Saints Should Not Fear FC Midtjylland.
Wednesday, 26th Aug 2015 08:36

Saints need to go to Denmark and play without fear, if they do then there should be no reason why they should not go through.

After the 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland at St Mary's last week it brought the worry to Saints fans that perhaps progression to the group stages of the Europa League was not going to be the cakewalk that many thought.

The Danes last Thursday were well disciplined and played to a system that at time verged on blatant cheating, but what they did lack was true quality and that is why Saint should got to Herning and play without any fear.

I had the feeling last week that FC Midtjylland were a team playing to their capabilities whereas Saints were not.

In truth the game was not as bad as some would have you believe and Saints although struggling to break down the visitors stout defending, did have plenty of good chances and if Jay Rodriguez had scored in the opening minutes then the game might have been far different, that not to blame J Rod after all there are 10 others on the team, bt if we had of scored early then it would have shaken their game plan.

FC Midtjylland are a team that you do not go to watch if you want to see goals at either end, they are not prolific scorers , they rely on doing what they did at St Mary's keeping it tight and nicking the odd goal, if I spoke Danish Im sure one of their songs will be their version of the old classic 1-0 to the Arsenal.

But they are not infallible as Apoel Nicosia proved in the Champions League qualifyers, they went to Denmark and won 2-1, they went on to lose their home leg 1-0 but went through on goal difference, no all respect to the Cypriots but they re not Premier League quality and nor are FC Midtjylland.

So Saints need to go and play without fear, as long as they keep it tight at the back and don't suffer the lapses of concentration that have blighted our Premier League season so far then we should have the quality to win this game and win it well.

Of course we have to score and FC Midtjylland's way of thinking is that they have an away goal and if they keep a clean sheet they win the tie, but once we have scored a goal then their away goal is neutralised and indeed if we get a second then that would leave them needing to score three and firstly I think that is beyond them.

Secondly I think that would also throw them out of their system and if that happens then we could put the tie to bed, they are a well drilled team of players who to be blunt would struggle to get in a Championship side over here, as a well drilled unit they can do a job, but get them out of their comfort zone and having to do something different then it will be a different story.

Saints need to treat FC Midtjylland with respect, perhaps respect that they have not earned or deserved after their antics last week, but we need to remember that we are one of the top ten clubs in one of the best league's in Europe, we did not get to that position lightly.

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SanMarco added 09:34 - Aug 26

I didn't their 'antics' were any worse than what I have seen hundreds of time in Euro away legs. I don't condone it, and I think more could be done to stop time wasting, but I do feel that if we had played to anywhere near our potential it would not have been an issue.

They will do it again tomorrow while it is 0-0 or, heaven help us, if they score first but they will hurry soon enough if we play well and with discipline - because if we do that we will soon be ahead...

chrmark added 10:04 - Aug 26

It's a big mistake to underestimate FC Midtjylland and that is clearly what you are doing.
You write that FCM are not prolific scorers. Wrong. For the last two seasons FCM have by far been the most scoring team in the danish superliga with an average of about 2 goals each match. Their homeground have been a fortress.
You write that their players would struggle to get in a Championship team. Wrong. FCM have a very talented squad. The two central defenders, Kian Hansen and Erik Sviatchenko, are very talented and being watched by major european clubs. Kian Hansen is rather new in the team. He was a regular in Nantes, France, but asked permission to leave for Denmark because of serious illness in the family. Personally I would choose any of the two before Maya Yoshida and Steven Caulker. Tim Sparv is on a good day of international class. He was last year votes player of the year in FCM. Dahlin the goalkeeper is Swedish international - way better than Stecklenburg. Pione Sisto attacking midfield / wing, is the greatest talent in danish football right now and being watched by the best clubs in Europe. He would not even consider a move to Southampton, his talent will bring him to a CL-club in Germany, Spain or England. Otherwise player for player Southampton of course is by far the best team. FCM on the other hand will play like a unit and give 100%. Coming to Herning, Southampton will also have to give 100% to be victorious. THIS IS NOT A WALKOVER!
FCM was knocked out of CL-qualification by Apoel on away goals. FCM like Southampton in the first match underestimated their opponents.

BaselSaint added 15:06 - Aug 26 I`m hoping our passing ability in midfield will improve... and please Saints don't start lumping the ball up the field League One style ... it really p*sses me off. We are better than that.
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DPeps added 15:45 - Aug 26

We're going to have to play better than we've played since Villa at home last season. We have to be attacking from the start, with an attacking team selection and formation. Yoshida did his best in the first leg, but he's not a RB. Play Cedric or Martina but watch out for their winger Sisto because he could tear them to shreds.
Long balls up to Pelle are ok as one option but we've been way too dependent on that approach so far this season. I'd like to see Tadic recalled on the off-chance we get him on one of his sublime days.