woodsaint1

What a fucking shite week. Need to be looking 5-6 points, we ended it with zero 😂 Villa was bad, Newcastle was pathetic and today somehow managed to be the worst of the lot Nobody was even semi decent today. Absolutely embarassing performances from Salisu, Bednarek, Forster, Romeu, Moi and Armstrong. The run of good form looks a distant memory now, and so does the top half ambitions. Lucky we've enough points on the board already

Its ok, Edward will be out of a job in 12-18 months when progression under him stalls and isnt matching the expectations of the owners, particularly after throwing aload of cash around in the next few windows

Tbh Salisu wasnt much better tonight. Yes for Wood's goal there needed to be more pressure on Shelvey and it was a super ball, but Salisu was caught flat footed and allowed Wood to drift in behind him. Also gave a few silly passes away trying to play out from the back. Obviously I'm biased and want him to stay here long term, but honestly think another few years at us would be best for Salisu's development. If he was to move to a bigger club this summer he may struggle with the bigger expectations as he still has quite a few flaws in his game (compared with the likes of VVD and Alderweireld who you just knew would cope with the demands easily). But you just know his agent will be pushing for the move while his stock is high

And KWP is absolutely class too

Apart from the lovely flick, Bruno was pretty shit from what I watched. Gave away a few silly passes and looks very lightweight. Wouldnt have Trippier over KWP who has been our best RB and LB this season. However I would have Burn over Bednarek, he was very impressive again and a real attacking threat

Bench was poor - no Redmond or Tella again. Though what I would say is that Adam Armstrong did more in 20 mins than Broja and Adams did all game. Got himself into decent positions, had a great chance on goal, sent two Newcastle defenders to the shops with a lovely dummy - more of this please

Pathetic performance. Cant deal with direct balls which we knew was their only real outlet. Apart from KWP and Armstrong, cant put a positive on anybodys performance. Broja looked disinterested, but has been pretty poor for the last number of games. A word on Newcastle, they're making the most of what they have, but they've literally become peak Burnley. Just pumping long balls and hoping for the best....and embarassingly it worked. They didnt half waste some time with a heap of anonymous 'injuries' and Kevin Friend bought aload of nothing fouls (he was as pathetic as we were)

Was beginning to think I'm older than I let on, but it was definitely 1994. Same final day where we guaranteed safety with 3-3 draw at the Boleyn

Wouldnt want either near our side. Yes they looked better today, but we barely troubled them. Mings and Chambers have been very average the last season or two. Valery may have stepped up when called upon in cup games, but longer term he isnt the answer I dont think. You dont suddenly go from being a squad level RB to a starting PL CB. Its a completely different ask. We need to tie Salisu down longer term and add another quality CB to partner him. We should look to move Bednarek on in the summer. Problem is we have 4 CBs who are 3rd/4th choice quality at PL level, but only one who is good enough to be a regular starter

With some of the players Villa have, they're very capable of a performance like that. Also we've all got caught up in our recent run of good form to remember that we're still capable of a non-performance like that. It just happened that both situations aligned on the same afternoon. Will all be forgotten about if we go and beat them toon w***ers next week

As bad as we have been defensively today, its also quite a feat of our usually good forward players to get shut out by a defence consisting of Mings, Chambers, Cash and Young 💩

Remember watching it with a Leeds supporting mate. He was furious as they absolutely battered us 😂

I thought Romeu's legs were gone about 2/3 years ago

Expected a few changes, not 9 changes though. Fair play to Ralph. He put huge faith in his squad and they delivered. West Ham were poor and needed a gift from Willy to get back into it, but we've had their number this season which has been great to watch. I have been one of the biggest critics of Valery on here, but he was excellent tonight. Maybe there is a future for him at CB. Stephens was very good too, both kept Antonio and Bowen quiet. Perraud continues to impress and has been threatening a goal like that all season. He has a very bright future with us. Seen alot of criticism of Diallo. Yes he was sloppy at times, but he kept demanding the ball and put himself about quite well. Its hard to come in and face arguably the best CM in the PL right now. AA you can tell he is low on confidence (not helped by what Broja comes on and does) but he made some great runs and got into good positions. Hopefully it will come for him soon, although his gametime will be limited being 4th choice right now (unless Long is injured). Middlesboro, Palace or Boreham Wood next round please. Although would take anybody at home right now

Was a limited edition kit to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Saints Foundation

Get a 20m bid for Broja thrown in there to see if Roman wants to recoup any of his losses before he leaves

Would be inclined to make just a few changes, nothing major. We've had a day and a half extra rest and West Ham are away to Liverpool on Saturday and Sevilla next week so not sure what team they'll pick with them in mind. Willy Tino Stephens Salisu Perraud Redmond JWP Diallo Moi Broja Adams

Thats as comfortable as it gets. We should have won by a few more (everything seemed to be straight at Gunn), but a wins a win and an easy chean sheet too. Ori, Tino, Stu, KWP and Salisu were all excellent. Only downside was how frustrating Broja was again, so many times he could get his head up and get an easy assist, but has the blinkers on. He's very young and still developing of course. 7th/8th place is perhaps not the pipe dream it was a month ago.

There he is again. Offering alot more than Broja has done the last few games

Back to the same Che argument which seemingly comes up every season. Hes currently our second best striker- obviously not as good a finisher as Broja but has great hold up play and is less selfish. The same situation as it has been the last few seasons when Ings was here. Outside of the top 6, you'll struggle to find a better 'second best' striker across the remaining teams than Che. 7 goals so far and on track for his best goal return in a season (9 goals last year but played more regularly). Delighted hes with us and not sure what some of our fans expect - both strikers hitting 15-20 goals a season? Well they wouldnt be with us if that was the case

Whats this about us being poor against supposedly weaker sides? Of those below us in the table, we've beaten Watford, Leeds, Everton, Brentford, Villa and drew with Palace, Newcastle and Burnley (should have won that one). Yes the only defeat against those 'relegation' sides was Norwich, but we gifted them two silly goals (McCarthy effect), missed good chances and Norwich had the new manager bounce at the time. They've had a few good results recently, but only against poor sides around them - Watford and Everton (who still had Ranieri and Benitez in charge at the time). We've had a full week to prepare, have a near fully fit squad to choose from and we're at home - I expect us to win. Dont let me down boys

If we were to only have 3 more wins this season, for me it would be this one, Newcastle and Brighton. Losing to that shower at Carrow Road still annoys me (cheers McCarthy). They've had a few decent results, albeit against fellow strugglers, but same as today if we're anywhere half decent we win this easy.

Will be even better then when we beat Liverpool in the penultimate game to deny them the title 😁

Great performance. Obviously could have been alot more which is the only downside, but we are really motoring now. Didnt think we would be where we are now after taking 8 games to win our first, but some of the football at times is a joy to watch. Plenty of great performances again - KWP, Che, Stu, Romeu and Tino the standouts. Although we were rarely troubled, happy for Salisu given his previous performances vs Everton and DCL (I remember wondering who we had signed when he was bullied by DCL at Goodison last season). Hes come on leaps and bounds since then and is leading our defence superbly