the saint in winchester

2-0 Cox again!!!

1-0 Villa - Cox (13)

Take a bow, Saveloy Mush, quality comedy .... and true analysis. We are soooo slow, boring teams into falling asleep at the back.

Yeah, but what does SHE do?

Yes, I fear it's more this. Both possession-based strategies, basically keeping hold of the ball but no penetration on goal. That may be fine 'sur le continente' but we like to get it in the mixer ASAP over here.

Thank you Daz. I didn't write commentary, but you have talked it through well. I now read that VVD is playing for the U21 at Villa tomorrow. Hopefully that will be on the youtube channel, so let's all tune in and assess his commitment. If he looks ready, then maybe we have play him next Saturday.

--------------- McCarthy ------------------------ ------- Stephens ------ Hoedt ------ Yoshida ----- Cedric ------ Lemina ---- Romeu ----- Bertrand ---- Long ------- Austin --------- Gabbiadini first Sub : VVD - play wherever we are failing - be it defence or attack

The problem is that we are not CREATING any chances now. So don't focus on finishers. The issue is the midfield and threading passes through to Gabi. Have to play Austin or Long and knock in crosses. And a quick player to push it through. Wish Sims was available. He had the pace and drive. Anyone in the U21 team who could do the job for us? Right now, we are stuck in an indefinite loop of recycling the ball around and no-one prepared to move it forward to create the chances.

MoPe now trying the different options at CB. Hoedt and Stephens today, expect to see Hoedt and Yoshida next, then VVD and the three alternatives. That's five games planned. After that it will be decision time for him to select his first choice pairing.

Offensive on every level.

When did he give you any such indication? He simply stated that life begins at conception and therefore abortion is murder.

15:57 'VAN DIJK NOT READY TO RETURN' Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino says Virgil van Dijk needs to build up his fitness before he is considered for selection. "[Van Dijk] is training with the team again," confirmed Pellegrino. "How long before we see him in a first-team match? It depends on the player. "We know he is coming from a long period of time without playing a game. He needs to train and play games. I will decide in the future. "As a player you have to show on the pitch how ready you are but for us and Virgil everything is now normal."

15:57 'VAN DIJK NOT READY TO RETURN' Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino says Virgil van Dijk needs to build up his fitness before he is considered for selection. "[Van Dijk] is training with the team again," confirmed Pellegrino. "How long before we see him in a first-team match? It depends on the player. "We know he is coming from a long period of time without playing a game. He needs to train and play games. I will decide in the future. "As a player you have to show on the pitch how ready you are but for us and Virgil everything is now normal."

15:57 'VAN DIJK NOT READY TO RETURN' Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino says Virgil van Dijk needs to build up his fitness before he is considered for selection. "[Van Dijk] is training with the team again," confirmed Pellegrino. "How long before we see him in a first-team match? It depends on the player. "We know he is coming from a long period of time without playing a game. He needs to train and play games. I will decide in the future. "As a player you have to show on the pitch how ready you are but for us and Virgil everything is now normal."

Why is that? He plays in central defence, where we have only conceded two (in EPL), only one player has scored against us. Unless we are playing him up front, can't see adding VVD turns this, or any other game, into "an easy win". Indeed, if we are looking for a goal, maybe he SHOULD be pushed up front for the final 10 minutes.

LOL

Oooh, looks who's back! No more isolation. Toys left in the pram, then?

This comment both amuses me and appeals to my sense of justice. Such a salutary (sp?) lesson may just what is needed here.

I would imagine Reed and Kreuger will be talking with him, seeing where his head is at. That will determine whether we 'share or shaft' (to quote Kilroy-Silk). We all hope he clears his head and sees the benefit of playing to his potential. It will likely need the Club to agree an exit plan based on performance.

One for the oldies, surely? The kids won't know Gilbert O'Sullivan from an opera!

Everton would consider a permanent deal for Kevin Mirallas. Now there's an AM who could improve us.

This, also on SSN now as well. "..made an enquiry ..." - agree that HOPEFULLY a loan bid, not a purchase. With Bertrand sucking on a lemon, maybe we should have gone for Kieran Gibbs?

Maybe one of our Dutch fans can comment on this .... before he came to Saints, wasn't he more of an attacking midfielder, playing the killer balls through to the strikers? We have played him in a defensive role, which I don't think has accentuated his strengths.

Not VVD related, but this made me smile .... Hassan Anfield: I'm optimistic about Alex Ox-Chamberlain will join LFC before window closes. Because he was a former Southampton player. Should we tell him that so is Harlee Dean and Ali Dia! Get on the trail, Liverpool.