Dusic

With the notable caveat that Martin managed them during the period where their parachute payments were cut and then ended. Cooper has had a mixed bag of a managerial career so far, comes across a bit dour to me. Obviously did well to get Forest up but they lacked any real style of play in the PL and he chopped and changed every week (albeit not helped by having a squad of 60). One thing for sure, if they did sack RM after delivering pretty much 2pts/game then the next guy would need to make a hell of a start. Personally think the last thing we need is more change (plus the costs that entails) and certainly no guarentee anyone else would come in and do better. Change again to a third manager and new style of play in November if we are in the playoff positions and on 1.7pts/game?!

Of the top 3 I would fancy us to beat Ipswich more than the other two.

Hopefully we face WBA rather than Norwich. WBA fixtures fairly kind so hopefully they hold onto 5th ahead of Norwich.

Seeing as Leicester and Leeds were better than us last season (and Leicester for about 5 years before that too, plus not complying with FFP) why should we certainly have been ahead of them? We have been in the mix for promotion for the whole season, and will likely end up with a points tally that would ordinarily get automatic promotion. I think at the start of the season 99% would have taken that outcome for this experiment (whatever that means!)

Failure to kill them off cost us everything. Quite clearly.

Setup the team well to absolutely batter the opponent. If the forwards take chances then we are deservedly out of sight. Clearly the biggest issue this season hasnt been Manning, Stephens or Bazunu...its been taking more of the clear cut chances we have created due to dominating the game. Seems kind off odd as we have scored so many goals but we have left a whole load out there too. The most frustrsting results this season have largely been when we have played well for the most part, gone ahead and but not got ourselves out of sight when we easily could have, only to be pegged back. Today was not possession for the sake of it, or crab football. It was total domination let down only by the finishing. Easy to blame the manager but not always right, and definitely not today.

Interesting that your dealings with him haven't been impressive - is that within this role or previously at academy level? I know a couple of people more on the academy side (but unrelated to Saints) who have been very impressed in their dealings with him and who were suprised we managed to get him kn the first place.

Possibly in the Championship if they feel Lis is able to be a #1 but if Goztepe get promoted then I expect he will stay there as was clearly signed for them originally. If we do go up then no chance it will be Lis - will need a signing or loan of an established keeper. Extremely unlikely Lumley would be a starter in any division.

Confirmed out for 9-10 months. Also causes a problem for the summer as will need to find a starting keeper when probably not budgeted for, who might not be needed by the end of the season when Bazunu gets back.

He had nothing to do. Leicester and Leeds away will be different story!

Why? Certainly much more likely McCarthy makes a howler playing out from the back in the next four than Bazunu. The manager sees the players in training every day sonwould rather at this stage of the season he has all the players available to him - especially one he has picked to start every game!

Good team selection tonight, clear style and identity and bang on a 2pts/game ratio for the season after 42 games. Obviously nobody knows what happens from here, but good time to be in form.

Would definitely bring Manning back in and personally think this game requires use of Bree as a front sweeper to cover the whole width of the pitch. Bazunu KWP--THB--Bednarek--Manning <<<<<<<Bree>>>>>>>>>>>> ---Downes------Smallbone--- Arma---------Che-------Edozie

Good for our stepping stone club sales pitch. That loan at Burnley has made his career.

Charles was poor in the Bristol City game which was the first one Downes missed I think - so essentially fluffed his opportunity and was subbed after less than an hour in the WBA game. I think RM lost a bit of faith after this and unfortunately his weakness seems to be that he isnt as reliable in possession as Downes or Smallbone and therefore think he doesnt want to risk him in that position and ahead of that he isnt getting game time ahead of Armstrong, Aribo, Smallbone and Rothwell has made an impact as a sub when needed. Seems a good player but jury out on whether he will make it long term IMO - although worth considering this is his first pro season of any kind. Certainly don't think its some kind of ludicrously poor management that he hasnt featured a lot.