Midfield_General

I thought Romeu was immense today, personally. Bossed it. Not just doing the destroyer role, his skill and technique playing out of tight spaces was/ is amazing. Could easily have got MOM today.

He was great today. His reading of the game seems to have really improved, he was in the right place at the right time, consistently. That's something that Salisu has shown he is outstanding at since he joined, I wonder if Jack's learning from him.

Because we'd buy someone better? He's doing alright at the moment, and fair play to him after his struggles in the past, but even aside from his known weaknesses he's still doing some weird stuff. He was very lucky to get away with that one that he dropped and then backheeled into his own net against Spurs on Boxing Day, and then again today he was lucky not to get caught by Fernandes when he basically forgot to pick it up. He's a lot more solid than he was, and long may that continue, but with a decent bit of scouting we should comfortably be able to find an upgrade as first choice in the summer. A Niemi type would be worth an extra 6-9 points a season.

Stephens was superb when he came on. Him, Ely, Forster - great to see players who have struggled in the past showing what they can actually do when they come into a well-organised, brave side brimming with confidence and belief. Having them show their quality really adds depth to the squad, its like making some solid new signings.

Yeah that was mental. Incredibly poor from someone who's meant to understand football for a living. Can't stand Pierce generally. I saw him in a gastropub once and he was unironically wearing a shellsuit. I miss the stately, measured dons of yesteryear. You wouldn't catch Brian Moore out in public in nylon leisurewear.

Melting the odd one into the top corner from miles away doesn't hurt either

Plus Stu Armstrong getting back to form in the last few games. Makes such a difference to us going forward.

Shoving his goal celebration back down his throat was extremely satisfying. He looked like he was going to cry at the end, the pluggy wiggy gimp. Lovely stuff.

Ah. I see.

No idea what this £45m business is about. Telegraph reporting its a free transfer initially, rising to a £10m fee if he makes 20 appearances.

My god, imagine being so breathtakingly stupid that you don't understand the concept of a team of the week f**king hell, that's almost impressive 😂

And here is that overhead kick - absolute banger:

After yesterday, JWP goes on this list as the best free kick taker in the world right now.

I hate to break it to you old chap, but he joined Liverpool five years ago Still, at least tonight we can rely on Lambert, Lallana and J-Rod, they could make the difference

Watching Van Dijk the other day, thinking how he's probably the best CB in the world (if not right now, then probably over the last few seasons), it got me wondering how many others have passed through Saints who were at some point or other regarded as the best in the world in their position. Obviously it's subjective to a degree, but Shilton for example was consistently rated the best goalkeeper in the world for some time, so that's another one. Was Shearer considered the best CF in the world at any point? Are there any others?

Good old Leicester. Got a couple of stunning goalkeepers too if you're interested lads 👍

Yep. If you haven’t read Benali’s autobiography yet, I can recommend it - there are some very interesting insights in there about Cortese and his attitude. He’s presented as an expert at spending other people’s money, with a huge, unearned sense of entitlement to go with it. I know they fell out and it’s only one side of the story, but it’s a first-hand account and he comes across extremely badly.

Pretty sure he would have buried that chance to go 2-1 up on Man Utd - the one that De Gea saved.

So apart from the roads, the aqueduct, sanitation, irrigation, medicine, education, wine, the public baths, public order and coming on and setting up both goals, what has Nathan Redmond ever done for us?

Do you know who Redmond is? He created both our goals.

If it was me, I'd go: Forster; KWP, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud; Romeu, JWP; Livramento, Tella; Adams, Armstrong (A) Subs: McCarthy, Bednarek, Valery, Diallo, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Redmond, Walcott, Broja.

Does Stekelenburg count? He was a loan but seem to remember he was first choice for a while under Koeman. He was another odd one. Can't ever really remember him making any really amazing saves, but he never really messed anything up either. Just sort of comfortably saved the ones he ought to. He was the definition of 'solid but unremarkable'.

Best manager we ever had.

Oh Matthew. It's not meant to be a literal statement of fact. It's just an opinion, a whimsical musing based on not very much other than a fleeting consideration of recent seasons when Burnley and Newcastle have both often been in and around the relegation fight, but each time have tended to be able to do enough to pull away. You know, the sort of light-hearted but ultimately throwaway comment you might make or hear when you're out, chatting in a pub, with a big group of mates. Ah. Actually I think I'm beginning to see why you didn't understand.

Newcastle have got much more quality than us, and Burnley are better managed than we are. Neither of them will go down because they never do. Brentford and Brighton both look like they’ve got more than enough to be comfortable. Looks to me like it’s 3 from 4 - Watford, Norwich, Palace, us. If any of those other three are able to defend and grind out draws in tough games in the way that we are incapable of, we are bang in trouble.