saintant

Some people seem to have forgotten that when Puel arrived we changed from a 4231 that had been tried and trusted to a diamond which I think was his favoured system in France. You can claim what you want and I think CP stated that the reason for the diamond was because he felt it took less out of the players during a time when we had a fixture pile up. Personally I don't agree with him and think we should have stuck to 4231 because it is a system proven to work for us. I think our overall results this season would have been better had we not introduced the diamond. Just my opinion and appreciate that many will disagree and that's what having debates on these forums is all about. I do accept that the introduction of Gabbiadini has been the icing on the cake for the 4231 system.

Just wanted to pay credit to Gabbi for his goal which was as simple as it was brilliant. Simple because for him it was a routine tap in. Brilliant because if he's not on the pitch Gomes almost certainly gets away with spilling the ball. A striker who is smart enough and willing enough to gamble on goalkeeping errors is worth his weight in gold and I hope the likes of Redmond and Tadic etc will learn from Gabbi. It's a long time since we've had a striker with such touch, vision and movement and these attributes along with the fact that this guy is a ruthless predator mean we've got some player on our hands as 6 goals (should be 7) in his first four games testifies. He's still getting used to his team mates and vice versa so that is a phenomenal return for a player who, in reality, should still be bedding himself in.

Davis is far better than either the plodding Clasie or Hojberg. Davo drives the team forward and is far more creative than Clasie or PEH.

Great win and good to score four goals for the second away match in a row. Finally in the last few games CP has accepted that we are far more potent playing 4231 as many have been clamouring for all season. It gives us so many more options going forward. Ok, we leaked goals today - maybe Caceres will get a game for the 23s against Chelsea and come into contention and we certainly miss VVD.

Mings is a disgrace. Cowardly act and it appeared that he looked down at Zlatan just before stamping on his head so seemed deliberate. Can't really blame Zlatan for elbowing him and if the officials had spotted the head stamp Mings would already have been off. Hopefully both will now be banned on video evidence and Mings for a long time.

If Fraser is not suffering from an injury then you have to ask what has happened to his ability between the sticks? It's not long ago that he seemed almost unbeatable and racked up numerous clean sheets. Ok, he had a solid defence in front of him but right now he is playing like a nervous kitten with absolute zero confidence. I hope he can somehow regain his confidence and get back to how he was last season because an in-form Fraser makes a real difference to our defence. However, if he continues in his present form then sadly I believe we'll need to replace him in the summer.

In answer to the question, 'what kind of striker is he?' the answer is simple, a brilliant one. Gabbiadini seems unique so I wouldn't want to compare him with anyone. His touch, awareness and movement are amazing and he comes alive when he is in the box. Watch his second goal at Wembley, it was pure genius and not many strikers would have even been aware the opportunity was on let alone taken it with such cool-headed confidence. This guy is a very special talent and my guess is that he will soon be a regular for Italy. We need to enjoy and savour his every performance in a Saints shirt because already he will be on the radar of the bigger clubs who will come calling with the promise of silverware, Champion's League football and untold riches.

Just back from Wembley. The better team lost today and I felt with a bit of luck we'd have deservedly lifted the cup. It's hard to take because Utd have won lots of trophies so when we outplay them it makes defeat harder to swallow but that's football. The lads gave everything and I felt immense pride at their contribution to a compelling game of football befitting of a final. To come back from two down and then have them on the ropes was a monumental effort. Shame Vardy crocked Virgil because we missed his immense presence at the back and I'm sure he'd have been a better physical match for Zlatan. That's not to criticise Yoshi and Stephens who both performed heroically but Virgil just has that extra presence that I think we missed. Could not fault the effort, skill and commitment and I thought we played some sparkling football that on another day and with a little sprinkling of luck would have seen us lifting the cup. Great effort lads and no shame in a narrow defeat against a multi-talented side. My one regret was that we could not quite get to the stage where a resounding chorus of 'two nil and you fuc#ed it up!' would have cascaded down from the Saints end.

At his age no way can Ibrahimovic be involved in three games in seven days, apparently it's physically impossible even for a youngster - for sure he'll be rotated out.

I have a feeling Puel might opt for the experience of the seasoned international over the raw youngster. He may start with Caceres and see how it goes - if he's comfortable leave him on but if he struggles there's always Stephens on the bench. This is may be too big a game for Stephens but he will be desperate to play and it's a tricky one for Puel that's for sure.

Would go 4-2-3-1 Foster Cedric Caceres Yoshi Bertrand Davis Romeu Boufal Tadic Redmond Gabbiadini

Well surely we all know that penalty areas are a standard size on football pitches. The overall playing surface at Wembley is bigger than all but Old Trafford and The Etihad Stadium. Gabbiadini will not spend the whole 90 minutes in the penalty area so I'm missing the point you're making.

I think Gabbiadini could be our secret weapon. He'll be brimming with confidence and Man Utd will know relatively little about him as presumably they've not faced him previously. He'll relish playing in a cup final at Wembley and should find plenty of pockets of space on the big playing surface. Manolo could be our match winner. The flip side is that VVD will be a huge miss but with a little luck on the day I think we could upset the odds and come away with the trophy.

What was the formation today out of interest?

Fair point!

Much needed win as it maintains the points difference we had over Sunderland. Gabbiadinii s a clinical finisher plus his intelligent movement will help Tadic as he has needed someone making cute runs. Shows what we can do when we get the ball forward quicker and ditch the passing for passings sake so more of this please. Good preparation for the EFLC final. Well played Saints.

Not sure Puel will think he can play three games in a year.

Alan Shearer on tv for Leicester v Derby and had the audacity to suggest that playing three games a week should be no problem. Finally someone talking with a bit of common sense. Lineker agreed and even suggested he was disappointed if there was no midweek match. As Shearer said, today's young players are told from an early age that it is impossible to play three games in a week so no wonder they believe it.

We need the G-men up front next season, Gabbiadini and Gallagher. Think they'd score a few between them.

Looking at the form tables us and Palace are in deep trouble. Both of us have only won once and all other games in past 7 have been defeats. The lack of draws is worrying as the odd point here and there can be crucial. Hold on tight because it's going to be a bumpy ride to the end of the season.

Yes,much like Dimitri Payet. What's the point of these talented players when you could pick 10 donkeys who will run all day and track back like maniacs for a bag of carrots!

Well if they didn't then maybe it's time to sack our team of highly paid doctors and physios.

Yes, could be a massive 5 points ahead of current bottom club Sunderland next weekend if they beat us so all is well. Nothing to see here. No need for concern.

Played excellently in the number 10 role against Swansea so of course our brilliantly clever manager sticks him out on the wing in the next match. Completely sums up Puel for me.

A sobering thought for you. Next weekend we play current bottom side Sunderland and if we lose, as our abysmal form particularly away from St Marys strongly suggests is going to happen, we will find ourselves just five points ahead of them. Anyone who is not worried must have their head buried deeply in the sand.