West end Saints

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.

I've not seen Aribo or Mara yet, where are they likely to redularly fit into the side? Who are likely to be preferences? AM 1 Aribo 2 Armstrong 3 Redmond 4 Djenepo 5 Elyounoussi 6 Walcott Forward 1 Adams 2 Armstrong 3 Mara

How much did their starting 11 cost yesterday??!

Although I'm a season ticket holder, and odd away game attendee, I've not been able to see any games yet this season (just MOTD highlights). Are people seeing Aribo as a No 10, not a forward? How do you think the order of preference should sit? Would most, from reading match thread, go for CB: 1 Salisu 2 ABK 3??! Can't really tell what the people think preference order should be for AM and forward.

Probably need a keeper too

I would like (but we won't see) KWP / Salisu / ABK / Perraud Romeu /Lavia Ward-Prowse / Aribo Adams / A Armstrong Or maybe Redmond for Aribo in the 2 AM, and Aribo with Adams up front. Stuart Armstrong to come on

I have never been able to understand the criticism Redmond gets. To me a bit more effective than Armstrong, but also works harder, doesn't give ball away in our own half, chases, tackles - all set him as my preference over Armstrong who many on here rave about. Think both are decent players, about right level for us but would hope we could improve on both.

Don't think he can play a role in 5/3/2, very likely to give the ball away in dangerous positions so far too risky for this defensive midfield RH is using, not a wing back or forward. (didn't see today but in talkssport commentary first time mentioned was giving the ball away for the attack with Salisu howler.) He needs to be the advanced midfield if we go back to 4/2/2/2, or more attacking role in more conventional formations.

Not seen it, but reading this, sounds like priority is upgrading both Armstrongs

What I'm looking for with the keeper change is a huge improvement with distribution. So often last season we encouraged teams to pressure us with poor keeper passes. I also hope the new coaching set up will help, we showed our players can be OK at times last season. Romeo Lavia looks to add in CDM, when Romeu lost form we were awful, so although it would be optimistic to expect a consistent full season from such a young player, I hope we see better options for rotation, substitutions, formation. Our AM were weak, so Aribo, hopefully plus another surely is an improvement. Also I don't think the signings are finished yet. I think we will be an improvement on last season.

Can't remember the stats but Redmond seems to offer more than Armstrong, who is always likely to give the ball away in our half and not tackle. Would hope we could upgrade on all of them, and both OK for squad. I feel Redmond get more criticism than he deserves, a d Armstrong flatters to deceive and, imho is over rated here.

I'm not convinced he is the level if we are aiming for top half, but where we are he is worth keeping. Offers more than Djenepo, Armstrong and Walcott - both in work rate and product. Him and Redmond were our best in those roles last season - which is a bit concerning!

I'd say it is not as much as a probem as other areas, at least we have two who are good enough for mid table. We don't have a single attacking midfielder who is, and CB and CF doubtful.

We had terrible end to the season, and I am worried about where we are going, but we comfortably avoided relegation and there was no point it was a realistic possibility. Yes, if we had lost more games we could have gone down, but we didn't. If we had won more we would be more higher. It is the least I have ever felt connected with the players. Aside from JWP, Romeu, and three full backs can't think of a player who I wouldn't ideally want replaced (although appreciate we will be stuck with others)

I think it will be an unpopular opinion, but I rate Redmond higher than Armstrong. Armstrong makes some excellent direct runs, but often concedes possession or takes risks in central positions in our own half. I also have doubts about his work rate and defensive ability. Redmond isn't great but feel he marginally helps the shape of the team more, and works a bit harder. I would hope we could upgrade in both! Not sure if the link will work, and don't think stats match what we seen on pitch (e.g Armstrong concedes possession stats aren't too bad, but don't show how often these put us under severe pressure) https://www.premierleague.com/stats/player-comparison

Clear again weakness in midfield, I really don't see Ely, Tella, Djenepo, S Armstrong as being close to good enough if the team hopes to be a top half side. Maybe one or two as squad level, but we should have starters better than those.

The team has looked lethargic recently & we seem to need all our players in good form at once (and are v good when they are) as soon as one or two are out of form we lose all shape. We are probably about where we should be for the standard of the squad. Aside from fullbacks and CM not many would get time in other sides. Think our weakest area is attacking MF. Ely had a decent spell, but doesn't really make enough impact, Redmond works quite hard but not a lot of product, S Armstrong gives away possession in the wrong places too often and doesn't put the work in - some good direct runs but nowhere near enough, Tella hasn't had the season I expected, Djenepo and Walcott have offered little this year. Defimately need to upgrade this area.