James

Never said I thought it was all down to the manager but I do think he should take more of the blame than you seem to. Also, as for creating chances, I've been to plenty of games this year where we've created next to none. As difficult as it is to hear, a £20m striker wouldn't suddenly make us good!

This kind of post is very entertaining. Basically just name calling of anyone who dares question Claude. If he isn't the one instructing the team to play this dire brand of slow, defensive football then I'd love to know who is. New players are a must but a change in style or (if Claude isn't capable of it) manager wouldn't go a miss either!

So they pass it sideways and backwards in midfield and defence do they?

As relieved as I am that we are through, really doesn't disguise a dreadful display yet again.

For every 'Liverpool shows we are a very good side' there is a counter argument of 'Crystal Palace shows we are a very bad side'. Unfortunately for Puel, we've had more dog awful performances than we have had good ones, hence why people are questioning him. It's frustrating as hell because, when we've played well this season we've looked very very good. I don't understand why it can't be replicated more frequently.

But, like it or not, if results don't go our way, we will be in Les Reed's definition of a 'relegation battle' if we lose to Leicester.

Playing Devil's advocate here slightly (as I do have a preference for stability): should we wait until we get sucked in? If we lose to Leicester we will be 15th and that, according to Les Reed himself, constitutes a relegation battle (see his comments about Leicester a few weeks ago when they occupied that position in the league). I presume, therefore, that if we drop to 15th we could consider replacing Puel? Whilst we are clearly short on quality and need reinforcements, I'm not totally convinced that alone will turn it around for us.

Whilst I agree with your sentiment, you aren't really addressing his point? You can't justify the current situation by saying that we shouldn't act like Hull and Swansea.

Wow. Worse than I thought.

This is the concern I have. I get that we are down on quality but I'm not convinced that adding Gabbiadini (for example, given he is most strongly linked) will make us a more potent outfit as we aren't set up to attack with any particular potency.

I'd love to know how many times we've failed to score in the first half of a game this season.

That article doesn't exactly sell him does it?!

Well observed. The way that we stuck to our positions, didn't break rank and pushed them back as a team really was impressive to watch. It could be coming together for Claude if we continue to play with a bit more zip in attack. Having been a CP denier last night made me reconsider as the tactics were very impressive indeed.

After tonight has to be JRod with Long off the bench.

What a performance Saints. Did not see that coming at all. Well played Claude that was spot on. More of the same going forward please.

Don't remember anyone likening him to Gareth Barry when he was here and any comparison to Barry would have been laughed at. Wonder what comparison will be made with OR if he leaves us.

A French Gareth Barry?! I really have heard it all now.

Does seem a bit light on goals doesn't he? He will fit in just fine!

Seems a very similar type of midfielder to those we already have.

They are slightly different players as Romeu is much more physical than MS. But to answer your question, yes, I think Morgan would have equalled or even surpassed OR's level of performance.

There's no doubting that Carrick is a quality player. Has been one of the most dependable midfielders in the league for a number of years. That doesn't detract from Morgan's quality IMO. He's been badly managed at United and has gone backwards but when he left he was one of the best in the league. Romeu was back up last year to Wanyama and Clasie. He's one of my favourites of the current bunch and is one of our top 2/3 players but if you gave me the opportunity to swap him for Morgan then I genuinely would not think twice about it. I just think that fans on here are misremembering quite how good MS was when we had him just because he's gone.

So you think Romeu is almost as good as Morgan? Ok then. Bet you'd have a different opinion if they both still played for us.

Never said OR was poor, I just don't think OR is in the same league as Morgan.

Exactly. People have very short memories. Morgan is one of the best players I've ever seen in a Saints shirt, as much as I like Romeu and as much as I want to get behind the current squad he isn't in the same league as Morgan.

Yes, he really is.