macca155

Deserved a point out of that. Better than against Brighton but we still look like a team devoid of confidence or cohesion. Work rate and aggression were good. They matched Fulham and had our strikers taken the chances during the dominant spells, then it would have been a 3 points. The issues Aribo.... omg , get Tella back twice the player. Goalkeeper needs a rest Some poor defending from all of them. Lyanco gets slated but ABK had a shocker as well today. Strikers can't shoot Manager playing for a draw, never ever do that! However jury remains out on Jones. It was better, let's hold on to that. No giving up just yet, but without some decent new players we're going down. As others have said squeeze a win and a few draws, the picture looks rosy. Looks a tall order at the moment.

Well it's better than Brighton. Look promising for a while. Bazumu fluffed his clearance straight to a Fulham player in space. Panic stations loss of composure and a freak goal gives them the lead. Aribo is AWL he is exposing AMN who looks up for it today. Not out of the game yet but midfield weaknesses are giving them room to attack.

Lovely place. Coat and Badge pub, going to be tough to leave here.

Well here we go, nicely set up in a Putney pub. Brought Lady Macca to the football today, these are desperate times so desperate measures required. Hopefully bring some luck. Costing me a fortune in G&Ts

Desperate though isn't it. Casino football just hoping it works.

I banged the drum about Stephens playing midfield. Then he did and it was a disaster. Put me firmly back in my box. I think Lyanco has a little bit more about him but only as emergency cover.

They've all been shite even Edozie missed 2 sitters. No dispute on that. So come on what's your solution for Fulham, assuming Lavia is injured.

I don't think anyone would argue with you about ABK. A real talent but he needs to be fit. Equally madness to play JWP out wide. The team needs a defensive midfielder. The lunatics let Romeu go, so we are left with pretty desperate measures. Somebody has to go in there. Lyanco is a desperate measure but he has some pace, can pass, shoot and tackle. That puts him above AMN and Diallo.

Well you are entitled to your opinion, but I am equally baffled why some have such a downer on him. Been pretty much our standout player since the world Cup. Which is saying nothing of course, but there are plenty in front of him for the chop. He cares, he works hard, he puts himself on the line and makes a lot of interceptions that I think many overlook. Yes he makes mistakes and can be reckless but he's needed at the moment. ABK is a better defender hands down but he is a youngster and needs careful handling. DCC is competing with Salisu but he seems to have what it takes. Bottom line is that our CHs are not the issue. They are exposed by a powder puff non existent midfield and dodgy full backs. Sort that out and we stand a chance. I suggested Lyanco as a short term measure. Do you have a better idea? I hope so because mine is pretty crap, but the midfield has to be strengthened somehow.

We say that but in reality how many bookings and red cards does he actually get. I still think it's worth a go, we could do with someone steaming in. Be one he'll of a first half at the very least.

Got to take what positives we can from the last 2 games. Mccarthy should play but if injured Bazuma will get another chance. AMN looks way better at RB so a defence of AMN ABK Salisu KWP is probably the best we have at the moment. Midfield is desperate. JWP, S Armstrong, and hopefully Lavia in the middle, with Edozie and Mara playing behind Adams. Keep it narrow and hope our players have learnt how to run again. If Lavia isn't available then Lyanco has to play a defensive midfielder role. He has the skills just needs to control his recklessness. JWP and S Armstrong simply cannot influence a game without somebody doing the grunt work. Not sure about Aribo, hopefully there's a role for him. Sp looking forward to this one.

That's a bit extreme and I doubt Dyche would have been able to make much of difference with the squad as it is. Jones clearly has a system he wants to play. Feels a bit direct for my tastes but so what. The issue is that he doesn't have the players available to play that system, or any I suspect. MOTD was grim viewing, and their comments were simple and to the point. Can and must do better.

January is notoriously difficult to land a decent transfer. Nobody wants to sell an asset mid season. Look how difficult it was for Newcastle and they had zillions to spend. I'm not a fan but someone like Chris Wood on loan is probably the best we can expect. In reality they could buy Mbappe but without any service even he would struggle. I reckon recall Tella, loan in Woods, somehow find a decent defensive midfielder and start blooding some youngsters. Relegation looks likely so plan for a strong bounce back. Doesn't have to be a disaster.

Oh come on not a meltdown. One is allowed to worry about a fixture congestion that the club simply does not have the resources to cope with. First time I've been lumped in with a 'generation', mine sadly is old fart. I do totally agree they should take it in their stride. They do in the EFL, so why not the Prem. Hopefully January will bring in some reinforcements.

Got to play them at some point I suppose. That's a really grim fixture pile up now. 31st Dec Fulham 4th Jan Forest 7th Jan Palace 9th/10th Jan City 14th Jan Everton No way do Saints have a squad big enough to face that lot at full strength.. Some injuries or suspension very likely. Worrying

Utd v Charlton Saints v City Forest v Wolves Newcastle v Leicester

Home v man City of course

Come on City v utd or utd v City.... not fussy

Get on with it! I do mot want to hear any more from Carragher.

Massively underwhelming night. Flat atmosphere and no change from Ralph's style. Maitland-Niles needs to be sent back to Arsenal. He was terrible, constantly gave the ball away. Looked so not bothered. The team lacked pace, urgency, and any sort of defined system. The tactics were, hit long hopeful 40 50 yard passes, and hope our dynamic skillful forwards, would create something from it. Several flaws in that plan. JWP started on the right, then seemed to drift all over the place. He is our one major asset, and yet never seems to be played where he is most effective. A win is a win, but my God there needs to be a shake up before they meet a team that fights back. Right positives Jones changed things quicker than Ralph. JWP was moved into a more effective position and once Armstrong and Djenepo came on, Saints looked way more vibrant. Lyanco played well as a sweeper, very well actually. Be interesting to see how that fairs in the Prem. Adams had a good game, did his job, but oh my that last missed opportunity. He rightly felt the wrath of his team. So looking forward to Brighton.

Agree with all those. The Steve Williams goal was amazing. I have to add a Cyrille Regis for WBA at the Dell. It was basically Cyrille playing the role of Terminator after collecting the ball at the half way line and charging towards our goal . Brutal but a worthy contender. George Best scored a beauty in the mud against Saints. Broke my heart as a 7 yo. I discussed this with him shortly before he died, when I came across him in a pub (of course). He remembered the goal, but equally remembered being kicked relentlessly by our mad centre half. That would have been Mcgrath I suspect.

I assumed Bendarek hadn't made the squad. Good grief he's started one game, Gerrards last, and was subbed at half time. Plus one 2nd half sub appearance in an earlier game. How on earth does that justify a world cup place. Way off topic sorry, but unbelievable. No doubt he'll be returned to sender.

We aren't 't Stoke ((yet) and I still believe there is a lot of quality in the squad for NJ to use.. Certainly enough to avoid relegation if used correctly. I couldn't give toss what tactics are used at this stage. It's all about survival at the moment. If it's route one so be it. Be Good to see Adams playing with 6 foot+ power house. Be interesting to see Lyanco and Adams up front with JWP firing passes at them at every opportunity.

Fourth-round draw Wolves v Gillingham Southampton v Lincoln City Blackburn Rovers v Nottingham Forest Newcastle United v Bournemouth Manchester City v Liverpool Manchester United v Burnley MK Dons v Leicester City Charlton Athletic v Brighton

City v Liverpool lovely