VectisSaint

Except it won't be an assist (will it?). Trouble with some people who only look at stats for assists and then think SD is useless because he gets virtually no assists. What he does though is so often create the opening that ends in a goal, two or even three touches later. That said he has been guilty a couple of times recently of giving the ball away in dangerous positions, which is unusual for him. I think however it is because he is having to play deeper centrally when either Morgan or Vic (or both) are not available, and the mistake is magnified. Great player and is really much better this year under RK than under Poch. Would be perfect if he could find his scoring touch again.

Decent backup for Harri Reed. Also he only said he would not play for rival, Liverpool would .not count as rival for in CL.

England are aligned with Germany in terms of TW, so 2 reasons he can't be transferred until tomorrow.

Apparently not. Despite what Ronald actually said in one of the pressers, it seems like it is actually Yoshida who has gone and Mane is still here for Ipswich. Koeman was quite specific once, he had spoken with the Japan coach and agreed to delay Yoshida going. Prrhaps one of us was confused :-)

No, he is here for the Ipswich game, RK said he sgreed it with Japan coach. But you aren't the only one who thinks this fella on Solent said the same.

Except the one from The Times.

Looks more like 30 months to me.

Agreed, I was reasonably sure that putting two youngsters in to face Chelsea was a step too far for Ronald, but having one would be reasonable. I also think the 352 system would be more suited to playing Arsenal than Chelsea anyway. Without Schneiderlin it is certainly an option that has now been at least been proven.

Ronald had a point. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30637127

Believe me, I won't worry. Response to the original post by Steve. That said, 4th is not impossible, after all we are 4th now, and we have played every other team once. Just depends whether we have the determination to strengthen in January (in addition to EE) to provide depth to our "waffer thin" squad. We are likely to be seriously stretched in January without Mane and Yoshida (oh and that other wastrel) and Cork and JRod.

You forgot that he plays centre of a back 3 when we play 3-5-2, almost in a sweeper role. He looks best of all in this position from the evidence so far. Agreed he has been our best, but Fonte has been very good as well, except for one (?) total cock up which in the end made no difference.

Why can't we play 3-5-2 with McCarthy and Bertrand? Seems to me 3-5-2 is ideal for Arsenal where we need to be strong in the midfield. I would go Wanyama, Davis and Reed in the middle three rather than JWP who offers little outside of set plays and would start with Long and Pelle up front. Forster; Fonte, Toby, Yoshida; McCarthy, Wanyama, Bertrand; Reed, Davis; Long, Pelle. Bench Davis, Tadic, Mane, Gardos, Targett, JWP, Hesketh (if fit again). Almost looking like a reasonably strong bench again with players that can actually make a difference.

This was how the loan deal was reported: "Alderweireld joins from Atletico Madrid with the option for a permanent move, which would cost Soyuthampton £6.3m." Atletico still have to agree to sell him (they might not), and I would think Toby would still have to agree personal terms, but we have first dibs if we stump up 6.3m.

Agreed, it seems clear to me that the Club and Morgan agreed that he would stay until the end of this summer come what may, but like you I expect him to move on before next season. My only slight cause for disagreement is that if we "somehow finish in the top 4" PSG are just as bad an option for him to join as anyone else (assuming we could get through the qualifier into the Champions League proper if we finished 4th which would be the most likely finishing spot). It would be rather disappointing to qualify for the group stages in the same group as PSG and for Morgan to be responsible for our elimination. I know, its a long shot. Think it is more likely he will end up in Spain, if he doesn't stay in the PL.

I was thinking yesterday, why are our sold out games these days so far short of our record attendance at St Mary's, 32,363? Even further short of capacity, 32,689. I know we've lost a few seats to camera positions etc, but 700+ seems a lot. Where else have we lost so many seats since the days in Championship when the record was set?

Steve Bruce or Nigel Pearson more likely.

As I was saying. Was a foregone conclusion anyway.

Brenda is finally waking up to the fact that Liverpool are better without Lovren and old man Gerrard.

Yoshida went off because he was exhausted, Koeman confirmed this post match, and coupled with fact he was on yellow as well.

To answer my own question, twice in Championship and four times in League One. Guess the Sky commentator is forgetting that professional careers exist outside the PL.

Sky said it was first time he has scored twice (been on a hat-trick) in his professional career. Is that true? How anyone thinks his finish for the 3rd was easy is beyond belief.

Were there any Chelsea/Saints half and half scarves yesterday? I could not find one for my growing collection. I am still trying to find the rare one that will be the main prize of my collection, a half and half Saints/Pompey scarf. Find it odd that there is little demand for these.

Cock on a stick, with phone at the other end.

Has been outstanding this season, but was not great against Chelsea and had a poor game against Palace. I think the problem against Chelsea as has been suggested is that he was back playing on the right side protecting Yoshida, a role he also played sometimes under Poch. He has been so much better this season under Koeman's guidance, and really has been the engine in our side which we sorely miss when he is not available. Comparing his contribution unfavourably with Prowsey is down to the usual nonsense of only looking at assist statistics. Sadly assists are only given to the player who played the ball immediately before the goal was scored, whereas Davis so often makes the goals with his runs and then they take a couple of touches. Prowsey will be good in the future, but first he needs to learn to challenge and/or tackle, also he needs to improve his speed in clearing out from defence, and finally he needs to avoid making horrendous back passes like he did yesterday which would have cost us the game if Chelsea player (Fabregas?) had not slipped over.

To save you making a fool of yourself by not understanding rules regarding suspensions in the future here is a useful link that helps to avoid embarrassment: http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/suspensions