trousers

Good news

Good news

Perspective? On the Saintsweb Forum? Seriously?

Forster Cedric Fonte VvD Bertrand Reed Clasie Hojbjerg Tadic Sims JRod Subs: Taylor, McQueen, Yoshida, Davis, Boufal, Long, Barnes

oops, wrong thread....

Yes. Points wise, we're on track to match, or possibly surpass, last year's total at the half way stage. Of course, that means we need to improve substantially in the 2nd half of the season, much like Koeman did. So, bottom line, it's still way too early to judge Puel. One thing we can say is that we haven't gone backwards.... yet... but if we can't start finding the back of the net more regularly in the 3rd quarter of the season then that will be the time to start questioning the manager's credentials. IMHO of course.

We have no chance of winning this one (just to please FF)

Another frustrating game. Its clear we struggle to breakdown teams that park the bus (and, yes, I accept that we sometimes struggle to score against teams that don't too!) but I said to my son after the sending off: "Now watch Stoke sit back and resolutely play for a point" and so it came to pass. Looking at the positives... we're still in the top half of the table and within spitting distance of the top third. And we're now only 3 points away from our 20 game total of last season with 4 games in hand. We're perhaps one shrewd January striker signing away from keeping on track with last season's progress (or one of our existing strikers returning to form!) Still too early to judge how successful this season will be compared to previous seasons, but the increasing levels of frustration amongst fans about our style of play is understandable. I'm still maintaining a positive frame of mind but the next month or so could test my resolve somewhat!

I'm not saying their defence is impenetrable, just that losing an attacking player doesn't make any difference to how easy it is to score against a team intent on defending a point.

I assume people realise that Stoke have the same number of defensive midfielders and defenders that they started the game with? Just because a team is one attacking player short it doesn't magically make their defence any more penetratable.

Are you suggesting that there are some predictable posters on this forum? Can't believe that for a second...

Stoke have been playing for the point the whole second half.

How has JRod not made contact with that? Ball went between his thighs!

Hallelujah! Not before time

Wouldn't Boufal be a good candidate for taking a free kick in that position?

On the replay of the Boufal incident, you can see that Martina goes over to say something to the lino. I wonder if this is why they are booing Martina, because they think he persuaded the officials to send him off? #clutchingatstraws #benefitofthedoubt

We need Alpine to proclaim the end of the world is nigh before we'll score

Wouldn't surprise me!

Playing vs 10 men can sometimes work against you if they decide to go all defensive. But, yes, it should be more of an advantage than not over 70 mins

Shut up Hughes you ****

Red card!

Well played Boufal

Is there a sponsored silence by the home fans tonight?