Source: TheGuardian
Watford v Southampton: Premier League – live!
Live updates as Watford look to boost survival hopesDeeney urges social media and government to tackle racismFA Cup live: Leicester v ChelseaGet in touch! Email or tweet John 3.44pm BST Troy Deeney continues to be such an impressive advocate for the BLM cause. Related: Troy Deeney urges social media firms and government to tackle racism 3.43pm BST And a second Premier League start for Will Smallbone, the 20-year-old midfielder, for Southampton. He came on as a late sub against Norwich in Saints’ last outing. Ben Fisher had this to say about him when he played against Aston Villa in February. Arguably the biggest boon from Southampton’s win over Aston Villa was the performance of Will Smallbone on his league debut. The midfielder, who turned 20 on Friday, was assured, unfazed and quietly knitted things together for a dominant Southampton side, delicately shifting possession and almost opening the scoring when he hit a post....Smallbone, who joined Southampton as an eight-year-old, was the academy graduate on the lips of supporters at the final whistle. “I knew before this season that he would play a few Premier League games, that was clear,” said his manager, Ralph Hasenhüttl. “It’s good for him and for every young player at the club. If they are good enough we won’t be scared to let them play. This must be our way for the future.” 3.37pm BST What does that all mean? Andre Gray has been alleged to have hosted a party that a couple of his teammates attended. And that would explain why they have been left out. Let’s see what Nigel Pearson has to say about all that. Watford: Foster, Femenia, Dawson, Cathcart, Masina, Hughes, Capoue, Sarr, Doucoure, Pereyra, Deeney. Subs: Gomes, Mariappa, Cleverley, Welbeck, Joao Pedro, Holebas, Kabasele, Pussetto, Penaranda.Southampton: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Smallbone, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Redmond, Long, Ings.Subs: Adams, Armstrong, Obafemi, Gunn, Vokins, Danso, Valery,Tella, Jankewitz.Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland) 3.32pm BST TEAM NEWS Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina have all been omitted from the squad by Nigel Pearson to ensure the health & safety of all players, staff and officials at today’s game.#WATSOU pic.twitter.com/OfDqbM9yeN TEAM NEWS How #SaintsFC will line-up against #WatfordFC: pic.twitter.com/lfqjoPKWwb 12.17pm BST Watford are just a point above the relegation zone, a point gained from Leicester on their return to action. They are perhaps lucky that most of those teams at the bottom have done little to save themselves since the Premier League returned in hermetically sealed form. The likes of Norwich, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and West Ham would seem to have nothing like the momentum Graham Potter has brought from Brighton. With Chelsea to come next week, and Manchester City also to play in their remaining fixtures - plus Arsenal, who Southampton managed to lose to last week. In truth, Saints have little to play for - they are ten points clear of the bottom three - and Ralph Hasenhüttl likes to have time with his players so they may not be a top speed. So, this counts as a must-win game for Watford, and Nigel Pearson, who hasn’t had hair this long since he was captaining Sheffield Wednesday, must fancy this one as three points on the board. Kick-off 4.30pm UK time. And it’s live. Continue reading......read full article
