Minsk

He is by no means 'dreadful' and certainly not 'absolutely dreadful'. If you seriously think he is then all those I am about to mention must be dreadful too. With 3 matches of the season to go: Che has only scored 1 goal less than Mane, Mahrez and Cavani (who obviously play alongside much better players); has scored the same number of goals as Jota, Jesus, Benteke and Maupay; more goals than the likes of Greenwood, Firmino, Richarlison, Abraham, Raphinha, Pepe, Werner, Martial, Welbeck, and so may others. Similarly, Che has only: 1 less assist than Sterling, Firmino and Neto; the same number of assists as the likes of Mane, Willian, Pereira and Wilson; more assists than (to name but a few) Ings, Mahrez, Moura, Saint-Maximin, Salah, Watkins, Richarlison, Jesus, Martial, Saka, Aubemayang and Wood. Could Che do better yes. Could we do better than Che? Only if we pay a shitload of money for a top, top, player and even then, looking at the fees paid for players he has outscored and assisted more goals than, there is no guarantee. Che is good TEAM player. We play better when he is the team. He has a great partnership with Ings, which will hopefully still be the case next season and for for a few more seasons to come. If not, I fully expect Che to be part of a successful partnership with who ever we bring in to replace Danny.

Well, I enjoyed that - even though we did make hard work of it for the first hour. Always good to come back to win after an early goal against, and always good when your 'keeper saves a pen to keep you in the match - well done Fraser. Two lovely finishes from Danny; nicely worked set piece and knock-in by Che; Armstrong gave another great performance alongside JWP (who also played well) in CM. Thought Redders had a decent match too. Good game management and spot on subs from Ralph (although I would have liked to have seen Tella replace Taki for the final 10 mins or so).

Let's see if my starting match threads helps keep our winning streak going. Expecting a few changes to the starting line-up again. Hopefully Romeu back and Tella to start.

My ideal starting 11 if Bertrand is the only player not available: Forster; KWP-Vest-Salisu-Stephens; JWP-Romeu; Tella-Armstrong; Adams-Ings If KWP unavailable: JWP to RB, Armstrong to CM, Minamino AM If Ings and Romeu only fit for the bench: Forster; KWP-Vest-Salisu-Stephens; JWP-Armstrong; Tella-Minamino; Adams-Obafemi If KWP unavailable: JWP to RB, Diallo to CM However, I am expecting Ralph to go with: Macca; KWP-Bednarek-Vest-Stephens; JWP-Romeu(if not fit to start Diallo); Theo-Armstrong; Adams-Ings (if Ings not fit to start Minamino)

Armstrong stayed in the centre; Diallo played on the right after he came on (or that's certainly what it looked like to me, although I had a fair few to drink by then). Agree about Salisu. Was hoping he would get a run of starts now after his performances against Leicester. Also agree about JWP, Armstrong and Tella having good games (apart from Tella's finishing). Thought Vest and, given he was playing LB, Stephens put in decent performances in too. Hoping for more energy, determination and a much better result on Tuesday.

Next match only 2 days away and surprised no match build-up thread yet. Can't remember ever starting one before, so here goes.... I would imagine there will be a few changes. Probably Macca in in Fraser (although I would prefer to stick with the big guy); Maybe Djenepo and Minamino in for Theo and one of the Nathans (probably Tella)? Would be great if Ings and Romeu were both in the starting 11, but only really holding out hope for them being on the bench in all honesty. I would also like to see Salisu given a start, alongside Vest as CB.

With Chelsea being rumoured to be offloading Alonso and Palmieri I wouldn't be surprised if Bertie went back there as back-up to Chillwell. Or possibly West Ham. He could join either without having to move house if he wanted.

I fully agree with you. My favourite Saints CB pairing will probably always be a promising, up and coming, Mark Wright alongside the experienced, old head, of Dave Watson. Would love us to sign an experienced leader at CB. My above post is what I think will happen, and the Hoedt comment was wholly 'tongue in cheek'. As for the AM/FWD I think we will sign: I really hope we go for someone in the Antonio mould - big, fast, strong and able to play wide or up front, as opposed to another small, lightweight, player. More of a Saint-Maximin than Minamino type. (I know there is not a hope in Hell of us signing either of those mentioned, just mentioning them as examples of the type of player I would like to see us bring in.)

We seem to be getting linked to a few, so I get the feeling will be in the market for one. I also feel that will be in addition to us signing Theo, who gives options as a FWD and an AM. Undoubtedly, our priority is a LB, whether Bertrand stays or goes (personally, I think he will go). Second priority should be a player to cover RB and LB, but have a feeling that may well be a loanee. IF Ings stays we are okay up top. We would have Ings, Adams, Theo, Redmond, and Tella plus whoever from Long, Obafemi and N'Lundulu who isn't sold/loaned. That said, I think we will sell (or loan) Long; loan N'Lundulu; unsure about Obafemi. If we sell him I think we will replace with another young player from somewhere. Obviously if Ings goes replacing him also becomes a priority. A solid, ball winning, CM would be nice - but think that role goes to Romeu, so any new signing would only be as a back-up to him. I also think Armstrong has shown he can do a great job in CM, so Romeu, JWP, Diallo and Armstrong should be enough. (Maybe another reason why we are looking at an AM? Perhaps it is seen as an easier/better role to purchase a player for?) We are okay at CB, unless Vestergaard goes. If he does go I would be very happy to see Salisu start the season, and I don't expect Bednarek to be dropped. That would mean any new CB would probably be signed as a back-up. Would rather Vest stayed. (Or maybe Hoedt will be that 4th choice CB - gulp!) Gunn is staying at Stoke for next season. We will almost certainly retain Macca and Fraser to fight it out for the GK slot. We might sign a young, one for the future, 'keeper as 3rd choice. Given all the above, that would mean we would only be looking to buy a LB followed by an AM - unless we need to replace someone we sell. So, yes, we should be able to afford one. N.B. If we do need to sign a player to replace a sold one I fully expect us to spend less on the replacement than we get for the outgoing player (i.e. said replacement being young 'with room for improvement'). I would also prefer it if we bought a covering FB outright as opposed to loaning one. However, I do think that we will loan 2 players in regardless next season.

It'll be interesting to see where they shoehorn the match into. Obviously needs to be before the 23rd, which actually means before the 19th. Utd have matches on: 6th. 9th, 12th, 19th, 23rd and, most probably, 26th Liverpool on: 8th, 16th, 19th, 23rd Should have just waited as long as it took and played it today, as the only dates which really could be viable are tomorrow or the 14th (which will cause Liverpool to have a meltdown).

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting article.

The red card was an appalling decision. I fail to see how it was any different from the Balbuena situation last weekend. Once Vest makes contact with the ball where is his foot supposed to go? Then, compare that with Fabhino assaulting Saint-Maximin towards the end of their match last Saturday - no attempt at all on the ball, deliberately took him out - yet because that was back near the half-way line just a yellow. To my mind St-Max was far more likely to go continue his run and score as he had the ball under control when cynically taken out. The authorities, refs and VAR really need to sort their shit out. As for the rest of the match - we were excellent. A fantastic team performance. Macca made a couple of great stops; Stephens was inspired at LB; Salisu looks better and better every time I see him play; JWP and Stuey ran their socks off, as did Che and Redders; but MoM goes to KWP for me, composed defending, dangerous outlet when breaking forward and that header (also unlucky with the offside, that was a good finish).

Re Poch joining - After he joined there was an interview (can't be arsed to try to find it) where he (Poch) stated that (despite Adkins getting us back to back promotions) Cortese approached him during the summer about taking over as manager. (Cortese didn't think Adkins would be up to the job of managing in the prem.) Poch wasn't keen on taking over a club newly promoted to the prem so said he wanted a few months to watch how we played and to assess the players. He then called Cortese to agree to take over in mid January, after Adkins gad already steadied the ship following a poor start to life back in the prem. (We had only lost 3 of the previous 13 matches before Adkins was sacked - winning 4 and drawing 6, including winning away at Villa and drawing away at Chelsea in the last 2.) If you don't believe the above that's up to you. But I remember it quite well. Care to give any other reason as to why Cortese would have sacked Adkins and appointed Poch the very next day, given our recent run of results at the time?

Personally, I have disliked Poch since the day he arrived at St. Mary's. Detest the way he stabbed Adkins in the back, picking his moment to join. I admit he was a very good manager for us, but then he proved what a Twunk he was by the way he left. Paid £4m of his own money to buy out his contract? Bollocks! I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Levy stumped up the cash. I was, therefore, chuffed to nuts that he won the square root of fuck-all at Spurs. Just as I am chuffed to nuts City turned this match around in the 2nd half. Moreover, I am now expecting a raft of posters coming on here to state what crap managers both Poch and Pep are due to fact that, despite a wealth of talent on both benches, only one sub had been brought on before the 80th minute (and that was the one and only sub Pep made all match). What were they thinking?

I've played in matches of 3 x 30 minutes when in the Caribbean and Central America and, on one occasion, 4 quarters (2 x 25 min and 2 x 20 min) in the middle of a jungle in Belize (at an army base); each with a 10 min break in between sessions. The reasons for doing so were obviously heat and humidity. The 3 x 30 minute, with 2 x 15 minute breaks would give more beer time - therefore, potentially, more revenue. But I wouldn't like to see the duration of matches reduced from 90 minutes. As it is, with time wasting, time for free/goal/corner kicks to be taken, players rolling around as if they've been shot just so the opposition kick the ball out of play instead of going on a quick breakaway (see Reguilon during yesterday's cup final), etc, most matches only have about an hours actual ball in play time as it is.

Robbed. Whilst the 2nd half performance wasn't as good as the first, we played much better. Certainly didn't deserve to lose that match.

Fully agree. The EPL should hit them all with -30 points, and tell them it will be -40 next time. That would put Arsenal 19th, Spurs 18th, Liverpool 17th, Chelsea 16th, Utd 13th, City 11th. Effectively meaning none could qualify for Europe next season via the league, and hopefully 1 or 2 to be relegated. That would certainly make an exciting end to the season! Second choice would be Eufa giving them all (and the other 6) a 1 or 2 year ban from European competitions.

I was wondering the same. I think it is probably teams from 3 other countries. Maybe something like Ajax, Benfica and Celtic? Really hope the EPL and EUFA stick to their guns and ban these 6/12 from domestic and European competitions next season. Kick the big six out and replace with: top 3 from Championship, the teams that finish 18th and 19th in prem stay up + play-off winner from champ (don't really mind if that is from those who finish 4th-7th or 4th-6th plus (probably) Sheff Utd. Deduct all points from the big 6 for this season so that we have legitimate teams to qualify for the EUFA competitions.

I think 3 at the back would be a good option. Team I would start with: ---------------Fraser------------- ------Bed------Vest------Salisu---- KWP-----------JWP-------------Bertie ------Moussa--------Stuey---------- --------Adams-------Ings------------ Team I think Ralph will start with: --------------Fraser------------------ KWP-----Bed------Vest-------Bertie ----------JWP-----Diallo------------- ----Stuey-----------------Redders--- ----------Adams-------Ings--------- In any event, I am looking forward to the match with a positive attitude. Yes, we are the underdogs, but I've been used to that most of my life. Just hoping for a good performance and a victory. COYS

Better keep those finders crossed that Prowsey isn't selected on Sunday then! 🙄 Yes, I watch every game. JWP, as with almost every other player, wasn't at the races against WBA. Maybe they had an upcoming semi-final on their minds? Not that that is any excuse. INHO, Ings was probably our worst player in that match. Maybe he should be dropped on Sunday too? Get Adams in. Oh no, scrap that, he missed a sitter in the last minute against Burnley. N'Lundulu it is then. Walcott was awful as well; give Watts a chance. Forster is crap, as is McCarthy - according to many on here. Let's give Lewis the nod. In the Burnley match KWP was by far our worst player. Shocking that he was picked for the Baggies match. Get him out on Sunday - give Ramsey a chance. And surely Tchapchet deserves to be given a chance at CB. Couldn't be any worse that Bednarek or Stephens could he? Always looked good when he's had minutes on the pitch for the first team. And never had a yellow card, let alone a red. Will Ferry has been one of the best p[layers for the B Team this year. Let's get him in as a marauding LB. After all, according to another genius on here, Bertrand is akin to a serious killer disease in our team. (I'm not going to use the word he used as I think he is a complete and utter twat for having done so in the first place.) I could go on, but I'm sure you get my drift. It's easy to sit on the sofa and type bollocks. Just as easy to try to justify said bollocks with a load of drivel. Obviously you are entitled to your opinion that Jankewitz should be selected ahead of JWP for no other reason than you think the latter looks a bit tired. Fair enough. Just as I'm entitled to my opinion that you clearly have very little understanding of football, football players and their abilities. I may have said it before but, thank fuck you're not the Saints manager! (BTW, despite your comments on here, I'm sure if Jankewitz starts on Sunday instead of JWP, and we don't win, you will be one of the first critising Ralph about it.) As my opinion of Jankewitz getting time on the pitch: He was given a golden opportunity to stake his claim and screwed it up. That clearly caused Ralph to lose a fair bit of faith in him. Hence, when the next opportunity came around he picked Stephens in CM ahead of him. Or maybe Ralph thought it unfair to put him in the firing line away to City? Probably the best time to have given him minutes was when 3 up at Bournemouth. But, again, Ralph decided to reward (or rest?) players in other positions. None of us know the real reasons, nor what occurs on the training ground on a daily basis. People will always use anything that happens to support their own agenda (more the likes of SKD, not usually yourself). I would personally like to Jankewitz get game time for the first team - in the right match, at the right time. That doesn't necessarily mean as a starter. Bring him on for the last 20/30 minutes in a meaningless match we are not chasing or desperately clinging onto the points in. Aside from Bournemouth, I struggle to think when such a time occurred. Ralph has stated he will give Jankevitz when the right opportunity permits. I hope he keeps to his word, in the manner I have just stated. However, I see absolutely no reason why he should be given a starting place when more experienced and superior performing players are fit and available. I only get 3 posts a day and have now said just about all I want on this topic. So please excuse me if I don't respond further. Have a nice evening and try to enjoy the match on Sunday.

So you would drop our captain, 2nd highest goal scorer and top creator of goals for a kid who in his only start lasted less than 2 minutes before getting a red card? And you have audacity to criticise the judgement of the person who watches them both train every day? Thank fuck you're not the manager!!! 🤣🤣🤣

Spot on! Prior to the Burnley match Bednarek had a tough game midweek Vs England, in which I thought he played very well. By Monday he would have gone a full week of 'just' training. Whilst Salisu does look a good prospect, as you say, he is also prone to making errors. I believe more so than Bednarek. Absolutely no way should, or will, Ralph drop him for Monday's match. I expect KWP to be okay, seeing as Ralph only called a 'little' problem with his leg. So 'keeper and back 4 pick themselves, as do JWP and Diallo in midfield. I think the bigger question is the front 4, and possibly only Ings is a given. Armstrong absolutely should be a nailed on starter, but Ralph does like to rotate/rest him. Redmond has scored in the last 2, but Adams had scored in the previous 3 before Burnley. I think Redmond was (rightly) given the nod last time out simply because Adams played most of the match for Scotland a few days earlier. Maybe Adams will get the nod up front with Redmond moving back to a 10? We do tend to play so much better when Theo is on the pitch. Djenepo probably offers a bit more defensively, and certainly unpredictability. I imagine it will be very tempting to play Minamino, given he is cup-tied the following week. I am pretty sure the only reason he didn't get any minutes on Sunday was due to his international travels. And then there's Tella knocking on the door, although still probably happy to be an option from the bench. Such a nice headache to have: 4 from Ings, Adams, Redmond, Theo, Armstrong, Minamino, Djenepo and Tella. Also great that 4 of those can play up top or as a 10. Arguments could be made for all of them to start on Monday. Personally, my starting 11 would be: Forster KWP Bednarek Vestergard Bertrand JWP Diallo Armstrong Theo Adams Ings Subs: McCarthy, Stephens, Salisu, Jankevitch, Djenepo, Minamino, Redmond, Tella (+ Ferry OR Ramsey - depending on KWP's leg issue) Harsh on Redmond, but I just feel Adams' strength and link play will be better suited than Nathan's pace for this match. WBA 1 - Saints 3 I called it right last week (except for Ferry on the bench vice Ramsey) and the score which I predicted to be 2-0. Don't mind getting the score wrong again, so long as it is still a Saints win! COYS

"Kyle had a little problem with his leg....." Doesn't sound anything serious to me. I'm sure he will be fine for Monday.

I think Theo, Redmond and Tella can all play up front or in the 10 position. With Adams/Ings (or replacement) and Armstrong/Moussa that gives us 7 players for 4 places. If it is deemed one more is required it could well be that the article was correct in us looking to bring in another striker. Don't really think Elyonoussi is the answer. SPL is his level. Also, don't think he is up to the rigours of a pressing style, especially with the defensive elements that would be required of him. Of those still on our book, would rather see Obafemi get the 8th spot. That said, really think we will end up trying to ship out both of them, as well as Long. Fingers crossed we can also finally get Lemina and Hoedt off our books!!

From the above: "When he turns up and works hard he will get another chance, for sure. He will get the chance to show us that he can do it better than he did against Manchester United," said Hasenhuttl. "Hopefully, he left this bad moment behind and looks forward to getting better and competing with the other players in the six [position]."