Charlie Wayman

A dose of realism following the summer of bulls.hit. As was plain to see we are a work still very much in progress. First half we looked totally bewildered, clearly having learned nothing from Puel's teachings of a new system this summer. Matters weren't helped by Long & Davis still being away on holiday. What was glaringly obvious is how badly we need two decent strikers. Bright sparks? Hojberg looked the real deal and his arrival change dour fortunes and Pied looked half decent and bloody quick when he took over from Cedric and actually looked to me like he was a much more effective raider

Man U surely would want him only for cover as a squad player. With the likes of Pogba on board realistically could he expect to start many/any matches? Schneiderlin is far younger and when here together a much better player and look where he spends most match day afternoons. If it's a "dream" for him to play for Man U his dream might we'll turn out to be Nightmare. Be careful what you wish for laddie!

Top Bloke, top news! In five years alas none of them will be here and few remembered. Dusan may be the exception. As for Jose, just lock the door Les. If he is reluctant to stay but stays anywa presumably he will not keep the captaincy

Can see us winning this one 5-0 unless we get too complacent at the back and let the odd one in. We'll probably beat ManUre as well next Friday as well but that's for a different thread and time.

Absolutely zero chance of that happening, last time we were relegated our finances were dire, the only squad players we could afford were raw kids from the Academy or over-the-hills-and-faraway journeymen and we were up to our necks in debt. Clubs built on the solid foundations and principles we have here and financially secure do not get relegated. Who will? Good bets on Watford (new manager & dodgy owner), Hull (continuing turmoil behind the scenes) & Bournemouth (limited mean, small gates and second season syndrome).

I remember our first pre-season back in the Championship when many on hear were predicting we'd go straight back down. I remember our first pre-season back in the Premiership when many on hear were predicting we'd be annihilated and go straight back down. I remember when Shaw, Lallana, Lambert, Lovren left in the pre-season many on hear were predicting we'd be annihilated and go straight back down. I remember when Schneiderlin and Clyne left in the pre-season when many on hear were predicting we'd be annihilated and go straight back down. I remember when Wanyama, Mane and Pelle left in the pre-season many on hear were predicting we'd be annihilated and struggle and probably lucky to stay up. Saints fans eh!, the lesson is do not make the mistake of under-estimating our own team

Providing wise guys like you with a lead-in line. You should be pleased that you didn't have to think of something original to say in response to the OP.

In a new system anything is possible and Tadic has excelled so far by being given the roving 10 position with anew found excellence at tracking back and breaking top opponents play. Looks likely he'll have his best season ever under Puel. He'd be wasted on the wing with raiding full backs especially if Ryan ever plays again which seems doubtful according to the self-style ITK's on here

Trying to answer the question "What am I doing here?"?

The point being?

The starting XI did very well with the mid-field trio being simply outstanding Romeu is a man possessed, sure it was his old club so he was up for it. Clasie & JWP were tireless workers and notched up an impressive number of tackles to break up their play and with Tadic linking well at times we over ran their midfield. This looks like the starting XI against Watford. The mystery of Bertrand's absence grows and is worrying - presumably a training ground injury? - as this is a carbon copy of what happened to him last season. With Targett hobbled as well surely we cannot expect MacQueen to be our main left back? He was hopelessly off the pace all night. Good goalkeeping from them kept us out but we need to sharpen up in the final third. Redmond? Mostly anonymous with occasional individual spurts but a long way to go before he is Henry. Who else noticed in the pre-match warm up how easily he was distracted and could not keep his attention focussed on what the coach was saying or asking him to do? Even his physical looseners were half-heartedly executed and minimal. If this is his attitude at a new club where he ought to be trying to impress then no wonder other clubs have not snapped him up before, he looks for all the world like a lazy lad with attitude and that's not good. Hope Black is a toughie. All is not lost even if we are not the best we will be far from being the worst intros division.

Not long ago only the winners of the Premier League were worth a mention and the other 21 & then 19 clubs were also rans. Now in these days of foreign billionaire owners and millionaire players it is perfectly respectable as an ambition to aim for a Top Ten finish. Times change. We are not immune from this new reality as fans, many on here seem to have accepted as fact that we cannot hope to be top six again simply on the basis of our wealth or lack of it as a club. Maybe that's the thinking upstairs as well so they are planning accordingly. Who knows maybe they believe the top ten will get European places before too long as FIFA and UEFA seek ever greater expansion of their competitions?

You don't need to repeat yourself every five minutes, we get the picture. You're a miserable sod! Hard to believe you support Saints?

Probably need to set up a Review Committee to debate all the issues involved before taking such a hugely important step into the unknown. 2 to 3 years work should be about right so just be patient. First meeting will set the agenda for future meetings and appointment of officials and could be called directly after the summer recess. ITK's suggest they'll be down to business in October at the latest.......

With this one we need to believe that Dave Watson had more than a helping hand in picking out the lad, why would we not trust Dave Watson the only one of our last season's coaches to stick around and commit to a new deal. He knows he'll be judged by how our keepers perform first and foremost rather than for anything he does for England. Wouldn't it be a wonderful surprise if he eventually grabbed Fraser's place in the first team.

Er, its not the sort of signing everyone is hoping for is it? A squad player who will confine yet another of our aspiring youngsters to the scrapheap and do nothing to strengthen our squad. If you are happy to settle for mediocrity good luck to you but most fans clearly are not and are entitled to feel frustrated.

Bloody good job that you're not running the football club then chum, or we we'd have sod all players left to make up XI.

This might help... Having Ambition; 1 eagerly desirous of achieving or obtaining success, power, wealth, a specific goal, etc.: 2. showing or caused by ambition or an earnest desire for achievement or distinction: 3. strongly desirous; eager: 4. requiring exceptional effort, ability, etc.:

You don't know that so stop maligning the guy. Why would he have his head turned at 32 he's as mature as you if not more so. At least he won't surrender at the first sound of gunfire unlike so many on here! He's not even back from holiday yet and this is only a rumour. For goodness sake cut Jose some slack, apart from Kelvin he is the most loyal player we have had in the team for years. Do you not think that the affection in which he is held by fans, holding our Captaincy, playing with Virgil and his excellent relations with every one at the club count for nothing?

Probably, you are right. The diamond should be used mainly to stifle mid-field and gain ball possession mainly when we are being over-run by the opposition which evidently was not the case in any of our games so far. Negatively a diamond leaves no outlets once we win the ball back. Adkins loved it but knew when to employ it and when not, against second rate opposition with little or no threat we don't need to use it. What worries me is that we are not practising 4-3-3 and not moving the ball to feet anywhere near fast enough... and not getting any better at holding the ball and taking responsibility (except VVD of course).

Probably, you are right. The diamond should be used mainly to stifle mid-field and gain ball possession mainly when we are being over-run by the opposition which evidently was not the case in any of our games so far. Negatively a diamond leaves no outlets once we win the ball back. Adkins loved it but knew when to employ it and when not, against second rate opposition with little or no threat we don't need to use it. What worries me is that we are not practising 4-3-3 and not moving the ball to feet anywhere near fast enough... and not getting any better at holding the ball and taking responsibility (except VVD of course).

What was that all about? We are frankly looking clueless in mid-filed and up front. Not a spark in 4 games and no obvious plan or creativity. Too many safe square and back passes, doesn't anybody want to take responsibility other than VVD? All very pedestrian and predictable. At least Romeu and Clasie are looking better. Where are Davis and Bertrand, leaving it until Wednesday is leaving it a bit late to say the least.

If we draw every match 0-0 our points haul will be 38, less than the target 40 that usually signals safety.

Do you not understand Irony?

But they haven't been able to hang onto Kante & Mahrez have they.