Chez

Are our current struggles down to the current owner?

It's not easy to create chances. The team does not dominate like it used to because it's not as good as it once was. We now need strikers that either create opportunities off their own backs, which Mane is perhaps capable of doing, and or we need clinical finishing when the odd chance does come our way. Not sure we have that at the club apart from when Pelle has the sun on his back in August. I don't think a striker will get a more clear cut chance than being oput through one on one with the keeper. If you don't take those type of chances you have no business leading the line in the premiership these days.

Long just isn't a very good finisher. Simple as that. I will say it again, when he goes through on goal he just doesn't look like he is confident he will score. Having said that I thought he played pretty well and lead the line as well as Pelle has been doing and offers more in terms of working the channels. What is the alternative? mane up front?

I was going to say the same thing. There are quite a few of them pretending to be saints fans on here.

Our form is bad, but Palace and Spurs are decent sides.

I am not a big fan by any means, but did he give the ball away often?

I thought we played pretty well to be honest and were in total control up until the Wanyama red card. We passed it better than I have seen for a while and won a lot of second ball. Tadic and Bertrand posed a real threat down the left and Martina, who was strong throughout (showing how weak Soares is) offered great width on the right. We didn't create loads, but Norwich had a lot of men behind the ball, so not easy. Wanyama will obviously be blamed for the defeat, and boy was it a stupid red, but in addition to that you have to look at the absolutely woeful finishing by Long when one on one with the keeper. At this level you have to be taking those sort of chances. And that's our problem, we just don't have enough quality in the striker department. Norwich looked a poor side. Maybe we made them look like a poor side, but having done so we need to be winning that game. For me, we should have won the last two games, so it's very frustrating.

How do we compare budget wise (net transfer fees plus wages)?

Yes, but has shakiri taken the league by storm though? From what I have seen he's been pretty poor up until the last couple of games. Arnautovic on the other hand...

He was poor IMO. Right back a problem, as is left back cover, we haven't solved the midfield issue, we lack a little creativity in the hole, and have next to no options off the bench up front. So, amazingly its just in goal that we perhaps don't need to improve the side. I doubt we will sign anyone on a permanent deal in the window, but perhaps one in on loan.

Who? Shakiri? Has he really taken the league by storm?

You might just well be right there, but he doesn't half scare the **** out of fullbacks. Mane is certainly an upgrade, but we need him taking the full back on a little more.

Painful losing having been in front and in total control, but the substitutions were not to blame. I am not sure who was. It was more about missed opportunities, especially Davies' absolute load of toss lob when it looked easier to score or indeed to set up a colleague. I wish it wasn't today, but have to say I am glad Antonio finally got his chance at West Ham, after shining at Forrest last season and Wednesday before that. He is One of my all time favourite Saints players. Yes I know his limitations, but He showed exactly the sort of pacey powerful running with the ball that we need to get Mane doing again. Love that type of player. Despite the loss we do look to have got some of our confidence back, although West Ham look a poor side with the injuries they have, so we may not have turned the corner fully yet.

That rings very true. If you we going to pass it around with little ambition, at least stick to that ploy rather than give up early and hoof it long. Get Cork back and we might start turning ball over again.

I don't, but that line of thinking is different from what you posted earlier,which was that the club engineered its exit from Europe rather than to not be unhappy by its exit.

Reed isn't pulling any trees up at a far lower level.

youve tied yourself into a knot. I havent said the club were or werent complacent, I have merely questioned the incompatability of your two lines of thought. Stick to the hoddle was the second coming, hopefully we we finish 17th posts.

momentum and belief. Great to see some churn in the prem at last. I hope it lasts...

is there actually money available? We have a £60m debt that I thought the club wefe going to adress.

just as well club wasnt complacent and engineered that european exit...

not by me. He proved both Poch and RK wrong but was still overlooked. Just how much did he want in wages? Id take Cork ahead of any of our CM at the moment. Dirty work done perhas the footballers in the side would be more effective.

the game has changed, but running, heading, closing down, takling, intercepting balls, holding playefs off and being first to loose ball are still required to go with first touch and passing. the midfield does not have the athletisism required imo.

its because he runs himself into the ground, said no one ever.

we engineered the exit from europe? Shame relegation doesnt clear out forum deadwood

newcastle came from behind to win last week at whie hart lane. its not spurs strength that was the problem, more our weakness. We dont believe in what we are do ng anymore.