woodsaint1

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

Yeah if the likes of Bayern and Dortmund are now interested then we need to start looking elsewhere 😔. Regardless if Broja sees us as a great step in his development, theres no chance he will turn down these calibre of clubs if Chelsea even decide to sell.

Definitely a big factor. I (like many no doubt) used to hide behind the sofa when we tried to play out from the back or our holding midfielders picked it up deep. We look much more comfortable doing it now, but crucially we dont overdo it like we used to - like Saturday where many times it wasnt on so Forster went long to Broja/Adams and worked from there. Definitely a sign that Ralph has adapted. We also used to painfully recycle the ball sidewards and backwards just for the sake of maintaining possession. Theres still elements of that patience as the 2nd goal against Spurs showed, but theres more incisive passes behind the lines (Moi and Stu have both been crucial in getting between the lines and presenting an option).

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/punktenachrueckstand/wettbewerb/GB1 There you go sir. Sitting 8th. The Spurs comeback was the first win of the season after falling behind

When you see how far the likes of Ings, Vestergaard and Bertrand have fallen in a matter of months, it makes our summer business look even more amazing. If I can recall, replacing Ings with some Chelsea u23 kid and a Championship striker was relegation accepting decisions. How wrong many of us were 😂

Hes been super throughout his recent run in the side. Cant believe some questioned his ability after a matter of 2/3 games - a new player in a new team, playing in a much more physical league. Many foreign signings take time to adapt, and hes showing excellent form only 6 months in. Would have given him a full season to find his feet but hes exceeded expectations.

You can see that we've clearly worked on JWP making himself available for a lay back from a high RB and putting the cross in first time. Once JWP started moving into position Ely was on his bike into the box without a second thought. Another great asset on top of his free kicks, corner kicks, penalties, workrate and being a wind up merchant at times (Zaha is a free one). What a captain

Seems to really like it here. Was grabbing the badge and giving it the big one in front of the Spurs fans when he scored (although could have been a London thing being a Chelsea player). Ralph was asked about him by Crouchie after the game and he keeps saying 'he knows whats best for his development'. Perhaps theres some guarantee from Broja that he will commit once we're safe from relegation as I do remember some journo saying that we wouldnt look at any deal until that was confirmed. Who knows. Still think its a 50/50, but the more he scores and the more Lukaku/Werner etc struggle, the greater the chances that Chelsea keep him

Absolutely tremendous. The character we've shown at times this season has been class and that was another level tonight. To think some were bemoaning the 120 mins at the weekend and saying we would be knackered. Plenty of fresh legs back in the team and our energy levels were excellent. Thoroughly deserved the win and even the Spurs second goal was very unfortunate. Never mind it looking a foul , surely the referee (who I thought was poor at times) should be stopping play for an apparent head injury. Anyways onto us. Excellent performances all round. Thought Salisu, Ely, Stu, Broja and Adams were all superb. Broja could have had about 5 though and should have played Adams in for one. Forster made some good saves at times (particularly from Regulion early on). But the standouts for me were JWP, Romeu and Perraud. Captain fantastic didnt stop all game and two great deliveries for the two late goals and Romeu was so calm and composed on the ball all night long. Both showing that Hojbjerg, has been no loss for us. Perraud was the MOTM for me. Got an assist and always providing an attacking option down the left. His workrate and tenacity in defence was a joy to watch. After some bizarre criticism on here at the start of the season he is now a nailed on starter. What a night 🟡🔵🟡🔵

Was wondering what the fixtures would be like because it seems like Newcastle have been playing the teams around them for about the past two months. Everton, Leeds, Watford, Norwich, Burnley and Brentford among the games since the end of November. They went unbeaten in those games which is a good return (12 points) but will face a difficult spell soon. I note we have the second easiest run in on paper

You just know that the diving, cheating, crying Son will pop up with a goal. But I do think we'll score ourselves. Exciting 2-2 draw. Likely to match them with the 5-3-2 or a 5-4-1 so would go with Foster Stephens Bednarek Salisu KWP Perraud Armstrong Romeu JWP Redmond Broja or Adams

Solid at the back but dont score nowhere near enough goals. It took a Harry Maguire masterclass to gift them one tonight. Wouldnt be sad to see the back of Burnley, shite club that play a minging brand of football

How long did it take Che to score again? Pretty sure if you dig up the old Che thread, he would likely have been wrote off early doors by the many experts on here. Yes Armstrong only has 2 but both goals showed what he is clearly capable of (and the Villa goal got us the 3 points). Its clear he is struggling for form and confidence, but Im not ready to write him off just 6 months into his saints career. Out of our current 4 strikers, he is probably the most likely to still be here next season so we need to get behind him

Knackered? We've had two weeks off and rested quite a few of our starting 11 (or they've played 30 mins or so). Also Spurs havent even kicked off their game yet. Not ideal but a bit over dramatic. Plus you clearly hate Ralph because you havent stopped gurning about him

Hes been dreadful most of the time hes played for us the past 2/3 years. Just not a good player

Forster Valery Stephens Bednarek Small Armstrong Diallo JWP Tella Armstrong Adams I know we've had two weeks off but we've Spurs and United within a matter of days so wouldnt risk the likes of Salisu, KWP, Perraud, Romeu, Redmond and Broja. Tino is only just back to training also. Shows how much better our squad depth is compared to last season

The white league cup final and Bournemouth away kit in 2017 the best we've had in years. We're doing it again it seems

All but confirmed for Rangers. Dont believe we're even looking at him

But yet we signed Walcott not that long ago. I know who I'd rather have