Southampton V Pool

After two weeks off its back to action with a first trip ever to St. Mary`s to play Southampton.

The saints are without midfielder Inigo Idiakez, his achilles injury has required the Spainish midfielder to go home to sought treatment. Defender Wayne Thomas who signed from Burnley this season also has the same problem. The saints are a free scoring side but also have defensive vulnerabilities, conceding 33 goals so far this season.

Since moving back to the Championship after his short stay with Spur Rasiak has been banging them in on the south coast, 21 last season but only 5 so far this term. The Saints have an abundance of striking options so it`s hard for any of them to get a consistent run in the team

The midweek Lancashire cup match provided a good run out for the injured trio of Ian Evatt, Adrian Forbes and Ben Burgess. Forbes and Burgess are nearing fitness after run outs in the reserve game against Chester. Evatt is still some way off but Burgess may make the match sixteen. He may be competing against new boy Bartosz Slusarski who joined mid-week on loan from WBA. Tony McMahon may drop to the bench with Crainey coming back into the side.

Since the start of the season the team have been crying out for a new striker, with Parker not hitting the net, Vern with only 1 league goal and Burgess out it`s a relief that someone has come in. With only 6 minutes English league experience under his belt he`s going to have to catch up with the pace.

It`s the first meeting at the new St Mary`s stadium, the last meeting between the two sides was in 77 in the old league two. The last win way on New Years Eve 1966 a 5-1 win.

I G Williamson - Berkshire - Games: 1 Yellow Cards: 4 Red Cards: 0
S A Child and A Matthews
Fourth Official A Rodda

Southampton 2 - 2 Blackpool

Football League Championship Norwich H 27-11-2007

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