Saints Preview - Away, Jan 1st

If you want entertainment, watch Southampton; the Saints have been involved in more than their fair share of thrillers and comebacks this season, including that 3-2 defeat at the 'Vic earlier this campaign.

Since then Burley's side have added a number of new faces in what has been a difficult season for them defensively. Club captain Claus Lundekvam is currently out injured and has been for a while meaning Burley has added to his lightweight squad with a number of loan additions.

Phillip Ifill, Alan Bennett, Greogry Vignal, Andrew Davies and Christian Dailly have all become temporary Saints this term, although Dailly has since returned to Upton Park.

On top of these rich resources lie Darren Powell, Wayne Thomas, captain in the absence of Lundekvam and Alexander Ostlund.

Despite shipping forty-one goals this term, the Saints are good entertainment and with attacking riches including Stern John, Grzgorz Rasiak, one-time Watford target, Marek Saganowski and Bradley Wright-Phillips up top, it's little wonder.

Wright-Phillips has been flying of late with four in his last five including a brace in yesterday's 2-2 draw with Barnsley.

Rasiak hasn't scored since September but with 45 goals in 99 English starts, the Pole will soon hit form again.

His return to form will almost undoubtedly be aided by the attacking midfield options behind him. On the flanks are Adam Hammill, another Hornets target on-loan from Anfield, home-grown Nathan Dyer as well as Rudolf Skacel and Andrew Surman.

Throw into the mix the likes of Jason Euell, Jhon Viafara, Yousseff Safri, Jermaine Wright and Inigo Idiakez and it's a small miracle Saints are so lowly placed.

So with the combined attacking talents on array, here's to an end-to-end humdinger of a battle, or just three points and a one goal victory - we're not fussed!

Watford XI?
Lee; Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart; Smith, Francis, Williamson, McAnuff; Ellington and Henderson.

Soton XI?
Davis; Ostlund, Thomas, Vignal, Bennett; Skacel, Viafara, Safri, Surman; Wright-Phillips and Rasiak.

Come on you 'Ornsss!