The Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern were largely joyless following their goalless draw at home to Swansea City on the opening fixture of the 2017/18 campaign.
That result continues the rather depressive statistic that the Saints have failed to win a home outing in the first game of the season in 29 years, since they last accumulated three points at The Dell to open their year account.
Our tavern landlord suggests boss Mauricio Pellegrino may switch one or two players around in order to rack the victory this weekend when West Ham United are the visitors to the Hampshire coast, who themselves were on the wrong end of a 4-0 result on the opening round of matches.
Whether it be on the attacking front, or defensive back line to halt the threat of Javier Hernandez, the Southampton management team will certainly need to make chances if they’re to overcome the Hammers on Saturday.
Here are TWO players Pellegrino must give a chance to versus West Ham United at the weekend…..
Charlie Austin
Fans by the bar weren’t short of chances to watch during Southampton’s match-up with Swansea City after the hosts created 29 shots throughout the ninety minutes, however, it is far more dismal when you consider only two of those were actually on target.
Mauricio Pellegrino should desperately be persuaded to change his starting striker at the weekend in order to test the Hammers’ Joe Hart more, even if that results in dropping Manolo Gabbiadini.
The tavern’s Southampton-mad bar man thinks Charlie Austin has to be given an opportunity for his good and the team’s efforts in front of goal, unless the manager wants a second successive draw.
Sam McQueen
Southampton are impressively renowned for their encouraging youth academy and one star who is likely to breakthrough to the first-team this season is 22-year-old Sam McQueen.
Having only been given a few minutes of action towards the end of the encounter with Swansea after replacing Ryan Bertrand, the tavern thought it put in a solid effort to defend the goalless draw.
Eager to prove a point, McQueen definitely deserves the chance this weekend for the visit of Slaven Bilic’s West Ham and may turn out to be a long-term replacement for Bertrand.
Southampton fans, would you change the starting eleven for your match versus West Ham United? If not, what changes should be made? Let us get your thoughts in the comment section below!
