macca155

Every club has bad transfers. Aribo is clearly ours and jury remains out on Orsic. That doesn't irritate me as much as some on here. Ship them out ASAP and try again. My issue is in not using Ballard yesterday. If that wasn't a golden opportunity for him to get a few minutes, then we might as well not bother with an academy.

Wins a win I guess, in the draw for Monday. I suspect the manager will rake more negatives from that game than positives. Aribo, Elyounoussi, AMN, offer zero improvement and the team struggles with them in the side. Sadly at the moment Bella Kotchap could be added to that list, bit hopefully just a brief drop in form. Average game, some good moments but very unconvincing. Blackpool were poor and Saints really should have been in fill control. A little bit of show boating in the 2nd half which, when it went wrong, led to their goal. I'm really not a fan of using 5 subs, the last 3 came on and the side had zero rhythm or understanding from then on. Lavia, Perraud, and Edozie the stand outs for me. That's it move on

Oh makes sense with Bree doh obviously. Did bloody Villa use Jan for an FA cup game, bit sneaky.

Looks like Morgan wasn't involved in this afternoons B game so likely he'll feature If its all about giving players a game it could be Bazuna Bree Bendarek Salisu Perraud Walcot AMN JWP Elyounoussi Orsic Morgan Not that formation obviously but I'm sure some of those players will get a game. We need Walcot and Bendarek to be up to speed and unless JJ Morgan gets a game soon he will quite rightly look elsewhere. Looks a small team and perhaps a bit weak for facing a championship team but with a gruelling match on Tuesday there will need to be changes.

He wasn't as involved as Howe ensured the ball was kept well away from him. They ruthlessly attacked where he wasn't. or ran at pace past him. Yet again Howe's strategy us way above our managers.

That's a tad unfair. Diallo had a good game. He constantly broke up play and for once passed to our side. Certainly not a blinder but definitely an improvement.

Well all of that, well said.. Lyanco decided to have a shit game. He just about works at right back, but not in the centre. Agree on Mara, showing some class now. Adams less so. His link up play is good but just cannot finish. A striker has to be bought or we play the youngsters and hope for the best. Not out if it, tough game up there but the midfield is looking better.

I think that's a tad harsh. Saints matched Villa for effort, created more chances (such as they were), but were outclassed in midfield. They had a better goalkeeper, slightly tighter defence and a more dynamic midfield. Saints were more creative but as you say, no strikers, and Diallo passed to Villa more than Saints. Subs made us weaker that's a worry. It's grim, very grim but I'm sure as hell not giving up.

Thought it was a good game. Not flowing but as previous posters have observed two average sides well set up slugging it out. A draw would have been fair, Saints certainly weren't out of it or overwhelmed. Difference for me was their goalie. Superb performance real world cup class. Diallo worked hard but was too easily bypassed in midfield. In contrast Lavia simply didn't allow that but he can't be everywhere. Definitely need an upgrade in midfield, Villa were well ahead there, much slicker and combative. Ref was poor, too lenient at the start when Villa were fouling a lot, when Saints dished it out later on he started to blow up more. Total lack of minerals to overturn our goal. Cup games clearly a distraction. Subs made us worse. Disappointing result, Saints are clearly in the relegation mire, but today there was some solidity about the team, which gives a little bit of promise. I just wish our manager(s) would accept a draw sometimes. Villa came for a draw and nicked it. I can't help thinking this reckless go for them at the end strategy, is opening us up too much.

I do agree that generally the rule now is much improved. However Rashford was over that ball for a long time. At the very least it was marginal.

I stand slightly corrected. Cloghie's is by far the best quote but Shankly said “If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be.” I think my memory merged the two.

Ridiculous decision. As Bill Shankly said 'if he isn't interfering with play what's he doing on the pitch' He dummied, shielded, and took the defenders attention from an illegal position. That needs a stewards enquiry.

He's taken the brunt of pent up frustrations from Ralph's tenure. He should have been prepared for that. With zero pedigree (from our entitled viewpoint) a poor start was always going to be tough for him. His somewhat spikey responses haven't helped. That Forest game was terrible and he knows it but since then progress has been good. He's won over the players and is learning fast. Fans trust will take longer but he's bought himself time. Hell of a job to do still, but I bet Villa are more nervous about the upcoming game than Saints.

A win at Goodison is an extremely rare event. I had hardly any signal and was hanging out waiting for updates. Absolutely stunning result. What a difference a week makes. JWP is so important to us, bit like LeTissier in the 90s. 2 points split 7 teams. It's going to be a tense relegation battle. Lots of teams involved who absolutely don't expect to be there. Panic will set in soon.

I doubt Armstrong or Mara have 90 minutes in them after Wednesday. May be a good decision by Jones

I suspect that if we could hear NJ's thoughts, he'd be equally cross and critical. That was a bad game for the manager. Poorly set up and he panicked with his substitutions. Forest pressed like crazy, and defended Alamo style once they got their goal. The team were applauded off the pitch at Fulham, as they had really played well second half. I think everyone was desperately disappointed that they regressed so quickly. He's had his dig back now. Fans are eating a bit of humble pie. Vital we Now we maintain this form. He's now gained a little bit of trust from the fans.

Great result, Lavia made such a difference. We'll never keep hold of him in the summer sadly. Good set up and the purple patches we saw at Fulham and Palace, was replicated for 95 minutes and way more controlled. Good to see. My MOTM was DCC. I thought he was excellent. I moaned about him being slow on Saturday but he looked uber comfortable tonight. I've banged the drum for Lyanco recently. I think despite his rash moments the team really responds to his commitment. Good to see him turn it on today. This is why we put in the hard miles. Occasional you get nights like this. Hopefully build on this against Everton. I'll take a draw and move on to the next game.

Better shape, priority has to be Everton. Resting Adams and Edozie is sensible. Plus confining Stuart Armstrong to the medical room is a good move. Obviously Djenepo and Diallo are weak but maybe the latter will be more comfortable with the other two next to him. I'm expecting 2 or 3 nil to City. If it means the team's shape starts to solidify then that's progress.

Weather is interesting should act as a leveller at the very least. Best take my coat. Expecting a loss, no problem with that, City are probably the best in the world right now. Key for me is a decent performance that stops the crowd becoming toxic again. Rebuild a few bridges. The atmosphere has to be more supportive to the team. I don't mean the crowd has to change (perhaps a bit more patient) but what we see on the pitch gives some hope.

Not of their Saudi money, but I am jealous they no longer have to worry about relegation or style of play. Howe has done a decent job there,and personally I like to see vibrant crowds. No doubt it will lead to arrogance and entitlement.

He is highly regarded in Europe and may decide to get out of the kitchen for a while. There will be a decent European side available to him. Everton and Saints are way too toxic for him.

Opps I guess 12 would make it competitive. I think that's a bit harsh on Edozie, agree on the end product but hecscares the pants off defenders. I'd leave Aribo out if they make us play with only 11. Has the skills but ot the work rate.

Not sure about that, Jones hopefully will have half an eye on preparing for the Everton game. I reckon KWP and SArmstrong are only partially fit so being protected. He'll want consistency at the back. It worked today (sort of) so leave it alone. City won't damage Lavia he's an asset for them and new guy has to play. Bazuma Lyanco DCC Salisu Peraud Lavia JWP Orsic Aribo Edozie A Armstrong Adams With KWP, ABK, and S Armstrong available at some point. Should at least be competitive.

I swear it's easier to get to Newcastle than Palace. Such hard work without the trains. 1st half long ball crap, JWP was getting some rough treatment from Palace, they have issues with him, so glad he scored. Good to see another team make a balls up in defence for once. Aribo. DCC. and AMN really not at the races. 2nd half was way better, but needed to be. More movement, aggression, and helpfully the ball was played on the deck a bit more. Good to see A Armstrong score, he deserved that, as he was an irritating presence today. Hopefully he can build on that, we need him to. Mara added more variety. The weather was ghastly so I don't think we should expect silky football. However every game seems to have started with everybody static and hopeful long balls. Either Jones sets it up that way and the players gradually revert to a more familiar style, or they aren't able to play his style at the start of the game. Either way as the manager he has to sort that. Any win is a bonus and can help build confidence. Let's hope its not wasted.

Sacking Jones after so few games is pretty unrealistic but the toxic nature of the crowd last night may force their hand. I'd be more subtle, go old school and bring in an experienced DoF to advise Jones. He'll hopefully take the bait and walk. If not the only solution is to open the wallet and get some experienced campaigners in. People moan about Lyanco, Elyounoussi but who do replace them with. DCC certainly but Diallo? I have to believe that Armstrong is injured because leaving him out is madness. Or accept we are going down, flog the silver while we can, blood some youngsters, and build for next year. Pretty much what Burnley did and they would beat us now.