Southampton beat Vitesse 2-0 away last night in their second leg of their third round qualifying tie for the Europa League and the Saints win the tie 5-0 on aggregate, to qualify for the group stage of the competition.
But there was some bad news for manager Koeman, who has suffered what may be a bad Achilles injury ahead of the Newcastle game at St. James Park – he suffered the injury in training.
Ronald Koeman in protective boot last night
So training is even dangerous for the managers these days, as he picked up the injury on Wednesday training at the GelreDome in Arnhem prior to the game.
Koeman may require surgery on the injury but he was on the sidelines last night in a protective boot for the game.
The will be seeing a surgeon today, and he will assess the injury but the likelihood is that he will have immediate surgery.
And if that’s the case he could put his brother Erwin in charge of the first league game at Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Erwin took over the post-match duties last night as far as the TV interviews, and this is what he said about his brother:
“Ronald knows he has already some problems with his Achilles and if you are involved in a training session then this can happen what happened.¨
“OK, we will hear tomorrow what happened and we will hear tomorrow if he is on Sunday on the bench or not.
“Tomorrow morning he goes to hospital and then they will decide what to do.”
I snapped my Achilles back in 2009 and had surgery to stitch it together and for the first two or three days you are under pain-killing drugs, and it’s tough and there’s pain there too and its hard to get around.
They also had electricity going through the Achilles for quicker and better healing, and that was uncomfortable to say the least.
So if Ronald does have the surgery it would be very surprising if he makes the long trek to Newcastle.
Being selfish and forgetting about Ronald’s misfortune this could give Newcastle an edge in the game we suppose.
As we found out when Alan Pardew was banned 18 months ago it’s not the same when the head man is not on the touchline.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Note: Two brothers Phil and Richard Milbourne are on a mission to cycle to all 92 Premier and Football League grounds in England and Wales during four weeks in July and August 2015.
It’s all on behalf of charity and they are raising money for Breast Cancer Care and the British Liver Trust.
They will be in Newcastle today – so see if you can help out a very good cause – you can read about their exploits and denote on their website pedalforpounds here.
17 comments so far
Reyantoon
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:15 AM
Comment #1martoon
Final league position : 6th
Total points : 60
League cup round : champions 🙂
FA cup round : Quarterfinal
No of 1st team signings : 5
No of 1st team leavers : 5
Top goal scorer : Mitrovic
No of goals for top scorer : 16
Lilongwe Geordie
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Comment #2Lilongwe Geordie // Aug 7, 2015 at 8:17 AM
Ian,
Thanks, I’m still a bit sceptical on a new contract for him. Particularly if it is still draining significant amounts from the wages pot. We may have spent a bit more net this summer, but I’d imagine there are still significant wage restrictions in place. I was okay with Colo remaining and playing out his contract, as he gives experience that we need with Lascelles and Mbemba in and around the squad. But an extension seems to be taking it too far.
The more I think about it, this could be more a product of them failing to bring in one of their centre back targets, so we are settling for what we have and ensuring we aren’t left too short when both Saylor and Willo’s contracts expire next summer.
Colo and Mbemba are probably our best 2 centre halves at the moment, I haven’t seen enough of Mbemba to tell whether he is a good communicator and feel that we need that in the back line. I’d say all back lines need it.
I think our defence will be improved through style and tactics, but I don’t think we have done anywhere near enough of ‘making our own luck’ to claim Ashley has backed up his end of season statement.
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:27 AM
Comment #3martoon,
Final League position: 9th
Total points: 62
League Cup round: Final
FA cup round: Final
No of 1st team signings this season: 7
No of 1st team leavers this season: 3
Top goal scorer: Mitrovic
No of goals for top scorer: 24
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:28 AM
Comment #4martoon,
Final League position: 5th
Total points: 52
League Cup round: Quarters
FA cup round: 6th
No of 1st team signings this season: 5
No of 1st team leavers this season: 4
Top goal scorer: Mitrovic
No of goals for top scorer: 14
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:30 AM
Comment #5martoon,
Final League position: 5th
Total points: 62
League Cup round: Semis
FA cup round: Final
No of 1st team signings this season: 7
No of 1st team leavers this season: 3
Top goal scorer: Mitrovic
No of goals for top scorer: 19
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:31 AM
Comment #6Martoon ignore the 1st two
The enter button went off in me hand
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:31 AM
Comment #7Jib are you trying to hedge your bets?
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:36 AM
Comment #8I love the way posters on here speak so authoratively as if they know everything , when really they should write for the Star
Case in point
sparky55 // Jul 25, 2015 at 9:44 PM
Reported Shaquiri interest is cover for our real target…Shaquiri is trouble and doesn’t fit the personality profile Maclaren is after , and Colo is definately going
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Yeah right ha ha ha
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:37 AM
Comment #9Leeds
Lol
Too many sherberts last night !!!!
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:38 AM
Comment #10I reckon team will line up like this sunday. Almost Guarenteed.
—————————–Krul—————————-
—Janmaat—-STaylor———Collo—–Haidara—–
——————–Anita—–Colback———————
——Sissoko———-Wini———-Perez————–
————————Cisse———————————-
Not bad, solid, and then bring De Jong and Mitrovic and Aarons off the bench if we are chasing the game, which is a distinct possibility. Would sooner play Mitrovic than Cisse but feel its unlikely.
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:39 AM
Comment #11I wonder if West Oz will be man enough to apologise for his accusation of a doctored wicket at Trent Bridge ?
Jib
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:41 AM
Comment #12Check the toastie
This will be one of those games where the subs will be crucial as Soton tire after their Euro exertions
Bambams
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:50 AM
Comment #13Krul
Janmaat
Mbemba (visa allowing/Saylor)
Colo
Haidara
Wini
Sissoko
Colback
Aarons
SDJ
Mitrovic
4411
Prey SDJ stays fit….
Imo
JP...from The Rock
Aug 7, 2015 at 9:05 AM
Comment #14Here you go martoon;
Final League position: 11th
Total points: 53
League Cup round: Quarters
FA cup round: 6th
No of 1st team signings this season: 5
No of 1st team leavers this season: 4
Top goal scorer: Mitrovic
No of goals for top scorer: 15
lochinvar
Aug 7, 2015 at 9:24 AM
Comment #15Don’t want Erwin in charge against us , would rather it was his other brother Erlose
GEORDIE69
Aug 7, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Comment #16This is great news aboot Koeman, at least he won’t be scoring any free kicks against us on Sunday.
HarriboNo9
Aug 7, 2015 at 3:30 PM
Comment #17Best first 11 and formation to play them we have without a doubt and have arrons, cisse and Perez to make a difference on bench! What a squad
Krul
Janmaat. Colo. mbemba. Haidara.
Sissoko. Colback. Anita.
Wijnaldum. De Jong
Mitrovic