Fresh from a bore draw against Leicester City in Thursday evenings Premier League fixture, Southampton turn their attention away from impending relegation and we look towards an FA Cup Semi-Final contest against Chelsea.
MH: "It's been difficult because of the strength of fixtures we've faced but the guys have wholeheartedly embraced what we've put to them. There's a lot of things I see which are improving." #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/e1oB97buoC
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 20, 2018
They often say a change is as good as a break but I’m not convinced on this one – the last thing we need at this moment in time with games running out, but survival being possible albeit unlikely, is a morale zapping heavy defeat.
With that said, given our form and Chelsea looking to secure fourth place in the top-flight table, the pressure is all on them and our players can just go out and enjoy the day and with clear quality in the group even if we haven’t seen much of it this season, anything can happen in Cup competition.
#SaintsFC boss Mark Hughes speaks to the media ahead of Sunday's #EmiratesFACup semi-final with #CFC at Wembley: https://t.co/CQ7tCt1iCd
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 20, 2018
Speaking to saintsfc as he met with the media to preview the game earlier today, manager Mark Hughes confirmed we had no fresh injury concerns ahead of the tie, but he was looking to make changes to the starting line up.
“We can freshen up our group, which to be honest we probably need to. If we do that and I see something that might help us going forwards then weโll have taken something from the game ahead of Bournemouth. We wonโt be making radical changes, but we need to use our resources in the best way we can. We are trying to build some momentum and an FA Cup semi-final could be good for us with that in mind.”
Following late defeat in the league, revenge is all that should be needed as a motivator!
Come on Bossman!! We need to have a fighting attitude and everyone needs to show passion!
We need the confidence to go into the bournemouth game ready to show we DESERVE to be in the premier league! ๐— โ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ถ๐ปโ (@yjw_x) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrGToYou/status/987312790082908160
Glad he can see something the rest of us can't. Last night was a must win game, so he starts with one up front. Players were pathetic. He's had as much effect as Pardew at West Brom. Clueless appointment from a clueless board that should have acted in November. #reedout
— Doctors Trainers (@doctorstrainers) April 20, 2018
You and the lads stick with that view and let's go "all the way"
— Steve Jarvis (@SteveJarvisSFC) April 20, 2018
also fortunately it's not every year you sleepwalk into relegation, but this seems to be our year for at least one of those things to happen
— . (@kingsland974) April 20, 2018
Rather u got priorities right & kept us in premier league! Play like we have this season next season & we will be league 1 year after
— sirfrost76 (@sirfrost761) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/Gladbachsaint/status/987363914810843136
https://twitter.com/foreversaint_/status/987307546510639104
Can't play for a draw in the cup lads
— Elliot (@ElliotsTweets) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/RamUday_/status/987296273538650112
โฐ
Get all the key points from #SaintsFC boss Mark Hughes's #EmiratesFACup semi-final press conference with our 6๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ-second round-up: pic.twitter.com/nPAEfuJpn0
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 20, 2018
