Dugout Discussion

Walker-Peters back in Saints defence alongside Vestergaard

Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) has returned from a quad injury to start at right-back for Southampton, as the Saints try to halt a run of five successive league defeats.

This dreadful form includes a 9-0 mauling at Manchester United and a remarkable 3-2 defeat to a Newcastle United side who had to play the final 15 minutes with only nine men.

However, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men started their recovery with a midweek FA Cup victory over today’s opponents Wolves.

Both sides have made changes from their meeting 72 hours ago, with Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) back in goal, Jannik Vestergaard (£4.7m) coming into defence and Takumi Minamino (£6.0m) being cup-tied for the 2-0 win.

That means Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) again starts up front alongside Danny Ings (£8.4m), after impressing his manager in this role. “I like him more, to be honest,” said Hasenhuttl on this positional switch. “He gives me more deep runs and his quality on the ball causes problems for the opponent.”

Che Adams (£5.8m) therefore takes a place on the substitutes bench, a previously popular FPL asset but without a goal since 13th December.

Southampton are struggling in defence, having conceded 18 goals in the five matches since their last clean sheet in Gameweek 17. Jan Bednarek (£4.9m) has had a particularly torrid time, scoring -7 at Old Trafford thanks to an own goal, red card and conceding nine times. He followed with an own goal at Newcastle, although this was mercifully credited to Miguel Almiron (£5.6m).

They will be confident of shutting out Wolves, a side struggling for goals after the long-term injury of Raul Jimenez (£8.2m) added to the high-profile summer sales of Matt Doherty (£5.6m) and Diogo Jota (£6.6m).

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo heavily rotated for Thursday’s cup tie but his line-up here contains only one change from the side which drew 0-0 with Leicester last Sunday. Cheap defender Max Kilman (£4.0m) makes way for Romain Saiss (£4.9m).

Hopes were higher for Adama Traore (£6.0m) this season, after bagging four goals and nine assists in 2019-20. Recent weeks have finally brought consistent minutes to the pacy winger, as he aims to add to the one solitary assist of this campaign.

At left wing-back, Santo continues to manage the minutes of Jonny Otto (£5.4m). The Spaniard is being eased back into action after a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury, being replaced at half-time against both Southampton and Leicester.

Pedro Neto (£5.7m) starts again, being Wolves’ only consistent goal threat of the season. Almost ever-present, Neto has tallyied up four goals and six assists so far.

SOUTHAMPTON XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Minamino; Ings, Redmond

WOLVES XI (3-4-3): Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Moutinho, Ruben Neves, Jonny; Traore, Willian Jose, Neto

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628 Comments Post a Comment
  1. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nuno very emotional.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s always emotional.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe he saw Ralph crying 😆

  2. jdoyle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm already sick of this Roald Dahl advert.

  3. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cheap Kane ensbler mid with likely a DGW 26?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      *enabler

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Soucek Saka

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Raphinha

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Oops ignore that

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes
      Pereira

    4. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      When will.the gw 26 doubles be announced?

    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lookman

    6. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Romeu jorginho

      • RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers!

    7. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If I wildcard this week I lose my double Burnley defence ....

    8. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Come on AWB.
      Bag another one!

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        ...

    9. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      8 points for Danny is okayish. Could be much more so I'm a little bit bitter.

      1. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep I'll take it

      2. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        you should be extremely happy with that saints are god awful atm

    10. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How was McCarthy forSouthampton today? Anyone want to fill me in on if he’s now closer to being dropped or if he put in a shift?

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nothing wrong and nothing special either.

        1. In Bale We Trust
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks mate. Hopefully he keeps his spot a bit longer

          1. Free Hat
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Having Forster myself I hope otherwise 😀

    11. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      West Brom 1-0

    12. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      lol United concede

    13. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get the f out of my team slab head you usless donkey

    14. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hi lads looking for a bit of transfer advice (with the upcoming doubles in mind)

      Current XI (GW25)

      Pope
      Dallas, Mee, Dias, Shaw
      Maddy, Bruno, Son, Gundo
      Bamford, Antonio
      Bench : Mendy*, Greal*, DCL, Justin *
      6.9itb
      Should the fixtures for GW26 be as expected

      Which combo is better :
      a) Greal + Justin + Mendy --> Salah, Cancelo, Martinez
      b) Greal + Justin + Mendy --> Salah, Targett, Ederson

      Any advice would be much appreciated

      1. The Invincibles
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A

    15. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      LOL

    16. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ugh Shaw or Lowton... went Shaw

    17. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Come on West Brom!!

    18. Lubic87
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chose Cavani and Tark last minute over Ings and Lowton. Need Cavani to go big, or I'll be sulking all day.

      1. gonzalocampos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2 points Edison lol

    19. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe not a red arrow after all with just Bruno and Bamford today lol

    20. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Andy's luck is changing

    21. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No United clean sheet. This week gets better and better.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bye bye Salah