macca155

22 mins to go plus at least 6 mins ET. After that VAR decision other teams would be using the momentum to have a go at Forest. Our lot seem to be a bit meh.

VAR

Double bugger Feels like the Livramento situation. Long injury then sold for big bucks.

Both Sulemana and Ugochukwa losing their places seems a little harsh. Aribo didn't play badly the other night but big Les was a physical threat and we have precious little of that. I'm guessing Sulemana can't play 90, so he'll be on around the 60 minute. Maybe Ivan wants to keep something back on the bench, to avoid a Thursday type capitulation. Guess we'll see.

The only target left is Derby's hideous record there really isn't anything else to play for. That is just 6 more points to retain a morsel of dignity. This squad and the fan base is damaged to the core, accepting half hearted dross on the field has become the new normal for us. What we are seeing is not normal, it is a classic death spiral of a club that has lost all self belief. Last night was a kick in the teeth, genuine elation on 70 minutes, but by the end I couldn't even speak. However you either give up or look for some positives and some hope going forward. Watching Sulemana rip apart the opposing left back, and Dibling casually turning some pretty experienced defenders was a joy. A midfield that actually worked made that happen and it's important not to lose those thoughts, despite the hideous capitulation in the last 10 minutes. Utd had a far superior squad to Saints that's really the nub of it. Juric had nothing to bring on and he admitted as much after the match. There were no credible options on that bench. Maybe Downes but he clearly needs time to get back up to speed. I genuinely hope Charles has been recalled to play for Saints otherwise my optimism for 12 points will be short lived, and that is clutching at straws. There really needs to be some action in the transfer market, but who on earth would come to Saints at the moment. Oh woe is us

The substitutions have been disastrous. Once again the weakness of our squad has ruined what has actually been a decent performance.

What an excellent half, where the hell has this team been all season. Saints deserve the lead, and I can't remember the last time they had so many chances. Dibling and Fernades really putting themselves in the shop window (sadly) but Sulemana has been outstanding. We've all seen this film, it's been on repeat all year, and know how it ends, but maybe there is an alternative ending this time. We can dream.

That score mentioned on 5 mins .... idiot commentator

Well I Iiked Shea Charles when he was with Saints. I thought Martin could have managed him much more effectively. I'm pleased to see him back. Saints are woefully weak in midfield and he is needed. However I shall temper my enthusiasm for the moment. I've a horrible feeling this could be a negotiating tactic before his is sold or loaned out.

Well I've voted Labour in every General Election since 1979. Think things are bad now, try the horror of Thatcher. I would do so again as the alternative is still too ghastly to even contemplate. However I do concur with what you say. They boxed them selves into a corner with some daft manifesto commitments, but every party does that. Reform would repay all student loans and deport most of our NHS workers. Long road ahead

Normally I need a couple of weeks recovery time in a dark room before watching Saints again. Just might be able to face this one now. Let's hope it's a more Fulham like performance rather than the Bournemouth disaster. Utd will consider themselves rock bottom if they fail to beat Saints. They'll be quite hyper to start with.

Blast, we'll that's that then. Although he is on a long contract so the club are at least in the driving seat.

Considering that Saints haven't been able to score, defend, or barely get out of their half recently, I'll take a 3 0 win, no matter how limited the opposition. Sulenana played well first half. Problem is Premier league defenders don't fall for his twisty turny trucks. Nevertheless he put in a proper shift, tracking back and everything. Good to see. Judging by the way he came off I suspect that's his last game for Saints. Seemed to be quite a few goodbyes going on. Pretty standard for the rest. Tyler's bored teenager act is starting to grate a bit, but the lad has an uncanny knack of turning any player anytime he wants. Big bucks coming in for him. Fernandes was the pick for me, he looks a top grade Premier league player. They'll be a fight for him as well.

Good grief seen more here at a reserve game. Should have saved some money and played at Marchwood. Very disappointed no youngsters in the team on the bench. An opportunity lost but I guess Juric has to get another effective 11 together. Decent half. Sulemana is ripping them apart. Ugochukwa, Fernandes and Dibling just too strong for them. Swansea are a bit all over the place but the defence is giving them half chances. When were we last 2 0 up? Stoke I presume but shows how desperate the Championship is. COYS

Not sure where to write this, but I guess here will do. If ever there was a classic example of the malaise at our club, it is the Ronnie Edwards debacle. Despite looking decent pre season, he was frozen out, then loaned out. Now I read he had a great debut for QPR ...... as a bloody defensive midfielder. The one position his 'actual' team have really struggled with all season. I knpw its a lower level but did no one think to try that. Absolute arse

He's a brilliant manager, totally owned Martin at St Marys. Changed formation mid game, timely substitutions bosh Forest scored. My seat is uncomfortable close to the away dug out. Saw it all in panovision. His whole coaching team congratulated him. Martin stood there bemused. I knew then we were in trouble.

Harsh to judge him on that game alone, he was hopelessly exposed. Has a bit about him at times but he seriously needs to up the work rate.

Precious little other than what I read from other posters. However he seems to be highly thought of. Bought from Cork, U19 and U21 Irish international. He clearly isn't some wet behind the ears 16 yo. He's 19, experienced and a regular for the under 21s and a successful season in the Irish league under his belt. With the midfield in its current perilous state, he has to be worth a start in a cup game, otherwise what is the point of signing him.

Taking the opportunity to take my 6yo Grandson to the game. He beat me at Monopoly so this is his punishment. Relatively cheap and surely there has to be a response. Swansea were taken apart by Pompey, so surely it's reasonable to be positive about this one. I assume Downes and Ramsdale will be rested to help with injuries. Onuachu and Sulemana probably sold by then I'd go with McCarthy Sugawara ABK Wood Manning Ugochikwa O'Brien-Whitmarsh Fernandes Lallana SAA Archer I know it isn't Juric's favourite formation, but there really isn't any call for 3 CHs. That team should destroy Swansea. There is a lot of Championship talent in there, with more on the bench. So hopefully they'll avoid conceding 5...

Not that it is worth an argument but I think we all realised we were doomed when we witnessed the recruitment debacle. Martin's niavety and stubbornness simply compounded that. He was handed an impossible job by the SR idiots upstairs. Probably took more blame than he deserves but that's the job.

Oh no we have to go through it all again

Suspended 5 yellows

Dreadful performance and a poor management. Juric has held his hands up to that, which is fair enough, but he better sort it for next week. I assume some of those selections, and substitutions, were for shop window purposes. Better be, as there really is no other excuse. THB's form has been pretty poor recently. By taking a decent RB away from him, and expecting him to move into midfield, a once decent defender looks ragged and stretched. Wood in contrast has been one of the few rays of light and he gets substituted for ..... Taylor. However, everything revolved around the lack of a midfield. It isolated the attack, such as it is, and exposed an already wobbly defence. Firstly O'Brien Whitmarsh should have been on the bench. He's young fit and knows the position. If Les is good enough so is he. Secondly Jan 1st SR should have raided the Championship for a midfielder. At the very least put a fight up. Players and fans are broken. Last 4 home league games Saints have lost 16-1. A damming statistic. Soon those empty seats at the end of the game will be matched by those at the start.

Just watching Swansea get turned over by Pompey. The deluded fools still play Martin ball. Two goals gifted so far. Oh and Grimes is rubbish. Saints might actually stand a chance on the 12th.

Suspect that's true but Goslkeeoers can afford to play the long game. He can't keep bouncing from one club to another, he's had way too much experience of relegation as it is. If he is happy with his mates he may well be tempted to stay tge extra year. As always it depends on who is prepared to stump up the cash.