The Southampton supporters at the Football Transfer Tavern have been getting the drinks in as they prepare for the opening game of their Europa League season against Sparta Prague.
The Southampton players will be determined to get over the defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, that came courtesy of a Santi Cazorla penalty in the dying moments of the game.
The Southampton faithful in the Tavern today are very confident…
Their manager, Claude Puel, has done well in European competition before as he took Lyon to the latter stages of the Champions League – and he will be hoping to get more European success with the Saints.
There has been a lot of talk in the Tavern about who is going to be starting for the Saints as Puel bids to get the campaign off to a flyer…
After much deliberation, we think that this 4-1-2-1-2 Southampton side will beat Sparta Prague in the Europa League…
Who do you think should be playing for Southampton and do you think they will be the victors? Let us know.
GK – Fraser Forster
The Southampton goalkeeper may have missed England’s recent game against Slovakia due to injury, but he is back to full fitness and raring to go.
The former Celtic keeper has an incredible presence in the box and is a very good shot stopper.
The Saints have earned themselves a reputation for being a solid side defensively and Forster is a vital part of that and he will be a huge player for his side against Sparta Prague.
RB – Cedric Soares
Cedric has already been a part of a European triumph, as he helped Portugal to win the Euros – and he will be hoping to impress on the European stage again with the Saints.
The right back is good in both attack and defence and is a very useful player that Sparta Prague will have to be wary of.
Our landlord thinks that his delivery from wide positions could be what gets his side a vital goal.
CB – Jose Fonte
Another one who was a part of Portugal’s Euro 2016, Southampton’s captain will be looking to inspire his team to victory in the side’s first Europa League game of the season.
He decided to stay at St. Mary’s over the summer which was massive for the club, as he is arguably one of their most important players.
He is dominant in the air and good at both winning and keeping the ball with his feet and so will be very hard to beat.
CB – Virgil Van Dijk
Of all of the centre-backs in the Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk is one of the best on the ball. He is able to pick out passes, travel with the ball at his feet and also has a good shot on him.
However, he is not just good going forward, because as you would expect from a centre-back, he is solid defensively and is a very hard player to beat.
The Dutchman and Jose Fonte have built up a very well worked partnership that Sparta Prague will surely struggle to get the better of.
LB – Matt Targett
Many Saints in the Tavern would want to see Ryan Bertrand playing now that he is back, but Puel may be wary of overworking him due to the fact that he is only just back from injury.
As well as that, Targett has shown that he is capable of stepping up and performing for the team and can be relied on in pressure situations.
DM – Oriol Romeu
Romeu has been deployed as Puel’s holding midfielder in most of Southampton’s games under the French manager and seems to be the one that he trusts most in the position.
The new Southampton boss highly values a holding midfielder that is able to break down play while also helping his side to control the ball when they have it.
Romeu has done that well so far this season and the Spaniard could be important for the Saints against Sparta Prague.
CM – Jordy Clasie
There have been times where Jordy Clasie has struggled to deal with the demands of the Premier League, but he could be the perfect man to help Southampton in the Europa League.
His technical quality is there for all to see, and he could be the man that unlocks European defences for his side.
He will also help his side to maintain possession and calm the game down when necessary if they are in the lead.
CM – Pierre- Emile Hojbjerg
After impressing in Germany last season, Hojbjerg has done well when he has played on the South Coast so far and should be given the opportunity to show what he can do in Europe.
His energy and skill alongside his passing ability will make him a very useful player as the Saints look to move the ball forward from the back line.
CAM – Dusan Tadic
Like Clasie, Dusan Tadic will be the type of player that will help Southampton to unlock Europa League defences.
The Serbian international is a great flair player who will look to excite crowds, help his side get up the pitch and score goals.
FWD – Nathan Redmond
Redmond has been used as a striker quite regularly since joining Southampton, and that could continue against Sparta.
Southampton’s summer signing has impressed in the Premier League for both Norwich City and in his early days on the South Coast.
Our landlord thinks that he is an exciting talent that Sparta Prague are going to have to find a way to deal with.
FWD – Shane Long
Southampton’s Irish striker will work all game if he is played against Sparta Prague and will make sure that the defenders of the Czech side don’t have a moment’s rest.
He is brilliant at running the channels and occupying multiple defenders at one time, which will help his teammates to impact the game more.
He could do with getting a goal, as he hasn’t been able to find the net much recently – but if he is able to do that then our landlord thinks he could be vital for his side.
