SNSUN

I’m an advocate of VAR but it doesn’t remove the human element of mistake. It needs to be clear in the stadium what VAR is watching and communication done like in Rugby. That was handball. Good chance creation from Saints, we’re not out of it yet.

Well I said 1-1 so it’s up to us to score next.

Their attack is possibly more blunt than ours! Apart from the flurry of blocks and save they haven’t done a lot going forwards although they’ve had the bulk of possession. ABK has probably been the best player on the pitch bar maybe Eriksen. I’d still definitely take a draw here but it could go either way.

Nick a goal and I think we win 1 nil here. Defence has looked decent… ABK is a frigging monster.

CBs look good. Are we playing 4231?

Damn that was butt puckering, my stream a bit behind so I knew it was coming. Keep it together Saints. Bit disjointed up top so far.

Quiet in here today innit. 😊

The way we often do business on the sly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hopefully we can be active in the last week of the window and even take part in the “drama” of SSN’s deadline day (mainly because it’s dull when we don’t!).

Adams, McBurnie, Maupay, J.Ayew, Rodriguez - the “great” summer of 2019 where 5 Premier League clubs got their strikers from the Championship… I definitely think we got the best.

Clever. We did the same to Che and he's banged in 4 goals since. MOTM awards for Moi and Stu then. (Seriously I hope we don't sell Stu.)

Redmond can be frustrating but he can also change a game (usually against weaker opposition) and can play 10, winger or up top. As a squad option I'd keep him but it looks like Djenepo may have saved himself from the chop so Redmond is probably going to go to save money. Personally I'd have Moi out over Redmond but that's just personal preference. If someone does leave, I hope we bring someone else in. Yes we have Edwards coming through and I wouldn't want to block the pathway for the youngsters but it's a long season and injury crisises happen.

Starting to get the core of the team right. Bazunu, ABK, Salisu, JWP, Lavia, Aribo, Stu, Mara, Adams. Just the full backs to add (KWP + 1) and that looks to be just about our first team at present. What's particularly important to note is that that strongest team contains all 5 of our summer signings, so kudos to the transfer team for bringing in players that seem to have instantly improved us and kudos to those players for slotting in so well. United beat Liverpool but the Scousers have hardly started the season well. They are both stuttering teams and United just took their chances. If there is a good time to play United, it's now. I'm not going to say we will win because I still think our lads have a lot to learn and, like Lavia's misplaced early pass last week, mistakes will happen but I will go for a 1-1. MOTM Aribo.

Goal machine!

He did the same twice in the Tottenham game last season in the 3-2. Definitely another weapon we have as long as we have someone on the end of it. Luckily that has been Adams 3 times. Even if teams get wind of it and try to do something about it they'll worry about giving away a free kick. He's definitely unsellable and yet remains our most saleable asset.

OP does have a point, look around at the transfers of any promoted team or team that you may think could be in a relegation battle and they've mostly made some decent transfers on paper. Even at this early stage some of the transfers in to clubs are showing promise... even ours. Aribo and perhaps Bazunu are the players we had prior knowledge of but ABK, Lavia and Mara have all started well. I struggle to see anyone that will get cut adrift this season so the sooner 40+points are reached the better.

I'm pleased he's started the season so well and has adapted to the new position. He was always a quick, tricky player (sometimes it seems his feet act before his brain!) and despite starting well with us his time has been spent injured a lot. I'm hoping he stays injury free now as he always seemed to be made of glass.

Even those of us who started supporting Saints after his heyday know who David Armstrong is and his contribution in the early and mid 80s. RIP

Not so impressive... Skate fans can gesture 11 with their hands.

Villa will probably be ok, their squad is strong. West Ham will come good too. I really think Leicester, Everton and Bournemouth are so far showing signs that they could be in trouble. Everton have a decent defence now and Leicester have a good attack but it’s the other end of their teams that they could struggle. Fulham have started surprisingly well, as have Forest who have signed a million players but I don’t know if their form will last. Definitely an interesting season and we’re ten per cent of the way to safety!

Broja has a “knock”.

Che is a good reason why clubs should have a focal point striker to lead the line. Look at Chelsea right now, blunt as you like and Leeds are bossing them with Rodrigo as their focal point. I really like Che, he may not be the most technically gifted or prolific finisher but he works his nuts off, leads the line well and has a good eye for a pass. 4 goal involvements in 2 games. We'd be stupid to sell him and hopefully we don't.

Yep without knowing how the youngsters would settle I think most Saints fans would have taken 4 points from our first three games if offered. Catching teams like Leicester when they're suffering for one reason or another is a bonus but that's no discredit to our lads who dug in. Hopefully we have caught a United side out of sorts and can get at least a point from them too. 5 or 7 points from 4 games would make for a decent start... and I think we will only get better as players settle. I still maintain we will come out of the World Cup break flying, much like we did after the first lockdown. We seem to do well after breaks.

I'd definitely like to see some youngsters here mixed with experience. Ballard and Edwards must be worth a go from the bench and Simeu will surely see some game time. I agree about Vokins, due to the lack of fit full backs he's the more experienced option to slot in due to his loan spell at Ross County. Finnigan on the bench? Maybe let the new signing youngsters rest this one ready for United at the weekend, although I'd give Mara more game time. Something like: McCarthy, Valery, Lyanco, Stephens/Simeu, Vokins, JWP, Romeu/Moi, SArmstrong, Redmondinho, AArmstrong, Mara. Depends on whether Stephens and Romeu are close to exit too. If not play both, if so switch Stu to CM and Moi comes in the 10. Surely Redmond and his proclivity for playing well against lower league opposition has to play. Not sure about Bednarek. Villa bound? I reckon it will be trickier than we think but we should have enough to get through.

On record. Watching the boxing.

They're in a place where their first XI is ok but some of their players want out and it's poisoning their atmosphere. Not to mention Vardy is on the decline, Kasper has left meaning they're putting their faith in Ward who isn't as good and injuries to the likes of Perriera aren't helping their cause. Also we 'sold' them a couple of lemons with Jannick and Ryan and their issues with FFP are hampering attempts to sign anyone. If they're not careful they could well be in a relegation battle this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Rodgers walked before the end of the season.