Forester

Good post, I agree

I agree with this. Really don't know what some expect against the champions. We could easily have scored three goals today. Chelsea opener was class, but really pathetic effort (again) from Hoedt who is just way below required standard. Not a bad performance and sensible game management from Hughes. Swap Giroud for Long and Saints win that match.

No he didn’t. He took over after the current Fulham manager got Watford up and left over a contract dispute. I would like us to stick with Hughes regardless of which division we are in

Yes, it was great on the road watching us bang in 4 at Sunderland, 4 at Watford, 3 at Wet Spam, great memories of cup wins at Arsenal and Liverpool. There was also a lot of dross, but I always felt we were well organised unlike this shambles of a season. Now your turn, all the questions are set out in post 506...

Glasgow, have a crack at answering all, not some, of the questions on post 506.

I thought we looked tired, with wing backs in particular not firing on all cylinders. Appreciate it was a warm night. I thought we weee better team first half, they were second half. Understand the frustration re Long off for Austin, equally I think we would have lost the game taking another out of midfield. If you don’t play well, don’t lose.....clean sheet against Vardy and Maheez is good but we really needed more

Agree and when the drop in points from Koeman is mentioned this fact often gets left out

I felt prior today, even if we lost to Chelsea, that we could catch Udders because of their run in. But that Ince stoppage time goal is a hammer blow I think. Brighton now look the best bet to catch, followed by Udders and Swansea. I don’t think it is all over just yet, but whereas we would have been looking for a point at Leicester and Everton now I think we will need to win one of them as well as beating Bournemouth and Swansea.

While he has his critics on here, claiming that he isn’t up for it, I would go for the consistently impressive Bertrand. A possible candidate would be McCarthy albeit only half a season. Other than those two it’s a real struggle, which says it all really

If McQueen has recovered from his injury, this is the team that I would go for too

We should beg to disagree, but fair play to you for taking the time to respond! Cheers

Are you having a laugh? A few facts which I would be delighted for you it tackle head on. I will make it easy and turn it into yes or no. Here goes: - when Puel got the Leicester job, were they below Saints? And are they now comfortably safe in mid table? - did Puel manage us in a 50 match season, and did Saints have a never to be repeated three home game spell in the month of May at the fag end of this same season? - did we concede a single goal en route to Wembley final? And did we play anyone outside of the Premier League to get there? - Did we concede a single goal in 4 games against Liverpool last season? Have we shipped a few more this year? - Did Puel get the chance to work with any of the following: Pelle, Mane and Wanyama? Were you chuffed with the replacement he was given? - did yiu enjoy, as I did, away trips seeing us score 4 at Sunderland, 4 at Watford, 3 at Wet Spam, wins at Boro, West Brom. How has it gone on the road this season? Things looking up? - did VVD and Austin each miss half or more of the season? - despite all of the above, did we still finish 8th? Have things got better? - have those “unhappy dressing room” occupants responded with delight by raising their game? Now Puel may not be the world’s best manager, and I have never claimed he was a genius. But staring at the above tells you he isn no one’s fool. Usually what happens is someone will come and reply to this without actually addressing the points above. Let’s see if you Saint1977 can buck the trend.

It is all about Udders’ two home games against Watford and Everton this next fortnight as I don’t see them collecting a single point after those two games. Massive opportunity if they fail to win either.

I noticed that, for the first time, we became one of the bookies’ favourites to go down after the weekend results. I understand why given maths, namely that Udders picked up a good point at Brighton and we lost. However, in truth, I think we have more chance of staying up now than I did before the weekend such was the level of improvement from the Wet Spam game. By my reckoning these next two weekends are make and break, and it is all about what happens in Udders’ two home games against Watford and Everton. If they fail to win either it is game on for Saints, as I don’t see Udders getting any points at all after those games looking at the run in.

As others have said, much improved and unlike last week where we were on the train home disgusted with the players I saw points in that performance if replicated in our other away games. Ultimately though I think our fate will be determined by the next two Saturdays up in Huddersfield. They play at home to Watford and Everton. I then don't see them picking up any points in May so next fortnight is crucial.

Just had a run through of fixtures remaining and it is going to require at least one shock win. I have us collecting five more points, which are beating Bournemouth and draws against Chelsea and Swansea. I don’t see Stoke overtaking us having looked at their fixtures, and the team that I think will finish 4th bottom are Udders who I have finishing on 35. This Arsenal game, given Europa cup distractions, is one of those potential shocks but on Saturday evidence there is no prospect of that happening sadly.

The only smidgeon of hope here is that this match is sandwiched by both legs of Arsenal Europa Cup quarter final including tricky trip to Moscow. Arsenal have no chance of Champions League qualification via Premier League so this is surely their priority

Yes agree with this

In 30 years of watching Saints home and away that first half was the very worst I have ever seen in terms of absence of commitment and quality combined. Truly awful. We have little hope I am afraid of avoiding the drop now, but in my opinion the only small chance remaining is if we maximise the selection of a number of genuine grafters who have a heart. So I would bring in Yoshida, Romeu, Davis and Long for Hoedt, Lamina, Hoj and Gabby. Sims and McQueen on the bench too. It is useless having talent if you are backing out of challenges, basically cheating the club and the fans on huge wage packets.

Sorry if posted elsewhere but just seen that RMT strike planned for Saturday. SWR say they are still planning to operate full service but urging you to check before travelling...

Thought it was a genuinely interesting and insightful interview. Also we have restored our status of having the best PLAYER as a manager in the Premier League (surely was Koeman). In his pomp, which was well before he came to the Dell, he was a truly outstanding player

I think Hughes is a good choice to keep us up. Very experienced in the Premier League, clearly more of a “no nonsense” character than Pellegrino and realistically we need three wins and a couple of draws maximum. As other have said, he hasn had one poor half season with Stoke and the same with QPR, but very good at Blackburn, City, Fulham, Wales and four seasons at Stoke with three of them in 9th place. It may be that he himself favours a short term deal with an option to extend in the summer. Has never managed in the championship and probably doesn’t want to start now.

What a historically dreadful decision by Saints to sack Puel. What a mess we are in

Things have certainly improved since Eric Black left......

I agree. But I also think Koeman, with a better side to choose from, screwed up away to Midget Land, and to Sheffield Utd. And Poch, again with a better side, screwed up in every cup competition. I still argue you can’t airbrush out from history a cup run to Wembley featuring all Prem sides, away wins at Arsenal and Liverpool and the glaringly obvious point of having sold and not replaced Pelle, Mane and Wanyama. Why can’t people see that this is worth a good chunk of points, especially with VVD and Austin out for half the season or more!!!