West end Saints

Disappointed to arrive at stadium and find out Orsic not starting, but guess 3 wins with Armstrong doing OK recently gave him the nod. Overall didn't think was too bad - if we went into that midtable we would be disappointed with ref / VAR, thinking we were a bit sloppy at times.

Strange comment. Not heard anything close to smug. Positivity, relief, enjoying win but not smug. Agree still bottom and far from sorted out, although win this and will take a lot of pressure off. As for the team, would be very surprised if he doesn't go for Lavia/ Diallo behind JWP after his comments that this three have 100% record together (only earlier use being beating Chelsea at home). Would like to see Orsic one side, the other I can see arguments for any of AA, Moi or Edozie (Edozie least likely to start). Upfront think Che, but wouldn't be stunned with Mara. There isn't much between most teams that variations in confidence can't even out. Think a win is most likely result.

Orsic.

Looking at how we played against Man City, plus the two midfielders signed so far, I think the club are keen for players who can drive quickly forward, physically quick and tactically quick. We are also said to be close to signing Jackson who seems to fit this profile. If we go for a more experienced centre forward my guess is it will be someone who also fits this profile.

One more than Klopp has won this year

Interesting picking out 100% record with Lavia, Diallo and JWP https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/nathan-jones-chelsea-ibrahima-diallo-8035536 Guess Adams likely to be first choice over Mara, but could be either. Either side any combination of Djenepo, Orsic, Ely, Edozie, Armstrong. With three wins with three starting 11s time for him to use which combination suits fitness and opposition

Watch highlight of Wednesday. Not world beater, but decent player for level we are. Even in the highlights you can see two runs of him beating players. Not saying he is great, and we shouldn't aim higher, but has had decent performances, including Chelsea and Man C games.

Was v effective in 2nd half when bringing ball out of our half, beating players and holding the ball. Intelligent game management. Much safer to bring on in those circumstances than Stu, would may have made a decent chance but would likely give up possession and cause chances for Man City.

Played over 30 mins, and played very well

There were differences all over the pitch, totally different set up and tactics. The positioning and role of JWP changed the direction of our play. He spend more time close to CF role, compared to under RH when he sat alongside CB. The midfield turned forward and drove with the ball, or released it early. There was more cover from midfield, Djenepo working harder doubling up on Grealish for example. There were less gaps between players when we attacked. There was a good use of a long ball, into space behind fullbacks which stopped them driving forward and was effective. Think you missed quite a lot. Chalk and cheese to Ralph more pondering build up and isolated forwards.

What is it 3 league games proper? What did Wigley have 15? Think I will give him at least 3 more before I give up on him!

Armstrong looks more positive when coming on, particularly in a more advanced role. He is a liability in any midfield role directly in front of the defence. These new, or potentially new, signings need to be an improvement!

August 2018 premier league debut, since then 10 assists. We need much better to survive

Point I was making was, we were adrift with few games left, not 2 points off safely, and 7 off top half with only 1/3 of season gone. Worrying but millions miles from already down... And yes I was there to witness simple passes out for throw ins on Tuesday!

Not totally far fetched to say we could be outside of relegation zone, and closer to those above by opening of window. Home to Brighton, (win 13/5) Wolves Everton playing each other Notts For away Man U (10/1) West Ham a way to Arssenal (6/1) Leeds v Man City (19/2) Bournemouth away to Chelsea (10/1) Aston villa v Liverpool (18/5) We are far from doomed yet! A confident player will surely think he is able to assist catching up just two points over 2/3 of a season. I'm not saying we are staying up but the battle has hardly started. Can't believe soamy have written season off so early when it's so close. Not quite the spirit of 20 odd years ago and great escapes!

We were sloppy, particularly in the first half, but looking at the other games it sounds like we were not alone. The changes were positive and made at good times. I have criticised Stu due to his work rate and giving the ball away in our half, do was good to see him further forward. Like NJs interview, clear answers.. https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/nathan-jones-southampton-theo-walcott-7952916

Not really, not with two thirds of the season left. We are at risk of relegation but with most of the season left, two points off safety and 7 off top half too early to start thinking about dog fight. You normally have a good idea after Christmas but with the world Cup it will be nearer February before you can really see who is going to be battling to the end. I'm pretty optimistic we will slowly ease out of bottom 3 with out Jan fixtures, but let's see. I have no idea what Crocker adds to the club, so have no opinion on him going but could be new owners trying to improve and be positive... Just maybe?

Apart from signing the worlds most expensive goalkeeper, world's most expensive defender under Klopp through to £80m (?) for Nunez. Just another one of their moans when they can't match City

37 ARMEL BELLA-KOTCHAP 2 KYLE WALKER-PETERS 15 ROMAIN PERRAUD MOUSSA DJENEPO (73′) 22 MOHAMMED SALISU 24 MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI 45 ROMÉO LAVIA JOE ARIBO (60′) 8 JAMES WARD-PROWSE (C) 9 ADAM ARMSTRONG LYANCO (86′) 27 IBRAHIMA DIALLO 10 CHE ADAMS My cut and paste struggled, but this team played great against Chelsea - can a fresh start, and fit Lavia get us back to that level? And hopefully for more than one game? Ive got a feeling the new manager will get more out of Edozie and Mara. I'm at the optimistic level, not as far as confident, but even without any additions it is possible to pull away from the relegation area quite quickly. If we get a couple of early wins I think we will be fine.

The break may also been seen as an opportunity to seperate the two regimes. They have had a lot of negativity, pressure and low confidence recently. Maybe it will be easier to get buy in to a positive new era with a gap and coming back refreshed

I remember this Poch appointment was ridiculed, on here and by likes of Lawrie (very strongly). Any appointment is a gamble. I can only think of maybe a couple appointments which would have been possible and met with wide spread confidence. There are many moans who then say their preference, which others would moan about. We have lack positivity, energy, and togetherness recently - maybe he can add these

Sky now reporting that two members of his back room staff also joining. Just formalities and confirmation in morning

It's unsure for me, as I have no idea what the other options are, who is possible etc. I would prefer Poch, Gallardo sounds bit wow, but would we stand a chance? I would prefer Jones to Gerrard, Dyche, as at least I can see potential which, for me out ways those who have experience but maybe are not great. I do think loads of those criticising would have been more positive if he was coming from abroad. The championship compares with a lot of more trendy European leagues, and he was manager of the year

So people don't want him, but the best alternative suggested in recent posts was dour Gerrard who did shit and apparently would see us as below him! Any manager mentioned below Poch would be risk. We all regularly see managers with decent track record fail and vice versa. I can see the appeal of him, and the risk and choose to be optimistic with the fresh start, but who knows

Gerrard wouldn't excite the whole fan base. Benitez hasn't been great for about 10 years (not checked dates, but must be about that). Gallardo sounds great manager, but is being linked with top European sides, and apparently doesn't speak English. I certainly didn't have a wow feeling but who would be at all realistic and would excite all (or most) fans? I honestly don't know. Maybe Frank? Certainly not Dyche, Gerrard, Parker. Poch would... I can dream for now!