LaptopSaint

Based on the random (and often rubbish) football expertise of my mate in Spain - yes please.

Meh. Dull draw in general.

If we really dare to dream, then our model should be Atletico Madrid. They'll never be able to compete financially with Barca and Real, but they are serious players in European football. Our biggest challenge is that there are too many mega-rich clubs in the Premier league and that means it's hard to qualify for the Champions League in the first place to get access to the money that gets you to the next level. Will be interesting to see how wisely Leicester invest their financial bonanza. What we have instead of course is the academy and the players and then the money it produces... so IF we continue going about it the right way I'm optimistic that we can win some trophies in the coming years. Exciting times (and I say that after we've just lost three nil to Palace).

This. And we should aim for top six again next year.

It was crap, and frustratingly inconsistent. But we have to accept that Europe and the League Cup run are taking their toll. It's not that players can't play 2 or 3 games in a week, but if you have a Saints squad playing twice as many games as a Palace squad (have to check the figures re Palace but you get my point) then it's likely that performance will slip a bit. Even if it's only by a few percent on the stats that coaches look at that's enough to make a difference at elite level. Spurs weren't able to compete in Europe while staying in touch in the League this year... nor were Leicester even though they chose to focus on Europe rather than the league. So we're not alone. It's no surprise that Chelsea in particular are doing so well at the moment. Out of the EFL Cup early and no Europe and with a quality squad. Firm favourites for the title IMO.

And where is he working now?

On a completely different topic, just how short was our midfield last night? Still bossed it though. We've got the shortest midfield in the league We've got the shortest midfield in the league We've got the shortest midfield in the league And the shortest is Harry Reed* We've got Harry, and Jordie, and Stevie D They're shorter than Pogba when he's down on his knees But they'll kick your arse straight into the sea When you're down at St Mary's (Repeat until someone starts singing about Pompey...) * this may not be true cos Joride is f*cking short, but I can't be *rsed to check...

Boufal is absurdly talented. One he gets up to speed in the Prem, he's going to be awesome. When we sell him it will be for a lot more than Mane. Fact. (Ish). COYR

Josh Sims whoever he may be He came up through our academy Koeman didn't know it But everyone can see That he plays for the famous SFC

Sadly a story likely to emerge today about a former Saints player who has made abuse claims.

I'm a bit slow and a bit deaf - what is the Cedric chant?

Puel's come in for a but of stick lately. But thank you Claude for giving game time this season to Sam McQueen, Jake Hesketh and Harry Reed. And thanks most of all for going all left field on us and giving Josh Sims his debut against Ronald 'can't win anything with kids' Koeman. Sweet.

Straight swap for Berahino...

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/ali-dia-story-20-years-on-southampton-souness Some great detail in here...

That little back heel flick coming out of defence against the Pool. Oh yes.

Good grief, this thread. Manager who can barely string a sentence together in English says he enjoys watching one of his centre backs play football. Nothing else to be seen here. Move on.

Decent point against a team on a good run. The annoying results this season have been Hull away and Sunderland at home. Should have won both and if we had we'd be 6th. Those are the games we need to put away. That Hull result is still p1ssing me off even now.

Sturridge to leave Liverhampton in Jan? They owe us one...

Rickie's goal

We're not the first team to suffer as a result of playing in the Europa League without a squad costing 100s of millions and we won't be the last. But very frustrating against a team that look nailed on for relegation. This is Saints though...

His arm-waving was so unclear that it looked to me like Virgil thought for a split second that his goal had been disallowed...

I usually stand in the Northam but for the first time ever I sat in the Chapel last night. It is a very different experience, but it was OK. A bit more stroking of beards, and a bit less effing and blinding. Got to see all the goals though...

Agreed on both points. Claude seems to have cooled on PEH a bit at the moment. He'd be a nailed on starter for me. Chelsea v good though - Moses born again, and Hazard back to being close to unplayable. Costa still a complete **** though.

No way we deserved to lose up there earlier in the season. No reason why our reserves can't turn over theirs. COYR.

Job done. What a goal.