Turkish

So you don't think we've looked better defensively with Guly there? I think the support he has given Shaw in the last two games has been excellent. Snuffed out AOC today.

Not really. Lallana is a bit of a golden boy in some fans eyes, yet we've just put in two good performances against two good sides without him and it's noticeable that as a unit we looked better than we have for some time IMO. It's not just any old player we are talking about.

Bring back Puma Kings. Proper football boots!

The flip side of that is that with Lallana there what he isn't is a good defender so we wouldn't have neutralised AOC as well. The last two games Guly has given the protection to the full back we've missed on the left a lot of the season.

We got a point and scored three goals against one of the best defences in Europe, we'd have got all three but for an unbelivable strike injury time. It's a point more than most fans thought we would get at 3pm on Saturday.

Really? Over the 3 games in christmas period we are actually two ahead of where I thought we'd be.

Yes, he's a great player. But have the last two performances proven we are actually a better team without him?

After watching us miss out on three points thanks for a stunning 30 yard injury time equaliser at the one of the hardest away grounds in the country and today play very well and keep team that had been banging in the goals down to one shot on target, it got me thinking this. Now I love Lallana as much as any fan and think hes a great player, but since he's been out and Guly has provided us with some much needed tracking back and cover for the full back as well a reasonable attacking threat, we look a solid unit but also still a threat going forward. it's noticeable that in the last two games we've had little threat from the flanks, somewhere we were always vunerbale when AL is playing. As I say, I'm a big Lallana fan and also believe you should play your best players, however as has been proven many times in the past, the best individuals don't always make the best team and we have certainly looked a better team the last two games against good opposition than we have at anytime this season. What do people think?

There is little doubt that Yoshida and Fonte are forming a decent partnership. It's no coincidence that when Fonte plays alongside Yoshida he looks better. For whatever reason last season I never felt Fonte looked comfortable alongside Hooliveld and this reflected in his performances. Of course Hooliveld was popular last season because he scored a few goals and clapped the fans after every game it in reality as a defender IMO he wasn't up to much, a competent championship defender but no more than that. I said this many times season and this and was told I was wrong. Yoshida has proven to be a good defender and a good signing. We certainly do need another centre back but to get better than we have we are going to need to bring some real quality in, which can only be a good thing.

Cork at right aback is just plain wierd. Not very good there and been a massive influence in midfield.

Why does anyone care what he thinks?

He only needs to look at how Theo and AOC ruined their careers by going to Arsenal to realise he didn't want to make the same mistake.

I thought they'd all left?

I though it would be quite obvious Matthew.

Not sure to be honest. I'll check. I was a cup final baby though, if Saints had lost that day I'd never have graced this forum.

Oh don't be Afraid, there is nothing to worry about, we are all friends on here.

Yes, I'm a hero. Thanks.

This complacency will cost us.

£5m is a joke figure. If he is allowed to leave at all, kiss good bye to a 50% academy based first team squad. If he is is allowed to leave for £5m, we are im financial trouble.

Well is it?!!

Happy new year mugs.

My dad missed my birth because he was the FA Cup fifth round match v Man U at the Dell in 1977. True story, I don't know if that explains a lot or leaves more questions than answers.

dsm

I thought you'd be staying in an watching a nights worth of Question Time recordings.

I wouldnt put it past Cortese to pull the old Joe Pesci 'funny what' routine from Godfellas if he tries laughing off any thoughts of joining Southampton.