Saint Charlie

What a game. Fair play to Arsenal for the ticket prices which certainly helped make it such a great game. If we get a home tie I would hope we also opt for such a sensible structure and get a full house. Most things already said about the game but: 1. Targett was excellent, especially his passing and composure on the ball. 2. Gardos looked a very, very good centre back and to be honest looked better than Maya. Certainly no issues if he plays a lot of games. 3. Mane looked like a maverick. Slippery eel who will wind other teams up because he goes down so, so easily. Once we beat that out of him we will have a great asset because he is quick, direct and skillful. One classic in the second half where he beat a man, had the chance to run on towards the box and relieve some pressure and instead did some kind of showboat trick and then just passed backwards. Haha. Really look a class team though, and the most praise must go to the Manager for treating the competition seriously. We have enough quality to make a small number of changes in certain positions and still win, so we should be strong for every remaining cup tie this season now.

ARSENAL (probable): Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Hayden, Coquelin, Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky, Campbell, Podolski, Alexis Not a bad lineup in all with some clear talents in attack. Should be a good even game.

Its not guarenteed but very, very likely because that is just the reality of the Premier League. Its great not wanting them to win and everyone loved the Leicester result but for Saints you could argue that Swansea beating Utd first day of season wasnt a good result for us. Just shows why there is little point worrying about early season results because we know come November or so the table will have changed. All we can do is keep playing well and picking up points and then assess a bit later who our true rivals are in the season ahead.

Not really at this stage because we don't really know who our true rivals are. City, Arsenal, United and Liverpool will all move above us by the end of the season and quite possibly Spurs and Everton. We are probably competing with Swansea, West Ham, Villa etc but perhaps Leicester will continue their good run or maybe Newcastle will sack Pardew and end up having a good season. For the first 10 games at least it is about seeinf what the other teams have got to offer and at this stage I am not bothered about any results other than ours. Of course its interesting and there were some crackers this weekend, but in overall terms they don't really influence us IMO. Everyone wants Liverpool and Utd to lose now, but in 3 or 4 months we will be hoping they beat the teams around us, we just don't know exactly who they are yet.

I do have positivity and am going to the game tomorrow and thinking we will do well. My point is just that lets concentrate on winning our games rather than what others are doing. That is important after 30 games not 5. None of the other games are of any real importance to us.

Only important result is our own at this stage of the season. Will be a tough game, QPR have no midweek cup game.

Charlie Austin has a decent record against us.

Gardos will be 26 in October, has played quite a bit of European football and at Intl level so he should look composed against no striker. In theory he is just approaching his peak and will have come here to play. Looks a good signing.

We have more depth at centre back. Where Gardos came on yesterday it would have been Jos last year. Agree keeper situation could bite us on the arse as IMO Davis isnt good enough at this level and we would struggle to win tough matches with him playing. Mane will add options.

Newcastle could go if they get the Managerial situation wrong. Not got a very deep squad, and aside from Cisse when he can be arsed have no natural finishers. Saints in great shape for a good season now. Think Pelle staying fit is huge in terms of where we finish as we have no natural replacement for him as the focal point of the team. Will be very interested to see how we manage that very tough period in December/Jan. Would be great to get a couple of good home wins versus the top sides.

Fair play.

Jim White snaking on Cellino at Leeds like he did on Cortese. He is shameless that man.

Just don't see who else they really have. Midfield is strong depth wise and they have a fair few class players who didnt start today like Sanchez, Wilshere, Podolski etc so no reason they won't start. Not sure if they have any young defensive prospects apart from Bellerin but will think that we will go quite strong so I expect similar from them. Certainly they will be strong enough to still be favourites IMO.

The Neil Ashton tweet was better and Ashton replied!

Just think MLT doesnt need to be petty. After a great start to the season who cares about a Chief Exec who left the club 9 months ago?

Bit pointless. Move on.

Reckon they will pick a strong side as don't have a massive amount of choice, especially in defence. Would imagine something like: Ospina, Chambers, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Flamini, Wilshere; Gnabry, Chamberlain, Podolski; Sanogo Still well capable of causing us problems. Hope Mane plays for us and Gardos to start. Now Boruc is gone will be interesting to see if Davis plays. I hope not, but because he doesnt play U21s he surely needs some gametime otherwise will be woefully undercooked when he does need to play.

Briiliant!

Who would take a point? Tough game, winnable home game next...or not?

Haha. Poor old Bateman took it a bit seriously.

Bertrand booked. Need to keep composure.

Hope so. As Skipper he shouldnt really need a chat.

Gardos for Maya. Sensible. Four CBs used in last two games. Last season that would be Jos coming on. Squad stronger now.

Gardos coming on.

Would possibly chuck Kelvin on. Havent been watching or listening but Forster shaky.