OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Exactly. Doesn't even have to be a striker. A top midfielder like Maddison would work

Got to say, I'm also struggling to think of a worse one. Was listening to MLT in the Northam fanzone before the game and he said Brentford had their injuries; this was a real chance to rack up 3 points. That could have been a double digit loss. That midfield was woeful. They seemed to be transparent.

I've always maintained a team can achieve more than the sum of its parts, but every team also seems to need a talisman. Brentford are very average but have Mbeumo, Palace have Eze, West Ham have Bowen, Cunha at Wolves. We haven't got anyone. MLT kept us up for years on end and more recently we've had Ings and JWP. Now no-one even looks likely to pick up the mantle. Leicester also have no-one and both teams are really struggling.

To start only THB came over on his own. Vaguely recall after him it was Bednerek. And the Tall Paul dream is over. To get cult status, the skill bar is very low (eg. Shane Long), but after that performance, I can't see him reaching it.

And to prove your point, today they sign a Valenciennes player for Euros/£ 5m...and then will probably loan him back at some grossly inflated fee. All sounds sailing very close to the wind.

Yes he is a talent, but he is also a very raw talent. Yes he can run with the ball but his overall game (awareness, passing, fitness etc) still needs a lot of work. From a Saints management perspective, they should be reminding him the grass isn't always greener on the other side. There's a danger he'll join a Liverpool and spend half his time on the bench before dropping in to obscurity. Chelsea is another example of a club hoovering up all the talent but then only using one or two players. He needs to stay where he is, really develop his game (he's still making a mint at Southampton) and then look to move in a couple of years at the earliest. If it means playing in the Championship, so be it. The physicality of that league will also do him good. Well, that's what we should be telling him...

Lambert, Vardy, Ollie Watkins...they're out there. Half of the problem is clubs in the premier league can't afford to gamble of lower league players. Being one of the richer clubs in the Championship, we can. They're not going to cost a fortune. Midfield could be a problem. Can see Suga staying. He can cross a ball. Shea Charles will be back.

Totally agree. BBD is the most one-footed player I've seen for a long time (and that includes Che). His touch is poor, he's slow. In fact, can't think he has any redeeming qualities. Really don't prescribe to this view of "AA and BBD will be good for us next year in the Championship". Because if we get promoted, we're in the same boat again. I'd much rather our scouts went out looking for raw talent in League 1 & 2. Archer will score loads of goals for us in the Championship.

So Brentford are playing today (Wednesday). They're going to be knackered against the Juric high press. Never bet against my interests - so lost a few bob this season - but time for clawback. 2-1 Saints with Tall Paul scoring his first Saints goal.

Agree. He's been in charge for two games. His demeanour isn't one of some pretentious twat. The players seem to have more positive intent about them. Let's give it a few games and see how it's going.

Problem is that it sounds like more people who have no idea about football having a major say about the running of the club. Agreed, a lot of money has been pumped in to the club but I doubt that Dragan has put his hand in his own pocket. And as I see it, Dragan and Ankersen are a pair. If one goes, the other will sell up. What I suspect is the opposite will happen and that the boardroom will get more bloated than the squad.

I'd agree with that. Straw poll of half a dozen around me yesterday ranged from he's fucking useless to at least he offers something (without defining what he offers!) I'm in the 'give him a run in the team' camp. When he went off yesterday, the only goal threat come from Fernandes. Admittedly, TP had a crap game, but AA should be nowhere near the squad. Sulemana offers nothing. Tyler Dibling seems to have lost a bit of form, so TP and Archer should be the up front initial pairing being fed by KWP and Sugawara. Couldn't understand yesterday why KWP went on a searching run which led to our goal then after that seemed to hold back. It was almost like, 'shit that worked, better not do that again'.

Can't work out why Aribo started and Les was on the bench. Les was good against W.Ham. Aribo is far too slow. And up front, why does AA get a run out each game? And what's with Sulemana coming on? Still, I've enjoyed the intent in these last couple of matches. Despite our failings, we've given both these teams a close game. Atmosphere was quite good at the ground today until they scored. And good to see their retard supporter with the fossiled dad is still on form. Sits about four rows from the front and close to the away fans spends half his time giving us the finger. Remember that knob from our cup game.

All I know is Tall Paul got his head to crosses in the West Ham game that no-one else would have reached. All I saw was Tall Paul holding the ball up relatively well and laying off to one of our players and he lasted 90 minutes. He might not be the most gifted player that's graced a Saints shirt but he gives off a positive attitude and given other strikers aren't exactly world beaaters, he deserves a run in the team. Hope to see him and Archer together some time soon.

Three points here and the dream starts. TP and Archer up front (if he's well enough). Subs didn't add much against W. Ham. Is it time to bring back Sam AA? Certainly BBD can stay at home.

And in the previous game when one was squared to Tall Paul, he completely fluffed it. Yes, to an extent, we look a side out of our depth, but I'm so pissed off we SR that we haven't given this year a better chance. RM should have gone after the Bournemouth game and yet it really did look like it wasn't until half way through the Tottenham game that it dawned on management that RM had to go and their phones were out calling for a new manager. Since RM has gone, the team is playing more entertaining football, we have created chances and, on another day, we would have had this game sewn up by half time.

Agree with this. Archer was on the bench yesterday so hopefully isn't too out of sorts. Still waiting for the Archer/TP up front pairing because Archer has genuine speed and doesn't get pushed off the ball so easily as Armstrong. Manning has also improved considerably this season and can cross the ball, albeit Suga is a better crosser. A bit concerned he may be tempted to shoehorn shoehorn.

Really liked the effort today and enjoyed watching them but same old problem - lack of a striker. The Brazilian Wellington should be joining in January and I see the U21 have a Nathaneal Boot. Imagine that...our strikers could be Wellington Boot!

Didn't he bring in Lyanco to Torino? Hope he's not coming with him!!!

Heard he's a bit of a head case. At Torino, he picked a fight with the Director of Football in the stadium's car park! Someone point out Ankersen to him and tell him Ankersen's the Director of Football!

I vaguely remember sighing every time Diallo came on but maybe that was the previous season. But it's not just the quality of the players. Attitude counts for a lot and from the stands, I got the impression the attitude of those relegated players stank whereas this time around, there seems to be a genuine positive feeling about the players wanting the club to do well.

Sounds to me like he'll be coming our way in six months if Juric doesn't pan out. Sod the bravery crap, as long as Juric gets our guys to play with passion, I'll be happy. Against Liverpool, that second half really looked like it was a team that had finally been set free and if Juric can channel that enthusiasm correctly, the rest of the season will be a lot more fun than the first half.

He's pure cinema. Despite his crapness tonight, he must have had a dozen touches in as many minutes and things happen with him. Still think Archer and TP would be a good up front combo.

Agree. At last a bit of life in the side

Rusk Out!