Saint Charlie

Now we will see how good Boruc is. He makes key saves in every game. Gazzaniga isnt ready yet at PL level and Davis is not good enough. We probably have the worst backup keepers in the league.

Lovren definitely back?

What does your nipper think?

He won't be far off. Only a couple better in the PL at the moment. In 3 years at 21 there will be very few better than Shaw.

Where?

Why? He will be most likely the best left back in the world in 2/3 years time.

Price is almost irrelevant unless its insanely huge. We are never going to achieve Cortese's ambitions by selling the best English talent. If Utd or whoever want him they can have him, for £40m and 50% of any future sale. Otherwise, please don't enquire again.

Agree on that to an extent. To be honest I don't think the LC is seen as a big win by most clubs, and even Wigan with the FA cup - they would rather sti be in the PL than with a cup win to their name, mahbe not the fans but the club for certain.

Fair enough. But article makes no mention of the League Cup or trying to emulate Swansea. You can't just trot out the same three lines on every thread surely?

Only Barry could moan at an article like that. Difference between Saints and say West Ham in terms of strategy is staggering. Excellent article and insight into the culture of the club.

Poch said they were fit and Lovren was the player selected to do the press conference after training so sure he is fine.

Shaw, Lovren and Lallana all fit then. Good news.

This to an extent. He has made two starts and scored twice, albeit against poor opponent, but what more can he do without playing? Similar situation to Mata at Chelsea, obviously one of their best players, but doesn't fit their system and the Manager doesn't rate him. You can criticise the situation of course, but not the ability of the player. Its not that we have bought a player who clearly isn't up to the level needed, more that the Manager doesn't see him as a natural fit for the team.

He scored the header as a sub in the away game then that class free kick at home.

I would start Osvaldo in this one and have Lambert ready to make an impact as a sub. Reasons: 1. Lambert tends to struggle at little away against the top sides and was poor last week. 2. Osvaldo has the potential to do something a little bit unexpected up there, and their defence isn't the most mobile. 3. Osvaldo is clearly a good player, and he isnt going to spring into life by not playing. 4. Lambert always responds well to being left out, either through coming on as a sub (City away, Chelsea away last season) or in the next game (such as Fulham at home). 5. We have a lot of games coming up Having said that, can completely understand if Lambert starts, or both start and I am not saying Lambert is crap etc...

Jay Rod will start, obviously. Was our only threat vs Arsenal and is perfect for our style.

Vood article. Think it was posted a few weeks ago and possibly from l'Equipe.

Murray deserves to win it.

If you mean Cortese then he is certainly extremely loyal to players. Staff apprantly less so, but he is certainly someone who rewards people for doing a good job.

Think he signed a 2 and a half year contract and is nearly a year into that so hopefully we sort him out another one. He seems a very loyal guy though (especially to NC) so I dont think we have anything to worry about a tthe moment.

Cork is injured at the moment though.

Or you could argue that we just want the strongest team for Villa which on paper is the best chance of 3 points? Ideally, he would somehow manage to get through to the Cardiff or Everton game where we may rotate anyway.

Wanyama now on 4 bookings so one more and he gets a one game ban. Otherwise I think its Fonte (3), Lovren (2) and Morgan (2) who are the only ones in any danger of a ban due to playing position and in the case of Schneiderlin, the style we play. Unlikely Wanyama will hold out to the cut off anyway, although will be a blow to lose him for one of the numerous big games coming up.

Wanyama said after his back had been an issue all week before the game.

Im not a Hooiveld fan and think he isnt up to this level on a consistent basis but he was fine today.