coalman

If we play with the intensity of Wednesday night then Man U won't enjoy it. But, we all know there will be at least one shit refereeing decision to take the wind out of our plucky sails.

That freeze frame looks like a red card. No need for his elbow to be in that position. No wonder Broja was down so long.

Mixed feelings on this one. I've watched the last couple of United games and in both they should've been out of sight by half time. At some point they're going to put away their chances. History says it could well be against us. 3 games in a week might be a bridge too far. And, I've lost count of the times we've been screwed over by the ref at Old Trafford. They'll have had an extra day to recover. That being said we're better than both Burnley and Boro. We raise our game against the big teams. We created so many chances last night. After last season motivation will be high. Pogba gives it away against our press a lot. Broja versus Maguire could be hilariously mismatched. Ronaldo and Fernandes can cancel each other out. It really could go either way. Heart says we're due something up there. Head says Ralph's decision to give the team a week off training might have been a masterstroke. Man Utd 1-3 Saints

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12537755/southampton-beat-tottenham-in-five-goal-thriller

That feels generous to Spurs given what I just watched.

Wonder what our xG was. We battered them

Forster you heaut

If a var decision can be considered beautiful in timing and context...

Offside

It's ok to bundle players over now?

Long scoring the 4th would be fairytale

This is what happens when we get early crosses in

Come f**king on!!!

Yes!

What is going on here?!

Stuey!

Ahhhh. Should be 2

What a move

Good response to the goal

Bloody Son

Our high line gives me kittens

I don't think they'll down tools and for the next 18 months I don't think it affects his ability to be a good manager. I also think that players signing or extending contracts do look at the stability of a club and a large part of that is the guy who is coaching them. It can also be a distraction if the club is being asked every week whether the manager is committed to the cause as the clock ticks down. I will also be very happy for my distant dream to be proven wrong when the stars align for us in the cup or for Ralph to continue on past 2024 😉

A manager is a large part of players signing for a club or extending their contract. If you know your boss is going soon it limits their ability to deliver difficult feedback (ergo a bollocking). There's plenty of research that demonstrates that high pay does not equate to motivation. And sadly, as a Saints player, winning something is a distant dream. Not that it doesn't stop all of us nurturing that dream.

The trouble is the out ball to Kane and through ball to Son is our Kryptonite performed by two players very good at it. Teams which hit us on the break tend to prosper. We do better when we're the ones playing on the break. Which means we need a fit Broja, a firing Adams and Armstrong/Redmond carrying the ball forward well for us.

I've always appreciated Ralph's openness and humour. Can't help but think the possible retirement talk might make it harder for him to manage or recruit players as the clock ticks down into the final year. After all, why play for someone who is going to be gone soon.