Saints have a giant problem (From Daily Echo)
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Saints have a giant problem
6:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Saints News
Nikola Zigic
Saints will have to deal with a giant striking threat that when they visit Birmingham today.
Nikola Zigic is the tallest player in the Football League, standing at an enormous 6ft 8in.
And the towering target man is coming off a stunning four-goal display in midweek for the Blues.
The Serbian doubled his tally for the season by accounting for all of Birmingham’s scoring in their 4-1 win at Leeds.
But Saints will have their own ammunition to counter any Zigic assault at St Andrew’s in this evening’s televised clash between the promotion rivals.
Jose Fonte is back to fitness again after a toe injury, having started Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Cardiff.
Full story in today's Daily Echo
Comments(74)
iswhite10
says...
7:28am Sat 4 Feb 12
Prit
says...
7:38am Sat 4 Feb 12
COYR
Chipster
says...
7:53am Sat 4 Feb 12
Hopefully NA will get the tactics right and we start the game as we did the second half against Cardiff, if we don't then we deserve all that comes our way. Midfield needs to be more aggressive and in they're faces, don't give them time on the ball which has been a bad habit of ours. I always fear for us in front of the Sky cameras because we tend to play like a pub side, perhaps now is the time to put this jinx to bed and put in a performance that justifies our positition in the Championship table!
If we do get turned over I don't believe it will be the end of the world, although it may feel like it. The teams around us will not win all of their games either, we just need to concentrate and get that winning belief back. Confidence is everything! COYR's! FOP!
letiss07
says...
7:56am Sat 4 Feb 12
COYR
RedArmy1
says...
8:03am Sat 4 Feb 12
Be in their faces and keep the ball in their half ...
Homework will have been done about their threat ..
We have plenty of our own threats ...
LET'S GET UP TO BRUM AND LET'S DO THIS !!!
We all follow SOUTHAMPTON
Over land and sea
(And .............)
We all follow SOUTHAMPTON
On to VICTORY.
We had a very good second half against Cardiff (Fatty-X missed it cos he was eating all the pies and boozing in the Josh Tree ..)
We should have got the WIN.
LET'S BEAT THE BRUM.
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON. COYR.
pitbull
says...
8:06am Sat 4 Feb 12
We had a fantastic run in to last season,,there's no reason we can't do it again.
Really looking forward to seeing Ricky and Billy up front with Lee in the hole.
iswhite10
says...
8:22am Sat 4 Feb 12
Chipster wrote:totally agree with you Chipster. Well said
If we keep our heads together especially at the back then things should be okay, for me our full-backs are the achilles heal. Also I'd like to see Kelvin make more of a presence in his 6 yard box and not be bullied!
Hopefully NA will get the tactics right and we start the game as we did the second half against Cardiff, if we don't then we deserve all that comes our way. Midfield needs to be more aggressive and in they're faces, don't give them time on the ball which has been a bad habit of ours. I always fear for us in front of the Sky cameras because we tend to play like a pub side, perhaps now is the time to put this jinx to bed and put in a performance that justifies our positition in the Championship table!
If we do get turned over I don't believe it will be the end of the world, although it may feel like it. The teams around us will not win all of their games either, we just need to concentrate and get that winning belief back. Confidence is everything! COYR's! FOP!
tugboat
says...
8:25am Sat 4 Feb 12
When you look at our threat,I wouldnt like to be the brum defenders looking down the barrels of ricky and billy sharp. The only concern for me is that they will resort to the long ball to the beanpole ,if he plays.
saints win but tight game.
RedArmy1
says...
8:30am Sat 4 Feb 12
iswhite10 wrote:Chipster ..
Chipster wrote:totally agree with you Chipster. Well said
If we keep our heads together especially at the back then things should be okay, for me our full-backs are the achilles heal. Also I'd like to see Kelvin make more of a presence in his 6 yard box and not be bullied!
Hopefully NA will get the tactics right and we start the game as we did the second half against Cardiff, if we don't then we deserve all that comes our way. Midfield needs to be more aggressive and in they're faces, don't give them time on the ball which has been a bad habit of ours. I always fear for us in front of the Sky cameras because we tend to play like a pub side, perhaps now is the time to put this jinx to bed and put in a performance that justifies our positition in the Championship table!
If we do get turned over I don't believe it will be the end of the world, although it may feel like it. The teams around us will not win all of their games either, we just need to concentrate and get that winning belief back. Confidence is everything! COYR's! FOP!
Good Point about Kelvin ...
Come on you Reds
Come on you Reds.
Hobson82
says...
8:30am Sat 4 Feb 12
RedArmy1
says...
8:35am Sat 4 Feb 12
RICKIE AND BILLY TO RIP THEM TO PIECES !!
ADAM LALLANA (x3)
RED ARMY. WE FIGHT - WE WIN.
torbay george
says...
8:38am Sat 4 Feb 12
franiow
says...
8:43am Sat 4 Feb 12
stjj
says...
9:01am Sat 4 Feb 12
Look at birmingham fc post code, B9 4RL. is this code for that will (be 9 goals for Rickie Lambert).......
worried of n e hampshire
says...
9:20am Sat 4 Feb 12
rob the saint in NZ
says...
9:22am Sat 4 Feb 12
Firstrowsports website shut down by US Homeland Security in their campaign against internet piracy!
After a little research though I have discovered that there is now a European subisdiary; "firstrowsports.eu" who have our game on their schedule.
Good luck to all us overseas fans trying to watch the game & COYR!
shaun_inuk
says...
9:29am Sat 4 Feb 12
rob the saint in NZ wrote:I wondered what "yanks" was rhyming slang for.... how pathetic.
News flash for overseas Saints fans preparing to watch the game via t'internet; Firstrowsports website shut down by US Homeland Security in their campaign against internet piracy! After a little research though I have discovered that there is now a European subisdiary; "firstrowsports
.eu" who have our game on their schedule. Good luck to all us overseas fans trying to watch the game & COYR!
shaun_inuk
says...
9:34am Sat 4 Feb 12
franiow wrote:The cold weather comes and Johnny foreigner forgets how to play.
We have strikers who have scored lots of league goals this season. Zigic has scored very few..he has just had one good game. Now this may mean he's just hitting form or it was a one off. Now we should be wary of Birmingham because they are a very good side, but so are we.
A day for a couple of Red & White British bulldogs in Billy & Ricky to illuminate the black country with some southern sunshine.
COYR!!!!
Tirau Dan
says...
9:40am Sat 4 Feb 12
I'd be amongst the most avid online supporter of the Echo but if I want to know about opposition player I'll go to their site... I did and watched highlights of the last games.. they'll be tough but a lot of their goals recently have been soft against poor defences.. We should take them apart.
Come on Echo.. time for a big SUPPORTIVE COYR banner headline. Calling the city to support to Saints all the way Every week you put up scary stories about the opposition.
How about a headline and story like:
LOOK OUT BRUM SAINTS ARE COMING FOR YOU.
The Championship top scorer Rickie Lambert backed by ten goal men Billy Sharp and Guly Do Prado have over 40 goals so far this year. In this game we can expect to see the classy top Japanese striker show the style that has a pack of journalist following his every move. Saints expect the cobwebs of injury lay offs to be behind them and will hit the on form Birmingham side with all guns blazing. Birmingham have scored a lot of goals recently but will be up against the experience of Jose Fonte and Kelvin Davis this evening. All Southampton wish Saints every Success COYR.
If you put up stories like that football fans will love you guys.. cheers.
Tizzstoes82
says...
9:55am Sat 4 Feb 12
My first post on here, so firstly let me say COYR!
Big game this evening and one I believe we can go on and get all 3 points. I do think a draw would be a good result, if, we beat the hammers.
I think NA will go with Lambert and Sharp up front and Lee will have to settle with the bench. Midfield wise, I think it'll be , Lallana, Cork, Hammand and Puncheon. MS making way for a move aggressive Hammond. Back four of Fox, Fonte, Martin and Richardson.
Does he go 4-3-3 and play Lee, Lambert, Sharp up front and Cork, Hammond and Spiderman in midfield, thus dropping Lallana? Doubtful but who knows.
Only NA knows but I trust him to get it right.
If you're going today, give a big cheer for me and let's get back to being positive, we've got plenty in the tank to see us to at least 2nd!!!
COYR!!
Sally Hamilton Original
says...
9:57am Sat 4 Feb 12
ghk230473
says...
9:58am Sat 4 Feb 12
Saints to win 2-1 sharp on the score sheet! I ain't got a parrot slim shirker that's from my budgie willy!
SaintMark
says...
10:09am Sat 4 Feb 12
letiss07 wrote:What he said! Been thinking the same myself, too many passes and no quick breaks! Coyr!
We need to be tight at the back but much quicker on the attack our usual 48 passing movement allows teams too much time to defend. Lambert and Sharp may yet prove to be the deadliest duo in the championship. COYR
Tony in Liberia
says...
10:14am Sat 4 Feb 12
Let's be positive, and look at the Leicester game as a blip in our new-found TV supremacy, rather than the norm!
redsnapper
says...
10:16am Sat 4 Feb 12
As for the game our squad now looks the business, more goals guarantted and just invest in some catching gloves for KD, that punch against the sheep shaggers was poor.
LoyalSaint
says...
10:27am Sat 4 Feb 12
Oldfan
says...
10:31am Sat 4 Feb 12
Baddesley Bill
says...
10:37am Sat 4 Feb 12
insane saint
says...
10:38am Sat 4 Feb 12
COYR
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:38am Sat 4 Feb 12
Looking back to early season how many games did we win following great substitutions by Nigel, so often the impact was instant. Injuries and loss of form have recently meant the bench has really only been there to cover for injuries during the game and not be strong enough to turn or chase a game. Now he has competition for the starting 11 and those that don't get in making up a strong bench chomping at the bit.
I appreciate all this "promotion is all" stuff but actually I want the title. The Championship is one of those trophies we are capable of winning along with the cups. Those that say we've only ever won one thing forget that 27 years in the top flight meant we didn't win lots of Championship titles like the yo yo clubs did. As we are going back for another 27 years can we win it this time - PLEASE!
redsnapper
says...
10:42am Sat 4 Feb 12
What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.
Tirau Dan
says...
10:43am Sat 4 Feb 12
Baddesley Bill wrote:get a couple of early goals and push all the way pummelling them into the Northern dirt.. almost as enjoyable spearing skates in the mudflats
I'd like to see us get a fast start today...go at them, get a couple of goals...and cling on if we have to COYR
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:49am Sat 4 Feb 12
redsnapper wrote:Oh dear, it's not their year is it?
I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.
But is it just bad luck?
Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
Tirau Dan
says...
10:57am Sat 4 Feb 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:That's why Britain gets foot and Mouth disease.. they should not use fish fertiliser in cow sheds. The one a Fratton is a prime example of poor farm husbandry. No kiwi farmer would put his stock in there.
redsnapper wrote:Oh dear, it's not their year is it?
I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.
But is it just bad luck?
Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
Baddesley Bill
says...
11:01am Sat 4 Feb 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Proof if proof were needed, that it is not just us and the HMRC that has it in for the skates...mother nature hates them too! :O)
redsnapper wrote:Oh dear, it's not their year is it?
I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.
But is it just bad luck?
Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
11:08am Sat 4 Feb 12
Baddesley Bill wrote:It's time for them to go quietly.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Proof if proof were needed, that it is not just us and the HMRC that has it in for the skates...mother nature hates them too! :O)redsnapper wrote: I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.Oh dear, it's not their year is it? But is it just bad luck? Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
11:09am Sat 4 Feb 12
Tirau Dan wrote:Blimey, so skate poo caused Foot and Mouth. They really are troublesome aren't they?
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:That's why Britain gets foot and Mouth disease.. they should not use fish fertiliser in cow sheds. The one a Fratton is a prime example of poor farm husbandry. No kiwi farmer would put his stock in there.redsnapper wrote: I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.Oh dear, it's not their year is it? But is it just bad luck? Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
gordongull
says...
11:11am Sat 4 Feb 12
shaun_inuk wrote:Zigic will feel right at home today.
franiow wrote:The cold weather comes and Johnny foreigner forgets how to play.
We have strikers who have scored lots of league goals this season. Zigic has scored very few..he has just had one good game. Now this may mean he's just hitting form or it was a one off. Now we should be wary of Birmingham because they are a very good side, but so are we.
A day for a couple of Red & White British bulldogs in Billy & Ricky to illuminate the black country with some southern sunshine.
COYR!!!!
Average temperature in Serbia for Dec'/Jan'/Feb': around +1 degree C.
These are the teams we need you to beat, to improve our chances of top six.
Good luck this evening.
insane saint
says...
11:11am Sat 4 Feb 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:into the night they will not fight and do not have the right to survive..
Baddesley Bill wrote:It's time for them to go quietly.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Proof if proof were needed, that it is not just us and the HMRC that has it in for the skates...mother nature hates them too! :O)redsnapper wrote: I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.Oh dear, it's not their year is it? But is it just bad luck? Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
11:13am Sat 4 Feb 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:I think you are confusing Foot in Mouth with Foot and Mouth?
Tirau Dan wrote:Blimey, so skate poo caused Foot and Mouth. They really are troublesome aren't they?
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:That's why Britain gets foot and Mouth disease.. they should not use fish fertiliser in cow sheds. The one a Fratton is a prime example of poor farm husbandry. No kiwi farmer would put his stock in there.redsnapper wrote: I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.Oh dear, it's not their year is it? But is it just bad luck? Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
Tirau Dan
says...
11:13am Sat 4 Feb 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Keep the cows away from the skate fans poor things will get mad cow instantly.
Tirau Dan wrote:Blimey, so skate poo caused Foot and Mouth. They really are troublesome aren't they?
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:That's why Britain gets foot and Mouth disease.. they should not use fish fertiliser in cow sheds. The one a Fratton is a prime example of poor farm husbandry. No kiwi farmer would put his stock in there.redsnapper wrote: I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.Oh dear, it's not their year is it? But is it just bad luck? Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
Confucious
says...
11:19am Sat 4 Feb 12
But Fear not - I have sent Nigel by courier twenty of my new 'Confucious Thermajocks' which will give us a major advantage in the freezing weather today.
The Brum players will have their regular polyester jockstraps with impact protection but no insulation whatsoever - and as sports scientists know an iced todger and severely contracted cold scrotum seriously diminishes concentration. Furthermore these standard jock straps have metal fasteners which can and do stick to foreskins in sub zero temperatures.
My Thermajock (patented), has unique lofted fibres which trap warm air and a double fastener made of non conductive (non stick) plastic. Our boys three piece suites will be warm as toast.
Away win!
batesieboy
says...
11:42am Sat 4 Feb 12
Ozmosis
says...
11:46am Sat 4 Feb 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Are you representing HMRC in court? If not, can you? ;-)
redsnapper wrote:Oh dear, it's not their year is it?
I see the skate swamp is frozen solid, game off , no income, they are fecked!! What a sh*te house parked in between the magnificent St Mary's and the equally good AMEX stadia.
But is it just bad luck?
Perhaps if they had invested in a new stadium with under pitch heating instead of paying Sol Campbell 50k a week and Harry 3m a year just maybe these things would have been avoided. So really it's their own fault.
SaintMax
says...
12:00pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Whiteley Saint
says...
12:45pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Mowyjoe
says...
12:57pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Whiteley Saint wrote:was a disgusting challenge as per usual from nolan, has to be 3 match ban
West Ham captain and best player Kevin Nolan just been sent off against Millwall.Will probably be suspended when we play them in a couple of weeks!!!!
DisplacedFan
says...
1:31pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Coyr!
ghk230473
says...
1:32pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Mowyjoe wrote:Disagree, thought he was going for the ball. I wouldn't mind our players going in like that.
Whiteley Saint wrote:was a disgusting challenge as per usual from nolan, has to be 3 match ban
West Ham captain and best player Kevin Nolan just been sent off against Millwall.Will probably be suspended when we play them in a couple of weeks!!!!
Mowyjoe
says...
1:36pm Sat 4 Feb 12
ghk230473 wrote:half our squad would be suspended if the tackled like that
Mowyjoe wrote:Disagree, thought he was going for the ball. I wouldn't mind our players going in like that.Whiteley Saint wrote: West Ham captain and best player Kevin Nolan just been sent off against Millwall.Will probably be suspended when we play them in a couple of weeks!!!!was a disgusting challenge as per usual from nolan, has to be 3 match ban
ghk230473
says...
1:40pm Sat 4 Feb 12
St.Yorkie
says...
1:41pm Sat 4 Feb 12
rocketone
says...
1:42pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Need Mllwall to step up
DisplacedFan
says...
1:42pm Sat 4 Feb 12
DisplacedFan
says...
1:48pm Sat 4 Feb 12
milton road
says...
1:58pm Sat 4 Feb 12
DisplacedFan
says...
2:16pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Mowyjoe
says...
2:18pm Sat 4 Feb 12
ghk230473 wrote:he took the man not the ball with his studs up, its a 3 match ban and if all our players tackled like that they would all be banned too
How far do you go, potentially all tackles are dangerous. You can't make football non contact.
DisplacedFan
says...
2:28pm Sat 4 Feb 12
COYR.
flashhart2000
says...
2:42pm Sat 4 Feb 12
It's on bloody telly.
rocketone
says...
2:44pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Big Boots
says...
2:54pm Sat 4 Feb 12
rocketone wrote:Looks like Zigic is out injured according to sky sports...
Must have expected WHU to win, but we can not be blamed for hoping Millwall would do better against 10 men.
worried of n e hampshire
says...
2:56pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Costa Baz
says...
3:32pm Sat 4 Feb 12
ghk230473 wrote:The ref we have today (Chris Foy) has, according to the BCFC site, officiated in 20 matches this season and has given out 71 yellow and 7 red cards.
Mowyjoe wrote:Disagree, thought he was going for the ball. I wouldn't mind our players going in like that.
Whiteley Saint wrote:was a disgusting challenge as per usual from nolan, has to be 3 match ban
West Ham captain and best player Kevin Nolan just been sent off against Millwall.Will probably be suspended when we play them in a couple of weeks!!!!
Seems like a very high percentage of reds, approximately 1 every 3rd game, so at a guess, he'll card players for giving dirty looks leave alone dirty play.
As the experts say, about defenders. Stay on your feet and don't dive in. Could be good advice for this ref in particular.
Chipster
says...
3:52pm Sat 4 Feb 12
DisplacedFan
says...
3:52pm Sat 4 Feb 12
zambucco
says...
4:51pm Sat 4 Feb 12
DisplacedFan
says...
4:52pm Sat 4 Feb 12
DisplacedFan
says...
4:55pm Sat 4 Feb 12
flashhart2000
says...
5:15pm Sat 4 Feb 12
rob the saint in NZ wrote:Love you man!!!
News flash for overseas Saints fans preparing to watch the game via t'internet;
Firstrowsports website shut down by US Homeland Security in their campaign against internet piracy!
After a little research though I have discovered that there is now a European subisdiary; "firstrowsports
.eu" who have our game on their schedule.
Good luck to all us overseas fans trying to watch the game & COYR!
DisplacedFan
says...
6:53pm Sat 4 Feb 12
ShakeyWiffles
says...
1:55am Mon 6 Feb 12
Seriously DE. Get some proof readers ffs!!!!
ShakeyWiffles
says...
2:04am Mon 6 Feb 12
Costa Baz wrote:My god, how right were you!!!
ghk230473 wrote:The ref we have today (Chris Foy) has, according to the BCFC site, officiated in 20 matches this season and has given out 71 yellow and 7 red cards.
Mowyjoe wrote:Disagree, thought he was going for the ball. I wouldn't mind our players going in like that.
Whiteley Saint wrote:was a disgusting challenge as per usual from nolan, has to be 3 match ban
West Ham captain and best player Kevin Nolan just been sent off against Millwall.Will probably be suspended when we play them in a couple of weeks!!!!
Seems like a very high percentage of reds, approximately 1 every 3rd game, so at a guess, he'll card players for giving dirty looks leave alone dirty play.
As the experts say, about defenders. Stay on your feet and don't dive in. Could be good advice for this ref in particular.
click2find
WobblyCat says...
6:23am Sat 4 Feb 12