Minsk

Match Day 5 - away to Crystal Palace - won 1-0 A thoroughly deserved victory away to The Eagles; and a majestic performance from Mario Lemina. Hopefully this puts the 'always to lose to a new manager' thing to bed. Match Day Comparison Last season we also won Match Day 5 by one goal to nil; on that occasion at home to Swansea. Therefore, this 3 points keeps us.... 3 points better off Match by Match Comparison Last season we lost (3-0) away to Palace. The points gained here makes us...... 1 point better off So, for both means of comparison, we are exactly back to where we were after Match Day 2. Next up, tomorrow, on Match Day 6 is a little matter of hosting high-flying Man Utd. Last season Match Day 6 saw us notch-up a 3-0 win away to West Ham; whilst our home match against United, the penultimate one of the season, drew a blank for both sides giving a 0-0 draw. In all honesty, I would gladly take a draw tomorrow at this stage, especially given the start to the season United have had! COYS

------------------Forster--------------- ---------Maya----Vvd-----Hoedt------ Cedric----Lemina---Romeu---Bertrand -----------------Davis----------------- ----------Long----------Gabbiadini---

Good memory! That had slipped my mind. I guess my point was losing away to Arsenal doesn't (usually) feel as bad as losing at home to Watford, where we only managed one shot on target which was in the 92nd minute. But, I do get your point.

Match Day 4 - Home to Watford - Lost 0-2 I have been putting off writing this all week, because the performance last Saturday was, quite simply, one of the worst I can remember for a very long time. Almost a week on and it is still painful to think about, but what did the loss do to our points comparison with last season? Match Day Comparison Last season we also lost Match Day 4, although that time it was a 'not so hard to take' 2-1 loss away to Arsenal. Therefore, we actually remain.... 3 points better off Match by Match Comparison Last season, on the opening day, we drew 1-1 at home to Watford. So, one point dropped puts us at a........ 2 point deficit Next up, tomorrow lunch-time, on Match Day 5 is a nice little trip up to Selhurst Park to play Palace away. Last season Match Day 5 saw us beat Swansea 1-0 at St. Mary's, a few days after defeating Sparta Prague 3-0 in the Europa League. Our trip away to Crystal Palace last season, however, saw us crumble to a 3-0 defeat. Given that, so far, Palace have lost every league match (they are still in the EFL Cup, having beaten Ipswich 2-1), without scoring a single goal, I sincerely hope we get a much better result this time around. In all honesty I would probably take a draw right now, but am ever hopeful for a win....... COYS

This gets my vote. Possibly Maya vice Jack Stephens (although I thought Jack was one of the very few positives from the Watford match) and Steve Davis vice JWP (if it is thought that the captain can't be dropped, and/or to add a bit more physicality than JWP offers). But something different must be tried. I really don't see the point in persevering with the 4-2-3-1 and a front 4 of Redmond-Davis-Tadic behind Gabbi leading the line on his own. The only major disagreement I have with your post above is the possibility of Hojberg coming off the bench to make an impact if needed. 1. I doubt h will even make the bench 2. with the possible exception of Watford at home last season (first match thereof) I can't recall him ever coming on and making a difference. Hojberg is not an attacking midfielder. He has only scored 2 goals in his entire career, and they were both more than 2 years ago.

Match Day 3 - Away to Huddersfield - Drew 0-0 Well, following a very disappointing home loss to Wolves in the EFL Cup we at least remain unbeaten (thus far) in the league; but appear to once more have problems scoring goals........ Match Day Comparison Last season we also drew match day 3. On that occasion it was at home and against the team who would go on to finish bottom of the league - Sunderland - by a 1-1 scoreline. Therefore, this draw means we remain...... 3 points better off Match by Match Comparison As previously mentioned, for this comparison method, Huddersfield (being the team promoted via the play-offs) replace Sunderland (the team who finished 20th). Last season we won, 4-0, away to Sunderland. Therefore this is 2 points dropped, and gives us a...... 1 point deficit Next up, on Match Day 4, is a home match against Watford; a team who signed 11 new players this summer and who were our opponents at St. Mary's on the opening day of last season. That day saw us draw 1-1, thanks to an equaliser from Nathan Redmond; whereas, Match Day 4 saw us lose 2-1 away to Arsenal. Hopefully, all of our players (who were called up) return fit, healthy and fresh from their international duties and we not only rediscover how to score once more, but do so whilst notching up an emphatic win. Thankfully I don't have a mortgage, so can't risk losing it on such a bet.... COYS

Nope, in 45+ years of watching football I have never, ever, seen a team play with 2 strikers up top - never, ever, ever. I am sure you are right and that team who is ever stupid enough to try such a thing will get absolutely hammered. :mcinnes: I don't think the plan is to go 'full on Chelsea' but, most certainly, I expect to see us play that formation on a number of occasions this season. I am pretty sure that I read Pellegrino often changed formations and tactics last season, and that he used 3 CBs when playing against the top sides last season. Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised to see us employ a 5-3-2/3-4-1-2 when playing the (so called) big 6, especially away from home. As for the striker situation, the most incisive I have seen us in attack since Pellegrino arrived was in the Seville match for the brief period when Long and Gabbiadini were on the pitch together. Long stretches defences; Gabbiadini makes clever runs, finding space. I would very much like to see them play together from the start. FWIW, I don't think a Gabbi/Austin partnership will work very well, unfortunately. For those matches against the top teams I wouldn't be surprised to see, and would actually like to see, something like: ---------------------Forster------------------------ ---------Maya-------VvD--------Hoedt------------ Cedric----Lemina-------Romeu---------Bertrand -------------------Davis------------------------- -----------Long------------Gabbi--------------- With Boufal replacing Davis as the game goes on/when needed for a bit more craft/creativity As for the Watford match, something like this: -------------------Forster------------------- Cedric-----Maya---------Hoedt-----Bertrand -------------------Romeu--------------------- --------Lemina---------------Davis----------- -------------------Boufal---------------------- -------Long------------------Gabbi-----------

If it is true that he has, once more, changed agent then we are on the way to that which I wrote on another thread: season long loan to Chelsea with option for them to buy for fixed price (70/75m) on 01 July next year. That way the board have kept their word in that he hasn't been sold this summer and we get him away from St Mary's/Staplewood. Okay, I doubt this will happen but it is my second favourite option after 'let him rot with the U23s for the foreseeable'. I also doubt we will see Costa coming the other way; but I can dream...........

The board will keep their word and VvD will not be sold. He will, however, go to Chelsea on a season long loan with option to buy at 70m on 01 July 2018, providing he changes agent by then. In return, we will take Costa on loan from them for the season. Two want-away players away from their clubs. Happy days. Now, where is that second bottle of vodka..............

Me too. Indeed, part of me thinks it may happen when looking at the fact he didn't start on Wednesday. I would like to see a 4-3-3 of: -----------------------------Forster------------------------ Cedric--------Yoshida-------------Hoedt--------Bertrand -----------Davis----------Romeu-----------Lemina------- ----------Redmond-------Gabbidini--------Long---------- This could translate into: -----------------------------Forster------------------------ Cedric--------Yoshida-------------Hoedt--------Bertrand ----------------Romeu-----------Lemina------------------ --------------------------Davis----------------------------- ----------Redmond-------Gabbidini--------Long---------- OR -----------------------------Forster------------------------ Cedric--------Yoshida-------------Hoedt--------Bertrand -----------Davis----------Romeu-----------Lemina------- ---------------------------Gabbiadini---------------------- ----------Redmond-------------------------Long---------- Use the pace of Redmond and Long on the break, with Gabbiadini coming into the space behind.

Wesley Hoedt, Wesley Hoedt, a beast in the air Wesley Hoedt, Weley Hoedt, wins the ball everywhere Great at the back, and he gets us goals Wesley Hoedt, Wesley Hoedt, Wesley Hoedt Or, for the haters/knockers... Wesley Hoedt, Wesley Hoedt, gave away a pen Wesley Hoedt, Weley Hoedt, like having Fonte back again Scored an own goal, this fella has to go Wesley Hoedt, Wesley Hoedt, Wesley Hoedt Although, personally, I like the 'Who let the dogs out' tune: Who cleared the ball out? Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt Who won the header? Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt Who's the best defender? Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt Who scored that worldy? Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt, Hoedt I'm sure there could be many more variants......

I don't think it is so much a question of 'resting players' rather than giving 'fringe players' game time to get/keep them match fit/ready. This means giving game time to all those who could be called upon to play if anyone were to pick up a knock during training (for example). Players who have not yet started a match this season and may have only had some game time during pre-season. Players like: McCarthy Pied Targett McQueen Bednarek PEH Boufal Long Austin I would have added: Gallagher and Classie, but rumours are that they are off Gardos but feel he is too far down the pecking order Lemina, but doubt he will play given the gash on his leg So, the 9 players above plus 2 others. For those 2 I would pick Yoshida over Stephens (as he would be the natural choice for captain, plus I feel Bednarek/Stephens CB pairing is too inexperienced) and JWP (as it seems he has lost his place in the first 11 to Lemina). That would give a starting team something like this: ---------------------------------McCarthy------------------------------- Pied---------------Bednarek----------------Yoshida--------------Targett --------------------JWP----------------------PEH------------------------ Long---------------------------Boufal--------------------------McQueen --------------------------------Austin------------------------------------- Can't say I'm too enthused with a JWP/PEH pairing protecting a Yoshida/Bednarek pairing but hey-ho. I would rather a slight tweak, as in: ---------------------------------McCarthy------------------------------- Pied---------------Bednarek----------------Yoshida-------------McQueen --------------------Romeu----------------------PEH-------------------- JWP-----------------------------Boufal----------------------------Long ---------------------------------Austin----------------------------------

Match Day 2 - Home to West Ham - Won 3-2 Yay! Goals at St. Mary's - and a win to boot; although it was made harder than it should have been........ Match Day Comparison Last season we lost Match Day 2 (2-0) away to Man Utd. Therefore, compared to this stage last season, this win means we are...... 3 points better off Match by Match Comparison Last season we lost at home to West Ham (3-1). So this win means we are now...... 1 point better off Next up, after a league cup match at home to Wolves, is our first ever premier league match away to Huddersfield. I am sure we all remember playing them in League 1 six years ago. Back then they beat us 2-0 up there. Overall, including cup matches, both home and away, we have played the Terriers 24 times. This has resulted in 11 wins, 2 draws and 11 losses - all honours even. However, for the sake of this points comparison, seeing as they were the team promoted via the play-offs, I will be comparing the results we attained last season with the team who finished bottom in the prem - Sunderland. Funnily enough, last season Match Day 3 was at home to Sunderland. A match which we drew 1-1; whilst our away trip to Sunderland came in Match Day 25 and saw us run out as emphatic victors, winning by 4-0. I don't think we see that result this coming Saturday, but I desperately want us to win (or, at least, not lose). Of course, I want that every week. But, whilst I have nothing against Huddersfield and was even very pleased to see them promoted, I do have a very good friend who is a huge Huddersfield fan...... Beers are at stake here!!

Match Day 1 - Home to Swansea - Drew 0-0 One of those disappointing matches where we dominated possession yet failed to convert chances into goals - just like at the end of last season. But, where does it put us in regard to points compared with last season? Match Day Comparison Last season we opened with a 1-1 draw at home to Watford. So this point puts us on...... Even points Match by Match Comparison Last season we beat Swansea at St Mary's 1-0. That victory was our first of the season and came in match day 5. I hope we don't have to wait so long for our first win this time around! Anyway, Saturday's draw means we begin this method of comparison with a....... 2 point deficit Next up, this Saturday, on Match Day 2 is another home match (although rearranged due the opposition's stadium usage) against West Ham. Last season we lost Match Day (2-0) away to Man Utd; whilst our home match against The Iron saw us defeated by three goals to one. Reversing that scoreline will see a positive points score for both comparison methods. COYS

I was unsure whether or not to bother doing a points comparison for this season. The reason I started it last season was because of the spit fan-base a few matches into the season. As can be seen from the post above, last season we ended up 17 points worse off than the previous one - which had been when we achieved our highest points total in the Premier League ever! Thus, it was always probable that we would fall short of that feat; however, the huge chasm between the two was what prompted most on here to call for Puel's head. With that in mind, and the fact that I have had a couple of requests to repeat/continue this thread, I thought it might be interesting to follow the points progress through the season once more. I also thought that it would be easier for me, and for comparison, to add this season on to the thread from last season. Of course, as always, there are three new teams replacing the relegated ones. Therefore, for the purpose of comparison, I will substitute those teams in this way: Newcastle vice Hull; Brighton vice Middlesbrough; Huddersfield vice Sunderland. First up, of course, is tomorrow's season opener at home to Swansea. Last season we drew our opening match 1-1 at home to Watford; whilst our home match against The Swans came on Match Day 5 and gave us our first win of the season, 1-0. Here's hoping that we get off to winning ways against Swansea once more, and achieve our first ever opening day home win in the Prem. COYS

A perfect time to get that particular Monkey off of our backs, and to clock up our 1000th win. Head and heart says a 2-0 win......... ...........experience says 1-1 draw

A quick look on Soccerbase shows he ref'd us 3 times last season, all at St. Mary's. Losses to Chelsea and West Brom (in which he sent VvD off) and the 1-0 win over....... Swansea!!

Absolutely this!!! Different jobs have different contracts and terms of how/when one can change their place of employment. For example: all those people currently serving in the British armed forces, if they were to be offered a new job at 2, 3 or 4 times their current salary would have to submit 12 months' (yes, one whole year) notice to leave the military. It is something they were aware of when they signed their contracts. van Djck was well aware, when he signed his contract last year, under what terms and conditions he would be allowed to move on - if such an event was to occur. i.e. that any club wanting him would have to go through the proper channels, and meet our asking price, before they would be permitted to speak to him and offer said 2, 3 or 4 times salary. Yes, he is human like all of us; which means, like all of us, when you have been caught with your trousers down, trying to be clever and sly, you need to accept the consequences of your actions.

I think yesterday we saw how we will play against the better teams this season: defend deep and in numbers; short passes between players to work the ball out of defence; attack as a team, midfielders getting forward to support the attackers. I was impressed with: Gabbi (great movement and ability to see and take a shot from anywhere - had one good effort, from distance, saved and decent goal) Stephens (looked very assured, especially with carrying the ball out of defense) Cedric (great to see him in the side) Jake Flannigan (looked very assured and brought a good save from their 'keeper with a cracking shot) and, my MoM Davis (seemed to be everywhere, winning tackles, getting attacks started, and a lovely assist for Gabbi's goal) It was also interesting for the brief time after Long came on and Gabbi was playing just behind him. I thought that was when we looked our best going forward. For the most part the match was far from scintillating, but the team did the job.

Stephens wore 6 against St Etienne

He started in 23 league matches (37 overall) for a team who finished in the top 8 last season. But yeh, I guess we should sign one of Kompany, Otamendi, Cahill, Luiz, Koscielny, Matip, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, etc, just to be safe....... Other than that, good arguement..... Yes, there are better CBs in the PL than Yoshida - nobody is denying that. However, he isn't as bad as many on here make out. I think most still judge him on his performances of a few seasons ago. IMHO, last season he performed better than the likes of Fonte, Wimmer, Smalling, Jones, Stones, Lovren, Klavan, Jagielka, Williams, Merteseker, Gabriel, Daniels, Smith, Mings and Evans; all of whom played for teams which finished in the top 10 of the PL last season.

This This This and this. Les needs to be firm on this. VvD says he wants to move, yet we haven't received any bids for him. No doubt we have told him how much we want in order to facilitate his sale. Unless we are offered that fee he goes nowhere. If he doesn't want to play, he shouldn't be paid. The only slightly worrying thing is if we receive an acceptable bid too late to bring in a decent replacement (Sakho is NOT a decent replacement).

I think you will find that Celtic wouldn't sell us VvD any sooner as they were competing in the CL. I am sure we would have bought him sooner had we had the opportunity to do so. If you want a team that spends way and beyond its means to guarantee winning something and then go into administration with subsequent relegation I suggest you look a little way to the east. Additionally, do you really think Saints have a huge amount of money sat in the bank doing nothing and that they don't spend anything on players? If so, go look at the facts in regard to the balance sheet. For you and your friend above, can either of you please name two players whom we can realistically sign and whom would guarantee us to win silverware this season. You both seem to think it so easy, so you must have answers. I would always like us to sign better players than we have. I would like them to be signed at the beginning of every transfer window, and not at the end. (I am absolutely certain we could have brought Gabbiadini in before the last day of January.) I also want our club to be well run, with no possibility of ever again going into admin. Moreover, I will also give those running the club a chance to improve the playing staff without bleating about us not having signed any star players (yet) this window every five minutes. I don't think there is a single Saints who would say we shouldn't sign anyone. Just because it isn't splattered all over the press doesn't mean discussions are not happening somewhere (he says, hopefully....)

[emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23] That is a most excellent article!!

I guess the scouts have seen something in him, because he didn't look any better than Alfie Jones during the U21 tournament. I'm not writing him off before he has joined, just saying that it seems a strange signing: obviously not signed as a first team starter; young squad filler, blocking the path of home grown players. Oh well, good luck to him. I hope he becomes our new Mark Wright.