washsaint

Everyone talks about how we will fall away as our squad size is not big enough to cope with the demands of the season as we head into winter. An alternative viewpoint could be that our squad size will work in our favor. If you look at the likes of Spurs and Man City who have very large squads and "stars" they are struggling to find continuity and a style that accommodates their squads. We, on the other hand, have a very settled squad and adequate backups for when injuries/suspensions occur. A lot of talk about our 2nd XI not being good enough but surely no-one thinks the whole 2nd XI will have to play in a League game? 1 or 2 at some stage of the season but not all at once. If you go back some time to George Graham's Arsenal side that won the title, I believe they had a nucleus of about 15 players that were used during the season. Not saying we will win the League but do feel that despite talk to the contrary, our squad size could very well work in our favor as the season progresses.

Probably been a Saints fan for way too long and therefore cynical based on Saints in the past. These days, seem to have a continual gnawing feeling that it is all going to come to an end (positivity, points, etc) because our current status is so unSaints like. In 38 years, I cannot ever remember so much positivity about our club: both internal and external. We seem to be the current darlings of the national press and not a day goes by without at least 1, if not 2, glowing articles talking about the club, players, Academy, etc. The cynic in me keeps thinking this can't possibly last......but then I didn't expect us to be where we are after 10 games. I'm so used to Saints wilting when the going gets tough that, right now, have to continue pinching myself that we are where we are (and not just riding high in the table). It really feels so unSaint like. Feeling positive......we really could be on the verge of something special but the cynic/pessimist in me doesn't want to believe this as we have been let down so much in the past. Truly hope for 3 points tomorrow and can't wait to watch the game on NBC. Cmon you reds!

In anser to Turkish......if we continue playing the way we are right now, there is no reason at all why we can't finish above any 1/2/3 of Liverpool, Man U, Spurs. Liverpool have 0 points from top of the table of the clashes (losses to us and Arsneal) and Spurs ahve not been impressive and neither have Man U. Not to say it will happen but why not?

got to say......I believe I posted if we were doing well after 10 games then that would be a time to be impressed. Boy, how well are we playing....I see no reason we can;t finish top 6 this season. The defence is magnificent and Wanyama is a beast in front of them. Really feel this team could do something special this year: the football has been exquisite at times and most teams can't live with the passing and pressing style.

here we go again......Shaw turn United down and sign for Chelsea. What a load of old cobblers. Going from a starter to a backup..........that would make a lot of sense. Not! Guess closer we get to January more rumors will fly around about our players.

disagree re. Lallana. he is not having a good game at all. He has been amazing and his play for the 2nd goal was a thing of beauty. This is just like watching Barcelona.....someone pinch me and I'll wake up and find it was all a dream!

unbelievable.......some of you obviously don't watch a game that closely. His touch and skill are fantastic: I am doubting that he and SRL can play together over a longer period of time but Osvaldo is class and still adjusting to the Premier League. As the NBC commentators pointed out, we play deep and expect our forwards to track back to help defensively which has helped enormously in making us so difficult to break down.......the flip side is we don't create many chances right now so the strikers won't look as Hollywood as they might otherwise. He is a CL player, of that there is no doubt

The coverage by NBC over this side of the pond is absolutely fantastic! Every Saints game live and the HD quality online is sensational. Great to be able to see very Saints game live when we are flying so high (at the moment!). Knocks the old Fox coverage into a cocked hat. Was very skeptical of the NBC coverage but it is an a different galaxy from the crap that was Fox Soccer...and no Warren Barton to boot! Happy days!

We are not an attractive side to watch this year - get the job done , yes but not in a way that is pleasant on the eye. Having watched every game on NBC over here, there is very little of the free flowing football from last year and much more 'hit and hope'. We are a solid, unspectacular side - but not an entertaining side right now.

great to see Vince putting a consistent run of good scores together. For anyone who has the opportunity to watch him, is he starting to fulfil the massive promise he has? Still only just turned 22 as well.....

Good grief......Wanyama is dreadful. How on earth did we pay 12 million for him? Mugged!

There was a house in Harcourt Road where some players had digs....went round and met Charlie George and Trevor Hebbard at this house and remember sitting down watching the Ashes with them and talking about Mike Hendricks on the box. Can't see that happening in this day and age somehow.............

reminds me of what a nasty piece of work his brother is (John) - when his brother needed support he disowned him and made it all about John Fashanu. Wonder if Justin would have had more support/help in this era: he was pretty good for Saints in the short time here

very poor all round......typical MP performance....lots of pretty football in non-dangerous areas but with zero cutting edge. Extremely disappointed and Lamberts free kick summed up his performance today: crap. Lots of work to do.

this is a terrible display by Saints so far.......Osvaldo (understandably) looks off the pace and there is no cutting edge to our play whatsoever.

what a dumb post.......as other have said, 3 U18s are in the 1st team, a lot of the U18s are now in the U21s team and the U18s are made up of mainly underage players. Results for these teams are an added bonus...but if they continue to produce talent for the 1st team that is more important

fair play to the guy...transfer that did not work out but (unlike others such as Sharp, Barnard, etc) decided he wanted to play more than earn a big fact check for doing nothing. Good for him - and where exactly is he slagging Saints off?

Just got back from a conference in New Orleans - what a place! Anyone else been there and, if so, what were your favorite things about New Orleans? Mine were (in no particular order): Beignets at cafe Du Monde Food and music at Three Muses on Frenchmen Fritzels jazz club on Bourbon Lafittes Blacksmith pub on Bourbon Commanders Palace Big AL carlson Garden District Bourbon Street was like Magaluf with punch ups, drunken a-holes and puke and disinfectant smell but aside from that, what a place. Only other place in the US I have been to that has a similar vibe is San Francisco: both have a distinctly non-US town feel to them and much more European vibe.

Think some sanity needs to be restored.........threads with "who is better than us", "sinclair not good enough for City so not good enough for us", etc seems way overboard. We have played 1 game. Now if after 10 games we have, say 20 points, then that would be the time to get very excited. Without wishing to be a pessimist, MP has a lot to prove: bar a couple of games he was not good for the last few games and we have only played 1 game this season. So whilst we look like we have bought very well only time will tell: and 1 game is not enough to make judgement (particularly as our goal scoring/creation was not great against WBA). Looking forward to seeing how the Sunderland game goes as they mugged us last season.

Turkish - do you do anything other than spend your life on a mong board making snide, sneery comments?

Amongst all the excitement of who we are linked with, VW, etc. where does this leave JWP. He showed last season that he could be a great player for Saints but when will he get a game now? I can't help but feel the "big names" could unsettle the squad and also block terrific young talents like JWP from progressing. Catch 22 - club is ambitious - ambition will persuade the likes of SHaw to hang around but what about Chambers, Isgrove and JWP (amongst others)?

What a pathetic, moronic post from Hamilton Saint. For your information, and other sneering, snidey posters, my kids learn a LOT of history in their education here in the US. They spend a lot of time learning about the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, etc. amongst other things and have a ton more homework than in the Uk. This country is huge.....we have not been on a "foreign" vacation in the 3 years we have been here as there is so much to see and do in this vast country. It is an outdoors mecca and most people are polite, friendly and well meaning: certainly far more so than we experienced living in the UK. Add to that, the rich history from here (different from the UK/Europe but no less fascinating) and the kids (and us) have learnt and seen a ton about early settlers, Civil War, Washington, etc. And kids don't pledge allegiance to a State...they pledge allegiance to the Flag of America. Not very worldly wise some of you are you?

Who cares what he said/does? Bear in mind this is the guy who built a lovely stadium (having been gifted the land) that is way too big for the catchment support and needs the local Council to pay for a hotel to help pay day to day costs. Storm in a teacup and not newsworthy in the slightest IMO.

Wes Tender - great response. NA should be lauded for what he achieved here, not denigrated with snidey comments. His positivity is fantastic and what on earth is wrong with what he wrote/said.....in fact it is quite motivational and, no doubt as it has come from NA, heartfelt.

Well........I think, right now, Pochettino is taking us backwards. No cutting edge, no anything. And for those saying the players are tired....how on earth will they play the pressing style for a whole season next season as opposed to half a season? Very worrying and hope this is not a sign of things to come.....