Chez

People jump on Smallbone's back for the slightest thing, but that was embarrassingly bad.

So shit from Manning there. Woeful shot and then sells himself completely and from then on we are fucked.

I agree, but ABK really is poor. The thought of it being just him and THB must just be too scary for Juric.

Why didn't he start?

Yep. 15 minutes of fun. Chelsea actually looked a little nervy (their fans were a little restless) and you think to yourself, if we were a half way decent side, we'd take these guys today...but we ain't. We are fucking shit.

If you say so. I think it was just a poor decision and poor application. That's what `not quite good enough' players in a struggling side do in an attempt to keep the ball.

killer. Trying to play it, which is always admiral, but the decision-making is just not good enough. That's been the story all season. Players just not good enough and making errors that get punished.

I'll be amazed if he doesn't get one soon.

Looked like he was the wrong side of his man, but he at least stuck his head where it hurts to try and recover, but was second best.

Aribo, ABK and Bree again. Bloody hell.

I've been saying it for ages - on any given day, the very top sides like Liverpool and previously City, could easily score 10 against many teams. We need to dig in tonight.

They marmalised us last time, but took their foot off the gas massively. They are out of form, but still worry we might get another beating.

He's bound to change it tonight, but not sure it will make any difference, what with all the injuries, Les being unavailable (not that he was any good on Saturday) and the side looking totally beaten and devoid of confidence.

I used to get a bit annoyed at Ralph for changing the formation 5 times in one half as I felt he was confusing the players a little, but now we pick the same formation and never deviate from it during the entire game. Is Juric worried his players might be confused, because to be frank, I am not sure we'd fucking notice.

Unless he has a relegation release, we still hold all the cards, but then it's down to our financial situation. God knows what that looks like, but in the summer of 2023 we seemed to set significant valuations on players and then seemed to stick by them.

you are right, it was 2023. I guess that was a good decision. I suspect our valuation would have gone up a year later and his desire to leave would be non existent.

We rejected a £7m bid from Sheff United this summer, supposedly.

He's contracted until 2028 which makes our negotiating hand as strong as it gets for a relegated club. Who knows what's in his contract though.

I've been impressed with him all season, as most Saints will have been, but yesterday took my appreciation to another level. His speed off the line, ability to get down and massive physical presence was on another level to what I've seen in a Saints shirt for a long long time. How annoying is it to finally sort out the keeper position only for him to likely depart on relegation?

Could not agree more. I've rewatched the save that he touches on to the post many times and it's right up there with the best I've seen this season.

The save he makes near the end was absolutely tremendous (added to several others yesterday) and another reason he won’t stay, he’s too good to play championship football.

I predict it won’t start well either, and the less said about the middle portion the better.

I could watch him play all day. He's got the quality needed and the heart. I wish we had a Romeu and/or a Morgan behind him.

First game for a long time, so I am willing to cut him a little slack, but as was the case when he played before, when he has the ball he just doesn't look comfortable, which in today's game is a big problem. Van Hecke looked light years ahead. He looked sharp, had a decent touch and there was snappy passing. Snappy full stop. ABK is a strong lad, but that's pretty much it. He's not quick in a straight line or on the turn. I'm amazed Germany ever game him a cap. Technically he's just not an international player. He can only get better from today, but he needs to be playing in a two with...oh, why am I bothering? He didn't want to drop down a division last time, so why would he this time around?

I thought he was good today. He seems desperate to win. He wants the ball all the time and is always looking to get things moving. He's a genuine leader. I guess the only criticism is opponents do run through our middle - and that's where he plays - but he should be playing with two quality CMs behind him and I'm afraid Les, Aribo, Downes and Smallbone just haven't cut the mustard.