Southampton At Sheffield United The Preview
Tuesday, 21st Sep 2021 07:45

Saints travel up to Bramall Lane in the Carabao EFL Cup to take on the Blades in a competition they have high hopes of another good run in after reaching the final in 2017, can they avenge the defeat in the same competition back in 2014.

Ralph Hasenhuttl will more than likely ring the changes in the Carabao Cup as they did in the previous round against Newport County, but such is the depth of the squad this season compared to a year or so ago the truth is that many of the players who are likely to step into the side at Sheffield United would have been considered first team regulars not so long ago or weren't at the club.

In goal Fraser Forster is likely to return and in the centre of defence there could be a debut for recent signing Lyanco after the injury to Jack Stephens at Manchester City.

At left back Romain Perraud could well feature although at some stage of the game Thierry Small could make a cameo role as a substitute. Yan Valery could well step in again at right back.

Big changes in midfield with Ibrahima Diallo, Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Tella all in the running with Armando Broja likely to start up front with perhaps Nathan Tella joining him.

One player who might stay in the side from Saturday is Adam Armstrong, after his opening day goal although his build up play has been good, he hasn't followed that up with a second and ralph might feel that a little shooting practice could be in order.

Even with Jack Stephens, Stuart Armstrong and Theo Walcott out injured Saints can still put out a strong squad with a sprinkling of promising youngsters.

Saints will be looking to make it 5 wins in a row against the Blades since that defeat in the same competition back in December 2014 and a win could see the draw open out for them.

It is important for Saints to get a win under their belts ahead of the home game against Wolves on Sunday, a game that they need to win to make it a solid start to the season, Ralph will want to get a winning mentality into his squad after tightening things up in the squad and making it 4 straight draws in the Premier League since the opening day defeat at Everton.

After a tough start to the season and solid foundations to build on, this game starts the real work, we need to get some wins under our belts not only in the Carabao Cup but the Premier League, this is a good opportunity to get back to winning ways.

Photo: Action Images

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underweststand added 13:16 - Sep 21

This is typical of the sort of Cup match against a lower league side is always a minefield.
It's the only chance for our " bench players" to get a real start and the opposition will be up for it with a chance of a giant-killing against a Prem. side -even if half our side aren't regular players at the top level.

Sheffield won't be " another Newport " and I expect them to put up a good fight. It may well be a close-run thing, but Saints " second-choicers " have a chance to DAJFU and see us through to the next round - even if it's a narrow win.
Our only problem seems to be... scoring goals ...as we must admit that the Newport result was a "one-off " and hardly likely to be repeated in the near future.