Saint Albert

How many PL calibre managers would be willing to move to a club with a takeover hanging over it? It must reduce the club's attractiveness to potential candidates. It's one thing to demand Puel out, but who will realistically come in to replace him knowing that new owners may take over and change everything including the coaching line up? I appreciate that there were disappointing aspects to the team's performance this year including home goals scored, and this is the first season since promotion that the club has not improved in points or position, but given the present background at the club isn't there a huge risk to getting rid of a manager who has had a credible season considering key injuries, significant outgoing players and the challenge of the fixture congestion caused by the Europa League?

If the squad was unhappy I'd be really concerned but is there any concrete evidence of that aside from a few tantrums on the sidelines following substitutions? And yes, I would have taken 8th and a league cup final place even knowing the other things.

Not to mention our top scorer getting injured as well, Mane leaving, Wanyama leaving etc. I would definitely have taken 8th plus EFL final place, if offered at the beginning of the season.

The Telegraph and the Guardian are both reporting that Watford are after Silva to replace Mazzarri: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/17/watford-target-marco-silva-replace-walter-mazzarri-face-competition/ https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/17/watford-manager-walter-mazzarri-leave-end-season

I think that the post refers to the initial group, not the whole thing. To be fair, it was a weak group. The two teams that made it out barely registered in the playoff stage.

He's trying to say that with a majority of potential transfer targets on long contracts, there is no need to sell this summer unlike previous years with players such as Wanyama (1 year) and Mane (2 years), to which one might reply Lallana. Or bull ****.

I didn't until you posted this.

Redmond was called into the England senior squad for the first time, while playing under Puel. While England's selections have been at times odd over the years, that seems reasonably indicative of noticeable improvement over the season to me.

I think that Redmond's ability to attack the final third with the ball at his feet has improved significantly over this season.

Didn't Howe say thanks but no thanks when approached by Saints last summer?

I remember thinking that we got lucky with the draw at the time. Saints went through Spurs, Millwall, Norwich and L1 Watford on the way to the final.

I'm not a big fan of his finishing, but I have a lot of respect for the shift he put in today. Lovely cross to set up J-Rod's goal as well.

The Silva to Saints rumours continue: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/13/marco-silva-has-already-achieved-personal-mission-hull-city/

For me Austin is the least likely of the three to go. There's been a lot of noise surrounding J-Rod going and obvious frustration from him at the lack of first team opportunities. I'd not be surprised if he leaves. Depending on incomings I can see Long going. I'd miss his pace and effort but not his finishing.

I believe that Hull's last game is against Spurs. If they beat CP on Sunday they will still be 1 point adrift. Hull also have an inferior GD so I think that they are most likely done, but stranger things have happened. Loved Long's effort today. He didn't stop running in a game where both teams had very little to play for. I'm happy with the result. Yes 'Boro were crap, but we won.

FT: 1-2. Good job Saints. Nice to see Charlie Austin back.

Pied has taken a clattering in this game.

Austin comes on for Long.

Long does not stop running. Gibson with a naughty tackle on him.

Davis on for Hojberg

1-2 Bamford from a corner

Limited opposition I know but Redmond is menacing the 'boro defence.

Austin.

Clayton playing the wrong sport...

Long' space the factor there...and he skies the pen