CHOULO19

Is the game in about 1 hour or am I getting my time zones mixed up?

Opposition Views Here

Opposition Views Here

SaintMike from Southampton World was kind enough to answer a few questions ahead of our clash with Saints on Saturday. Here's what he had to say: -Let’s start with the relegation battle. You’re currently four points clear but still very much in the mix. How do you rate your chances of survival?Until it is mathematically safe I always worry although I believe we should be safe. When we did this early this year I suggested QPR, Wigan and West Ham for the drop; my views haven't changed too much since then except I fear Reading are more likely to go down (sorry Nigel)......so its QPR, Reading and West Ham. -Some tough and other crucial fixtures in the remaining eight matches you have. How many points do you reckon you should get to stay up? I've a feeling the target needs to be high this year. I'd feel safer on 43 points. -What was your take on the sacking of Adkins and the hiring of Pochettino?There are two ways of looking at this: 1. Nigel had been doing a good job (although maybe some team substitutions were a little weird) and he did not deserve to lose his job. 2. Maybe it was doubtful whether Nigel was capable of lifting the team to be a regular top-half side. I hope Tino may prove to be capable of this. Overall maybe a replacement made sense, but the timing was wrong and it would have been fairer to wait till the end of the season. -The Saints have been in a weird form lately beating Man City and Liverpool but losing to QPR and Newcastle. Why do you think that is?I don't think our form has changed much between the games. Tino's 'in-your-face' tactics cause more problems for teams that like to play possession-based passing football than those who prefer to take a more direct approach. -The reserve fixture at the Bridge was a crazy affair in which you managed to snatch a point you probably deserved. What did you make of that match?Our boys kept plugging away while Chelsea, maybe, sat back thinking the game was won. Unfortunately I think it is unlikely to happen again. -With your reputation of beating the big boys and the point you got at the bridge, will you be fancying your chances on Saturday? I expect Saints to have a real go at it and I think it may be close. But, realistically, I think we will lose what could be quite a high scoring game, maybe 2-3. Saints fans will also know that historically we are unlikely to be able to pull off back-to-back wins against two high-riding teams like Liverpool and Chelsea!! -Luke Shaw has been making some headlines with his performances this season. But who do you think has been your best player? I think a lot of our better results have been due to Cork and Schneiderlin in midfield. As he has also started to become dangerous in attack in recent games, I nominate Morgan Schneiderlin. -If you could have one player from Chelsea at Southampton, who would it be and why?I didn't know the answer to this last time you asked and I still don't know. There are so many who, on their day, are more than capable of winning a match against the best sides. -What line-up and formation will you likely use on Saturday?Probably a flexible 4-4-2. Not too sure if there are any injury problems but maybe.......Artur Boruc in goal...Clyne, Maya, Fonte and Shaw (if fit) at the back.......Jack Cork and Schneiderlin central midfield......Lallana and Ramirez wide....Rodriguez and Lambert up front. Puncheon might replace Ramirez or Rodriguez at some time. And I don't know whether Tino might decide this is the right match to let Forren, our so-far untried January signing, show what he can do for our defence.

Spider-pig, Spider-pig, Does whatever Spider-pigs do. Can he fly? No he can't, he's a pig you stupid!

So sorry to hear that, mate. My deepest condolences..

Nah, we learned from last time, we'll fix it again, but no one will find out. The trick is to bribe the court judge as well ​

Any PL club where we can guarantee he'll start. Fullham is probably the most likely. I'd just like to see him at a club where he'd be tested more and thus develop faster. Yeah I agree the best time to sell Cech would probably be at the end of next season.

Doesn't matter, we'll get it next year

Yeah, sure, blame the game..

Yes, he'll probably want to stay at Athletico, but if he accepts, I think a PL loan would be much more beneficial for his career. Just because utd don't currently have a world class keeper, we should give up one of three the best keepers currently in the world? Cech could still be the difference between winning a cup or not, between first place and second. I don't think we should give that up so lightly.

Again, the tittle were not fixed. Juve's owner, along with many other owners, bribed refs to make millions through betting. Dude, more than a dozen players played in the WC final in 2006, they did not need to buy the tittles.

What does that have to do with anything? Juve players don't deliberately elbow people in the face and kick people in the knee and get away with it. And fixed titles?? HAHAHAHAAHAHA Juve had by far the best team in Italy, they did not need to fix anything to win the tittles. Mate, don't talk about something you know nothing about. The Calciopoli, which involved all the major teams in Italy including Inter, and the fixing involved thing s you bet on like yellow cards and number of goals and were mostly about games that did not involve Juve. I know it was only banter, but I feel very strongly about this.

Very much doubt it. His father doesn't want him to sign for us after we turned him down as a teenager.

Hahaha. I would've paid anything if Slash was still with them, but I just feel they're not the same band since he left. But you're probably right, they must have become shit if they are performing in Beirut!

In my opinion, the issue should be balanced delicately between Cech who is currently better and Courtoise who could be the future solution, meaning: between our short -term gain and long-term gain. I would loan out Thibaut for another season, preferably to a PL club, then at the end of next season consider selling Petr if Courtoise keeps on developing like he currently is. Like Alex said above, it would be a sad day in Chelsea's history when we see Petr Cech leave, but all good things must come to an end..

I'd take Higuain for 10-15m. Lacks consistency, but one of the best finishers around. Never understood why Jose chooses Benzema who is even more inconsistent over him.

I'm tempted to think we will. We've invested around 80m in Mata-Hazard-Oscar, the next manager will no doubt be asked to play the system that fits them the most that is 4-2-3-1. Sadly, I don't see him coming to Chelsea either. Just hope he doesn't end up at another English club.

There's a Guns n Roses concert on Saturday (the real band, not a tribute) and I really want to go but the ticket prices are too high

He's already attracted serious interest from many clubs including Barcelona. I think they'll sell for the right price as he will be tempted to leave.

So guys, how about Ilkay Gundogan? He's done brilliantly for Dortmund and even better for the German NT. I know we haven't been linked with him and he'll probably end up at Barca, but he really could be the solution for our pivotal issues. Won't come cheap, though.

It never stops to amaze me how the club treats the fans as consumers.

Jake, buddy, that must have been very hard to write. I hope that the courage to talk about this is a step in the right direction. If you need to talk about anything, please feel free to PM me.

He's very very good, but he can't play up front alone. Would fit great at City so I hope he ends up at Juve.

Southampton were in great form, hopefully the international break has taken some wind out of their sails. These matches against relegation battlers will be much tougher than the likes of West Ham.