derry

Thank goodness anybody that isn't giving 100% every second he is on the pitch isn't even going to make the bench. Occasional brilliance in midfield, beating three players and losing the ball isn't going to cut it with forward players making runs for an early pass.

He had several problems in the past. Almost as if he was using Steven Davis as his example. Firstly he almost always played immediately sideways or backwards and sometimes to poorly placed players. He has become much more dynamic and ran with the ball yesterday including making forward runs without the ball, something he almost never did. He marked from too far away and almost always rushed in and missed his usually weak tackle. Yesterday he was much more determined and competed aggressively. He has a great engine and sitting in midfield was wasting it. Most importantly he didn't try to bend his foot around the ball for his shot, he put his foot through it. Consequently he got power and a little bend with a well directed shot. He almost tries to bend the ball too much with his dead ball delivery. Sometimes he needs to try for less bend.

So would I. Won everything in the air. Far better in the air and more determined than 6' 6" Vestergaard. Best centre back display for me since the Fonte, Van Dijk era.

Has to be El Hadj Diouf for Stoke, did the old catch the toe on the heel of the other foot and go flying. Caught out in slow motion but in real time looked like he'd been tripped.

When discussion was that we hadn't played them, I thought I'd been to at least one game at the Dell. 1959 and 60, The 60 team were great to watch. Always plenty of goals.

I've bought my seat but I probably wont go. The number of kids moving around and occasionals due to the cheapies are a distraction I don't need.

Armstrong was a good footballer with Celtic and he is the type of positive nippy midfielder that we have been crying out for. When we eventually finalise this season's team after the window I suspect he will be a key part.

We were pretty decent first half. Long won the penalty by going for it. Romeu was outstanding, Bednarek's goal clearance was vital but I gave MOM to Shane Long because he won the penalty and scored the second goal after we went down to ten men and gave us that vital cushion. He worked his socks off. It was a great backs to the wall defence for the last half hour. The whole team deserves massive praise for their character. Brilliant managing. For once we had a fair referee. Mike Oliver did a good job today.

So would I. Has to be fit, then match fit, but he gives us something different.

Cut the man some slack. His performances were dire before he was dropped. Supporters were in despair. McCarthy coming in saved our bacon but he hasn't over impressed lately. Personally I'd have to see it to believe it but if Ralph selects him he should be ok. I'd still take Gunn as the best on what I've seen of him.

Manchester City v Saints Maine Road 1960 1-5 Reeves 4 O'Brien Special train in those days. George O'Brien stuck his head out of the door on stopping at the Central Station and shouted "Where's the brass band" We were promoted to the second division that season, I think beat Liverpool 4-0 in the first home game after being promoted. those were the years of a hundred plus goals scored a season.

Shame in a way we gave up the two goal lead but we were caught out, slow at centre back and light in front of them when Derby opened us up. Personally I wanted a draw to get Hojbjerg back for Everton. It'll also give Ralph another game to get the team playing his way.

Probably top of hitting the first defender statistics.

We made the mistake historically of not making pace and acceleration a criteria for any signing to go ahead. It's the same with signings for the academy. Players without pace could probably be incorporated in isolation but not nine out of ten. The standout with the top teams is skilful players with pace all over without that we cannot compete.

I remember it well, one of the first suppliers of continental boots. Old Mr Toomer sold me a pair of the Hungarian boots, little more than slippers. A little later he sold me a pair of Czech boots. He told me "There are only two pairs in the country, these and Derek Reeves is using the other pair" They never caught on as Adidas brought in their boot in large quantities. Derek scored his record 45 goals with those boots. I remember Arthur who was probably in his twenties. RIP.

I listened to both Ralph's interviews and several things came over loud and clear. Hojbjerg is his captain. Romeu is another that he feels provides backbone. They will play. Kayne Ramsey to start? Ralph - why not? Reverted to early season habits not his way. Cedric, missed games injured now on the outside will have to wait. Obviously doesn't rate vertically challenged players. McCarthy badly positioned not near enough to his near post. Could be on borrowed time. Gunn has been impressive in his few appearances. Obefimi is obviously a big player for him, he says we are missing his pace. Our plan is to win the ball and get it up to runners quickly. Yoshida dithering and Lamina running in circles destroyed our game plan. Run at opponents should be in the final third but not in our half. Dispite Lamina's ball skills he is a liability. Flatters to deceive and fades in and out. He is a cosmetic player, lacks discipline, and is not prepared to do the hard yards without the ball. Targett despite his footballing ability is too slow. Valery looked like it was a game too many. Throw ins. There has to be a default tactic, yet we see precious little movement or support and back to the thrower is our only move often losing the ball. Throw the bloody ball down the line and support the throw with the aim of forcing defenders to knock it out. Get down into the last third and anything can happen. This is one we can't expect anything from so lets make it hard for them and give it a go.

Go to the site and sign up for a month which rolls on at £5 per month until you terminate it. They send you a user name and password to use which you keep unless you contact them to change it. Ten channels. Usually 2 for Saints match then all the other Premier games at that time. Rest of the time it tracks the sports channels, darts, golf, motor racing etc. Just watched Fulham v Wolves, good picture all the way through. Haven't decided yet which to watch at 1500.

saintsplayer.com Worked fine for me, buffered a couple of times. Changed to channel 7 then back to 1. Pretty good quality all the way through. No problem selecting full screen.

Has a face like a smacked arse in the training photos

For a start it doesn't matter what Cedric wants to do because opponents have his card marked and players who are decent in the air are tasked to slip the centre back and pull off onto Cedric who is too small to cope. It's planned not accidental. As for international experience, the ball is mostly on the ground and rarely has to defend in the air.

Did anyone actually see Cedric during the game at SMS. I ask that because I've got a feeling he wasn't bothered enough to be there. How do I know this, I don't but I suspect ? As I was arriving at SMS at 1245 he rushed across the road in front of my wife's car and jumped into a car which drove off towards the docks. If he hadn't bothered to be at the game I doubt he'll get much change from Ralph.

I'm sick and tired of Soares either losing his mark in front of goal or beaten in the air on his near post. Valery is the future. Against Cardiff he was booked early and Murphy/Cardiff were playing on it knowing he really couldn't compete and block off Murphy. He's played two and a half games, Manchester Utd, Arsenal for four points and at Cardiff it was a high priced International defender who made a massive Horlicks in conceding the goal otherwise another point. Valery all day long.

For those that are criticising Romeu, and he should be criticised for dallying with the ball in front of his box instead of clearing it, it should be noted that he ran further than any player on the pitch, 7.6 miles, Michitaryan was the next with 7.2 miles. Valery had the most sprints, 26 but I still hope to see him not hesitate when facing the last defender and take him on. Another match won with 34% possession. Last week 67%ish lost. As far as the figures went we had 3 more shots on target. On target 7/4, missed target 1/4, blocked 4/5. Possession is useful only if it's used. Results wise we won and equalled the output despite having half the possession.

I went today. A much improved performance and shape. Firstly they all tried hard. Armstrong ran himself into the ground, cramp at the end. Ings finished brilliantly both his chances. A super leading ball across the defender for the first, inch perfect chip from Redmond for the lobbed header, keeper didn't move. Valery played well but is still finding his feet. He needs a bit more confidence to go for the line when he gets the chance. The three centre backs were up against it with Arsenals's slick, quick forwards but worked hard and effectively. Target great cross but not enough. He gave the ball away too many times when not under pressure. Struggles with pace. Armstrong, Hojbjerg and Romeu worked their socks off but they need to learn when to cut out the tippy tappy that puts us under pressure when we are closed down. Ings and Redmond worked hard and caused Arsenal problems. Long played well, defended, broke, won headers and made a super run down the right channel for Hoijberg's through ball to provide a super cross that pulled the keeper off his line which Austin finished clinically. One thing they are going to have to learn. In the last ten minutes 3-2 up they could see the finishing line so didn't dither on the ball, clearing long straight away. Long really put his boot through one that went miles but it sure takes the pressure off, especially if the ball is in the back of the stand. Dithering gets us caught out. Just clear it out towards the corners and let the forwards chase it. We aren't clever or slick enough to play pretty patterns under pressing in front of our box.

Interestingly he has scored 16 goals so far this season. Last night he looked like he was playing up front centrally. we mostly played him on the right and got not a lot out of him.