For the eighth time in three seasons, we face Southampton so who better to talk to about the next instalment of the box set than the guys at St Marys Musings.
Q. Are you ready for what will incredibly be our eighth meeting in three seasons, with what we both hope is only one more to go?
It always feels like Groundhog Day when we meet Palace these days. I’m sure you Palace fans are sick of playing us in the cups as much as is the case vice versa.
Q. What did you make of our League Cup meeting earlier in the season?
Hard to really know what that game meant to both clubs. As always with the League Cup, both teams fielded weaker sides and the game wasn’t a whole lot to get excited about. However, Saints finally beat Palace in a cup competition, something which seemed impossible following our poor FA Cup showings of late, and we’re now through to the semi-finals of the League Cup. We’ll lose to Liverpool, of course, but it’s something to shout about at least.
Q. How has the season gone for Southampton since then?
Mixed bag. One week we’ll earn a deserved point away at Manchester City, the next we’ll lose away at Hull. Saints are certainly keeping us on our toes right now. Saying that, we’re still competing competently on various fronts – still within a chance of advancing in the Europa League, doing okay in the league and, as mentioned before, we’re in the League Cup semis. You’d be a bit of a moron to complain about that.
Q. What have you made of your Europa League campaign this season and do you think it will have a lasting effect on your league form the further into the competition you go?
Whether we advance or not remains to be seen with a tough tie against Hapoel Be’er Sheva being the all important last game. Oddly, our league form has been pretty good after our Europa League trips. Claude Puel has done a great job in keeping the squad rotated and refreshed, following our Europa games, we’ve beaten Swansea, Everton and earned that aforementioned point away at City. We’ve got a small squad but I can’t see why we couldn’t continue in this manner going forward.
Q. Who has been your most impressive performer so far this season?
This is a tough one. Dusan Tadic has been a great provider for Saints so far, while Charlie Austin has popped up with numerous important goals already this season. Oriol Romeu has also been fantastic in midfield. But, you would have to say Virgil van Dijk has been the most impressive so far. There’s a reason why all the so-called bigger clubs are after him.
Q. Looking ahead to the January transfer window, what do you think your needs are?
We need another striker. There’s no doubt about that. Austin has been great in carrying the team on his shoulders for goals so far, but he is susceptible to injury. Shane Long hasn’t been up to it so far, following some niggling injuries, while I’m afraid to say Jay Rodriguez doesn’t look the same player after a knee injury picked up a couple of years ago. For the latter, I hope I’m wrong in that assessment.
Q. Do you think Southampton are the team capable of challenging the top six in the Premier League this season?
Why not? I think there is a sizeable gap opened already between the top six and Saints. But, with how we’ve performed in the last couple of seasons and so far, I don’t see it being totally unreasonable to think we are at least in with a chance of that.
Q. What do you make of Palace so far this season?
I really don’t know what to think! Palace often promise so much, but seemingly fail to deliver. The Swansea game was the perfect microcosm of that. I like Alan Pardew and thought he did a decent job at Saints, but his flaws have really been highlighted towards the end of his Newcastle run and his time at Palace in 2016. I honestly hope he turns it around, though.
Q. Name one player from each team that the opposition should be concerned about?
Our squad is ever-changing with Puel’s insistence on rotation. But, it would have to be Charlie Austin, he is by far our most potent attacking threat at the minute. For Palace, it would have to be Christian Benteke. I’m not sure if he’s fit and ready to play Saturday, but he loves a goal against Southampton.
Q. Prediction?
I’m feeling a 1-1 draw. The games are starting to pile up for Southampton with Europa, cup and league commitments so I think it’ll show on the weekend.
Q. And finally, the floor is yours to promote any projects that you are currently working on.
Keep tuned on St Mary’s Musings for the reverse interview with TEB. As ever, thanks for reaching out, guys!
