Forester

Difficult one to call. Squad is no worse than last year, and we finished well under Hughes. But on the other side we have major questions re what is our best formation let alone starting line up. I think we will be lower mid table, so small steps improvement but that does mean at some point we will flirt with the drop zone and question is how Board deal with that in terms of Hughes

Spot on. I am not a serial critic of the club management, far from it in fact and think Les has done a good job over the years. But there is no avoiding that recruitment wheels have well and truly come off, and Forster extension was madness

Agree with much of this. Lamina, despite obvious talent, is psychologically not fit for Premier League football. He simply can’t be arsed to do the boring but basics needed defensively at this level. You can do as many fancy moves as you like, it’s not where games are won or lost. Am worried about the back line. Yoshida is mocked by a few on here, but in my mind he is number one of the five centre backs we have in terms of reliability. I think Redmond and JWP will move further up the pecking order in Hughes’ mind after this week. Finally the failure to replace Pied is a disgrace and we face entering the season with no fit recognised right back.

Too young to remember him as a player, but remember his loud high pitched voice as a local football coach in Wessex League football! Also recall him attending funeral of a good friend which would have meant a lot to that person’s friendly. A great example of a proper person who was not disconnected to the local community. Sad news.

Find it unbelievable when I read of indifference as to whether Bertrand, Cedric and Tadic leave the club. Sure he may not have been always on top form but these are quality proven Premier League players. All three have been excellent servants, I am disappointed Tadic left and don’t want to lose either of our full backs

You can’t watch too many Saints games is you think he is our best player. Crikey...

Excellent post

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