Written by billythekid
Gary O’Neil was in charge of his sixth match unbeaten at Fulham on Saturday, since he took temporary charge of our team. Again the Cherries came away from Craven Cottage unbeaten, which extends the unbeaten run to eight games against them now, after sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Our next game is back at Dean Court on Wednesday night against our nearest neighbours in the Premier League Southampton at 7.30 pm.
If we either win or draw on Wednesday night, Gary O’Neil would equal Eddie Howe, who had a seven-game unbeaten run with AFCB in the 2017-18 season. For Gary O’Neil this would be in his first seven games in charge, some achievement for someone who at present is in temporary charge of the team, Eddie Howe did it after three seasons in the Premier League.
Ralph Hasenhutti has been the Saints manager since December 2018. When he took charge they were in 18th place and a relegation spot with 9 points after 15 games. At the end of the season, his side were safe in 16th place with 39 points. In his full season in charge 2019-20 after 10 games his side were in 18th place with 8 points. They finished the season in 11th place with 52 points. 2020-21 season after 10 games Saints were in 5th place with 17 points. They finished in 15th place with 43 points. Last season 2021-22 after 10 games Saints were in 14th place with 11 points. At the end of the season, they were in 15th place with 40 points. This season after 10 games they are in 18th position with 8 points.
Away from home Southampton have played 5 games and won 1 and lost 4. The win was 1-2 at Leicester. The five defeats were 4-1 at Spurs, 1-0 in the two games against Wolves and Aston Villa and 4-0 against Manchester City. At home, they have beaten Chelsea 2-1, drawn 2-2 with Leeds and lost 1-0 against Manchester United and 1-2 against Everton. Their most recent game against West Ham ended in a 1-1 draw which ended the recent run of four straight defeats.
The last time we met the Saints at Dean Court was our last home game of the 2019-20 season, it also turned out to be our last game in the Premier League after being in it for five seasons, until our return this season. It ended in a 0-2 defeat with the goals coming from Danny Ings and Che Adams, Ings also had a penalty saved by Aaron Ramsdale.
In all league games at Dean Court against the Saints, AFCB have W 5, D 3, L 5.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 8, D 9, L 15.
AFCB v Southampton
AFCB Win
Draw
Southampton Win
AFCB Team News
Probably a similar starting lineup as at Fulham, with no new injuries reported. Just Lloyd Kelly and David Brooks missing.
AFCB Player To Watch
Again for me it has to be two players, Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke. They seem to be building a good partnership and both players have scored and been involved in our goals in our last two games against Leicester City and Fulham. Our first goal against Fulham was a good crisp move, involving Billing assisting Solanke, who finished off the move in style by putting the ball into the top of the net.
Saints Team News
Moussa Djenepo missed the West Ham game through illness, as did Romeo Lavia with an injury. Tino Livramento is out with a long-term injury. In the game against West Ham, defender Armel Bella-Kotchap suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Saints Player To Watch
None of them have been outstanding, but Che Adams could be their threat up front, scored for them in Saints last win at Dean Court. The other player who can always be a threat from distance and especially at dead ball situations is James Ward-Prowse.
The Referee
John Brooks is in charge of this game, he was our referee for the home game with Huddersfield Town last season.
Your say…
AFCBade wrote…
Every prem win over the saints has been an evening ko so hoping that run continues – or did I just jinx it?!
Believe that with a couple of awkward away games coming up (West Ham and Leeds) plus spurs in between, this feels like a game we need to get a win. Saints tend to raise their game for us even if it is not a derby. Maybe a defeat for either side sees the end of the respective managers’ hopes of continuing in the job? Cue a draw! – Join the conversation, click here.
