LaptopSaint

It was always going to be a struggle at the start of this season without five (and last night six) of last year's 'back seven'. We will get better, and I can still see a decent cup run coming up (but I've always been a bit glass half full). Still, the most annoying thing was the tactics used against the woeful Danes - even McManaman and Hargreaves could see that and neither of them are the sharpest cones on the training ground. How could we have been worse with two of Tadic, Long, Juanmi or Mane on from the start? And if Mane wasn't fit to play at least half an hour, why the hell was he on the bench?

Pretty much this. The selection was incomprehensible and we deserved to lose. At least we can only get better.

I feel sorry for Juanmi. He could still be living in southern Spain for ****'s sake. Koeman's been on the strong meds judging by his post-match comments. Best team over two legs? - come on Ron! Roll on Norwich and Milton Keynes. Back in Europe in the 2020s.

Liking the look of Cedric so far. And Tadic looks likes he had a good rest and has come back stronger. Throw in Mane scaring the sh1t out of every defence he runs at, Clasie biting their ankles, and Juanmi still to show, and I'm looking forward to this season...

Whenever he's back - and let's hope it's sooner rather than later - a lot rests this season on how good a replacement Stekelenberg proves to be.

Bit gutted really. He's been my favourite player - and in my opinion our best player - since we were in League One. Yes, even in his first season or so when he had a fair few internet warriors giving him grief I thought he was class. Genuinely wish Morgan all the best except when he plays against us.

It is, and yet after meltdown last summer we started with half a new team and looked like world beaters until Christmas. So while I agree that it would be better to have the whole squad settled by mid July, it rarely works out that way. Footballers are quite set in their ways, they like certainty, and pre-season helps set routines. But really good players can come in and perform from the word go.

Sunday Times reckons Spurs are in pole position to get Toby from Atletico as well - just imagine Morgan and Toby turning up with Poch at SMS. Ugly.

The big problem with this signing is that Jose loses his song... Don't you Juanmi baby? Don't you Juanmi Oh-oh-oh-oh?

The trouble with your par season is that it would leave us out of Europe the following season, making it harder to keep and/or attract the kind of players we need. That's the challenge - keeping that level of consistency and not being the next Everton that threatens the top six, gets a half decent European run, but slips back as a result. Not easy, but should be exciting. COYRs

Bertrand in full squad, Targett in U21s, Shaw on the beach. Thank you and good night.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2015/may/12/david-squires-on-the-fight-to-avoid-the-europa-league

I think if it turned out Spurs was the only offer for Morgan the conversation would be pretty simple... "Hi Boss." "Hi Morgan." "Spurs have apparently..." "Listen son... Champions League, fair enough. But that shower of sh1te in north London? Do me a favour. Pre-season training starts tomorrow."

Great article. And good luck to Athletic in the Copa Del Rey. COme on you red and white machine!

Just don't let Erikssen score from just outside the box with no-one challenging him. Please. 2-1 Saints.

Yeah they've been disappointing for years. Van Nistelrooy, Suarez, Bony. The list goes on...

I'm watching Israel-Belgium in a pub in Brussels. Toby's having a stormer...

Don't think we'll see him before Christmas... mate of mine did his patellar. Takes time. I'd bring Boruc back if he'd come. He's good enough, and I love having at least one certified nutter in the team.

Seems a v long time for this kind of injury... All the best to Fraser for a full recovery.

Sam Gallagher played really well - put in a proper shift

MANE IS A JOKE We are never going to score. Goooaaaallll! Get the Fook in! Thanks Aziz, I appreciate the humour. Must be a foreign thing.

Three out of eight MOTD goal of the month contenders were scored against us. Pretty much sums February up. F*ck it. Let's move on.

This. Thank you. Off to the pub, and watching MOTD in the morning.

When Morgan's on his game, I'd say he was key. We just look so much less likely to lose. But we'll have to learn to live without him.

Posting that photo was about as successful as Dejan Lovren taking a penalty. Ah well...