trousers

On the day that Cortese left I had convinced myself that MP wouldn't be too far behind OR that Cortese had urged him to stay put whilst he hatched his return alongside another investor. Now I'm totally undecided on what the likely outcome is. As perverse as this might sound, things have almost gone too quiet and stabilised in such a sort space of time that the pessimistic side of me can't help feeling that there's another bombshell lying in wait for the summer. However, the other more optimistic side of me looks at all the smiles around SMS yesterday (MP, players, Katharina, fans, etc) and thinks that MP and the club has genuinely moved on and entered a whole new phase of 'the project' together. So, are we simply in the calm space under the eye of the hurricane waiting for the tail end to take us by surprise, or has the storm completely blown over? Buggered if I know.

John Cross ‏@johncrossmirror #afc Wenger in denial over Southampton performance, Flamini's red card, transfer hint and plays down Ramsey setback http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenals-arsene-wenger-disputes-mathieu-3087583 …

Artur Boruc.... legend https://vine.co/v/MuFrPK2ErFu

http://www.wanda-group.com/2014/latestnews_0128/649.html

I was going to mention that last night as there was also a line in the report (since edited out it would seem) that said: "Cork, as usual, had an imperious game" (or words to that effect). I guess the journo ( Ashton) re-read his own piece and whipped out that line as it didn't tally with the marks. They also gave Morgan and Davis 5 each too. Morgan MotM for me. Funny old game.

Yep - I don't see it as negative to say that our last two league performances should have earned us more than 2 points. Quite the opposite in fact - it's a positive statement IMO

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2547734/Dani-Osvaldo-tweets-pictures-Jose-Fonte-goal-Southampton-against-Arsenal.html

I thought I read something earlier that said he was possibly out for 2 weeks or so? Might have imagined it. But, yep, Rickie on the bench if the injury has cleared up.

Interviewer: "is that the most difficult first half you've had this season?" Wenger: "Yes"

Same starting 11 as tonight for me. New geezer and Wanyama on the bench

@SimonPeach: Expecting #SaintsFC to do transfer activity on Wednesday or Thursday as they are travelling up to London ahead of #FFC match on deadline day

Would be interesting to see how Shaw would operate on the right flank from time to time. Bale is great at cutting in from the right and firing in shots with his left boot. Like you suggest, Shaw quite often has to curtail an attacking move towards the box when he finds himself on his wrong foot. Still a great player though and, yes, can't be far off a sniff in the senior England squad now.

Even said it in English too. Have never seen MP smile and chuckle so much in an interview before. Obviously very content to be at Southampton right now.

MP confirming in his post match interview that there will "probably" be transfer activity over the next few days "both in and out"

Smiles all round tonight...

@RealMattLucas: Okay Southampton that's enough now. Can you give us the ball for a bit please? #selfish

This. There are two valid ways of looking at it: based on expectations before the game it was a good point gained. Based on our performance during the game overall it was 2 points lost. It's not negative to say "2 points dropped". If anything the opposite is true - it shows how much we appreciated our level of play in the game. I'd rather be supporting a team where I'm more disappointed that we lost than a team where I'm content with a draw from that performance. I'm sure Pochettino shares that mentality.

Open top bus time...

Echo that - a very impressive debut.

Schneiderlin MotM for me.

£20. Happy to have played my part in securing at least a point

A broad smile from Katharina