Suhari

This is so much better. Can we keep it up?

Alves Soares?! Good work BBC.

They're playing better football, look far more committed and have some very winnable games coming up: Brighton, Bournemouth, Leicester, Watford, Swansea. I think they'll be okay.

This is true in every club though isn't it? And a skill of the magaer is to get them motivated, enjoying themselves, bought in to the approach and playing with at least a bit of passion. Other clubs manage this (although many don't of course). It's one of my big issues this season....we KNOW the players are better than they are showing and can demonstrate far more commitment. Yet they're not. I wonder...would any of us feel motivated to put ourselves on the line for MoPe.....LR.....RK?

Desparate for a win and performance today....the trouble is if we do deliver will it be genuine progress or 'papering over the cracks'? Very interested to see the reaction from the players - particularly in light of the cave in at Liverpool (and Cedrics comments). I wonder if they will go all-out, fully committed (which I don't think I've seen yet this season), or will they 'do a Leicester' and just go through the motions. They MUST know the feeling from the fans? Could be an interesting atmosphere today.

If we scored 4 goals in a single game I would probably need a valium and a lay down. I do so miss the days when 3-1 was the default Saints scoreline.

Apparently he's started renting a house in Liverpool!

Would be brilliant I think. He' such a positive character....could be great for motivating and supporting the #Pathway. Not sure he'll be a top flight manager again, which is no insult by the way.

Didn't see it....but we do seem to be lacking direction. I wonder if Kat sold a dream, or if the investors are really committed to the football side of the club? The 7th most expensive squad outside of the top 6 (so the 13th most expensive in the league)? OR The most expensive after the top 6?

200M dollar, la.

Have to go to 3 at the back and 2 up front.

True, and maybe it is a little unfair to drag up statements from a few years back. However those quotes and the philosophy that sits behind them now seems lightyears away from the reality of our club.

I am firmly in the 'out' camp.....but this is just bloody embarrassing.

Oh my ****....... "It’s about style, it’s about entertainment and it’s about values and the way we go about things. “That’s why the success of the academy has been so prominent, because we are developing players for the future of this club. “We want the fans to come here and be proud of what they see and we want them to be entertained – but we want to win matches.

Going again on Sunday, win, lose or draw?

When he was nailed-on to be manager. He'd have been class...... really.

I look back with fondness on singing my lungs out when we beat Sunderland away in a mid-week game at Roker Park...... about '95? Proper relegation scrap. Not sure I'd want it every year though!

Certainly a concern that, theoretically, that GK, defence and defensive-midfield could turn out as a unit in the PL. Were we **** collectively or individually? How was Stephens, JWP and PEH?

I suspect it'll be a while before we pop our heads above halfway now.

Just had the same. I'm glad everything is all right afterall. Presumably the 'low on confidence thing' explains our poor performances in the early season games too. Phew.

So how are we playing now? Watched a few minutes and it was very sideways and pedestrian. Are we dynamic in any way?

Surely we're not as toothless in Twittersphere as we are on the pitch?

Is it trendy yet?

Presumably we do a full assessment centre with in-tray exercises, role plays, mock coaching sessions, debriefings, and press interviews? Plus Thomas psych tests too? Guessing the Black Box gets a one-on-one with candidates too? Probably a bit like the film 'War Games' (or possibly 2001).

I do wonder if the formation is forced on the manager by Reed. It seems so........ I remember DeBoer leaving CP and the reports he had upset the board by NOT playing a specific formation, despite it being a part of his contact (I might be mis-remembering the contract bit). My point being: are we sticking with 4231 because Reed requires it?