Ronald Koeman Backs Former Chelsea FC Midfielder To Succeed At St Mary’s

“It isn’t a bad result, but normally if we play at our level it is a game we should win”.

“If you stay at home you don’t have control”. He is our captain, he’s a very strong defender, he’s a club man like Kelvin Davis and not one second do I think in my mind to sell that player. “I don’t say anything about it”. The summer signing from Feyenoord picked up a hamstring injury in the Europa League win over Vitesse, and exacerbated matters in a low-key Under-21 game midweek which had been intended to prove his fitness. For them it was unusual, because it was the first time without the manager, and also odd for the technical staff.

“He’s part of the team, he’s the captain”.

Oriol Romeu may be given his Southampton debut following his move from Chelsea, but fellow new signings Jordie Clasie (hamstring) and Steven Caulker are unavailable for selection. Add in Fraser Forster, Florin Gardos, and Ryan Bertrand and the Dutchman, who will likely be in the home dugout sporting a cast following surgery on his Achilles, will be hobbled to a degree both figuratively and literally.

Everton midfielder Gareth Barry believes Ross Barkley has benefited from last season’s difficulties. Everton have started this season in the same way they began their previous two under the management of Martinez; by drawing 2-2 against a team they might have expected to beat.

“Ross burst onto the scene and set his standards so high but inevitably it is impossible to keep those going continuously”, Barry told Press Association Sport. “I will try and score more than last season”.

“But it will have been a good year for him in terms of his future and he started well with a fantastic goal”.

A pair of teams coming off tricky opening day draws hope to find the win column at St. Mary’s early Saturday morning (Watch live at 7:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra).

This one looks to be a great bet for a draw, I do like Southampton quite a lot but I think Everton showed some good battling qualities last weekend that were lacking last season. “It was already hard last year, and it’s still hard because [the] first options in his positions are other players”.