Jack

Interesting article posted this afternoon. Couldn't see it anywhere else. 'Long ball' stats can be misleading. http://www.whoscored.com/Blog/q5hf_gkblue1ias-qycfwg/Show/Team-Focus-Pochettino-Coming-Good-at-Southampton#.UlQJbmfr2Cs.twitter

Based on? Just out of interest.

Can't wait for this. Sh*tty international break. Still, more time for MP to put a good game plan in place. Seems we thrive on games against the so called 'top six' under Poch. Liverpool 0-1 Saints Spurs 1-0 Saints (good performance, deserved more) Saints 2-1 Chelsea Saints 3-1 Liverpool Saints 3-1 Man City Man Utd 2-1 Saints (good performance) Could throw in 2-2 at Chelsea and 1-1 at home against Arsenal in there at the start of 2013. That's a pretty good record against the big teams.

^^Yep, we were crap at Norwich and would've come away with at least a point had we played anything like decent (and maybe been given that blatant penalty). Sunderland was frustrating after an awful first 5 mins, and we lacked end product vs WHU. We've had some good results, but some not so good ones too. We've had a fairly good run in and our next few look good on paper with the exception of United away, which means we'll have some runs of tough fixtures coming up soon. Exciting times whichever way you look at it.

Plus they'll be expected to win, and I'm sure they'll get nervous if we get in their faces and things aren't going their way.

No, but they've lost what was holding together and papering over the cracks of a very average United side. It'll be hard to get anything there, but no reason we can't.

Losing Shaw is a massive blow.

Anyone else get in? My friend entered me after I said about doing the Great South Run this year. I think she thought I wouldn't get in, and I did. Next few months will be interesting

Really should be beating this lot, their squad looks weak and they've got an idiot in charge. I'd love another clean sheet from a solid performance, and it's about time we started converting some chances. 2-0 Osvaldo brace

Was mainly Robbie Fowler talking about us, mainly filling time with drivel. Said there were no real standout performances but we were solid and workmanlike, pressed from the front, went with a gameplan and stuck to it. They all agreed that we were well worth the 3 points and deserved to win. If Lovren, Boruc, Clyne and Lallana's performances didn't stand out, then he probably didn't see anything other than the brief highlights they showed on us MOTD.

Bet he's got more interesting conversation than some melt trying to wind up plastic Mancs in regards to Southampton's league position.

May have been different if we were chasing the game. Ramirez isn't someone you bring on if you need to press, track back, be solid and careful in possession.

Why would we gloat? That's so small time. They'll finish well above us and we're pretty insignificant to them.

Might be a good time to play united away next month - straight after a round of internationals and they haven't found their feet under Moyes. We put in a good performance there last season, nothing to fear this time round.

We're playing a bit less expansively than we're used to, but we are creating chances. Surely the goals will come. Not getting carried away or complacent but a 'gimme' cup game and Palace at home should be decent games to have coming up next.

Liverpool fans in living in the past shocker.

Double post FFS.

Best signing since Lambert, by a distance. Hoping he has a long career here, and he's bringing the best out of Fonte. I can't remember ever feeling this confident when we're defending after years of panicking every time the ball got into our final third.

Lovren MOTM by a mile. Hasn't had a bad game all season and won it for us today. Rock solid and brilliant header. I was wrong on today, thought we'd get beaten but we stepped up, as well as Liverpool being poor. Only negatives for me were Wanyama continuing to be far too slow at shifting the ball, and Lambo didn't really get in the game but still pulled their defense all over the place. Great and well deserved result.

If we give the ball away when we're out of defensive shape, like we did loads of times against Norwich and West Ham, we'll find it tough. Teams like Liverpool punish mistakes. Luckily for us, West Ham are ******* ****e going forward.

Can't understand why there are that many Liverpool fans concerned by us. If we're as sloppy as we have been in the last 2, and why would we not be, I can't see us having much joy there.

Welcome to the board. I just thought if take this opportunity to point out that you haven't got enough defenders in your lineup, and you've got too many midfielders. Regards. Jack.

Just because people don't comment much on here don't think it's not appreciated. I always look forward to your blog. Keep up the good work!

Looks a good player. Was my MOTM vs Norwich and looked solid again yesterday. Hasn't really put a foot wrong. 8/10

Good against WBA and Sunderland, absolutely shocking against Norwich, very average yesterday. Slows the ball down too much and often loses possession with heavy touches when dribbling. 5/10.