Chez

I'm with you. In a three, its a no brainer. Lyanco certainly has the ball skills and they should not be ignored, as it allows us to keep the ball and there is less defending to do, but he just does not do that defending properly. He `cheats' a bit. Instead of battling and accepting on occasion that he can't win a ball (he isn't a huge physical specimen, so can't bully all opponents), he chooses to dive in instead. 9 times out of 10 he gets the ball, or even the foul, but he sells himself time after time and a decent forward will wait for that error and then you are done for. If that doesn't happen in a game, he can look pretty good, but to my eye, its like a keeper that drops crosses but doesn't concede as a result. Eventually your luck runs out and those drops should not be overlooked. I think he hides a little bit at set pieces too. Not every player is great in the air or dominant, but centre halves need to be monsters in their own box. He doesn't stick his head in where it hurts. He is too passive and even turns his back on occasions. It has cost us goals IMO. He has some good attributes including his first touch, enthusiasm and drive, bit of nastiness, decent turn of foot...and as a fourth choice he is just fine. He's a Saint and I will support him to the max whenever he plays, but I wonder if he will ever learn and transform (like Fonte did) from being reckless to a tremendous defender. I have my doubts.

DCC is pretty slow. Not sure that matters much in a deep lying five man defence, but it should be noted. I'm surprised he wasn't picked to mark Mitrovic.

Who you referring to DT? CC and S Armstrong?

can you possibly clarify whether Perraud played left back from the off, or did he start further forward before dropping back? There were mixed opinions from earlier posters. Also, there is a lot of criticism about that sub, did you feel at the time that we were on top and needed to go all in or more that that period of `domination' had passed and we needed to regain control somehow? Is their much clamour from Saints away fans to play Mara?

I know that not all our SR summer signings were nippers, but I wonder if their `buy the best affordable talent, even if that means very young and inexperienced' philosophy will continue. Will age and experience be two key criteria for NJ or does `type of player' relate more to their style of play, physical attributes etc.

Soyuncu has been linked with pretty much every big club under the sun over the last year. Milan, Roma, Chelsea, Athletico... But he has been terrible for the last couple of seasons. Maybe his agent is top notch (and it's all bullshit placed stories to drum up interest) or maybe his past form and potential low price are enough to interest that calibre of suitors. He can walk on a free in the summer to ensure he maximises his wages. He might sit tight until then.

Yep and ...now I've swung back round again, it's worse than it was before. Down.

NJ pointed out that well run clubs (lets not go down that route) start scouting/talks pretty much straight after the previous window closes, however the "looking since we have come in" suggests previous work may have been chucked in the bin as NJ had new criteria, as a result putting us behind where we should be, possibly.

As a free transfer from Charlton with potential, I could see the value, but he hardly set the world on fire at Rangers. I didn't see a guy that was going to come to a struggling Premiership side and improve both his and our game.

you've posted a few times that we tried to get him when he was leaving Charlton, so wouldn't this signing be as a result of a recommendation from some of the other scouts/transfer committee members? I'd like to know who made the decision/recommendation on Mara.

his touch and balls skills are fine, it's everything else that is the problem. The pace, sharpness, the movement and the energy. If he was a big lad playing up front that you could perhaps play off, maybe you could find a place for him in the side, but he ain't that, so I struggle to see a role for him. We have carried him all season. He's had enough chances now.

I don't agree. Che scores, Edozie scores, better defending on the set pieces and maybe we win. NJ set us up well, adjusted correctly, got us fighting, took Aribo off for underperforming. He contributed to some good things today. It matters not. Until we win games its going to be impossible to defend him and I'm not going to be the one to do that.

he simply isn't top class. For an average side that doesn't create hundreds of guilt edge chances, that is a massive problem. It was good keeping to be fair, but the very best strikers take them out of the equation.

let's deal with one nightmare at a time.

That's what I thought. I know its a lost cause trying to defend NJ on here, and he may well be the total useless bastard most are saying, but the players have to take responsibility for the defeat today I think.

if Perraud had scored when he broke, cut inside leaving the defender on the floor only stopped by a second tracking back, would you have said the same thing? For me it was more tired legs and Fulham fighting back that saw us lose momentum. But if you want to blame NJ for the defeat that's your choice.

OK. It gets some fresh legs in midfield. He took Salisu off, so he effectively added an extra player to midfield.

Bit harsh. Whatever he did after Brighton, he got the side up for the fight, seemed to set them up well. Not sure NJ can take the blame for that defeat.

Got to say the Edozie chance should be buried at this level. Much easier chance than the Solly March goal last week. Our forward players just aren't ruthless enough. Not all chances are easy. The keeper made it tough for Che, but we just score enough goals.

I'll have to look at it again I think. He looked very passive to me. Casual. Lazy. Certainly not committed to winning the header at all costs. Maybe I am wrong.

thought we fought hard and for periods looked half decent. Che should have scored early on. Could have made a big difference. Far too many one on one chances are not taken in games. When we pressed Fulham struggled. When Edozie and Che got tired we faded. So badly need genuine forward options to keep that energy up. NJ needs signings done quick. Thought Lyanco cost us a point. He makes zero effort to win the header for the corner. I'll add this to my collection of piss poor efforts to win headers that have led directly to goals (Norwich and Liverpool being the others). I have said it from game 1 that he is a liability. This is about the 8th game in a row that Aribo has been a total no entity. He does nothing. Absolutely nothing. Thought Ely, JWP ad Edozie had good games. ABK marshalled Mitrovic well. KWP looked sharp.

Fuck off Lyanco. Pathetic defending.

Brilliant defending there by ABK against Mitrovic.

Unlucky there Perraud.

we are holding on a little to be honest