Chez

the new contract means, for once, we are in the driving seat. No reason for us to sell unless we get an offer that is too good to turn down. Perfect situation. As for whether we should sell if a good offer comes, the half decent three games without him shouldn't disguise the fact that he has been a decent player for us and we don't have an embarrassment of riches in CM, no matter how much I rate Romeu and Diallo. Having three decent players for two positions is a good thing - lets enjoy that while we can. If the right money is offered you do get a chance to replace him and strengthen elsewhere - our financial model relies on a decent sale every other season. Having said all that, I'd be surprised if we sold. I don't think Newcastle will offer enough to tempt us.

like the sound of that.

when looking at transfers we'd like/need, you need to focus on gaps in the squad and players to be out of contract. Its incredibly hard to shift unwanted senior players due to the wage demands, and financially you can only bring one in, if another leaves. According the keep track of contracts thread, the one year to go clan (focusing on first team players) are: Alex McCarthy Fraser Forster Jack Stephens Shane Long Armando Broja (end of loan) So there's your potential gaps. However, in light of the clubs policy to do everything they can to avoid players leaving for free (that they want), then the two year contract (which will be one next summer) guys are going to be either rewarded with new deals or look to be sold. Yan Valery Oriol Romeu Mohamed Elyounoussi Moussa Djénépo Nathan Redmond Nathan Tella Theo Walcott So maybe a few more gaps, but not until the summer.

Not keen on either, but both have done well this season. McCarthy makes some outstanding saves. If you don't care to credit him for those, that's up to you.

sure, but we only have so many strikers on the books. Three started and one was out injured. I don't see the point in moaning about Long. If we started him, then fair enough, but he is 4th choice at best.

it was. We pressed hard and gave them a good game.

it was a looping cross. Not sure he would ever have scored if he had directed at the goal. I am not a fan, but I think you are playing the man not the ball, or is it the other way round?

Disagree. You may not rate McCarthy, but he has made some absolutely outstanding saves this season. Some I'd argue Forster wouldn't have made. They both have done well. Maybe just praise them both?

why? Adams got a knock. Good job Long was on the bench. What other options were there? It was the league cup. No issues bringing him on in a game like this. The Walcott hatred on here seems a fraction harsh. Isn't he working his way back to fitness?

been saying it from day one. Diallo is quality and is going to shine at this level. Great to have some competition in that CM area. Not sure if my eyes betray me, but the corners just seem a fraction slower and more of them are in the right spot and that's helping our guys make something of them.

why don't keepers dive to their right to right footers and to their left to left footers. Nearly every penalty seems to go that way. Decent performance. Gave them plenty of problems and could easily have won it with a little bit of luck. Great to see Smallbone back. Penalty was bad, but the bigger picture is he has recovered fro his ACL. Also good to Lyrenco put his poor first game behind him.

Our press was excellent, but Leeds unwillingness to adjust their game plan, and lack of quality were a factor. You can only beat whats put in front of you. Leeds were obviously missing key players, but we had massive injury problems last season...it happens. No one cares. There were so many positives for us, not least Broja providing as a proper focal point in attack. Not having to play two centre forwards will mean we can bolster the midfield, which is a must against many teams. We have badly needed someone who can win the odd header and enable us to play direct from time to time. Being less predictable can have a massive positive effect. Good to see Redmond getting support on here. He's a confidence player and it seems to be quite high. Long may that continue, because that `winger' area is a concern. We need him to have a good season otherwise who is going to create the chances? On such a positive day for Saints, I struggle to find a negative. I wish I'd brought my sunglasses as I was blinded all afternoon by that lovely sun. There was one thing I noticed. As great as Livramento is and was yesterday, he had another fabulous game, he badly ball watched a couple of times, allowing his man to run behind him. Hopefully a very brief loss of concentration and not a regular thing. I also thought Ralph was too slow in subbing Elyonoussi (who also had a good game) who was clearly knackered with ten to go. If I can see it, then he should be able to. Armstrong looked looked a little off the pace when he came on. We should not expect miracles from him straight away. One more thing. I m a massive Diallo fan. I think he can really shine at this level. The way he positions his body and gets out of tight spaces like Scholes/Morgan did excites me. I couldn't understand the criticism of him, however I understand that a little more yesterday. His positional play is bad at times. He doesn't quite know where to be and often finds himself on the wrong side of the ball. I hope that comes with experience. Small things... Great day, very happy with the win.

he was lucky not to get a yellow earlier. Probably didn't help him. Tat said, we want players to get stuck in etc. and that what he was doing. Its a fine line between my physical, making challenges that are OK and making challenges that end up with a red these days.

biggest small cunt in football. Cant stand him. Not all his decisions are wrong, but when he makes them, I find it hard not to argue with them, grrrrrr....and relax.

nott really. We hung on for grim life in the first half. Could easily have been three down and we did nothing going forward at all. In the second we intercepted some balls and broke and scored. Chelsea looked like scoring at will. Competitive was when we had Morgan, Lallana et al going toe to toe with the big teams. We are a long way from that.

Perraud not excelling from the off ties his hands a little. That signing needed to be spot on and so far it hasn't. Give it time of course.

no doubt. I simply asked the question. Where were they?

Werner took KWP to pieces for the third. Not signing a left back good enough to get in this team is costing us.

where were the CBs when he tapped it in?

Defender make a meal of it, but if there is contact its in the achilles area and that's nasty. Dig in chaps. Long ten minutes....

CM depth we are questioned now comes into focus.

he does. nasty tackle.

thew wrong angle here and he's fucked. Not sure he touches him though.

Forster never makes that save. Ever.

what. a. save.