What would never have seemed a big clash in any form has altered drastically this season; Ronald Koeman’s Southampton current hold second place in the league table, and have been actively warming that crucial spot for some time. Nibbling at the fast-paced heels of the Saints boys is Manchester City, a side that are often so formidable that other teams battle hard to beat them to the top. However, the roles seem not so much reversed, rather totally turned on their heads.
Manchester City vs Southampton: Saints and the City
This Premier League spell has been one great triumph for Saints after another, earning them the glorious accolade of the best defence in the division, whilst their talents up the field have been magnificent. What fans and avid Premiership viewers assumed would only become a series of painful tumbles downhill for the south coast club, after selling their most efficient players, has emerged as something even more mesmerising than their climb up the ladder last season.
For Manchester City, the first few weeks were a tad lifeless, with supporters probably enduring raised stress levels seeing their dear club go through the sort of struggles they don’t typically have. Although, it must be accounted for that the start of the season is often a tad shaky, with teams needing to build up their muscle and ambition, rather than beginning all guns blazing.
Recently for the Mancunian side, it has all picked up; their most notable climax being their 3-2 victory over the Kings of Germany, Bayern Munich, in the Champions League. Anybody cheering and Mexican-waving from either the crowd or soft sofa at home will have been chiefly grateful of Sergio Agüero. Following the penalty that awarded Agüero the chance of his first goal, a successive streak of menacing power continued, fully entitling him to champion status in such a dominant tournament.
This fact alone should be enough to concern Koeman and his men; if Pep Guardiola looked dazed, confused and saddened, as the boss of the best German side in the Bundesliga, then poor Mr. Koeman has every right to be a little apprehensive. However, this is football; there’s nothing to explicitly say that Saints can’t do what Bayern failed to.
Manchester City haven’t lost a game since their fixture against West Ham on 25th October, whilst Saints haven’t lost since facing Tottenham on 5th October; this conveys that Saints have enjoyed a cleaner record of late. They have won six of their prior eight matches, with none of the remaining two being losses. Despite their draw against Aston Villa in the last game week, it didn’t affect their place on the board, and they will have built up a real hunger to win their following fixture.
Perhaps the most worrying factor going into the weekend that will unveil what lies ahead is merely the knowledge that Saints are second in the table, and City are third. This is surely enough motive for Agüero and co to aim to annihilate Saints on St. Mary’s soil.
In terms of manpower, Saints have bucket loads. Dušan Tadić links sublimely with Graziano Pellè in attacking position, which has been aided confidently by Sadio Mané, who has made excellent contributions in matches following his Saints debut. In terms of goals, Morgan Schneiderlin has impacted, whilst Victor Wanyama and Nathaniel Clyne have jumped at the chance to add to the tally. The strength up front is complemented by that of the defence. Fraser Forster is more than sturdy in goal, and blocked ideally by Clyne, José Fonte and Ryan Bertrand, completing Saints’ drive, creativity and overall athleticism.
For Manchester City, Edin Džeko has bagged goals in three of four prior meetings with Saints, hinting that he should manifest enough experience to push forward and gain some points for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Pablo Zabaleta usually has enough gusto to attack the opposition prominently, whilst Frank Lampard, although dumbstruck by Agüero’s talent and finesse, might be a useful ingredient.
From a fan’s perspective, it is a little difficult to distance oneself from the potential doom and gloom of a clash with Manchester City; but, for the amount of Saints players deserving more than a simple pat on the back, there’s no tangible reason why they can’t triumph at the weekend. The match will be undertaken on native ground for Koeman’s chaps, which automatically shunts them into comfortable territory. The only thing to be wary of, and they will be, is the demonic feet of Mr. Agüero. His calibre is unquestionable, but his flair against Bayern could either have worn him out, or made him desperate for more. All I hope is that both sides give it a fair fight.
Let chaos ensue.
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