macca155

Interesting QPR have clearly worked out that sitting back against Saints doesn't work. They are a bit more up and at Saints. Definitely getting behind our lines more. However that should give Saints more room.

I'm not sure I agree with that, I think his passing is a solid part of his game. He always looks to push forward. Don't confuse that with the occasional brain fart, which he needs to cut out. As I said I like him, but he'll never be dominant in the air. That is the bigger issue. Anyway as you say, decent back up.

Pretty sure it will be unchanged today, although Mara might get a run out. Stephens is important to us. I know some don't rate him but I think he is very underrated. A capable flexible defender and a decent leader in my opinion. Whilst clearly our number 3 CB atm, he could be called upon at any time. Defenders are more at risk from injuries and suspension due to the nature of their role. Martin is right to keep him fit and ready to go. If all goes well it would be good to see him on the pitch for a decent cameo.

Totally agree, being unbeaten is starting to hang around like a bad smell, we all know that sooner or later a defeat is coming. As you say embrace it when it does and use the pain to galvanise the team.

Hope ..... just hope

Put our sense of entitlement aside and that is a point salvaged. Coventry were really solid and blocked off any routes of attack. They didn't give KWP one inch of space. We were slow ponderous and lacking any sort of invention up front. I thought Charles and Smallbone did OK. The latter put in some good covering tackles. They just had no outlet, all they could see was sky blue shirts. I've said a few times that Marc Robbins is a decent manager and it showed tonight. Totally nullified RM's strategy and we had no plan B. Our football is so dull and exhausting to watch. I like Martin, I think he is a good manager overall but he has to revisit these tactics. None of the decent sides play this way, and it is pretty obvious why. Weird subs as well. Aribo was blowing from 75 mins, Alcaraz was an obvious replacement. Always like visiting Coventry, nice ground, easy parking, but as someone said terrible toilets. Just got to keep going.

Fair point on the goals, we all know that needs sorting. Bit harsh on Bazunu, all goalkeepers have those moments. He's been one of the positives so far, and is significant part of the unbeaten run. Score the 2nd or 3rd goal and his earlier saves will be remembered rather than the fumble.

Agreed, the only variable is Edozie. He may start with Mara and Adams. Draw likely, not the end of the world, but obviously hoping for a win. Better not be roadworks on the way home, got stuff to do tomorrow....

The top two are making this a weird season. Already significantly ahead of Burnley and Sheffield last year. Amazing form, got to hand it to them. However long way to go, Saints just need to win as often as possible. Frankly first task is to overtake Leeds and stretch out a buffer of a few points. That won't be easy and will take time. Then it's just a case of waiting for either Leicester or Ipswich to slip up. I reckon that's unlikely but stranger things have happened. Ipswich have Norwich Leeds and Leicester next. In contrast Saints have Coventry, Blackburn, and QPR. Ideal time to load on the pressure. Come on you Saints

With Che and Mara almost certainly off, Russell Martin is going to be left with just AA up front. We have to assume that Stewart will lurch on and off the treatment table. That is a poor situation and needs sorting. Decent strikers are notoriously difficult to buy in January. Nobody is given up a player in form. It will be a test of SR's resolve. Alternatively they can make Adams stay. He is at least a presence and we've seen that once he clicks he tends to go on a run of goals. Something has to happen, that's for sure.

4th in the table and I reckon that's about our place at the moment. We're good no need to panic but at the moment Saints can't finish teams off. Football karma showing itself today. Last minute equalisers can be exquisite or excruciating. Long season still to go, January window will be crucial.

Goal keeper howler very irritating but he's kept us in this game. Really should have buried this game earlier on. Plus we've been kicked off the park today.

Exactly as I thought it would be. Watford are no mugs, they'll probably be a play off contender. Strong and well coached like West Brom. Saints look OK but are certainly going to have to fight for this one. Watford aren't going to roll over for us. Akcaraz and S Armstrong are giving the ball away far too often. With no Downes recycling the ball is pinging back to the defence too often. However still 0 0, all to play for. Mara for Alcaraz is pretty obvious. Frazer for S Armstrong at some point. They'll tire at some point and will bring on weaker players. That will be Saints's opportunity but they need to still be in the game.

Saints aren't finishing with 11 players. Some very poor tackles going in.

Aribo just tracked back and defended (very well). Who is this player and what have they done with Joe

He's ill apparently, lots of bugs around. I guess footballers aren't immune. Aribo will add some physical strength, probably the better pick over Smallbone.

If am upper Prem team needs him then they'll have the money to prise him away. However he's going to want regular football, and unless there is RB injury that is unlikely. Obviously the lower teams want him but no point in that move. He can afford to wait until the summer to see what his options are.

Cracking performance and for those that weren't there, don't underestimate the weather today. Very cold, and I was concerned the mist could threaten the game. It was getting hard to pick out players at times. I'm sure that had an impact. Two early goals put the game to bed. After that it was a case of keeping up the pressure without becoming vulnerable. They did that very well. Adam Armstrong clearly MOTM. As others have observed he never stopped running. He really has started to fire on all cylinders. Manning put a real shift in, way better than previous games. I thought Che had a poor 1st half, looked very immobile. 2nd half much better and he was setting up attacks with good layoffs. Hopefully things will start to click for him. Just have to keep up the pressure on Ipswich and Leeds. This battle is a long one.

Pretty standard team. Adams in for Sulemana is obvious, especially as Cardiff are a physical side. Martin clearly prefers Manning, I'd prefer Bree but it's a big difference. No doubt RM will be looking for an easier game (more goals) so he can give Dibling and Amo-Ameyaw a few minutes.

Aah that's not fair, adding in 'clearly' invalidates any player other than KWP. A few come to mind. Stuart Armstrong free kick Frazer positioning and finishing Bazunu's distribution and recently goalkeeping Adam Armstrong's goals Alcaraz midfield dominance v WBA Downes running games recently Bendarek and THB defending Is it consistent, absolutely not. However my point was that they give that slight edge over other teams. I think that is what is bringing us this good run. RM gets battered when we lose so only fair to let him take credit for the current good form.

Agreed, although the games against Leeds and WBA were at least encouraging. Both those teams are at a similar level to Saints and didn't sit back. That gave more room for forwards to attack. However the threat to our defence was also a lot more intense. At the moment our Prem standard players are winning us games with moments of skill. However that cannot be relied on to continue. Teams will find a way to stifle that threat. However bottom line is that 10 games unbeaten has to be celebrated. Incrementally Saints are making progress on their rivals. The league is taking form now and there are 5 teams slugging it out for promotion. A lot will change as they play each other.

That game was a bit desperate and bloody cold, but a win is a win. Great goal from KWP, we are really going to struggle to keep him. He really is a cut above. Bazunu kept us in that game in the first half. That's his job but still good to see. Take the points and improve for the next game. A 10 match unbeaten run is quality form in any book. Other teams will be worrying about playing Saints more than we are them. I guess RM is frustrated that his team isn't winning more convincingly. He should also be worried that his tactics are being too easily stifled by other teams. He has to find a way of getting the team to move through the gears more quickly. Cardiff, Watford and Coventry, and Blackburn up next. If they can keep the unbeaten run going (more wins than draws obviously), then maybe they'll be a bit more self belief around.

I've been going to away games since the early 70s. It's not as risky now but it really has become tedious lately. So much so that I haven't been to many this season, although I'm getting my act together for December. I'm not overly bothered about the songs but I wish they'd watch the game. I'm fed up having to fight to keep my seat as three coke heads try and fit into one space. Then they spend the whole game arguing with the stewards and each other. In the 70/80s you stood where you wanted. Loons to the middle, those with more interest in the game a little to the side. Maybe try a bit of unallocated seating. This isn't unique to Saints, a lot of clubs have a weird away following now.

A draw isn't a disaster, didn't lose ground on Leeds and Ipswich are currently losing. Seriously disappointing obviously but this will happen. Club and fans have to hold their nerve. Saints will probably have to do this the hard way via the play offs, but a long way to go.

If they are relegated and Saints are still in the Championship, that's just going to be a nuisance. Just making it harder for Saints. As someone said above, Leicester should be 'seeing them in court' asap. They are the victims of Everton's financial shenanigans. They can point out that they didn't spend money they didn't have. However Everton seem to be in reasonable form atm, so it's all academic, they'll survive.