macca155

The step up from U21 to Championship is significant but others have done it. He's clearly a good finisher and is learning to get himself into the right positions to actually have the opportunities to score. A further positive is he is a big lad and pretty mobile so can fit into our current style of play. Is he going to be a Shearer, no obviously not at this stage, but unless these youngsters see a pathway to the first team, the club will struggle to attract top talent. Its win win really. Mubama is probably going back to City, so might as well put our own talent on the bench and give him a few run outs when the opportunity arises. As others have said he needs a decent loan in Division 1. A club where he will be valued and given significant playing time. Ballard sorted that for himself in the end at Orient, and is now bedding himself in as a Championship striker. He's not starring yet but neither is he disgracing himself either, he's only 21 so plenty of time yet. I watched the Palace game highlights and whilst he grabbed the headlines, there were others in that team who looked pretty decent as well. bodes well for the future.

Agree on unchanged team, although Matsuki looked spent on Saturday, so maybe cover for him. Dobbin will be pumping after an excellent game Saturday. Give Larin time to recover. On that note young Princewill has scored another 2 tonight for the U21s, currently 4 1 up. He has to go on the bench Saturday, he must have done enough to earn a chance by now. Edit 5 1 now Hatrick for Princewill

What a fabulous performance, a real statement win. 3 2 was probably fair but Saints bossed that 2nd half. It's so refreshing to have a team that looks to control the game. Strangely West Hams subs weakened them. Our midfield suddenly seemed to get more control. Excellent game from Dobbin, he's giving us an alternative to Larin, which is what we need. Jander grew into the game and JWPs work rate was phenomenal. I was 2000 feet up and half a mile from the pitch, so no real idea on MoTM. Either Stephens or Schlotterbeck probably, although Brees goal was a belter. Can't comment on Peretz, it was blur up on God's, no idea. That will have seriously dented West Ham's confidence. Hopefully do the same to QPR and West Brom. Canary Wharf is a bit posh

I wouldn't want to be a defender out there. Both teams back four are being pulled around. Lot of goals in this game. COYS

Feels like Charlton away last year

No chance, Saints are a good side, and Tonda has tightened things up. Chances are it will be a tight defeat or draw, but come on Saints won't suddenly turn to shit because they're playing a decent side. If anything that tends to galvanised them.

Packed train up to London, 4 carriages just doesn't cut it. I'm totally expecting a WHU win today. Bowen is way too good for this league, and neither of our full backs are particularly good at stopping raiders on the wings. No disgrace in that, and hopefully Saints can even the score at StMarys. However, equally Saints have their own stars in midfield. Jander, JWP, and Azus, are all EPL standard players, so it will be a tight game. West Ham are duty bound to attack Saints, that will open the game up, and Saints can be lethal on the break. The rain will make things a bit of a lottery as well. Game on

Oh I think other teams have sussed out our main threat. They have analysts too ! Plus I suspect Tonda is employing a more defensive strategy. Sacrificing a forward, Fellows it would seem, to stop conceding goals. None of that excuses the blatant misses on Saturday. 1 0 away at WHU will do nicely though.

Jack has always been more effective, when playing on the right, and next to a decent CB. It takes the pressure off him a bit and allows him to be more of a captain. Which is something this team needs. Anyway it works, don't mend it

Tonda said as much post match, I'm sure he'll learn. Bolton clearly defend very high, and he was trying to get through that. Although a bit weird, it did actually work in creating chances. Just unbelievable they missed so many of them. The lack of a second striker is really hurting us now. Other teams know that once they've shut out Larin, Saints don't have an alternative. What is the point of Mubama, he's clearly highly thought of. Pretty stellar U21 career, but if Tonda isn't going to use him then replace him with Princewill. Pointless him wasting a bench space.

Been a while since we've had a shocker of a ref like that. He robbed Saints of a win, but only after they did it to themselves over and over again. So many misses from point blank range. Hopefully they'll put that right against WHU. I thought JWP was immense today, involved everywhere. Good to see Bragg back. He's a tidy player but he has to be more disciplined, stop arguing and shirt pulling. Defensive midfielders run a gauntlet of bookings anyway, no need to add to the jeopardy. Another day those chances go in, but Bolton turned over Wolves last week, so probably best not to underestimate them. Been a good week, Saints are right in the mix, with two big games to come.

Yeah point taken, but he'll get the bird nevertheless to put him off.

This will be tougher than many think. Baz has a point to prove, he'll get stick from the stands, but he's a strong character, and I suspect after the match we'll be saying 'why didn't he play like that for us'. It will be the usual story, they'll sit deep and Saints will have to try and pick a way through their packed defence. Assuming Downes is out JWP, Bragg, and Matsuki to start in the middle. Jander to have 45 mins if required. Dobbin will probably feature again, he did well on Wednesday.

We are going to really struggle to keep him even beyond January. He's a cut above, and Germany will be calling soon. Hopefullyhe'll want to test himself in the Prem, probably our only chance of seeing him a bit longer. What a midfield we have though, ridiculous for a Championship side.

Good win, controlled the game, rested key players. Exactly what was required. Onwards and upward

Quietly impressed with Dobbin this half . Love the turns he's does. Defo a player there

Matsuki yes, well done Edozie as well

Bit of a nothing half, guess we're trying to soften up Norwich and then press the button on 60 minutes. Not sure about Abbott at RB but early days. Dobbin needs people to pass to him when he finds space. Archer had the same issue, we just don't seem to play that way. I hope Downes is ok but we have depth in midfield. Why isn't Fellows playing, always looks a handful when he's on. Better than Edozie any day. Let's hope the 2nd half is more fruitful.

Great cross from JWP, someone should have been on that.

Interesting side, I can see the point of using squad players. They'll need to be up to speed, as will almost certainly be required in the coming months. Good to see Dobbin given a go and Abbott. How about that bench though.

Start with a draw, that's ok, stay unbeaten and build momentum. A win would be a bonus. Have to forget about the -4, it makes the season feel average, when in reality it's way better than when we went up. If we had the real 17 points tonight, we'd all be sleeping very soundly. There's 36 games to go, squads will be hit by injuries and suspensions. Very few have the depth of Saints and West Ham. I'm not expecting that -4 to be wiped out until well after Christmas. In addition either Princewill will get his chance, as he's surely done enough now. Or they'll buy a striker in January. That will be the icing on the cake.

6 4 now, what a game

Cracking derby for once, blood and thunder from both sides. Decent atmosphere this time Downes and Stephens really stood out today. Azaz left it all on the pitch. How on earth can Matsuki be kept on the bench, he was excellent. Good to see Jander looking fit. Selection problem for Tonda. Shame Bragg was sent off, he was playing well, but twice he was left marooned by JWP. Two needless fouls when he lost the ball. It happens and he'll learn. I'd rather the club show faith in their youngsters. Even when it goes wrong occasionally. Pompey huffed and puffed but they are missing quality up front. Could be in trouble this year.

Having had chance to read the details, the FA were clearly after Saints the same as the EFL. Their opening bid of a 9 month ban from all football, would have derailed our season, and cost Tonda his job. All credit to Tonda for persuading the panel to be more lenient. The club needs to wind it's neck in though. The FA can still appeal, and slagging off the EFL won't help. A bit of silent dignity wouldn't go amiss. We've had a right result, let's move on quickly. Got a game on Sunday.

Well that's a relief and a fair judgement, although others may not see it that way. Bollocks to them. The Man City affair going on at the same time has probably helped. That will be at the forefront of the FAs collective mind. They wouldn't want any additional legal challenges.