Shroppie

Mixture of unlucky and lack of composure. A scuffed trickly shot (like their second) would probably have gone in. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I tend to agree but suspect this is a case of Ralph needing to see Bertrand in a couple of matches to decide his first choice - like he did with Gunn. I don't think there's much between them. Bertrand has a better shot but was reluctant to use it yesterday. Both can put in a decent cross. Bertrand may be the stronger defender but Targett seems more mobile at the moment. But it's influence on the team that gets Targett my vote. Don't know why but I never feel Bertrand is really relating to the rest of the team. It's been observed that Redmond seems better without him. Strange. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And of finding takers for the ones you want to move on? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

What's wrong with Armstrong? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I didn't think we looked more dangerous when Vestergaard went off and I wonder if 3 CBs would have stopped their second? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Although we struggled, we made more than enough chances to win. Twice in the first half they were very lucky, firstly with a block that could have gone anywhere and then an attempted clearance sliced into the keeper's arms. Charlie should have finished the rebound from Valery's shot and done better with a header. The game stats bear out how dominant we were. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes. I'm sure we had targets. But if we were interested, it's likely that they were at clubs doing well. Whilst we're languishing where we are now, how many offers are we getting to buy (not loan) any of our players? And clubs doing well looking for promotion/cups aren't going to let go of prize assets. I know there are those who think anyone is buyable if you pay enough but that's a huge risk, even if it works. We're paying the penalty for bad buys, inflated salaries and over-long contracts. Don't get me wrong. I would have loved to see us sign a top striker but I can actually see the problems: would they want to come, would their club release them and if so, at what inflated price? Not to mention wages! Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Like Carrillo? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

When did we last make a successful January signing? I think there are some very unrealistic ideas about getting deals over the line mid season. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Or just keep adding more and more mediocre players through panic buying. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I almost completely avoided looking at the forum last night as I guessed it would be overrun with the usual gloating delighted non-fans, cranking up the bed-wetting to even greater levels. A quick glance shows I wasn't wrong. But in the cold light of day, my reflections on a miserable result. Firstly, haven't heard where Armstrong was - assume injured - but we missed him badly. It was in many ways a repeat of Palace and Burnley with them sitting back and denying us space behind or the opportunity to press and got them on transition. I fear it will now be realised that's the way to play against us. It's been said many times, but in that sort of game you need patience, someone to run at the defence, someone with the guile to pick out runs, clever movement and willingness to take on long range shots and it helps a lot to get an early goal. In that context, Long was ineffective. He had no space, didn't take on players or, really, do anything else. Not that I think Austin or Gallagher would necessarily have been any better: the speed of thought and movement is lacking. Redmond was ok, but they controlled him well as there were few other attacking threats to worry about. After a couple of encouraging games, JWP didn't produce a lot. I think he was looking for the forward cutting pass but often there was little on. Romeu and Hojbjerg were solid enough but against such limited opposition we could perhaps have used Lemina's flair. Overall I didn't think the CBs had bad games. Stephens will rightly be criticised for the sloppy pass that led to their second but otherwise was ok. But collectively they should have stopped the first goal. Wasn't McCarthy's best game, especially with distribution and I sense his confidence isn't what it was. But I can't see that he was directly to blame for either goal. Valery was excellent and my MOTM. His run and shot near the end should have brought a goal. Bertrand's return was a surprise to me and I didn't think he was better than Targett. He did get in a couple of crosses but at other times seemed hesitant: maybe rustiness. I've seen a theory that Redmond doesn't play as well when Bertrand is in the team. Not sure about that, but on the basis of yesterday, there could be something in it. Sorry to say that Elyounoussi added nothing except a foul that eventually led to them scoring. Hope we can see Sims instead very soon. Overall, I'm gutted and as depressed after a game as I have been in a long time. The squad is thin and without Ings, Armstrong and Lemina the creativity and movement isn't good enough. But we weren't that bad and were clearly the better team. But that counts for nothing if you can't score and we were beaten by a classic smash and grab. If we'd not given away the stupid second goal, I would have taken positives: fighting back to get a point but to have relief turn to despair so abruptly was the real killer. It would have been great to have strengthened the squad in January, but I'm a realist and don't blame the club. I know targets were identified but if clubs are reluctant to sell it barely makes sense to pay way over the odds. What has happened before is we've been refused principal targets then wasted money on panic buys of dubious quality, and we're still paying for that now. I think we have got the players and manager to survive but Hasenhüttl has now got a job on his hands: he built yesterday up massively and has to deal with the aftermath. I'm also praying for no more injuries. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I do agree that if we haven't got any effective strikers, then play without one. Armstrong for Long would have been much better today. (I assume he's injured?) Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'd agree. I don't think he offered any more than Targett. We also missed Armstrong badly. He's an intelligent player who can unlock packed defences and shoot well from distance. Valery was excellent. He could be the next big thing. Apart from his disastrous pass out at the end, Stephens was good. Vestergaard and Bednarek didn't seem to do anything wrong, but the corner for their first should have been dealt with Redmond I thought was well shackled and there weren't players around him moving to help him. After a couple of great games, JWP disappointing and Long really wasn't useful today. But Austin and Gallagher did no more when they came on. We are desperate for a striker. I hope two weeks will get Ings and Obafemi back. In all my years of supporting Saints, I can think of few results that were more gutting than that. When we equalised I thought not good, but ok. Then kamikaze defending that I thought we'd seen the last of. Ralph had a job to do. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Superb analysis. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Amazing Villa comeback. 0-3 to 3-3 in the last eight minutes. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Fair point. I do take an interest. But ultimately I just don't care who wins the title. I do, however, very much hope that the fishy lot down the road continue to fade away. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I don't actually care who wins the league, and it doesn't matter. Where Saints finish matters. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes, but he can consider whether to appeal until after this weekend, then decide not to. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Actually, Charlie is not that good at holding up the ball Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's a bit harsh to suggest Charlie lacks a brain. [emoji6] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

That's true, but we also need movement to create space for chances, and Charlie doesn't really do moving. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'd agree with this. Ease him.back from the bench. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Wow! My first expulsion to the Kindergarten Naughty Step. [emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Hope so, but we haven't seen how he fits the Ralph setup. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I see Zaha has got an extra one match suspension for his clapping tantrums. Annoyed that he doesn't have to serve it against W Ham on Saturday as he can just say he's considering an appeal, thereby delaying it until the Cup game. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk