Dusic

Got a lot of respect for Maya. He comes from a country where very few players have made an impact as a PL player, certainly not as a centre back in a physical league. He must be mentally strong to have overcome the bias about being an Asian player in Europe and also carrying a lot of expectation on his shoulders from Japanese football fans. That isn't easy. He has improved massively during his time here, especially when playing alongside someone better than him. Also clear he cares and is well liked and respected by teammates. As a player he isn't IMO a first choice CB for a decent PL side but thats no disgrace. As a person, there is a lot to like about him in an era where the majority of PL players are lad banter, tattoo sleeve tossers. He will have a better story to tell than the majority.

Giles White just confirmed McManus will be staying as an opener. Slightly odd IMO, has never looked like a top order batter and a couple of times already Amla has been left with the tail...

That team would get hugely overrun. Long has been proven as even worse out wide than he is up front. Austin, with Tadic and Redmond behind is the way to go as unfortunately we need 3 CBs because they are all so poor.

Austin FFS. If he hadnt been injured (again) he would have missed 3 massive games due to his absolutely brainless violent conduct charge. McCarthy is the only player it would be acceptable to vote for IMO. Having been before, its usually a great evening, but wouldn't be this year. Surely has to be chopped.

Its absolutely shouldn't. 1. Long and Austin are a dreadful partnership - neither is remotely creative 2. Tadic has to start

Genuine question, do people actually think lots of tourists go to Saints games for a day out?

No. He was ideal for a very specific set of circumstances. Let him stay a legend.

He has been one of the worst of the failed signings. Less of an impact than Gaston Ramirez.

Lets be honest, there is no chance of us winning the next three games, or even two of them. We are so **** and concede goals from crosses in almost every game. The whole season, and recent matches, scream relegation.

Further proof today - absolute myth. Long and Austin are not a good pairing, neither technically adept and they didnt operate at all well together. Austin was a passenger for the first half and Long had one of his many games where he is just terrible. I would match Chelsea's 3-4-2-1 for the rest of the season with Tadic and Redmond behind Austin.

Five thoughts: 1. Yoshida and Hoedt are awful and inspire no confidence whatsoever. Both very poor today and miles short of the level of our previous CBs 2. Long and Austin cannot start together. Neither is technically good enough to hold the ball. Long is better on his own, but is a woeful finisher. We improved massively when he went off. They have played together a couppe of times (away at Bmth under Koeman I think) and have not looked remotely like a partnership 3. Tadic and Redmond either side of Austin is the way to go til the end of the season. 4. Our squad is so shot of confidence on the ball but also a coherent game plan. Chelsea were well drilled and have played their system for a couple of years. We look like a rabble 5. Not sure on Hughes for next season. Surely we should have subbed at HT? Would likely not have stopped their goal but first half was so woeful I assumed he would have recognised that.

Surely Amla has to be batting higher? McManus isn't an opener long term.

He looks a good prospect. Quite a few goals recently, including today.

Shows what a **** up we are thatbwe have loaned out a player semingly not good enough for our firet team, only to be faced with a scenario that he wants to leave to play at a higher level a few months later. You couldn't make it up, we have waited ages for him to be first team ready and then he will end up in the league above us (money/ambition talks, if they want him and are PL we aren't keeping him)!

If we win the cup this season it will be such bad timing as the whole apathy towards the club has grown. These players are not heros, they are spineless and do not deserve to be bracketed as anything else.

Our central defenders are ****e and central midfielders not mobile enough. Every time this season we have added a second striker we have got worse. Thats why we don't do it, and why very few PL teams do. Its not about two strikers, its about getting a solid base of possession and being able to get the wide players and full backs pushed on. When we do that we look much better but our CBs are so poor that they need a lot of protection.

All that needs saying is we are ****e. We deserve to go down and now, are down. Reed has ruined us within 2 years of being 6th. Impressive.

Bournemouth are safe now. Easily.

Out of interest do you think St Mary's is a hotbed of day trippers and tourists?

Seen a lot of him this season?

Some of thenstarting XIs posted on here are ridiculous. If the likes of Valery and Hesketh start the first game next season then I will be extremely worried.

Presume those who won't miss a thing will be hoping we don't get promoted? Relegation will be gutting. PL is where its at. Championship is an afterthought and everyone in it is trying to get out of it.

He has been played as a right wing back for Norwich after losing his place in centre midfield. Not saying he won't feature for us, but first season in Champ, if we are making a push to go straight back up, I don't think he is good enough/strong enough in central midfield. Good squad player.

Stoke have a much better chance of survival than us.

I think a great result pitch for this time of year. Same XI for Surrey hopefully but would push Amla up to open with McManus at 7. Should do well this season, but very key to keep Abbott and Edwards fit.