Mowgli

What part of 'The Southampton Way' don't you understand? Two words - sustainable growth (emphasis on the first word). Luck has very little to do with it.

I'm not particularly happy with the entertainment value at the minute but still believe we should stand by Puel. A week or so back we were saying how much better he was than Koeman. Surely we are not that fickle...

Thought he worked hard tonight. No complaints from me. Generally just think the damage was done in earlier games leaving us looking jittery tonight. Looked pretty obvious what would happen. I'm just pleased we made the group stage - at least we had 6 games to 'enjoy'.

I think a lot depends on where Fonte sees his career going in 5 or 10 years when he has hung his boots up. As a Centre Back I agree that a contract extension is a bit premature but a pay rise is very justified. A longer contract for an older player only makes sense if he intends to coach with the club and work his way up in that direction. I could well see Fonte wanting to go into management.

Didn't we say the same about Mane when he first came? Interesting to hear the commentators from Tuesday's game saying Mane was 'not at his best tonight'. His co-commentator replied 'yes, just like saturday....' Sound familiar?

It's probably been mentioned before but this is a key point both for RK and for CP. Contrary to what RK claimed, he did not really give youth a chance. Cameo sub appearances and league cup (which he never took seriously) aside only Targett was given a chance of more than one game. Reed and JWP had debuted long before RK arrived. But CP needs to make sure that the likes of Hesketh, Reed, McQueen, GK McCarthy and Sims - even Stephens and Olamola - get regular game time which is perfectly possible with the rotation we have adopted.

Celtic probably saying the same about us.

If I chose to ignore the greatest era in history if the club and focussed on what might happen rather than enjoy the ride, I would think there was something seriously wrong in my head.

Deluded

Sadly I was the one who bought that - which explains why I'm mildly impressed with the current repro.

It's been on sale in the shop for a couple of seasons now. They've not shifted that many

..and Jack Stevens. But still room for a quality centre back to pass though for two or three seasons as, sadly, I suspect is the case with VVD, Boufal and Hojbjerg. As others have said, would love to see Morgan back. January is not generally a time that Saints like to spend so apart from a right back, I can't really see much movement. But Morgan would be worth breaking the rule for... Generally speaking I'm quite happy with the squad that we have.

Agreed but he did go AWOL for nearly 2 years before he started to show anything like his fee. Credit to Klopp who has given him the confidence boost he needed - and the national side are benefitting too.

I was thinking the same. We have some good strikers and we just need to give them better service. In good time, Soufane could be part of the answer but he's not there yet. A lot of pessimism on this thread from the usual suspects. All we need is someone to complain that JWP might be in our midfield - he always plays a blinder when slagged off on here.

Perhaps we should prove Ronald right by buying Lukaku in January...

Thankfully Saints are run on a sustainable footing so don't need or even want money throwing at them. Personally, I'm not so sure I want to hang on to our best players. If the last six years have taught us anything it is that moving players on for inflated prices has enabled us to recruit even better players.

oh and Yoshida was immense tonight!

Dull game. Great goal. fantastic to see 6 academy players on the pitch. JWP, Reed and McQueen will be regulars now. Isgrove will make it too - but sadly not with us I suspect. Stephens looked Ok for someone played out of position (though I do appreciate he started life as a right back). Olomola - well a bit too early to judge but pretty well bullied off the ball all night by some experienced pros. I like the look of McCarthy. A step up on Stek.

After tonight any song will do... for anyone. It was like a morgue in the Itchen North. Only atmosphere came from the away section.

One of the nicest families you'll see in football these days. A real genuine guy

There's generally a good reason they are out of contract. If they are lucky, they could perhaps associate themselves with a struggling Championship side. It's about the sort of strategy we would have looked at pre Cortese to be fair. I like to think we've moved on a bit though I'm sure my rose tinted glasses are affecting my judgement.

Looks great. Go there first now (used to be last).

I dont think that is why we took him off. He was getting beaten up but did OK when he found space. But the tactical change turned the game in my view (to an even game from a one sided one...)

Absolute garbage. He's played 3 times for us this season. Two clean sheets and a 1-1 draw. In 2015/16 he made 27 appearances of which 10 were clean sheets and only 8 of the others resulted in a defeat. I could analyse those games for you too but suspect I would find one, maybe two where mistakes cost us points. I could do and find the same for Fonte, Targett and a few others too if you like. If you don't like Maya, I can buy that but the reality of his performances is quite different. As others have said, it takes a very special player to come into the side after months on the sidelines / bench and perform to a the high standard that Maya achieves. Puel's rotation system will also benefit him. Back to Florin, he started really well for us when he first joined. I have no doubt he will be a valuable squad member

He was recovering well and really fired up but then he went on the Saints Forum.... ... counselling has been prescribed for his set back. Personally I'm really excited that he will come back and prove everyone wrong. 28? He's got at least 8 years left at this level.