trousers

On reflection, my 'thinking out loud' on this was somewhat clumsy I admit. All I was trying to articulate was that if you took the Arsenal and Huddersfield games as a pair, I'm fairly sure most of us would have been content to come away with 3 points from those two games. I'm simply highlighting that that level of expectation is now guaranteed to be met, regardless of the outcome of the Huddersfield game. In other words, I'm stating the bleedin' obvious (just for a change ) And, yes, the bottom line is that we should be getting a result against the likes of Huddersfield, regardless of unexpected results elsewhere.

Most of us would have probably been content with 3 points from the Arsenal and Huddersfield games so, thanks to today's splendid result, this now effectively becomes a free hit. If we'd lost today, the pressure to get 3 points at Huddersfield would have been immense, but we can now approach the game with confidence and relatively little pressure. That said, will now be a huge anti-climax if we don't get anything out of this game. Play with the same intensity and passion as today and another 3 points should be in the bag. COYR!!

Just back from the game. One word: passion. If Ralph can sort out the defensive lapses we'll win more than we lose playing like that. Great atmosphere. A long time since I've seen most of the stadium stay behind long after the final whistle. Lovely jubbly.

Greetings from St Mary's. Wowzer. What a difference Ralph has made already. Passion and effort that we haven't seen in Yonks. Still think we'll lose due to the inevitable stupid mistakes at the back but very happy with the overall comittment levels.

Lawro with his finger on the pulse as ever... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46555484 "Looking at Southampton's squad, they will have to act in January if they want results to improve significantly. If they want to stay in this division, they will need to gamble. That could mean spending £50-60m but, after all the players they have sold in the past few years, Saints must have the cash. The question is, are they prepared to spend it?"

Given the industry he now works in, I suspect he can't wait to enLIGHTen us...

Kindly take your pragmatism elsewhere. It's not welcome here.

I much preferred him in his previous role as Daily Express copy editor... Anyway, back on topic...

That's a relief hun. I'm always here for you babe if it does start to bother you. x

Ryan Seager

No, according to Unbelievable Jeff, it'll just be because 3 teams scored less points than us... (Sorry UJ... Couldn't resist)

Good news: he scored a goal yesterday Bad news: they lost 3-1

As long as the lack of attention isn't making you sad, that's the main thing

Time for our Austrian manager to promote the highly rated Austrian centre back from our U23 squad I reckon. Can't do any worse, can he...?

Hope the lack of bites you get these days doesn't make you too sad?

We'd be mid table with better finishing...

Aye, bit gonna make the last half an hour interesting, when our unfit players will have run out of juice

No impact players on the bench. Could be a long afternoon...!

Fair enough. I'll get the hang of this thinking-out-loud malarkey one of these days...

Quite a few changes in tonight's line up and some new names in the squad, isn't there? Can we read anything into that? Early intervention by Hesenhuttl perhaps?

I would say that's an illogical conclusion. Disagreeing with someone is OK though

Indeed. Which is why I caveated my point with: "taking those remaining games in isolation"

Indeed. That is my point. Hughes' appointment may have got us more points than sticking with Pellegrino; or it might not have done... The point is, we can't rule out the hypothesis that Hughes kept us up. Unless I'm mistaken, you seem to be ruling out this eventuality?

Good spot. The earlobes in particular are uncannily alike...

Is it me or is his head a morph between Richard Madeley and James Martin?