Saint Garrett

I'm growing more fond of him, certainly wasn't his biggest fan. Seems to be a good fit for the system and certainly now worthy of a place in our squad.

P*mpey

He may not be the best manager in the world, and he does have his fruastrations, but I absolutely love the bloke, and think he's just such a great fit for our club. We're lucky to have him.

This needs to be sung for the rest of the season, and he probably will deserve player of the season too.

He played quite a lot between Villa (H) - start of November - and Wolves (A) - Mid Jan, where he didn't have a great game, and then he got injured in the next game and been out since. Assuming he is back in the next few weeks, and I have absolutely no idea how bad his injury is, I would expect him to be atleast third choice, possibly starting instead of Bednarek or Stephens.

Completely agree. First season in a new league and new country, and one he doesn't speak the home language of. I think we'd be a far better side with Lyanco in it rather than Bednarek and Stephens. I think he'll be our first choice CB next season.

What utter nonsense.

I completely disagree, and personally I think Lyanco has a far higher "ceiling" than Stephens. Stephens has proved over the last 10 years with us, that he will never be good enough to be a premier league regular. He makes too many mistakes, loses his man, and cannot concentrate for 90 minutes. I think his time is pretty much up for us, if we want to get any better. He is fine as an emergency CB to play a couple of games a season, but I cannot see him happy with that.

Need a new CB to sit alongside Salisu, assuming he's still here next season. I don't mind having Stephens or Valery as a 4th choice CB. but to have both those two and Bednarek, is a bit of a joke. Arguably, we're planning on having Sali and Lyanco as first choice next season, bring in someone else to be third choice and compete with those two, and then have 1 of the other 3 staying as fourth choice. If Bednarek CBA to play, then he is more than welcome to find a new home next season.

He’s absolutely shite. His finishing is appalling. He should have scored 2 today. He has to do better, he can’t expect 5 great chances per game.

Got to go strongest possible line up for this, but problem is I have no idea who that is. The group that have just played the last 3 games, don't deserve to start this one, but not sure what else you do. We should get a bit more space in behind, which should give Broja a bit more space, but doesn't seem to have "wanted it" for the last 3 games, he's been really passive. I wonder if we'll tweak the system again, though I'm pretty sure that we have played 4-2-2-2 against City both times this season? Not bothered about either Stephens or Bednarek, they're both poor. I'd like to see Redmond given a run out, thought he looked bright when he came on yesterday. Guess there will be a chance of playing DIallo, possibly in that kind of hybrid 352/4222 we played a few times earlier on in the season. Atleast we know we shouldn't get bullied like the last 2 home games...We will have to at our best, and hope City have an off day. If we play like we did in the last 3 games, I fear the worst. Caballero KWP Stephens Salisu Perraud Armstrong Romeu JWP Redmond Broja Adams

This game will always give me hope, o matter who we are playing. Remember going up there finding out VVD was out and Stephens and Yoshida were starting.

Haven’t read all messages on here, as Cba, but agree with most of those that I have. Poor performance, set up by an odd starting formation. Going 1 up front against Watford was a bit criminal. Think probably 3 players come out of that game with any credit, and that’s KWP, Adams and Redmond when he came on. apart from that, dreadful. A few unsure moments from Fraser, all over the place at the back, full backs got shut off, Romeu and JWP got outplayed, Armstrong and Elyounoussi - lost count the amount of times those two gave it away today, Smallbone had a poor game. Dreadful to come out of those last 3 games with no points. Need a reaction next week to keep our season interesting, or we might just limp to safety. Some tough games coming up…felt like we were on the beach this week.

Agreed. Broja needs dropping. Was miles off it last night.

Given how easy it is to get in the home end at St Mary's, there would almost certainly be Chelsea fans there, whether there is an away end or not. Personally I think the league and government will find a way around it, and they'll work out a way of selling tickets, and spending money, without it going to RA.

I think Bruno looked absolutely class last night, you can tell he was a different level to the rest of their cloggers. I think by the end of next season, he could be a real star in this league.

Heard Broja has been training on his own this week too, along with Sali and Elyounoussi. Be interesting to see if any of them start tonight. Think Salisu will start if possible but wouldn’t be surprised if Broja and Elyounoussi aren’t in the first XI

Sali wouldn't surprise me, given he's class, got 2 years on his contract, and will only get better. Bednarek would do a decent job for those teams, especially in a slower league.

I'm sure that if we manage to sell the stadium out, they might stick those extra tickets on sale to saints fans. But given we couldn't sell out against West Ham and this is on TV, it's understandable.

I think also, you have to give credit to Howe, as he's learnt from his mistakes and he's improved. He clearly did a great job at Bompey, as a rubbish manager doesn't get them from L2 to the premier league. However, the last few years, they got a lot wrong. Buying the wrong players for a lot of money, and not focusing on the defence. There is also probably the impact of coaches too. They've focussed on being solid, and they know they have players that can cause other teams problems, i.e. Saint Maximin. Will be a very tough game, they are the form team in the league, and haven't lost for 8 games. We will need to be at our best to beat them. I hope we get a reaction after a very poor performance at the weekend, but a lot of that will probably depend on whether Salisu and Elyounoussi are fit, which atm, looks unlikely. I really hope we beat this lot, as cancelling their game with us because they had a few injuries was a disgrace, but then again, the system allowed that nonsense to happen. Anyway, onwards and upwards, I think they'll be goals. 3-2 Saints. Forster; Tino Bednarek Salisu KWP; Romeu JWP; Armstrong Elyounoussi; Adams Broja. Assuming Sali and Moi aren't fit, probably Stephens and Redmond to come in. I assume there must be a presser tomorrow in prep for this. Would be nice to have Tella back as an option too.

Gone are those days !!!

Annoying but not surprising that the big 3 sides avoided each other. Might have to beat all 3 to win the trophy…🙄 would have much rather played Huddersfield and then Everton to get to the final! Still, they haven’t beaten us this season, we’re playing well, and hopefully we’ll put out our best side. Should be a cracking atmosphere…Game on…

Is that true!? Seems to happen so much and you never hear they get banned. The guys last night expected cheers and applause from the fans and they just got about 5000 wanker signs

Seriously, what is the point. Happened too many times this season, no idea where those guys came from last night, but got a load of abuse as they were dragged out down the kingsland. Not sure what the club can do to stop it without bringing in a load more stewards.

Next round is slightly different I would think, as it's a weekend and it's just before an international break. Would expect us to rotate fewer players, but with 5 subs I still expect us to rotate.