Saints have to beat one of the top six if they want to stay up, this game is as good as any to start the great escape.

Hopefully Mark Hughes will have realised the errors of last weeks defeat at West Ham, he hoped to try and blitz the Hammers and catch them in disarray, instead he found them up for it and his team had the wrong formation and wrong personnel to deal with the Hammers onslaught.

Saints fans have been crying out for two up front, but last week was not the time and place and nor is a trip to the Emirates for as Arsenal side who at home at least are usually rock solid.

I would reinstate Yoshida in the back four in place of Jack Stephens, I would keep a solid central three of Lemina, Romeu and Hojbjerg with James Ward Prowse on the right and Redmond on the left and I would play either Carrillo or Long up front.

A solid workmanlike starting XI to try and keep the game tight and still with something to be gained in the final third when we can introduce the likes of Gabbiadini and Austin if we need to score goals or Davis if we need to shore up the shop.

What we do need though is an air of positivity in the team and the supporters, if we are to stay up and there is no reason why we shouldn't, then we need to restore the pride on the pitch and in the stands, we need to stop the slagging off of individual players from kick off let alone when we have gone a goal down and present a solid front.

Personally I want us to stay up and I know that slagging off a player verbally will not help his game, there are many players I dont think are always the right choice, but I voice my opinions on here and in the pub, not at the player himself when he is out there trying to win us a game.

This is a tough game, anything we get out of it is a bonus, it is time for everyone to step up to the plate, time to stop the squabling, time to leave the moaning till after the end of the season and time for everyone to pull together.

No happy clapping, just the knowledge that if you want to achieve things in life then it is easier with a positive attitude and energy surrounding you.

Photo: Action Images

TimSaint added 15:01 - Apr 7 My team.... McCarthy Cedric, Yoshi, Hoedt, Bertrand Lemina, Romeu, Davis (if fit, if not Hojbjerg) Long, Sims Austin FF, Stephens, Hojbjerg, McQueen, Boufal, Gabbi, Carillo Will need to sit back and frustrate forming periods, but can not them on the break with the pace of Long and Sims and hope that Charlie can get on the end of anything they can create !! Let's try not to concede at all tomorrow, let alone so fvcking early like at Newcastle and WHU !!

4

highfield49 added 15:04 - Apr 7 I'm at a loss as to why you think Redmond should be playing tomorrow Nick. He and Tadic are the most useless contributors to team spirit we have and don't even merit a seat on the bus never mind the bench. If he's back to fitness I think Davis should start and if you want to play a counter attacking game then Sims, if not injured, should be under strong consideration to replace Tadic and Redmond. Personally I'd bring in Yoshi for Hoedt but then again we could argue over just about every player after last week's humiliation.

3

wibbersda added 15:14 - Apr 7 "Redmond on the left" ...pointless, does nothing all season. If they must insist on using this lame duck at least stick him on the right for once.
3

Boxingman75 added 15:25 - Apr 7 Redmond ? , that's hilarious , and hoedt over Stephens I don't think so , yoshy back yes , I'd play this team McCarthy Bertrand Hoedt Yoshida Stephens Romeu Hojberg Davis Ward prowse Boufal Long
2

aceofthebase added 16:22 - Apr 7 Play Yoshida and don't play Cedric
1

petedoors1 added 16:47 - Apr 7 I would not play JWP as he offers us nothing. He cant tackle, gets knocked off the ball to easy and he lacks pace.
4

SaintGeorge added 17:19 - Apr 7 WOULD PEOPLE PLEASE STOP PICKING SHANE FECKING LONG
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saintmark1976 added 17:49 - Apr 7 Redmond could not even hold down a regular place in a very poor Norwich team that was relegated a few seasons ago.He, Tadic and JWP have been serial under performers all season long. They all deserve no place in a team supposedly fighting against relegation.They have had enough opportunities and failed miserably.
3

SonicBoom added 19:22 - Apr 7 Defending then hitting on the break is all very well if you can actually defend. And score on the break.
3

SanMarco added 22:04 - Apr 7 Redmond isn't a very good player and should not play. Play one up front, give Tadic the day off to catch up on his sleep and play Yoshida for his fighting spirit. Stoke were unlucky there last week. Let's give ourselves a chance by not gifting them goals in the early part of the match and then hope we have a bit more luck than Stoke did. I remember a dodgy penalty losing us this one last year...

4

allsaint54 added 03:10 - Apr 8 Tadic, Redmond, what a joke. Should never play for the club again. Sims has got to come back & bring some effort to the side. Toss a coin as to who plays up front, may as well play flapper Forster.
0

DorsetIan added 09:16 - Apr 8 One thing all these posts illustrate is that you can make a case AGAINST so many of our players and a case FOR very few. It’s a sorry state we’ve got ourselves into! A point today would be a great result.
3

KriSaint added 12:27 - Apr 8 McCarthy Stephens, Yoshida, Hoedt, Bertrand Romeu, Hojbjerg, Lemina Gabbi, Carrillo, Sims
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aceofthebase added 12:48 - Apr 8 KriSaint I wish you were manager today
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petedoors1 added 13:30 - Apr 8 With this team news SAINTS: McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Hoedt, Bertrand, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Long. I cant see us scoring. looks set up for 0-0 draw. Would not have played Ward-Prowse or Tadic.
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petedoors1 added 17:40 - Apr 8 Bad luck in losing we nearly got a point. Tadic played better today but Prowse gave nothing. Nice to see Long and Austin score.
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