macca155

9 teams within 5 points of each other. Its going to be dog eat dog down the bottom.

Fair enough, I am clutching at straws now.

It's easy to moan but the cold hard truth is that we are, by some distance, the weakest side in the Prem. Might challenge Bournemouth but nobody else. Poor managerial appointments, weak transfer windows,and crucially poor loan management, Has led us to this. History shows that even weak sides can survive the odd season. Everton last year a prime example. You just need to get your shit together and we haven't. Our strikers cannot score because they see too little of the ball, need two touches, and can't shoot accurately. When the ball does arrive, there are too many defenders to compete against. The ball needs to be moved forwards at pace. We need Tella and Smallbone, should have kept Stephens. Then spent the cash available on an effective striker. Stephens had his detractors but last night he could have played right back to counter their aerial threat. All this chopping and changing is killing the team. None of the changes seem to offer anything.

That was right in front of us, just a hard coming together for a 50/50 ball. Players didn't complain. Emphasised Brentford's approach, every player totally committed. They just happened to run into one of our committed players.

We're down aren't we, can't see the team getting out of this mess now. Knowing Saints they'll probably beat Spurs now, and the whole ghastly hope process will start again. Wearing me down. (They won't of course) Brentford were stronger, bigger, faster, more committed, and better led than Saints. A shame they resorted to time-wasting as they didn't need to. Couldn't see Saints scoring however long they played. We all saw this coming when Elyounoussi and Diallo were selected. One could be absorbed but playing both simply left us slow and ponderous. Frank made changes mid game to counter any progress we were making. JWP was relentlessly shut down and their forwards defended more than they attacked. They constantly target the back post and it was no surprise the goal came from there. Tella scored again. Why on earth didn't they call him back and avoided wasting 20 million on Paul Onuachu. He doesn't fit the system and clearly isn't PL standard yet.

Good point, would have liked to have won it, but had Saints hung on for a few more draws in other games we wouldn't be in this position.

No doubt it will look worse at 4.00pm tomorrow, steeling myself for that. Not terminal yet but be a brave person to betcagainst relegation for Saints

We have to accept that clubs like ours have to sell players. Low on my list to but a decent fee will help. I suspect Adams will be in the same category.

I suspect the summer transfer window will be all about thinning the squad, and repelling offers. Perhaps a new goalkeeper. I expect Tella, Smallbone, Edozie and Larios to start featuring, and hopefully a returning Tino. That doesn't leave much room for new players. Probably see a few shipped out. A & S Armstrong,Walcott. Diallo, Elyounoussi, Bendarek, Djenepo, McCarthy, Caballero. In addition a quiet loans for DCC and Orsic. Of course everything depends on league status.

Those 3 points will be remembered long after that performance is forgotten. Leicester were poor, marginally more than Saints, but in the EPL those are the tight margins you survive by. Alcaraz and Walcot were stand outs for me, but to be fair Bendarek had a good game as well. In contrast Elyounoussi struggled to cope with the pace of the game, and Adam Armstrong had another game to forget. The subs were very strange. When Alcaraz went off, just after half time, then Stuart Armstrong was the obvious replacement. Like for like. Walcot could have stayed on, he would have coped, and just replace a tiring Adams with Onuachu or Mara. I think these frequent multi sub changes mess things up.

I think Bendarek is an absolute liability, plus he is playing for himself not the team. Until DCC keeps his hands to himself he is equally a liability. Lyanco is reckless at times, but he does at least intercept well and has a modicum of pace and can pass. I totally concede,, I'm clutching at straws here. I'd have the Grimsby No 6 over them. Hexham calm and at measured. Do you really think we'd notice a difference with any of them?

I'm really struggling to raise the spirits for this one. However if I went to the Gillingham game after losing 3 2 at home to Bristol Rovers and being bottom of League one on -1, then I guess I can raise the spirits for this one. I 'd suggest McCarthy KWP ABK Salisu Perraud Sulemana Lavia Diallo JWP Ballard Onuachu Lyanco for Salisu if he isn't fit. I've gone with Ballard because all other options have proven to be crap. He may well benefit from Onuachu's lay offs. I mean he can do no worse really.

Good point perhaps 'experience'

I did say 'as if' we never win in my dreams either.

Well that was terrible. Good news is our league position improved. Beat Leicester 3 0 and we climb two places. As if that will happen. We now know why DCC and Orsic aren't being selected. Similarly Alcaraz needs to pass the ball forward quicker. Plus in 10 mins Ballard look worthy of more time. Not a lot of hope for Saturday but hey might as well enjoy the Prem for a few more games.

Outrageous and in your time of need as well. I grabbed a packet of chocolate digestives on the way to the match. In case it snowed obviously 😉 I eat nearly all of them on the way home. This bloody team is going to kill me.

I get that and I agree, let's have a cup run to enjoy. So much depends on whether Selles can get something out of the squad.

Bloody hell Eeyore have you given up already. Well if it's OK with you I won't until its done. Obviously at the moment we are stone cold relegated, no debate there. My point was that the points issue isn't the main obstacle. The complete lack of any form or ideas is. Next week Saints play Leicester. Let's believe we can win it Chelsea style. Bournemouth lose to Arsenal, Leeds lose to Chelsea, both likely. Suddenly Saints are off the bottom and in the mix. From then on it's about matching the other teams not catching them. A very different prospect. More likely to be cut adrift but the opportunity remains.

Still don't want to take that chance.

That's why I said somehow. Only a fool would bet on our survival now. Still a chance but receding fast.

No not Everton, funny as it will be, we need to think about coming back up. They have money and will probably bounce straight back. I think Saints will as well but I don't want Everton making life difficult. Similar argument with West Ham. Bournemouth defo, Forest ir Wolves will do. But we aren't down yet. Keep fighting

But it really isn't the points. 6 points covers 7 teams, with 14 games to go that's nothing. Yes we're 3 off the pace now, clearly candidate one for relegation. Eventually one team then another will go on a run and take themselves out of the fight. That's why this game was a don't lose rather than must win game. A draw made the table look a lot closer. Somehow Saints need to find a way to win a few games. Leicester will be saying that, starting with Saints.

I guess JWP, KWP, and Lavia will balance the books. That's our three best players!

Well that was pretty crap but not unsurprising really. Players lose matches, but the manager has to take some responsibility. Bendarek, AMN, and Elyounoussi simply aren't good enough. Not that there is much else to choose from frankly. The team can accommodate one of them but not all three. I'd imagine we'll see Mccarthy soon. Bazunu is OK, but as Brian Clough said OK isn't enough, it leaves the defense constantly looking over their shoulder. I've said before points wise there is no issue as it is still very tight down the bottom. Just a win and a draw from safety. However, performance wise there is a major issue. They simply cannot click as a team. I'm also worried about the money the club has spent so far on players. Must be north of £100 million. Going to be very exposed if relegated. 2005 vibes anyone.

The weekend results has put West Ham right in the mix. 3 points separate 5 teams now. Been a good weekend. Saints just need to focus on not losing. Draws are good coupled with a few wins.