macca155

My God this Utd Everton game is a real bore fest. Both teams with a defensive mindset. Welcome to the Premier League

Totally agree with this, I think he has the potential to be a real player for Saints. In Downes, Jander, Charles and Bragg we have a very competitive midfield. In the background is Williams who I was very impressed with in the cup game. He definitely doesn't take any prisoners. I'm not convinced about Charles yet. He is class but tends to drift out of games at times. Definitely not as strong in the tackle as the other 3. Now watch him ram those words down my throat against QPR.

A lot of our competitors lost today. After a winning run, a draw was on the cards at some stage. It happens, opposing teams work out a strategy to negate our threats, and we've seen Saints struggle against a negative defensive block for many years. Tonda seems to be learning to adapt, although a tad too slow for my tastes. Hopefully he has something up his sleeve for QPR. A win would have been nice, but they didn't lose, and gained ground on a number of teams. Just need to keep going, with our horrific start to the season, it was always going to go to the wire.

Blimey that was lucky

Agreed, hard to see that sort of shortfall being made up. However, I've said since the start of the season, Saints running into form will give other teams the shits. They all know Saints have the players, and squad depth to be competitive, if they can get their act together. I think Saints will continue the good form, but other teams will start playing a deep block and draws will creep in. A lot depends on Stewart's fitness and Larin's form.

That's how it goes, you pick teams off one by one. As long as Saints keep winning, with the odd draw, then gradually the other teams will wilter under the pressure. Wrexham play Ipswich tomorrow, so Saints could jump two places. Although a draw would be the best result. I reckon Saints will claim position 6 pretty quickly, as long as their form keeps going. Squad depth tells at this stage of the season. Making up the further 6 points to Hull and Ipswich, will be a much tougher ask. Need to bear in mind that there are still 14 games to go. That's 42 points up for grabs. A lot can happen still. Need Pompey to do us a favour at Millwall tomorrow. They owe us for Leicester.

Bristol City in the quarters it is then

Great draw, love Fulham away. Walk across Bishops Park in the Spring sunshine. Dress smart and avoid the wine bars, I'm still in shock from buying a round there 😲 They will put a strong side out, as they'll fancy beating Saints. Nevertheless upsets happen in the cup. Saints are moving through the gears now.

I know I nipped down to get some teas and was nearly swept away on the stairs, by an avalanche of early leavers. Bet the crowd will be different when we draw City at home

Grumpy about extra time, made me late for my curry. Great run out for the U21s, who equipped themselves well. There is some real talent there. Williams came on for the excellent Romeu and looked very good. Very strong in the tackle and always available. Oyekunle was equally a handful. Saints don't need to keep buying players, the future is right there under their noses. Bragg showed his class, keeping him out of the 1st team will be difficult now. The defence was really solid, Leicester struggled to get through. Took an overhead kick to score a goal. They really do have a lot of problems. For once Saints dominated midfield. Bragg, Williams, and Azaz really clicked at the end. Same old story though, not enough of an outlet up front. Archer missed his 2nd 6 yard sitter of the week. Another good win, into the draw we go

There's real quality there, just look at how the U21s are playing. Williams is knocking at the door, and like Sesay will no doubt grab any opportunity. O'Brien Whitmarsh was highly fancied before his injury, so it will be good to see him on the pitch at some point. Romeu better be up to speed, otherwise he needs showing the door. No Robinson which is a surprise

What a mental league 8 teams separated by 3 points. Well after that we're right in the mix. I need to lie down

That is class what a half he's had. COYS

No that didn't happen

Lot of broken tea cups in the away dressing room

OMG what a game

Manning !!!!

Day ruined

No issues with Archer being selected, one advantage of Armstrong leaving is it opens up a space for him. I've always thought he was a sharper player than Armstrong, but for some reason he hasn't really clicked. He either responds positively or will quickly drop down the pecking order. No Bragg again, What's going on there. Hopefully see him week Saturday.

We mustn't forget the lad is exceptionally talented. Game changing players like him are very rare. Everton paid for the potential, but seem to have forgotten their responsibility to nurture that talent. Particularly as he is quite introverted and in need of a gentle touch. RM was good at that, it certainly isn't Moyes's style. Now they have a broken player on their hands. They should have paid less, but arranged a loan back to Saints. The one place he was comfortable with. Both teams would have been winners. Both Chelsea and City are good at loaning youngsters, and retaining those that live up to their billing. It seems a good model.

No Bragg for the U21s so he may be in contention if Downes is unfit. I'm not sure Charles is a Downes replacement, nowhere near the energy levels.

It's a pretty tall order, 9 wins (or equivalent) the very minimum. If they can get some momentum, the gap will shrink pretty quickly, and the other teams will be wary of Saints. Good news is Saints are hitting a run of fixtures against sides below them in the table. QPR the exception. They should be able to get some form going with those games. Then its Coventry, Ipswich, Wrexham, and Derby. That's where the season will be defined. Probably not worth even thinking about it until Saints are knocking on the door. They aren't making up 15 points to the autos. I think we can be sure of that.

Fantastic header, any comparison with Downs ended.

Jack you aren't Maldini .... stop it

Watford focussing on cutting out the triangle balls. They've done their homework, working so far