OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Yes, playing off Downs or Stewart might work. Perhaps they should give him another number so he has no illusions that he's a No 9!

What's wrong with this guy now. On Tuesday he was announced as being in the team and then just prior to the start, they shoved on BBD for the warm up hoping no-one would notice. Then we're told he has a cold. Now he's not playing again...evidently a bad cold...or is there something else the matter?

Adam Blackmore says AA had a very good unselfish game against Ipswich today. Am I missing something? He runs in to nowhere spaces. He's outmuscled by everyone. He's doing needless, pathetic pushes and only once today closed down properly. We've had the best from this player. He didn't perform well for us or WBA last season. If Stewart & Downes are sick/injured or whatever, then give Archer a chance...but it's time to draw the line under AA.

He got quite a muted response when he came on today. He's definitely divided opinion. He was pretty much closed down by a couple of defenders as soon as the ball went to him today. I'd like him to start against Stoke because if they do that, it'll create space for others.

I'm more on Nolan's side. He really does need practice on how to kick a ball, but he can head it, he tracks back quickly and as someone who remembers those pathetic Salisu long throws, I think his long throw is a positive addition to our side's attacking options. And you can't compare to BBD. He is pony!

Yes, they all played well though F.Downes was my star today. Covered a lot of ground and the midfield wasn't overrun at all. Actually thought THB and Jack S were also very solid after that initial cock-up.

Wonder if the players like a midday kick-off. From the first couple of games, it look like WS has got our team looking fitter than last year (apart from BBD) so maybe we'll be up and firing earlier than Ipswich.

There's almost three divisions in the premier league - the top six, the middle teams that are premier league perennials and the bottom strugglers. WHU are nowadays one of the strugglers. Problem is, can't see Liverpool, Man City/Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle buying MF, the likes of Brentford & Brighton play our game of buying and selling players for a profit (only they play the game better) so won't want him, so where does he go? But an agent is looking for a healthy payday so will recommend any premier league team to MF, so if WHU doesn't work out, he'll be pitched to some other team so can't see him staying.

So does that mean he won't be playing against us on Sunday? Starting to think that it would be good if Tyler Dibling doesn't sign for anyone else because he'll then have the opportunity to show us his real potential...because we need a winger.

Towards the end of the game, it was quite telling when Diaz was evidently flagging, the announcer said "And coming off for Southampton, Brereton Diaz" and the crowd went "Hooray".....followed by "And coming on for Southampton, Adam Armstrong"....and the crowd went "Oohhh"...

He doesn't seem to want to go for a back 4 but we are being outdone in midfield which is a concern. Yes he has got choices for advanced wide players though I think it's time to leave Armstrong out of the reckoning. Robinson doesn't seem to have much control of the ball, but I like his busy body work rate and Fraser is very versatile. Somehow, I get the impression the Championship this time around is weaker than two years ago. Ipswich put out their strong team against Bromley so I'm hoping we can come away with a point or three on Sunday.

He's gone 5 at the back twice now and I'd like him to have 3 in midfield. Especially as yesterday Matsuki looked pretty accomplished in midfield without doing anything spectacular. Think it's refreshing to have a manager who talks a lot of sense and who's not an arrogant, plant-eating knob, mad or clueless. Just hope he doesn't call it quits now he's got a 100% record.

Exactly. And in the first half hour at Northampton, he didn't seem to win any high balls and seemed ineffectual. Cam Archer had a lot more about him.

Really don't think so, Lighthouse. Appalling one footed player and irritating that he's so unfit. He was the one player blowing out of his arse yesterday. Also, didn't really see the Downs miss because it was at the other end, but on replays it looks awful. What is of concern it WS's tactics of playing 5 at the back. The midfield looks overwhelmed and the concern is that our midfielders (Charles, Downes) are good players. We need to play 4-3-3. I think when you're at a match, you can get the overall picture that TV cameras can't emulate, and what I was seeing was their front line receiving the ball and passing back to a midfielder running on to the ball in a dangerous position with lots of space to do what they wanted.

Not sure about Downs. While Stewart seems to have beefed up a bit over the summer, Downs seems a lightweight. Yes he might have been pushed but a more determined person would have still got a foot on that ball. And a few minutes before, Stewart lobbed one up which Downs could have tried to header but he saw the keeper coming and ducked out of the header.

When you think that the lowest premier league team received £110m in broadcasting rights last year and the first year parachute payment is 55% (ie approx £60m), that's money that teams like Oxford can only dream of. Appreciate Luton have shown parachute payments aren't a guarantee to being there or there abouts, but that gap is getting wider every year.

I thought that odd too. Where are the goals going to come from this season? Can't rely on free kicks and corners/long throws all the time. We need a big man in the middle to challenge for crosses and someone (wee-man?) to run off them. But when they did come on, Downes and Archer were pretty ineffectual and only Stewart seemed to create some space, get in to the right position and receive the ball in a threatening area...so he'd be my choice. I'm going and don't want to see our 'C' team in action. Really don't see the need to change Baz in goal but Still almost certainly will. If Edwards is going to be in central defence, he certainly needs more practice. Also like to see Matsuki in action. But I would rest F.Downes. He is going to be instrumental for us this year.

And when they had their penalty, I said to my son, they'll have done their homework and his weak side is his left, so he should dive to his left - and he would probably have saved that penalty too! Ball distribution again good and he's now got choices to play it long or short. And it's one thing to do a confidence making save, it's another to do one that saves us the game and from there we get three points. Thanks Baz!

Two seasons ago, the likes of JWP and Tella were still played in the opening games even though they were leaving the club. Pleased that this three are left out. Build a team and player rapport with the players that are going to stay.

As you say early days, but nothing here to worry about. No composure from either strike force.

What's that at the top of the screen? Restricted view in the living room!

Yeah, yeah...and we can remember that on off Chelsea move too. Changing the subject, think we're incredibly light in midfield. Think we're banking on Downes playing a full season and Shea Charles coming good. But what else have we got? Fernandes (for how much longer?), some kid from the academy and Aribo and Smallbone. Yikes.

Seem to remember these motivational speeches were at their most prolific when we went on that unbeaten run two years ago. Maybe the players were given them in their pre-match briefings 👋

Yes, hoping Leicester are going to get a 31 point deduction isn't going to happen. I'm guessing a 5point, 10point at worse rap will be all they'll get. But would you really want a Notts Forest type owner in charge of Southampton? Forgetting his off pitch reputation, the way Gibbs-White has signed up to stay at Forest has a resemblance to the way Gerrard never left Liverpool.

Totally agree. If Dewksbury-Hall is £28m, who frankly was the best player I saw the last time we were in the Championship and had a reasonable time at Spurs, then we should be biting Everton's arm off for their offer. And it's appreciated we're not comparing like with like, but £35m for Dibbers. C'mon Saints, sell the kid. And what's weird is we're playing hardball with Dibling but do we have a lack of funds this year? Is that why we're not buying many players? Sell him and buy, Saints. You know it makes sense.