Chez

a surprise that its a top topic on the ugly or that Saints look likley to again be threatened with legal action to get their money owed?

It's great for the national team that Premiership club sides are playing possession football, but give it a few seasons and the Premiership might be a worse place for it entertainment wise. At the Hawthorns there was so much square passing it's not true. I don't have a problem with it. I am very much in favour of going backwards and square rather than hitting and hoping, but when the space opens up we need to push into it with much more conviction than we did on Saturday. Wanyama (my MOTM, Mulumbo aside) was as guilty of anyone and Chambers was equally tentative about driving on. Perhaps first game nerves, especially for Chambers, but we'll need to do a little more at home next week. The onus will be on us to attack a little more. I felt we didn't comitt quite enough, although I concede that we were away from home so kept it tight. That said it was a thoroughly professional away performance by Saints, Boruc apart, who I thought was incredibly sloppy and a great opening day to the season for us. Seems a while since we won on the first day of a top flight season, so I will take that and like every Saints fan will keep my feet on the ground whilst dreaming of success. Just for the record we played four at the back, two holding midfielders. Prowse played right midfield, tucking in and (supposedly) pushing on to support the attackers as well. Lallana played in the hole. Lambert was up front on his own. Rodrigeuz played left side, going up and down. Boruc 6 Great save, but in the first half the rest of his game was terrible. Far, far too casual and some very poor kicking. Too soft passes to fullbacks putting players under pressure, some poor choices and a misskick to compound things. Better in second half. Chambers 7 Great debut. He looked so secure and composed. Very sold game defensively. When confidence grows I expect him to be more adventurous going forward. Lovren 8 looked very classy indeed. Unlike Maya his passes seemed to find a red shirt too. Beaten in the air a few times by Long, which worries me slightly, but great debut. Fonte - 6 shocking distribution. Solid defensively. Shaw 9 our most threatening offensive player, looked even more impressive than last season Morgan 7 solid game, but not sure if having Lallana in front and Wanyama helped him. Early days. Wanyama 9 excellent debut. I just would have liked to have seen him drive into the space a fraction more, but that's me being hyper critical. One great nutmeg pass that even lambert didn't read caught my eye. Lallana 7 - lot so nice stuff. Looked fit. Worked very hard to close players down. Some lovely flicks to open them up. Prowse 6 offered little going forward and should have been subbed on the hour considering it was 0-0. Not a right sided midfielder if you ask me, so did well considering. Great prospect. Rodriguez - 7 brief bursts of pace that broke up all the square passing caused problems. Would have liked to see a little more of that Lambert 7 lots of movement (more runs than I have ever seen before) but hardly ever found. he looked even more confident than usual. Fantastic pen. Cork - what a sub to bring on. Very tough on him to lose his place based on his outstanding performances last season. I think I'd rather see him than Prowse at right midfield if we are looking for a player that can tuck in to make three or four midfielders. Not on long enough to do much. Ramirez - looked bright and sharp. Will want to get game time I suspect, but no sign of sulking or anything you might expect of a star player being left out. Didn't see the ball much, but did bring a few groans when well positioned and went for an eye of the needle pass that didn't work out.

wouldn't united be better off signing Shaw and Morgan?

The fact Sagna is still first choice for Arsenal sums them up for me. He is terrible and has been for ages.

could not agree more. Captains armband has zero effect on player performance on the pitch.

probably right in this case, but there will be players of quality out there happy to get a big Premiership wage and who rate them self enough to possibly be selected ahead of Shaw, especially if he goes through a flat patch which all players do.

Claus, Dodd and Francis could all be in with a shout appearance and longevity wise, but as none were really my cup of tea perhaps Eric Day, Tommy Traynor or John Sydenham should be considered as they all have even more appearances for Saints. If we are looking for other players for the 80s then Danny Wallace and Jimmy Case would get my vote. Case might miss out due to his Liverpool link, but he feels much more of a Saints than KK. That said I really don't know why Nick Holmes is not included. 543 games for Saints from 72 to 87 and he was a quality player too. A Saints legend.

he was poor last season and it's his reputation alone that has kept him in the side and perhaps the lack of genuine competition. All keepers make mistakes as you say, but he is making too many at present. Hopefully he'll get back to where he was 12 months ago. Gerrard was my MOTM last night. Only one hollywood ball attempt all night (which typically went straight to an opponent) which is possibly why he impressed me. He worked hard, looked sharp and showed a great first touch and real composure. If he keeps passes short he's an automatic for me. Miles better than Carrick who is just average. Cleverly isn't good enough. I'd rather play Milner, who has always looked good in the middle - its out wide he offers nothing. Wiltshire is class. Rooney is still a top quality player and he gives it all in an England shirt. He was poor in South Africa, but he was coming back from injury. He'd be in my squad every time. I don't think Cahill or Jagielka are anywhere near good enough at international level. The problem is I don't see anyone else that is. Jones needs to get a season as first choice at United and maybe Smalling too. Can't see that happening so we have Dawson as the only other option and he'll be injured anyway.

it's hard to be subjective, but Rickie is simply a better all round player than Carroll. Carroll is a tad quicker and better in the air, but Rickie wins on pretty much every other facet. Defoe will get the nod despite doing pretty much **** all all season and maybe even carrying a knock.

I still wonder why Keegan and Shilton are selected ahead of someone like Nick Holmes. Shilton is a Forest man for me and Keegan much more associated with Liverpool and Newcastle.

the more bitter the skate post the bigger my smile. Love the fact it has got under their skin and that they will never be able to take it away from the lad, the club and the fans. Great moment actually made better by the skates trying to undermine it.

"...and Southampton Football Club". Music to my ears.

the two efforts at the end took just a fraction of gloss off an unbelievable debut. Score one of those and he'd be a shoe in for the qualifier. Thank **** he had scored prior to them otherwise he'd of been crucified.

Legend

absolute joy. Hope the feeling is replicated on Saturday.

massive cheer for Sir Rickie

boy do we need to find a CB from somewhere this season. Cahill is no where near international class

that's what I'm talking about. Cleverly. No impact on the game. I'll shut up now.

Cleverly. I wondered who that player wondering around having no impact on the game was. Boy do we have a lack of quality throughout. I don't rate either CB. The keeper makes mistakes. No left side as usual, no strikers and a central midfielder that is out of his depth.

Walcott again shows no desire, then follows it up by losing it. Buck up lad you're better than that.

he should be banned from playing passes over 15 yards. Top quality player until he tries to play longer passes.

total lack of desire from Welbeck and Walcott if you ask me.

Hart starts the season off where he finished it...making massive mistakes.

massive lack of effort to close him down quickly, Walcott especially. Didn't see Welbeck put his body on the line either.

looking at the early exchanges I have to ask, why is England giving Rooney match fitness. If you aint fit you shouldn't be selected