VectisSaint

No, that's Jesus, MP's assistant.

But did MP understand him? The ref was so incompetent yesterday he probably did not realise that El Sheriffo would have needed an interpreter

Was shocked when it happened, saddened by the nature of the move, will always think highly of Adkins, but in truth it was quite clear yesterday and in previous 2 games that NA and his staff had taken the players as far as they could. Easy to see in hindsight I know. Used to think our players were very fit, but MP has already taken "Saints Fit" to a new level, as he needed to in order to implement the high press, high intensity game. NA tried it a few times, but the players often ran out of steam. Time will tell of course, but yesterday did not seem like a fluke to me. Will be interesting to see how we get on against Wet Sham when Fat Sam plays hoofball, it is supposedly the way to counteract the high ball, will The Sheriff employ a different tactic for that game?

Harsh on Martin, was fine in the Championship and may still develop, maybe not to PL standard though. Judging Lee or Mayuka yet is silly, I think we will see Lee back in the team before too long, has been on the bench for last 3 or 4 games, quite clear that he was more than good enough in the Championship, but injury has cost him a year. Even Murty could be judged a success, we've now gained a useful coach.

Bloody insult, Real Madrid, pah, more like Barcelona.

Davis was MotM for me. The difference between how NA used him and how MP uses him is quite marked, its like having a new player. He is now showing what many of us thought he would, but have been disappointed with his displays until MP took over. Illustrates to me one of the reasons why NA had taken us as far as he could. Great bloke, shabby treatment, but he clearly wasn't getting the best out of the very talented squad that we have (in hindsight). This higher tempo, in your face game plan of MP is more exciting to watch and we have at last learned not to "respect" the opposition. We are Southampton, we're taking the **** - never thought I'd hear that again against the PL champions.

Best win at St Marys, and frankly best win anywhere for a long time, purely in terms of the performance. Apart from the lapse for the Citeh goal it was almost the perfect storm, and this despite the referee doing his best after the first 10 minutes or so to let Citeh get back into it. I have never seen us make a decent opposition look like utter utter chumps. There may have been matches that meant more or had better atmosphere but that to me was about as good as it has got for many many years, and I think there is more to come. The change in the way we play since before Christmas is quite startling.

That was the best we have played for many years, tremendous performance to make Citeh look like Chumps. Davis was immense, clearly suited to MP's style.

Good shout, would rather him than Arry's lapdog. Even if it was only 2 games. Probably our best RB ever (I never saw Sir Alf play).

Don't get me wrong, was a great admirer of NA, but his interviews after the games could have been conducted in Chinese and would have had as much meaning as they did. He was expert at saying nothing, would not answer questions, gave no information, after a while, like many, I stopped listening because it was a complete waste of time. He had many great qualities, but his communication in post match or pre match interviews was a complete nonsense (and deliberately so in my opinion). At least now I learn an odd Spanish word or two.

Jakobsen signed a week after Luggy was replaced by Wigley. Previously with Brondby.

Yes thanks, though he probably would not remember me.

Oh FFS, when will this bloke grow up. Legend on the pitch, but off it, sorry total jerk. The Echo doesn't help sadly, but then thats no surprise.

I don't think this would be allowed on the grounds that some of our "fans" would be embarrassed. Next thing people will be wearing Santa hats, and we would never live that down.

Its a complete fallacy that he is too old. The England squad at the moment is being prepared for the World Cup which is next year. This is not "buikding for the future". He is not too old for the 2014 WC. 2016 Euros different, but surely even England are not using the WC as preparation for the Euros.

and if he gets an injury? SAF would not let one of his players join up if they even sneezed. Not fit for Saints, not fit for Norway.

You're right, he is different to other English strikers, not being English sees to that.

Did Sturridge leave Liverpool after he scored for them this afternoon? :-)

To be fair Defoe is the 3rd highest scoring English player in the PL. Lambert now top (Walcott second based on alphabetical order)

"Pompey are the rusty old Fiat that has failed its MOT and been left out over winter." What a feckin insult... to FIAT.

Very similar players I would agree.

If he's not fit enough for our bench he should not be in the Norway squad.

Really don't get how MP is great tactician when he has to make changes to make the team effective. A great tactician would have got it right from the start.

No sniff from 30 minutes in until they scored again. Sniff, sniff.

QPR, Villa and Wigan did not win. Only Nouveauchateau Unis and Reading won.