coalman

I would say we're making certain of the win, but recent history does not back that assertion up.

Let's get Ballard on now. Give the lad some minutes.

And the last thing we want to do with our porous defence is give away cheap possession.

Why can't we pass?

Jones should print copies of this and put a copy with every player's kit before the game

I'm sure they had a plan. Whether it was a good plan is another question.

Broja was my first thought on watching that video too

4-0. A second for Jimmy Jay. We have such a good crop of youngsters - it would be heartbreaking if there's no pathway for them into the first team.

Couldn't find it but you can keep track of the score here https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/6Nd1crYT/#/match-summary Saints 2-0 up with part way into the 2nd half

Never go back. Players towards the end of their careers going back to a former club never seems to end well. I don't think Ings returning would be Cristiano Ronaldo bad but I don't see there being a deal which works for everyone here. He was a great servant for the club while we had him and we got a decent wodge of cash. Suspect Villa would ask more than we're willing to pay as would the man himself and that's before concerns over his ability to manage his body as he gets older.

Villa are beatable. They managed to win against Leeds while being played off the park. It's another one of those winnable games we've come to fear as Saints fans. Just remember how abject we were in the reverse fixture and would love to see us make amends and make that chink of light a little brighter. Downside is Coutinho is out of form and loves playing against us.

I wasn't impressed with the way the team were playing. This last week has been great. Long way to go in the season so let's see what happens next. The second half at Liverpool was positive. Everything up to the FA cup was a bit pants. Everything since has been looking up. Until last Saturday I thought we were nailed on for relegation. Now I have a sliver of hope fair play to the coaches and players for that.

24 more point from 19 games needed (assuming 39 is the magic number). Which sounds a sight better than 27 from 18.

Spare a thought for the Toffees fans. Forced to miss a night of sleep for an impromptu fireworks display then forced to stay behind protesting their board who aren't safely able to watch the game in person. Not sure which thought, mind you.

Get in! It's the hope that gets you though.

This sounds like most of our trips to Goodison. I think (hope) the players will be so incensed by the fireworks that they'll be on it from minute one. Saints win 3-1 and Lampard fired by Monday morning.

They've done it to a few teams apparently. This answers the question I awoke to - what can Everton fans do today to make me dislike them and their club more?

Win today and Jones frees himself from the shadows of Frank de Boer and Steve Wrigley in terms of Premier League results. https://www.squawka.com/en/worst-win-rates-managers-premier-league/ Fwiw I hope we win and continue the form from Wednesday. Still not impressed with Jones to date which may be my bias against people on a mission from God who aren't Dan Akroyd or John Belushi.

It seems like every year I tell myself this is the right time to break the Goodison jinx and every year we play better but somehow conspire to lose. If this season really is oppositeland as demonstrated by last nights performance versus City then can I have 3-0 to Saints, please?

That was unrecognisable from the team of the last few weeks. The win in the FA Cup was based on a generous helping of good fortune thanks to their keeper. Last night we deserved it. Well done, everyone at the club.

If we continue to play like we did last night we will cause them problems. If we play like we did against Forest we'll cause ourselves problems.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regression_toward_the_mean

Boehly has come out and said that Potter is part of his project long term and he's not bothered about results in the short term. I'd love Potter at Saints.

I think you've misunderstood my post I'm not talking about regression to the mean or law of averages and studies. I'm talking about how it would apply to results coming as a result of taking a particular approach.

I partially agree though there's an argument Swansea played more of a part in that Hughes. I didn't expect us to stay up that year. The only mistake was in extending his contract after we stayed up (at the time I remember saying he'd earned a chance). Hindsight is a wonderful thing. The thing which breaks my heart is we're talking wistfully about Hughes as manager which is a reflection of where the club is right now.