What are your home fans like and how many are you expecting to get for the Saints match?
Meet the Opposition - Sheffield Wednesday
What are your home fans like and how many are you expecting to get for the Saints match?
Our home fans do get behind the team fully although can get a little
frustrated when things are not going to plan! We got a crowd just shy of
30,000 for the Hull clash on Tuesday and it will be disappointing if we
don't get the same on Saturday.
frustrated when things are not going to plan! We got a crowd just shy of
30,000 for the Hull clash on Tuesday and it will be disappointing if we
don't get the same on Saturday.
Where do you think you'll finish in the League this year?
I remain optimistic that we can push for a mid-table place. Many
Wednesdayites are over-optimistic regarding our situation but we have to
adapt to this league. If we avoid relegation though by ten to fifteen
points, it will go down as a successful season when you look at the average
age of our squad.
Where do you think Saints will finish in the League this year?
I personally think the club will struggle to adapt. Harry is a great manager
and proved it time and time before, but Saints have lost a massive core of
their team. Many Premiership teams who get relegated are over-confident at
times and the rest of the clubs are gunning for them. As you found out on
Tuesday night, things will not go your own way at times.
(Editor - after the week we've had, I'm inclined to agree, but I still believe we'll get much stronger as the season goes on, particularly if Harry can get the 3 quality signings he's after)
Who are your key players?
Our key players are probably our goalkeeper David Lucas and midfielder Glenn Whelan. Lucas is the most consistent keeper we have had at Hillsborough since Kevin Pressman was in his prime while Whelan pulls the strings in our midfield. He will most likely be skipper on Saturday and gets better and better with every game.
Young player to watch out for?
Chris Eagles is on loan from Manchester United and looks a really good
player. Very good on the ball, quick and can play on both wings, when he is
on form, I am sure it will only help us this season.
What are your thoughts on Kenwyne Jones?
Kenwyne was excellent for us, he scored 7 goals in 6 games and equalled a
club record for scoring in consecutive games. He did look very raw but
didn't half know how to score. He scored a great volley I recall against
Wrexham last season - shame we couldn't have kept him until the end of the
season.
Another other Saints players you'd like in your team?
I have always liked Prutton, despite his outburst last season, he is a
competitive midfielder. But at the moment - have you got any strikers going
spare? Perhaps if Matt Le Tissier was slimmer and younger, he could do a
job!
(Editor - we lent you Leon Best, but you broke him, so you can't have another until you've fixed his broken foot!)
Which team do you most want to beat this season and why?
Obviously we want to beat United but it's not the be all and end all. They
are an established side at this level and look genuine promotion contenders.
Beating Leeds will be sweet as well.
Any other comments?
So far we have looked pretty decent but not that convincing at times. We are
a young side who have massive injury problems, long-term losses to our top
three goalscorers last season (Steve MacLean, JP McGovern and Lee Bullen)
have hit us hard. But when we get a fully-fit squad, we should do well.
And finally, your score prediction?
I would like to say that we would win, especially with the hype over
Sturrock and all against his old club. Like I said earlier, teams will be
well up for you coming to town. But it will be one of the hardest tests of
the season by a mile.
(Editor - after my over-optimistic predictions for our last two games, I'm going for third time lucky and a 3-2 thriller to Saints this time!)