Shroppie

Absolutely. As I posted on another thread, Puel's admitting that last season was a learning curve and he made mistakes, but will be a better manager for them. So instead of benefitting from his year's experience and giving him another go with better players, we change to another apprentice. Remember Claude had no fit effective strikers for most of the season and an injured sulky VVD for half a season but got results. And Black, but that's another story. But his style of play, or actually his own style, was boring. And that was clearly unacceptable. I have to agree I don't think Pellegrino is a patch on Puel, who is an intelligent thoughtful man but rather dour in his press conferences, which is all important to some of our less perceptive spectators (not fans) He deserved another year. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Very true. And he doesn't have the hindrance of Eric Black at Leicester. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Pellegrino was totally outthough tactically by Puel. Of course Puel had the advantage of knowing most of the Saints team and their strengths and weaknesses but he showed what he can do with the right players. Remember that most of his season with Saints he had no effective fit strikers and half a season of injured/disruptive VVD. And he had to work with Eric Black who, amazingly is still at the club. And, in his post- match comments he acknowledged that he had needed to learn things in his first PL season, he had made mistakes but is now better for it. Shame we declined the benefit of that learning year and chose to take on a new untried apprentice. Pellegrino picked what he thought was his strongest side but it wasn't effective against quick, incisive midfield play. And his subs seem nearly always to be pre-planned like for like rather than tactical response. I didn't see the need to rotate PEH and Stephens. They are young, fit and hungry for their places and both had excellent games on Sunday. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm pretty well with you in that assessment. But I do think two things have happened with our fanbase. Firstly, some who joined as we rise from League 1 got used to seeing us win regularly, often playing nice football (but it wasn't always good) and don't appreciate that in the PL it's a different game. We're not going to walk over teams every week, and the more open attacking football we play, the more likely we are to get beaten. All successful PL teams start with a settled solid defence. Secondly, because we're in the PL, we attract more football spectators who I wouldn't call supporters. One thing is certainly true. The atmosphere at St Mary's is now toxic. Far too many want to blame rather than support. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Probably. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I agree. Its a sick development in the game. Not so much the obvious scything tackle but the sly treading on an ankle once the ball has gone. Whilst looking away and checking the ref is following the ball and not looking. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Cedric fit, apparently. Great news. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Will be tough. They're on a roll since boring Claude got there. And he's got something to prove. Think I'd keep Stephens RB. Pied would be destroyed by diagonal balls. Boufal for Redmond, otherwise I'd keep the same team - but we won't. He'll rotate, Lemina, Davis, Hoedt and maybe Gabbiadini in. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

If it's the one I think you mean, the defender had his back to the ball, so couldn't be deliberate. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Or a player with Redmond's pace but with a football brain. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I am indebted for your erudite analysis. [emoji3][emoji6] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

But was it 3 CHs? Still not sure if it was three at the back with JWP at RB or 4 with Stephens at RB? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes, Tadic and Redmond frustrating, because they do do some things well, then totally cock up. Tadic's pass for the goal was brilliant, bit after 60 mins he ran out of steam. Should have brought Davis on to steady things. And, on the break, Redmond's pace was ripping Arsenal apart, but all too often he created a great situation then ruined it with a bad decision or misplaced pass. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Ward-Prowse had a good 60 minutes, including g one brilliant moment when he flicked the ball over a defender and played a great forward ball. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Long wasn't on the bench. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Great game Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Still on target. But you can argue dropped points again. Predicted win against Leicester will be tough, but we've rested Hoedt, Lemina, Boufal, Davis. But Stephens and JWP both did enough to keep their places. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Potential keeper signing. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Earlier. Worse now. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's pretty bad, but roads passable. Not there myself as stayed closer to Southampton last night to make the early ko. But I can't get there at all. I've got to head back home tomorrow. Expect will be slow, but should get there ok. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not true. Totally caught out in High Wycombe. No roads gritted, even the M40 in a mess. Chaos. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

That's the frustrating part! Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Had to abandon going to the game. Snowed in at High Wycombe. Trains sort of running, but most roads, including the one to the station, blocked by stranded vehicles. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not a rant at all. Just illustrating how frustratingly inconsistent he is and, although he is undoubtedly talented, his football brain seems very slow and his decision-making making poor. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

On schedule so far. And so close to an extra point. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk