SAINTS V CITIZENS...It is 2nd v 3rd as SOUTHAMPTON WELCOME MANCHESTER CITY in a game neither can afford to lose...GRIPPING SHOWPIECE IN STORE.

                                                      

The Saints are marching on. Wow! Who would have ever imagined Southampton occupying second position in the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE after 12 games played with a W-D-L record that stands at 8-2-2? The protagonist definitely has to be 'FLOQUET DE NEU'. Don't get puzzled. The man behind this extremely bewildering development is RONALD KOEMAN. For those who know and love football with all their hearts, the name 'RONALD KOEMAN' is box office in our sport. He had a pretty decent playing career, featuring for the 'TRADITIONAL BIG THREE' of Dutch Football- Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV and Barcelona. He did not stop there. 'Tintin' has he was fondly called at Barcelona, scored 193 goals as a central defender...........11 more than 'EL GRAN CAPITAN' Daniel Passarella and the highest ever for a central defender in football history. Floquet de Neu is also one of the best free kick takers of all time. Furthermore, his record of 25 consecutive penalty conversions still proudly stays in his locker for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Tintin Koeman is the first payer to score in two consecutive European finals of different outcomes/stakes and the only human to play for and manage the 'BIG THREE' of DUTCH TOP FLIGHT FOOTBALL. He is that exceptional.

He decided to toe a different path in the summer and he was chosen as the replacement for Mauricio 'THE SHERIFF' Pochettino at Southampton. The South Coast club had to start all over again after the manager and all their best players left for pastures new. Luke Shaw went to Manchester United, the vital 'Ls'-Lallana, Lambert and Lovren were all purchased by Liverpool who were looking to build on their 2nd place finish from last season. Calum Chambers was snapped by Arsenal. Their worst fears seemed to be confirmed when Liverpool beat them at the beginning of the season. They were even tipped by bookmakers and pundits to go down at the end of the season. But, Koeman had other ideas. The man has gone on to win 8 of his next 11 encounters, losing only one. Not only that, he has also eliminated the Arsenal from the Carling Cup. The next hurdle to scale is MANCHESTER CITY and no one will dare bet against them.

Manchester City are the defending champions but they find themselves in third place behind their next opponents, Sot'on and runaway leaders, Chelsea. After an indifferent start to the season in domestic and European affairs. The only bright side of the season for the citizens has to be SERGIO AGUERO. After a disappointing World Cup showing (on a personal level), EL KUN has put that in the bin and turned things around. His 12 league goals is the best return in the League this season and in midweek, he put one of the best teams in the World to the sword with a perfect chance-goal conversion rate. 3 CHANCES=3 GOALS. A jaw dropping statistic that even Sandor Kocsis would have been proud of. Yaya Toure has not lived up to the incredibly high level he reached last season. Fernandinho has found playing time  hard to come by because of the acquisition of fellow Brazilian, Fernando. Edin Dzeko has continued to score but he is out at the moment. At the back, Eliaquim Mangala is still finding his feet and Vinnie Kompany hasn't been consistent in form because of injuries and suspension, Samir Nasri too has had his fair share of injuries and disappointments. On the whole, the team hasn't clicked into gear. There will no excuses when they arrive St Mary's on Sunday. So'ton are on another level and there will be no hiding place for either team.

Southampton brought Dusan Tadic from Twente in the summer. The Serbian playmaker has influenced proceedings since he was acquired. 1 goal and 6 assists in 11 league games is not exactly world class but an impressive stat. Sadio Mane, Natty Clyne James Ward-Prawse, Morgan Schneiderlin, new signings Tony Alderweireld, Graziano Pelle and Fraser Forster have all played their parts in what has been an excellent campaign so far. Pelle has scored some stunning goals this term and that has earned him his first call up to the AZZURRI. Koeman's Saints have only conceded 6 goals in the League. A testament to their well organized defense line up. Belgian powerhouse, Toby Alderweireld has been on another level entirely since he moved (on loan) from the Calderon. His abilities will be put to a stern test on Sunday because Kun Aguero is in town.

Neither team can afford to drop points. We envisage a tantalising spectacle

Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED - HULL CITY PREVIEW

                                             




There's a paradigm shift in the way Manchester United are going about football business nowadays. The record English champions won its first away game of the season at the Emirates last Sunday and on Saturday, they play host to the tigers from Hull and the man that captained the red army to its first EPL title, Steve Bruce. The all action ex-centre back was one of the main guys in the 92-93 triumph. Now, he is a foe and this is not the first time.

Steve once hit 19 goals in all competitions from the back for Manchester United (in the double capturing 92-93 season) and is a club legend but all that will be put aside when hostilities resume on Saturday afternoon. The red devils who sit in fourth place, thirteen points behind leaders Chelsea, have won their last nine straight games v the tigers, including six in the league. On paper, they are heavy favourites to take all the points. However, Swansea hadn't won at the Theatre in 81 years until three months ago when that record was broken with consummate ease.

LVG will be happy to welcome Radamel Falcao back to the fold. Ander Herrera and Jonny Evans returned to the team on Tuesday evening when the reserves (U-21) hit five past Blackburn. The Northern Irishman returns after three months on the sidelines to shore up a defence that has seen at least eight different pairings since the start of the season. Those that have come in have shown a lot of courage and maturity. Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair were colossal in North London last time and may get the nod v Hull City. Robin Vsn Persie played a peripheral role at his old stomping ground and his form, confidence and dedication have all come under scrutiny since the beginning of the season. He has become a complete opposite of the ruthless predator whose excellent finishes led the club to its 20th title two seasons ago. Nevertheless, he is still a threat and will continue to start until LVG decides that enough is enough. There is James Wilson whose pace and directness can cause havoc anytime.

For Hull, they possess some quality footballers. Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez, Momo Diame, Abel Hernandez, Tom Huddlestone, Livermore, etc are top players who can turn the tide with their abilities. Momo Diame has been the star of the season but their form has dipped in the last five or six weeks. To regain the spark they had at the start of the season, they have to upend the hosts. Steve Bruce has had a difficult time trying to get one over his former side. A win tomorrow will be the perfect result for the former Birmingham City and Sunderland manager.

Wayne Rooney has found form again and when he does, he is devastatingly merciless. The England and Manchester United captain scored a beauty at Arsenal and has a fantastic record v the tigers, once scoring four past them in a sensational display four years ago. His selflessness on the field of play is a plus for any team. He's the band leader of the United orchestra. The head of the corner. Another thirty strikes and he leapfrogs SIR BOBBY CHARLTON into first place in the ,club's all time highest goal scorers hierarchy.

LVG has brought a lot since he took over the reins. The Dutch tactical genius is getting better each match day and will hope to continue the good run of form v HULL CITY on Saturday. The likes of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj will be looking to return to the starting eleven after being left out in recent weeks. Ander and Juan especially. Belgian teenager, Adnan has been given opportunities which he has failed to take. He bossed the reserves game v Blackburn on Tuesday. Let's hope he can bring that form to Saturday's encounter.


Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990