Alex Hammond-Gilles previews Burnley v Southampton

How long have you been supporting Saints?

I’ve been a Saints supporter pretty much all my life, I’m not a season ticket holder yet, but one day... I will be.

What are your pre-match thoughts heading into the match with Burnley?

Saints fan Alex Hammond-Gilles

It’s a crucial game - almost a six-pointer for both teams despite us being in February.

Three points could catapult us on the road towards safety, and despite looking much better in recent weeks, this is the game to win.

Saints will be happy with the point against Palace, who are a difficult side to beat and we didn’t perform like we have been recently. It was a moment of quality from both Matt Targett and James Ward-Prowse to find the equaliser.

Burnley will be extremely disappointed following their game against Manchester United, having been 2-0 up with almost nine minutes to go, they ended up drawing 2-2, so maybe we should expect some form of bounce back.

In the transfer window, Burnley signed Peter Crouch, but Sam Vokes (who I’ve found to be a bit of a bogey player against Southampton) has left.

However, they do have quality in that side with Guðmundsson, Mee, Tarkowksi and Heaton at the back, which will make it difficult for the Saints.

Burnley will also have to go for it because, like us, they are in a relegation dogfight.

How would you set the side up for the game?

Angus Gunn in action against Chelsea

I think when we had five at the back against Crystal Palace, we looked a little bit slow in the build-up, which was very surprising, considering Ralph Hassenhuttl favours quick, free flowing football.

I’d like to go back to a 4-3-3, with Gunn in goal, he performed really well against Chelsea and then got dropped, which doesn’t really make all that sense to me.

McCarthy seems to have lost some confidence and that shot he conceded against Zaha, maybe he should’ve saved it.

Valery at the right back spot, he’s improving every game under Hassenhuttl’s guidance and could develop into a very good player. Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek in central defence.

Bednarek has been our best defender since he came back into the side after being frozen out by Mark Hughes and Vestergaard seems to have found his composure and confidence again since that costly mistake against Cardiff.

Jan Bednarek and Ralph Hasenhuttl

At left back, I cannot wait for the return of Ryan Bertrand. Matt Targett is decent and a very nice lad, but I don’t think he has great defensive ability, which Bertrand does have, as well as superior quality attacking-wise.

The three in midfield would be Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Callum Slattery and Oriol Romeu.

With Lemina out, I would like to see Callum Slattery given a bit of a run. He’s been promising for years now and I think he’s due his chance in the first 11, just like Valery. Hojbjerg has the flair and then you have an absolute rock with Romeu, which sets up a perfect midfield.

On either wing, I would go for Nathan Redmond who has been in absolutely fantastic form this season and seems to be enjoying his football, with another player who loves his football since he was also frozen out, Ward-Prowse.

And down the middle, no one else but Danny Ings, he gets into the correct position all the time and if the service is right, he will find the back of the net.

Saints [4-3-3]: Gunn, Valery, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Targett, Hojbjerg, Romeu, ONE MORE, Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Ings.

What are your thoughts on Saints not signing any players in the transfer window?

I’m quite disappointed with Southampton’s transfer window. We are in a relegation fight and we bring nobody in?!

Teams around us have worked around the clock to make signings. You look at Newcastle with Miguel Almiron, Crystal Palace with Michy Batshuayi. It’s worrying. It doesn’t fill fans with confidence in the board.

We let two of our best players leave thinking we have alternatives, when we don’t. Hopefully, we don’t get any injuries in certain positions (especially right back) because cover is looking quite thin.

What have you made of James Ward-Prowse’s recent form?

James Ward-Prowse

JWP has stepped up to the plate.

I’ve always admired him as a player and as a person. His ability in dead ball situations is unmatched in the Saints squad and he reads the game so well, he opens the game for teammates and will always provide an opportunity.

Who is it a big game for and why?

It’s a huge game for Saints and Burnley because both are looking to survive this season.

With Hassenhuttl’s arrival at Southampton, he has definitely improved Saints’ situation, whilst Burnley also have recently improved and sit on the same number of points, this is a six pointer.

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