Football

Southampton Boss Looking for Big Saints Performance Saturday

Southampton Boss Looking for Big Saints Performance Saturday
Southampton manager Nathan Jones applauds the fans after the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Saturday December 31, 2022. - Photo by Icon sport

Southampton boss Nathan Jones says his outfit need to put in a big performance in their FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday to get fans back on side after a dismal run of form.

The Saints find themselves bottom of the Premier League after a run of six consecutive defeats in the division. The club’s fans voiced their discontent with the side after their most recent loss to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

According to Jones, this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Palace is a game where his team must put in a performance if they are to convince their fanbase to stick with them in testing times.

“They’ll need to see something they can get behind and that’s what we have to do,” Jones told the media.

The Saints clash with Palace is one of five all-Premier League ties in the FA Cup this weekend.  The London side endured a heavy defeat in the Premier League this weekend, losing 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur and could similarly be looking to get back on track in the FA Cup.

However, Palace’s faith has differed quite a lot in contrast to Southampton’s. Patrick Vieira’s side sit comfortably in 12th  place in the Premier League, five points ahead of Leicester in 13th.

Poor Southampton Form

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Planted to the bottom, the Saints sit two points adrift of Wolves ahead of them and    have lost all four games under new manager Jones. The manager’s appointment came after the club chose to replace long-time boss Ralph Hassenhuttl in November.

The side will be looking for their first win under Jones ‘ regime against Crystal Palace and the manager knows how important getting a win will be.

“The fans won’t forget about Wednesday’s performance and the only thing that will get them to forget is results,” Jones told reporters.

“That’s the big improvement, to change the momentum of the football club because with the greatest respect, they’ve been losing games for a long, long time,” he said.

“We’ve come into a tough, tough situation. But we have to change it and change it quicker than we are at the minute,” the ex-Luton manager added.

Jones will be missing the services of defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, who injured his knee against Forest earlier this week. Kotchap joins Alex McCarthy, Tino Livramento, Juan Larios and Theo Walcott on an extensive injury list.

Palace Looking to Get Back on Track

Following Palace’s loss to Spurs on Wednesday, Viera told the media that it was a “tough night.”

The side reached the FA Cup semi-final stage last year under Viera’s guidance, who won the competition five times during his playing career with Arsenal and Man City. Another run could be on the cards if they overcome Southampton.

The Eagles’ recent record against the Saints bodes well for the London side. They have progressed from five of seven FA Cup fixtures against the Southern side, most recently a 2-1 victory in January 2016 on their way to the final .

Midfielder Will Hughes is set to make a rare start for the side according to Viera’s comments.

“He deserves a chance. He will be one of the players that can start the game,” the French manager said.


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