Forester

Assuming VVD is fit I would make two changes. Long in for Tadic (expecting we will be counter attacking) and Clasie in for PEH

He looked very assured coming on at Everton and playing out of position at right back in what was actually his debut in the Premier League

Three wins out of the last four games, one goal conceded all without Fonte. Well done Claud Puel, the quiet dignity that he shows contrasts massively with some of his ill informed critics. Yoshida and JWP greatly benefitting from having been given regular football throughout the season. Along with McQueen, Sims and Stephens coming through the ranks it's the upside of rotation, which has become almost a swear word for some fans. Still think we could finish eighth, and make a Wembley. The bigger picture......

You are seriously proposing to leave out VVD, Bertrand, Cedric and Romeo? HMmmmmmmmmmm.........

Spot on

What a weird comment. What makes you say, to quote your quotation, that we haven't "a replacement lined up"?

Not sure if you are being ironic. But I think it is a fact that VVD, Cedric, McQueen, Yoshida and Romeo have all improved under Puel. And Bertrand remains superb

Only the second game of the season that I haven't seen so won't comment, albeit it sounded dull on the radio. However can we all celebrate the fact that we had six academy graduates in our starting line up and still progressed. Surely that is a big positive, and we have rested senior players ahead of a gruelling three games in six days starting Sunday

Yes, and I think when we reflect on the business we have done it has usually been a very good deal for the club. The money we received for Shaw, Lambert, Chambers, Clyne, Wanyama and Lovren has been well used. Bertrand, Cedric, VVD (via a loan spell for Toby), Romeo and Pelle were as good or better players and with the exception of Pelle cost considerably less money. The only one I think that has really moved his game on since leaving us is Lallana who has justified his transfer fee.

Spot on, refreshing to read

You seem a bit conflicted Futzhugh. You chose to start a thread moaning about people attacking others. Now you are leading the charge old boy!

I mentioned on the thread a day or two ago that a loan deal with an option to buy is a good compromise between doing nothing at one end of the spectrum and panic buying the wrong player now when the right one may be available in the summer. It sounds like we may hedging our bets and that is a smart move I think. Leave Sam up at Blackburn to complete his development playing week in week out and get him back in the summer as an additional option but not the man man

I agree re the focal point. I thought Austin looked poor outside of the box when we first signed him, but then I thought his hold up play was improving during the autumn before he got injured. Lambert and Pelle gave us a great outlet ball when we were under pressure, and also provided a plan B when at home and finding it difficult to play through the lines (think games against Sunderland, West Brom and Watford)

Moving away from the petty squabbles, and seeking to get back to a debate, as I have referenced on a few threads I am as desperate as everyone else to see a striker, who is a proper target man, signed to help Puel. I do though have a concern that the market is limited at this time of year and there must be a risk that we get someone who "is available" rather than the right signing in the summer. A difficult balancing act, if the club really feel relegation is a threat then you prioritise now. However if that is not the case I would rather wait to the summer and sign the best player available. I can imagine the uproar on here if we don't sign a striker this month but ultimately we should judge the club at the end of August I think. Perhaps a compromise is a loan deal with an option to buy in the summer....

This, hits the nail on the head. The match stats again show we were the better team, but only once (Bournemouth away) have we scored more than one goal in any Premier League match since we last played Burnley in mid-October. We are missing 30 PL goals from Pelle and Mane, and probably another 15 from Austin. I don't know any Saints fan who didn't say this back in the summer, it's not Puel's fault. I also think Forster would have been dropped had McCarthy been fit.

I think it's great to see the so called big clubs being rebranded selling clubs! It will make a more even Premier League....bring it on!

It will slow down as we have fewer competitions. See echo article today showing we will never had played more games in our Premier League era than this season. Great to see younger players given the opportunity at Ipswich, still in the competition, first choice players rested and then fresh to beat Liverpool. I am loving the fact that we are still in three competitions, and hooe rotation continues until February

Poor soul must be struggling. After all, an enjoyable win with great set up from the coach. What does he do now? Malfunction....

I know. I think some of the more unhinged posters are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following an enjoyable win last night. They can't cope, and there are some notable AWOL posters that usually dominate on here during this last 24 hours. Bliss! So I would see this "let's go find a coach to sack" thread in that light

Well done Claud Puel, two clean sheets against the team that everyone is raving about. We were superbly set up tonight, ten players behind the ball condensing any space for Liverpool to exploit and we looked a real threat on the counter attack. We got the ball forward quickly, and pressed their defence into errors. Well done too for Puel resting our first choice midfield and strikers on Saturday at Norwich, we looked fresh and his decision was vindicated

Another week, and yet more negativity. There should be three categories of Saints "fans" these days. Observers (those who never go and endlessly comment on here during games, seemingly hating every minute of it), customers (who suggest that if they aren't getting value for money they will withdraw their custom) and supporters. They actually support the club, and its employees, when it's hard as well as when it's easy

In your effort to blame Puel for everything you seem to be criticising the decision to recall the previously suspended Virgil and the previous ill Bertrand. Do you think you may be losing a bit of balance in all of this?

I am a big fan, and you are right he chalked up an assist and went close with a free kick but generally seemed low on energy/confidence. I reckon Boufal's big impact has put his nose out of joint. Hope he gets through it, quality player

Well said. Let them go and follow one of the "big clubs" and be in the majority that reach for the pistol and whisky when they dare to lose one game. Have a peek at some of their forums, it's unreal. They would be so well suited and amongst friends

On train home having enjoyed a good day out with my nine year old. Disappointed to throw it away at the end, but most of the loyal fans who went gave th players a decent reception at the end. They will be there week in, week out unlike some of the negative cyber warriors on here. Nice touch from Maya who ran all the way back to high five Lewis who w feeling awful after his mistake. I for one expected us to give younger players a chance today ahead of Wednesday, great to see Stephens do well out of position again and a decent assist. I thought JWP, PEH and Betrand were our best players. Lond an Tadic (other than cross for Virgil) very poor. Having looked at Stoke, Bournemouth and WBA results it isn't exactly a disaster