually popped up on either side or in the centre. He will most likely be initially starting against Kyle Walker on Sunday. The right-back has matured immensely this season, but still marauds forward far too readily, and Tadić could punish him. The Serbian does not have great pace, however he is incredibly clever, and always seems to know the opportune moment to play the correct ball – particularly in the space which Walker will probably allow him this weekend.

Possible Line-ups


Tottenham: Lloris (C) – Walker, Alderweireld, Verthongen, Rose – Dier, Mason – Son, Eriksen, Lamela – Kane

Vorm, N’Jie, Trippier, Chadli, Wimmer, Carroll, Davies

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

Stekelenburg, Soares, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Romeu, Pellè, Austin