saint michael

I don't believe it is ever done in one step or will be very quick without ploughing millions in as city have done. It is frustrating when it feels like we are close and can push on with a couple of big additions but maintaining a sensible cost base is going to be the way forward. I am more keen to see us holding our good players for longer and them developing together.

Well let's see. Hope you are right. There are not many managers I can think of that can keep improving performance when selling the core of a team repeatedly. The players that came in had a great first season they are now the foundation of the experience for this season. I am not saying by the way that the guys we have brought in are not good buys. I am talking about team construction and structure

I agree but I'm saying sooner or later this tactic is likely to catch up with us. Forming a strong team and strong team culture is not easy to maintain when you change as often as we are. Last year was exceptional but we still retained a lot of the group that had got us into the prem. This core group is now getting less. We should not expect to be able to do this every year

the risks are not being able to replace with the same quality and at what point does the spirit of the side get affected by change policy of losing two or three key players each year.

Sensible post and agree what you say but the one thing you missed is he is likely to get much more play time at Saints. It's this that has raised his ability and visibility

Hmmm strangely quiet from some people today

I think it's the same problem we have had in the second half of the season. When a team sits deep and we have to break them down we have had not enough movement and any ideas so pass it around in front of them until the final pass breaks down. Midfield looks a little out of shape and overwhelmed when they attack and confidence looks low. Everybody's trying but looks like individuals rather than team COYR

No we are not Bertrand is playing wing back and leaving yoshi Fonte and toby

Clyne bloody autocorrect.

We are trying to play with a back 3 and it's shocking. We need to get Flynn on quickly before we give them one and build their hope

Spoke to my celtic mate to find out next best celtic player to join and he reckons Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen

Can't remember our passing being this bad. Tadic coming on

Morgan looks switched off and leaving a lot to do for Wanyama. Boy do we miss Steve davis. He really does make us tick

Much better second half and good that we changed early to a back 4. Just lacking confidence at the wrong time of the season please stop slagging them off. They all care and are working their socks off. It will turn around when we get a lucky break or something. Davis clearly makes us tick. Missed him early on

The team aren't pressing together because they are afraid of losing it and getting caught out. Amazing how confidence changes a game

Big vic is going to end off in this one he looks really at it

How can he take Elia off over Pelle he doesn't even look like a footballer

Sorry should have said in the league

Pelle having a nightmare. Only seems interested in holding on. Looks like he has no idea when he receives it. Needs a goal to get some confidence

Didn't we get 9 points from these 4 fixtures last season

Is this our new winger? Hyah hyah

Thanks for the insight. It's interesting watching them both. Ronald was very open yesterday when he said west ham are not a very good team. Has already ruffled lambert at Aston villa and can see him doing more of that. I like the fact that he doesn't hide or walk away from delivering hard messages

I know they need time to get to know each other and gel. I understand that but would like to see us with more shape anted trying to keep it and pass it on the deck. Not sure where we are going with this. Maybe big Ron is thinking this will work against champ side

I don't think we will be singing to wham we are Southampton we play on the floor this year

My worry is that we haven't got time to gel. Our start requires us to pick points. Slow starts and not picking max points up in home games like this mean we will have to start beating the bigger sides