Saints face Norwich City at St Mary's looking to improve on their recent poor home form and chase down Newcastle United in the process.

For once i get the chance to right the preview for a game and not be sure of most of the players in it or even the formation, the first teaser for Mauricio Pochettino is the central midfield area, Jack Cork is likely to be out for a couple of weeks and Wanyama is also rated doubtful for this game, assuming that both are out the obvious replacement for the holding role would be Steven Davis, but who would come in to replace Davis ?

The manager could use either Gaston Ramirez or James Ward Prowse, but how would he employ either, or he could be bold and daring and bring Adam Lallana to a more permanent central role and give a chance to one of our wingers from the development squad.

This mini injury crisis could be a saving grace for Rickie Lambert, with Pochettino having to reshuffle he may not want to go to far, if he had a fit Wanyama it could have been he would have looked to freshen up the side a little and try something different, Rickie would have been the player most at risk if the manager had done that due to his lacklustre form of late that has seen only 2 goals in the last 10 league games and none in the last 5.

Elsewhere in the side i would expect Nathan Clyne to keep his place as he offers a better attacking option than Callum Chambers, the right back position has no first choice at the moment with both of them battling out and seemingly picked to suit the game that is being played.

For their part the Canaries are fighting against relegation, they sit four points above the bottom 3 at present, but some teams have games in hand, this is a game they will look to get something out of, they know a win would haul them within sight of safety, whereas defeat would leave them still with one foot in the abyss, such is the crowded dogfight in the final third of the table this season.

However with Sunderland playing Crystal Palace this weekend and a few other games which could see clubs around them pick up points, they know that if they are beaten at St Mary's they could see sides make up ground, if Palace were to win at Sunderland it would see that bottom three get that much closer.

One game both Saints & Norwich will have an interest in will be Fulham V Newcastle, if Fulham were to win aligned with a Saints win, we would once again leapfrog the Geordies, however for Norwich Fulham would now be on 24 and a gap would be closed.

If things go to form overall Saints should win this encounter, but on home form Norwich will feel they have a good chance, whilst we are certainly due a good win at home in the league, in the 8 games played in the Premier since we beat Hull back in November we have won only one of them, that being the 1-0 win over West Brom, add to that only 3 draws with the other 4 being defeats and its a measly 6 points from 8 games, put bluntly that is not good enough.

Norwich do not travel well though, in 14 games they have won only 2, drawn 2 and lost the other 10, the 32 goals they have conceded on the road is only beaten by one club Fulham who have conceded 34, likewise they have only scored 9 on their travels, bdetter than only Palace & Cardiff, certainly on their away form it should be a home banker.

But this might not be good news for Saints, if Norwich sit back and try to get a point then we struggle to break down sides, the key will be grabbing an early goal and force them to come at us a little and hope to beat them on the break.

If Saints harbour hopes of making that 8th spot then this is a game we have to win.

Photo: Action Images

TimSaint added 15:21 - Mar 14 I am half expecting Victor to play, however if not......... Only a suggestion, but how about playing Chambers at right back and Clyne at right midfield. Clyne would inject a bit of pace down the right flank and his crossing is pretty good. Davis can then drop into the holding role with Morgan, leaving Jay to sit out on the left and Adam to tuck in behind SRL. I am expecting JWP to be given the nod though and take to the field on the right. Would not risk Gaston for the whole game. Not sure he can perform for a full 90, so best to use him as an impact sub if required. Would also like to see a couple of youngsters given a run out - score dependent of course - but it looks like a couple of the promising ones have just been loaned out. Here's to a good game tomorrow and I'm hoping for Ricky to end his baron spell with a brace or better :o)

0

SaintNick added 15:56 - Mar 14 good points and i would like to see Clyne and Chambers both used in the same side
0

trampslykeus added 16:29 - Mar 14 Doesn't Chambers play Right Midfield for the England under 19s?
0

ericofarabia added 09:19 - Mar 15 I can see eveything falling into place today and a SRL brace in a 4-0 win will be just fine. Therefore get your fat arses down to Ladbrokes and stick some dosh on a 0-0 draw!!
0

Blogs 32 bloggers

Southampton Polls