West end Saints

By underperforming, about 1 point lower than this predicts. Pretty much shows hardly anyone is far off their money spent, interesting but no real surprises.

This must be the strongest 4 CBs we have ever had. Maybe we have had better first choice, or even 2nd choice (although both the young CBs have huge potential) but we have never had as much quality in 3rd or 4th choice.

When did Stu last play well? Last two seasons he has been a liability. Although he wasn't great thought Aribo showed more, Ely is better and works harder, Edozie did more on Saturday than Stu has for a while, Djenepo has been better. Adam Armstrong a lot better. Stu should not start. Looking at that list and lack of quality you can see why we are struggling.

Think that's the most sensible stsrting 11, if AMN is getting sharper. Hope to see Edozie get a decent amount of minutes. Hopefully more commitment from midfield with AMN and Ely rather that Diallo and Armstrong

https://www.footballfancast.com/southampton-fc-news/stuart-armstrong-premier-league-southampton-manchester-city-performance This sums up what I have been saying for the last year, and it felt like the emperors new clothes with people moaning that Stu wasn't given enough chances. Unless he plays better than he has for the last three seasons we will lose if we play him.

I don't know what the Board think, but, Blackmore seemed to be under the impression that Ralph is definately in his last season, and the board are likely to assess at world Cup break. I wonder how many points will be his safety threshold? We will then have played 15 games (currently 7 from 9 games). There can't be anyway they would consider keeping him if we lose the next 6 (or sack him if we win the next 6!). Style of play, whether defeats are close etc will come into in but I'm thinking 6 or less surely they will change? 9 safe?

Is anyone else struggling to find 11 players they want to start? Has Aribo played effectively at CM? If not we are probably stuck with AMN or Diallo alongside JWP. Maybe Aribo and Ely either side (poss Djenepo) Upfront likely to be Che plus one - if fit is Edozie ready to start?

https://www.footballfancast.com/southampton-fc-news/stuart-armstrong-premier-league-southampton-manchester-city-performance Their second goal is an example of why I have never been a fan. A rare time he had the ball, he drops his head and drives forward (which is why some seem to like him) but then does his usual of giving the ball away cheaply, in a dangerous position, no determination to recover and they score. Passively watching games with a couple of unsuccessful runs a game is not Premier league standard. 5 assists over theast three seasons for an attacking midfielder. He is not good enough and starting him will get us relegated! Sorry to rant but struggle to see why anyone is defending him. Someone on game thread had him playing well??? Even Ely did more in his short time yesterday (not saying that's the level we should aim for, but he is a better player!)

Player ratings? GB 6 KWP 2 BKP 6 Salisu 6 JWP 3 Diallo 2 Stu 2 Aribo 4 Che 3 AAdams 3 Ely 4 Djenpo 4 5 adequate

And classic Stu, pick the ball up, head down, run, lose possession, opposition score. Predictable. Not good enough for Premier league, absolute liability and lacks guts to at least work hard. However, except our CBs everyone out classed as to be expected.

I've always thought Frank likely since our new owners arrived

Did he pay for his ticket to watch the game?? I so wanted him to have a good game but he was appalling. Weak, lazy, uncreative. Not good enough to play in Premier league.

Not sure how Stu gives the team more of a goal threat, albeit he has not played loads, but no assists this season, or last and only 5 the season before, never producing much of a goal threat and now later in his career

Tbh my selection above is what I want to see and is based on 'grass is always greener' - I know the failings of Armstrong and Diallo and hope the new players are better. From what I've seen of Aribo I think he is better than Stu. As for the younger attacking options I have been excited by their cameos, but would be surprised if they were relied upon to start. Ely takes a lot of criticism but in the Chelsea game I thought he was central to our effort. I can't say I study the opposition to work out which players would be the best fit for each game, but as a paying spectator I would look forward to the game more if something like my line up above was starting.

I'm not saying this is our best side, or what will be picked, but I would look forward to seeing this line up : Bazunu Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud, Maitland-Niles, Ward-Prowse, Aribo, Edozie, Mara, Adams

How well did he play for Scotland tonight? Only seen he was substituted less than an hour in

Maybe he isn't that great? 10 assists for us in something like 5 years? No great for an attacking midfielder, pretty poor.

Pretty much team would expect, maybe hoped AMN ready instead of Diallo. If Aribo was fit would like to see he involved. Good attacking options who will no doubt be involved from the bench. Moi clearly better for shape and defensively than Stu for first half.

Spot on, Ralp is listening to me at last! Exactly team we need

Moi shouldn't be dropped after Tuesday's performance. Think too early for AMN so think JWP and Diallo in the two

Isn't Aribo seen in the attacking third?

As attacking players we have Adam A Armstrong Ely Aribo Mara Djenepo S Armstrong Redmond Wallcott If we sign further attacking players I hope it is either competition for Adams, or someone who will start ahead of most of those, we don't need just another squad player

Moi was superb last night, his work off the ball, the pressure he put on Chelsea players etc really made the difference and you could see Chelsea players getting frustrated and making mistakes. His was not the flashy mom performance others are rightly getting praise for, but was vital last night. There is no way Stuart Armstrong would have been as effective or hard working. Easy to criticise a managers selection when it goes wrong but he was spot on last night.

Would go as far as prefer but I can see Ely is more reliable for team shape, possession etc. Personally think Redmond may offer marginally better balance of all three, but this shows how week we are in this role.

Agree, and unlikely to fight to regain possession. Exciting when his runs work, and can change the tempo of a game as a sub, but liability at times. We should have a lot better for starting 11.