Minsk

The question posed for this thread is 'Are we a better team when JWP isn't in it'. I have answered that question, and given my reasons. You have answered differently, without giving any reason other than you think one player who replaced him for a few matches seems (to you) to pass the ball forwards quicker. None of that has anything to do with how I rate JWP or Diallo. I am basing my 'belief' on fact. You are unwilling to engage in that. Says far more about you and your 'beliefs' than me and mine.

Again, sorry if asking for some reasoning on what may have formed your opinion. As I said, you're as entitled to one as the next person. No bother with that, as I often have to point out when we disagree on things. Just trying to understand where people come from. Have you ever heard of debating? Asking questions and giving answers. Giving reasons for opinions? It seems every time anyone tries to engage with such things you revert to the usual 'We're all entitled to an opinion. Get over it that someone has a different one to you'. I have tried to explain why mine is different. You have chosen to ignore all those points and arguments. Yet I'm the one being a cock? Grow up fella.

As I thought, unable to quantify reasoning so hide behind excuses. Never mind. Where was the 'vitriol'? Maybe you know a different definition of the word to me. Where did I ask if you are 'insecure'? I asked if someone explaining their reasons and asking to do likewise makes you feel insecure. Not the same thing. Or is that just another way to try to deflect your lack of any reasoning away from having an actual debate. Maybe it was a Feudian slip?

Passive is Massive. That saying will clearly be lost on you, but is one I often used when in the RN. (I was a Passive SONAR operator). Do you think I'm being aggressive? I'm sorry petal. I will try to be gentle with you in the future. I mean, I very rarely use offensive words or name call, unlike many on here. As I said earlier, I do try to back up my thoughts and opinions with valid reasoning. Maybe it just bugs me when others disagree with those opinions but are unable to quantify their reasoning. Maybe I should work on that. Sorry again.

Hilarious. The way you have worded the above is you alluding to the fact that he can't be that good because he isn't regularly picked in every England squad. I don't think it just my Saints bias that believes he offers he far more than Henderson (for example). I also believe he is a better all round player than Kalvin Phillips (that one has been debated to death). I know many fans of other teams who agree with me. You don't. No worries. You're entitled to that opinion. But to try and bash him because Southgate doesn't pick him for every squad is ridiculous. That said, and to drop to your petty level, how many full caps does Diallo have for France? Maybe there's a reason for that number........

Yes, it's all about opinions - as we have discussed and agreed many times before. Why do you keep throwing that up whenever someone has a different opinion to you? Does it make you feel insecure? I'm absolutely fine with others having a different opinion to me. It is great when they can back up their opinion with something tangible, other than a 'well, it's my opinion'. I always try to do so. My opinion is that the reason we looked better going forwards in the 3 previous matches was down to a number of factors, such as: the opposition; the shape and tactics of the team as determined by Ralph; the payers selected for certain positions. I do not think that we looked any less effective against Watford than we did in any of the preceding 3 matches. If you do, please try to quantify why. Comparing apples with apples is exactly what comparing the 2 players in the same team against the same opposition on the same day is. Comparing JWP playing at home to Man Utd or away to Man City with Diallo at home to Leeds (missing their best midfielder) or away to Sheffield Utd most certainly isn't. I wonder how Diallo would have fared if Kalvin Phillips had been opposite him? Can't really see him nullifying KP as JWP did last season. Might be wrong though. If we are better as a team with Diallo playing as opposed to JWP then surely we would have played better when the change was made? As it happened, Diallo was extremely wasteful hen he came on. He made one very good tackle. End of. I believe we are better with JWP because: he a better tackler; has a better range of passing; is more experienced; has created, and is far better at creating, goals for other players (from open play, not just set pieces); is capable of scoring a range of goals himself (again, from open play and not just set pieces). I could probably go on but that's enough for now. You think we are a better team the other way around because it seems to you that Diallo passes the ball forwards more quickly than JWP. (Regardless of the fact that not once has that ever led to a Saints goal). Any other reason? Goals and assists don't count? Defensive duties don't count?

It wasn't an argument, it was a question. One which you failed to answer, as you often do when it is too difficult for you. It must be hard having such a poor grasp of the English language and being unable to distinguish the difference between a question and an argument. Maybe English isn't your first language? Not judging. I've played plenty of football thanks. All around the world. Even in matches against top, top, players. Including full internationals for their countries. Have you played much? Not that it really matters. Lawrie Mac wasn't much of a player. I guess he was a shit manager because of it, huh? Whereas Le Tissier has had a glittering managerial career..... Yes, I watched the full match. If you did also, and you think JWP was simply 'average' it says more about your football knowledge than mine. To turn my original question (which I would still like an answer to) into more of an argument (seeing as that is where you want to go) I am sure that Diallo must have improved our attacking prowess when he replaced Prowse? After all, according you, we are a better team with him in the side vice JWP.

From what I saw, didn't happen that way at all on Saturday. JWP was every bit as progressive, playing some excellent forward passes, as Diallo had been against similar opposition. We also lost all forward momentum when Diallo replaced him for the final 10 minutes.

How would you say the team performed in the last 10 minutes on Saturday? Especially in comparison to the first half?

Yes, West Ham are a very good team at the moment. Just shows what a great job Ralph did to get Saints to shut them out completely and to be the breadth of a goalpost/an exceptional goal line clearance away from beating them.

Yeh, brain fart. Just remembered Tindall was manager last season. Forgot Howe had been out of work for so long. In any event, I still think Parker is better. Just because got Bournemouth promoted as champions (due to their winning their last game of that season, whilst Watford lost theirs) in 2015 really doesn't prove much now. How is Brian McDermott's managerial career going? In any event, I rescind my statement of 'appears to be proving'.

Really? Bugger me. I thought Bournemouth were playing in the Championship this season. How come they didn't get promoted if they won the league?

Don't you mean Ralph? Pretty sure Howe is meant to be unveiled at St Mary's before midnight. I guess they could come in with last minute offer though.............

I said 'appears to be proving'. As in, it is my opinion - not a statement of fact. The reason for my having such an opine is based on Bournemouth's results this season in comparison to those under Howe during the previous one. Granted, Howe also had a good start to the season last time out and Bournemouth may well fade away again as the season progresses. But Howe didn't have as a good a start as Parker is having and also had more of Bournemouth's premier league players at his disposal, including Danjuma who basically carried them to most of their results.

Absolutely. He should also be charged with GBH for that. It was truly awful. No idea why Evans only got a yellow and not a straight red for Leicester yesterday either, after wrestling Aubameyang to the ground as the last defender.

I think Parker is already a better manager than Howe, as he appears to be proving at Bournemouth. Potter is head and shoulders above both. Could see Spurs sacking Nuno; Potter replacing him; Howe going to Brighton. Brighton to then implode in 2nd half of the season.

But he only left us because he wanted to move to a club where he would be challenging to win the Champions League every year. Honest guv!

We certainly weren't better in the last 10 minutes yesterday. Far from it!

That would be interesting. A 4-3-3 with a midfield of Diallo-Romeu-JWP behind a front 3 of Arma-Broja-Che. Given his recent performances though, I feel it would work better with Redders vice Che. That would also give more options to change formation mid match with changing personnel.

I honestly don't think they will be able their way out of relegation this season. I believe they have already stated that they won't be spending more than £50m in the January window. And hasn't there been a temporary rule put in place stopping them from suddenly splashing the cash? So the 50 is probably about all they are allowed to spend. The key to their survival will be appointing the right manager and keeping Wilson and Saint-Maximin fit. They are their only 2 decent players.

You're right, no one is paying £50m for our captain and only current England international. Thanks for agreeing with me. As I said, he would cost more than that. By the way, why did you feel the need to put an expletive into the middle of his name? Do you have some deep, underlying, hatred towards him? Maybe go get some counselling?

£50m wouldn't buy his left foot, let alone his right. No way should we sell our best player, and captain, to a clear rival in mid-season.

Yet when the proof proves your opinion wrong it's just pony. 🙄

Given Broja's injury, I don't think the team will be far from this: McCarthy Tino Bednarek Salisu Perraud JWP Romeu S Armstrong Redmond A Armstrong Adams Possibly Moi starting vice Stu? But as he had an op on his hand on Monday wouldn't have trained much this week. Subs: Forster; KWP; Valery; Lyanco; Diallo; Smallbone; Djenepo; Moi; Tella

Match Day 9 Match Day Comparison: Last season we drew match day 9 1-1 away at Wolves. Last Saturday's draw gives no change in points or GD. -9 Points; -8 GD Head-to-Head Comparison: Last season we beat Burnley 3-2 at St Mary's. Unfortunately this time around we couldn't manage to find that winning 3rd goal. The 2-2 draw means we drop to: +3 Points; +4 GD Next up, on Match Day 10, is our first encounter of the season with one of the newly promoted sides - Watford. As they came up in 2nd place, for the purposes of the head-to-head comparison I will compare results with last season's ones against WBA (the team who finished 19th). Our trip to The Hawthorns was pretty dire, ending in a 3-0 defeat. Match Day 10 wasn't much better. That one saw us leading 2-0 at home against Man Utd, before halftime, only to eventually lose the game 3-2 (with Cavani scoring the winner, and his 2nd, in the 90th minute). Really need to avoid a defeat in this one. Could also do with avoiding another draw and notching up a win here. Ever the optimist, I'm going to go for a 3-1 win. COYS