Saint Charlie

A player who played in the 2010 World Cup final, has lost his way slightly but for that kind of price its a low risk deal. Gives us another wide option (if true) and I think has played up front before. Koeman will know him well so if he wants him then great.

Clyne would improve any PL side IMO apart from maybe Chelsea and City. Destined for big things.

I don't think you could form an opinion from the time he was on the pitch to be honest. Think he had a bad injury which he has recovered from recently. Was always quite highly rated, think he was on the bench before under Adkins.

Bit of both. They were tidy and had more of the ball but didnt have a creative spark and we defended really well. Other end they didnt deal well with Long and conceded three goals they would consider pretty poor. Think we deserved to win but it wasnt really a 3-0 game if that makes sense.

Think Gardos is available as only had a one match ban. Might not be too bad as Fonte gets a break and will be fresh for Chelsea. Only having one day in between matches is mad so we may have rested a couple anyway.

Barkley will become a really great player. So powerful, good with both feet, strong, quick and nimble. We defended him well and they didnt get him on the ball far enough forward but the difference between him and say JWP physically was enormous.

Class win. Formation really suited who we had available and Long had his best game for us without doubt. Everyone played well, Reed great.

He definitely does need a rest. Hasnt been as good in the last 7 or 8 games as in the first 7 or 8. If we get him back for Palace or Chelsea in that kind of form then its well worth it IMO. Re Lallana he often came off before the end but maybe that was good management because he rarely missed a game and was consistent enough to be voted by fellow pros into the team of the year ahead of the likes of Silva.

This. Take out the four from Sunderland and his record is average. Stats aren't everything.

Personally think Lallana is a better player in that he has more goals in him than Tadic at PL level and takes up better positions in and around the box (at least did for us). Tadic has one league goal (in the Sunderland win), and really for someone in that position and with that ability it isn't enough. He tends to do well when the team is on top but aside from the assist for Clyne at Liverpool I can't think of a game changing moment from Tadic. He has also made little impact away from home apart from Liverpool away and Arsenal in the cup. He is a very good player but like the team as a whole was probably overhyped after the first 10 games. Regarding the tiredness. I think from what Koeman said its more he has a few knocks and isnt able to be at his best. The timing is very bad but if we had any kind of squad depth in that position we could cover it. But we don't.

Also begin to lose the English feel to the squad.

Good point but its ptobably more that they just take time to sort out. Targett's has only just been done and thats been discussed since the summer.

Not a player, but Nigel Adkins would be very high up the scale of honour.

After Unbelievable Jeff said Clyne will sign a new deal because he "seems honourable", it got me thinking who the most honourable Saint of all time has been? Would put an early shout out for Franny Benali who gave his all at the club, played with honour and has continued with his humble attitude beyond his playing days. Also a lesser spotted Saint Kleber Chala who honourably followed his pal the Tin Man to the UK and stuck at it despite being a joke figure to the other players in training. There must be some better suggestions though? Duncan - any shouts from bygone generations?

It obviously doesn't mean he will stay for 5 years but is definitely good news. Anyone who thinks it makes no difference is a wally.

So Targett signed up, Koeman saying we want to keep Cork but will he want to stay after being messed about a bit? Nothing on Clyne or Jay Rod but I don't think anyone really expects them to sign new deals anyway.

Been clear for a month or so that Tadic has been struggling so its probably the right call to take him out for a week or so. Of we get a better set of performances from him in the next 10 games he plays than the previous 10 it will have been a good call.

Front three of Mane and Long either side of Pelle with Toby, Davis and JWP in midfield.

Knock and tired but likely to play.

Sounds like Pelle and Davis have a good chance to play.

Tadic out as has been overworked. Pelle and Davis doubtful. Christ. We could get hammered.

Toby has to play midfield IMO or we will get done in that area. JWP and Davis lightweight enough without putting Reed in also, plus no guarentee Davis is even fit. Fonte, Clyne and Mane all one yellow away from a ban. One plus: Mirallas is definitely out for them.

More chance of Mayuka scoring a hattrick versus Everton than this.

A nil nil draw would be a great result really. Need to halt the losing streak as soon as possible.

If you only have 2 strikers, the second one needs to be better than Long. Any way you look at it, we were ripped off for him. He is so different to Pelle that with one player banned we have to change the whole style of the team. Strange.