Forester

Thought that he struggled under Koeman to adapt to English football, got an injury but then later in that season started to find the level. Then when under Puel he played mainly in cup games he looked a class act. I think he is under valued by most fans, but looks like he is on his way.

Despite the odd disappointing game, which goes with the trade for flair players, Tadic has been one of my favourite players of recent years. If you add his goals and assists over four seasons it’s a good track record that is up there with the best. Will be really sorry to see him go, feels like a season too soon. Shaquiri I think is 5 years younger and if we can land him would be decent replacement

I have to say I have laughed my head off reading this! CB Fry is on fire!

Haven’t seen an update lately, but a year or so back he was in the Premier League top five assists for the period since he arrived. Massively underrated in my opinion, typical flair player who is always going to have moments that disappoint but a good team should be able to have a place for those types. Works much harder for the team than is given credit too.

I was there, Shilton played his last game for Derby if I recall. It was Nicholl’s final game. The following day I watched Hampshire in a Sunday league game at Derbyshire and was the coldest I have ever been at a cricket match!

Ok moan out of the way to start with...the bloody M4 in Wales is shut on the way home every time we play Swansea!!!!! I suspect no link to Hotelgate though! But what a night, and for all of us that were up at Everton with that sickener it made it very sweet. The best Saints away atmosphere since Plymouth.....we talked about it feeling like a play off and recalled that wet night at Derby and the dreaded penalty shoot out! Hughes should be given three year deal within seconds of Sunday final whistle. Reminds me in managerial approach of Koeman, tactically flexible, a pragmatist and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Finally I don’t believe there is a more in form keeper than Alex right now. Our best since Niemi?

I am an optimist for tomorrow. Swansea are not in good form, struggle to score goals and I think we are playing well with the bit between our teeth. Always difficult to win away in the Premier League. I wonder though whether on this occasion the pressure of the situation may mean being at home is not an advantage.

The number of Everton fans after the game to apologise for scoring was quite something! Great support from Saints fans, keep that level of passion up on Tuesday. As others have said, now the dust has settled, we have had a good weekend and now know a win Tuesday keeps us up barring a mathematical freak

The one thing that does seem to be likely is that, on the final day, anything up to six clubs could be still relegated to join West Brom. It has been many years since quite that many were involved. I seem to remember fairly early on in the Premier League years a Mark Stein Chelsea goal relegating Sheffield Utd who started the final day several places above the bottom three

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.