Alain Perrin

Lots of fan on fan during that period. Not nice. People have the right to protest but it is counter productive to protest during a match in my opinion. You might as well cheer for the opposition.

This. Davis has been good in previous seasons but he's not at the races this one. His first instinct is to pass backwards and it has got us into trouble again and again this season.

It’s not like Saints set out to sell players to Liverpool, is it? They wanted to go for money, prestige, history etc. We tried keeping a player against his will this season, how did that work out? The fundamental problem with our team isn’t defence, it’s goong forward. Our players can’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo - you’ve only got to watch the shooting practice pre-match to see that’s the problem. All trying for worldies and not even working the goal keeper. Roll out the electric shock machine and punish anyone who doesn’t hit the target I say.

It's not though really, is it? It's one in the eye for fans that see these issues as black and white. There are always multiple factors at play - whether that be a transfer or a managerial decision. If you seriously think that the fans opinion doesn't matter (and consequently any knock in tickets, strongly worded letters of complaint, booing in the stand etc.) then I think that's a bit bonkers. Is it the only factor they would consider? They'd be weak if it was. My observation was that the atmosphere at home (once the cup-final high had faded) was one of frustration and voiced anger, directed mainly at Puel - to the point where I thought it likely the board would let him go in the summer. If you bring in other factors (tales of player unrest, asked to change but didn't then etc.) then that likelihood became the certainty that it did. If anyone looks at my posting history, I am more of a back 'em than sack 'em guy - and I thought he'd have to go because of fan unrest which means it must have been palpable. But these things are never about just one thing.

No doubt ST sales were a factor. However the atmosphere at the home games was toxic - not enough goals and entertainment. Away form was better and cup final may have had an impact on motivation. I think we sacked Puel too soon - but it was clear to me from the home fan reactions in the last couple of games that he was likely to go (or at least that was the wisdom of the crowd). Perhaps if the team were behind him or he had naked photos of Les, the board would have seen fit to back him but the crowd made it clear what they wanted. Other issues (bribery, losing the dressing room, rooted to the bottom) withstanding, I think any manager should be given at least 3 transfer windows to make his mark - as it is MP2 has had 1 (in which he probably had little input). #pellegrino in for me.

I agree we shouldn't be throwing money at the problem but I think the balance of the team is wrong. Linked to this is that Gabbiadini is a very different type of player to Pelle. What we miss is the ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play - that's not Gabbiadini's game, to often it bounces off him and back to the opposition. Pelle and Lambert before him were "sticky and flicky" players - they could control the ball well and lay it off to willing runners (both were excellent at this). For what it's worth, I rate Gabbiadini - I think he's having a bit of dip in form and confidence at the moment (something both Pelle and Lambert weren't immune to) but he's shown that his movement and finishing can be sharp.

Apologies - this was meant to be in response to Benji.

I don’t doubt it - but would you take the risk on someone new to the premierships with an away day to Stoke on an icy Monday? Puel has shown that with better tools / experience under the belt, a seemingly poor manager can deliver good results. QED, we need to fix the team. Perhaps I am wrong, I just feel if we stagger from manager to manager on the knee jerk of the ‘wisdom of the crowd’, then we will become a cropper. If not this year, then soon.

I understand the frustration but don’t see the logic of calling for MP’s head. All the decent ‘rescue’ managers have been bought up, so what does a leap into the dark do - other than make a relegation threat a relegation certainty. So booing the manager doesn’t achieve anything. I think we’re too quick to change the boss when the failure for the last two seasons has been not to replace Pele. We have no one in attack who can hold the ball up as Pele and Lambert before him would so. Changing a manager after 12 months, 6months does not give sufficient time to build a team. We forced the board to act on Puel and the evidence is it wasn’t him. There’s a real danger that the same will be true with MP. I was one of those that wanted Puel out (despite what I said above) because the attitude became toxic. We need to be careful what we wish for. It doesn’t mean MP is the right choice, just I am not sure a change at this time will make any difference.

Lloris is **** keeper.

Much as it doesn't surprise me, I don't see how you can blame Forster for the first goal. Lack of marking was the problem. We are toilet though. No plan or identity throughout the team.

Their keeper is an accident waiting to happen. If FF had sliced that clearance and almost got lobbed he'd be roasted. Goalkeepers make mistakes and with the exception of a few like De Gea, alll have strengths and weaknesses. I thought FF had a good game and zero he could realistically do about the goal.

That's stupid talk. Clearly we just sack him without a replacement in mind. Then we can sack Pellegrino, then the players, then the fans. Sorted. Whilst Pellegrino is rubbish at the moment, the fundamental is that we don't have a credible strike force. No manager, no DoF change will fix that.

As with Puel, there's a danger a noisy bunch of fans will be architects of our own demise. Mangers in any team need time to make an impact. Sure you can get the odd ocassion when switching in a new guy makes a big difference, however most of the he time though it's counter productive (unless you are looking for a scrape to 40 pots merchant like Allardyxe) Mostly instant manager success comes when there is core of a team that needs to be woken up or at least stabilised. For the rest long term success happens where a team gets built - Pochettino had an awful start at Spurs for example. We need to avoid a change the manager death spiral. Fan power called for Puel out - there's no way he could have stayed - but arguably we just compound things by moving Pellegrino on. In my opinion, the fundamental problem is we haven't replaced Pele (and replaced Mane with lesser quality). Pele is the biggest loss however, we have no one who can hold the ball up and allow others to join the attack. No chance a short term manager change will solve that.

I don't agree with 442 - it's yesterday's formation. I do agree with playing Gabi up front and Long in place of Tadic or Redmond. Long gives you a "run till I am dead, ankle biting" attitude that scares other teams and makes space for others. Redmond rightly won plaudits last year but needs a rest and to regain his confidence - he lo Is a shadow of early last season

Thought Lemima looked very calm and strong, a quality signing Romeu looked a bit weak compared to his ever flawless performances last season. Like Samson, he needs to cut off his hair to regain his power.

Well spotted - but keep it to yourself otherwise they'll want a two minute silence....

BREAKING: Liverpool have requested a minutes silence ahead of their Saints fixture and Gerry Rafferty has announced a charity ty single, a cover of the Beatle's Blackbird. "Van Dyk stropping in the dead of night, Take the 6 year deal he yearned to sign, Blackpool, cry. Jurgen's only waiting for the Dutchman to arrive."

Whilst I'd prefer us not to sell in order to stand up to player power, and if we did have to sell then not sell to the Scousers out of spite. However, as it stands they tried to get him at a knock down price with all their press shenanigans but by dragging it out we will have extracted a competitive price out of them. So regardless how it plays out we've played the hand as well as could be reasonably expected.

I suspect, as with Toby and Mane, we have some offers out there but the targets are waiting to see if otherness options materialise. If you hunt for players just below the top fours radar, likely they'll want to wait as long as possible no to get offers from said top four.

Unless that's your sister, is it not a chance that it's another kitchen? I had the same doors on a kitchen I rebuilt using doors bought from B&Q (cherrywood IIRC) c. 2006 - I suspect they aren't one offs

Mane is one hell of a player and you can see why we miss his creativity and unpredictability. Kopp is building a good team and you can see why VVD wants to go there. However, regardless of what he wants, we need to resist and keep him to prove a point. Otherwise it'll continue to be open season on our players to challenge their contracts. He'll reintegrate if he knows what is good for him.

You would say that. Bed wetter.

I disagree. By standing up to Van Dyke, the club are sending a powerful message to players and clubs alike; Strike and you'll not get your way, and deal underhand and we'll not deal with you. It's a calculated risk that a) Van Dyke needs to lay for the WC b) that whilst Sky rights might stagnate, money over the next few years will still increase due to overseas rights and c) that the Mane type players still want their chance. Fundamentally the club isn't against selling talent, just that we want a fair return in both commitment (i.e. don't sign for six years, play for 6 months and expect to go) and fees (i.e. don't try to lowball us by going public on transfers) If it was me I'd sign players for 5 years with a gentlemans agreement we'll extend after 2 yrs or they can look to go.

A 42(? might be an exaggeration) move against a club (MK Dons?) when we were in League 1 which culminated in a goal by Lambert or possibly Lee Barnard. Unfortunately I have a crap memory for these things.