“Man City away is our first game, and Manchester United, Wigan, Everton and Arsenal; great fixtures aren’t they?”
~ Nigel Adkins, on Southampton’s early season schedule
Oh, when the Saints go marching in… that is, into the Etihad Stadium to open the Premier League season on August 18.
Really, could the computer have been crueller to Southampton, who are only a month removed from their second-place finish to Reading? The Saints have drawn an away match at Manchester City to open their re-introduction to top football. In an interview with manager Nigel Adkins, the boss noted, “It’s great for us, absolutely”. I suppose that’s what he’s supposed to say. Why would Southampton want to avoid putting themselves up against the best? The only problem is the old adage, “careful what you wish for”. Compare that to Reading, who drew Stoke City – just a little big kinder, wouldn’t you agree?
Perhaps the high of playing such a great team in their first match could propel them to a good performance. Perhaps they can find themselves on the fortunate end of a penalty, or some other play that just can’t be accounted for by the quality of one’s players. Hell, if I were to play against City you can bet I would be rolling around like a baby because there would be no other way for me to get involved in the game.
But I do believe the team is excited. It’s great to see the team from the South coast play at the top again.
I always look forward to the announcement of the league schedule – I have no idea why. It’s certainly important, it just always seems anti-climactic. The first thing I look for is to see which are the biggest match-ups of week one. So, here you have the week one match-ups, with the games I feel will bring the most interest:
Manchester City v Southampton
Arsenal v Sunderland – Sunderland play Arsenal tough. Also, very interested in seeing RvP with the new signings of Podolski, and Giroud, along with a healthy Jack Wilshere
Everton v Manchester United – Everton a thorn for many teams. How will United do early in the season?
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur – the two were neck and neck down the stretch last season. Can one of them remain top-four contenders?
Fulham v Norwich City
Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City
Reading v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
West Ham United v Aston Villa
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
…until tomorrow, lads.
