derry

Cedric is having a mare of a season. Defensively he is poor. He is by far the weakest link not least because he is small. Sessegnon did him up like a kipper before crossing for the second goal. Mitrovic pulled onto him at the back post (I've lost count of the times that happens and often ends in a goal) and he promptly lost him because he wasn't watching the ball as he was facing the wrong way. He is an awful defender and his delivery wouldn't do justice to a Roman catapult. Give Stephens or Bednarek a go at right back both are defensively better than Cedric and we won't miss his awful crossing. Again and again Fulham ran through an empty midfield and carved up our outnumbered central defenders. Lamina is pleasing to the eye but what did he create? He needs to make those mazy dribbles further up the field if he plays. I think Romeu and Hojbjerg would be a more solid central midfield. Armstrong as he showed today and for Scotland this week is a good player. Play him in front of Romeu and Hojbjerg with Gabbiadini or Lamina and Redmond either side behind Ings. Time to give Vestergaard another go with Yoshida. We were mugged today again.

For the first time in 13 years I've missed three games deliberately for various reasons. Puel and Pellegrino sucked the life out of the team and we are still trying to get over it.

Maybe but he dived in and the ball came off him. He deliberately tried to play the ball and block Austin. It wasn't accidental that the ball hit him.

I saw the deflection but couldn't understand why, even if Yoshida had headed the ball in, which he didn't, he couldn't be offside as it was a defender who touched the ball after Austin hit the shot. If the ruling was the goal was disallowed because Yoshida, in an offside position touched the ball it wouldn't matter because an opponent touched the ball after Austin hit the shot. If a Watford player hypothetically say played a back pass to a Saints player in an offside position and he smashed it past the keeper it would be a goal. The officials obviously missed that deflection, then the linesman in a worse position than the referee was allowed to influence an inexperienced referee in only his fourth Premier game to disallow a good goal on the grounds that Yoshida touched the ball which the linesman couldn't possibly have seen as the ball was a yard his side of Yoshida. they made a total mess up of the whole situation and should be dropped from the Premier official's roster.

JWP initially had loads of space but booted it anywhere, got no elevation and the deflection set up Cholevas with Cedric blocking like a frightened pussy turned his back and deflected past McCarthy. Against Brighton JWP pushed Duffy in the 92nd minute in front of the referee. He is the liability. If Hughes was at fault it was having JWP on and Romeu not in the squad. the referee saw the penalty shout and didn't give it. The referee gave the goal when he was in an ideal position but new to the Premier this season let the linesman, poorly positioned and further away help him to disallow a good goal. I'm not a fan of Mark Hughes but he came in when we were as good as down and helped to keep us up against all the odds. He deserves a fair go. Without the referee and JWP we would be four points better off and feeling a bit better about things. JWP is still with us for a reason, he isn't good enough. Armstrong looks better than Elyanoussi and taking him off for JWP was crass. There are no circumstances where I can see a place for JWP. Hojbjerg gave the ball away or was caught in possession far too often. Lemina is a good player but he is not solid enough to play with Hojbjerg as a middle two and both wander off leaving a big hole in front of the back four. The central defenders were left exposed far too often. Hoedt and Yoshida were decent enough. We are in a worrying position and Hughes has to get the team right. The team has to be tighter in midfield and get the ball to the forwards quickly. A lot of the time we are too methodical and slow. When the forwards make runs we should be getting the ball up to them rather than recycling backwards.

First goal JWP as he does, tackled like a weakling and presented the ball to Aguero. Sterling on Hoedt's shoulder was off side and interfering. Second goal Lamina couldn't be arsed to fill in and spectated allowing the gap to be exploited. Fourth goal, the weak Soares robbed on the goal line should have put his foot through it. Poor decision making. We were better in the second half. JWP was put in to do a job which he didn't even remotely do. Armstrong and Obafemi looked useful when they came on. Great ball from Bertrand for Ings. There is a team in there somewhere. McCarthy had little chance, Soares is ok on the ball but defends poorly. Stephens was ok, Hoedt both good and bad. He is very weak on his right side. Bertrand was exposed by the quick passing and lack of help from Lamina. Hojbjerg caught in possession too often. Lamina looked good at times but doesn't like doing the hard yards. Ings and Long worked their socks off against a defence that hadn't conceded a goal in ten games. Our tackling is physically weak. I lost count of the times we challenged for the ball weakly and City players took the ball. It's about time our player blocking the ball, gets his head and shoulder and all his weight over the ball and cleans out the opponent by tackling strongly. Dangling a foot doesn't cut it. We were not bad attacking in the second half against possibly the best team in Europe. Against lesser teams I think we will do alright. Shame we were caught on the break and few of the players busted a gut to get back goal side and help out.

Against City he got on the wrong side of the attacker. He may be learning this season but he had a problem connecting the ball with the attacker, often losing sight of one or both through ball watching or being caught on the wrong side of the attacker. He was caught several times last season by opponents attacking the ball and getting caught underneath both the ball and the opponent. He's not the only one, Yoshida and Vestergaard have been caught out. Zonal marking at set pieces doesn't help. Defenders have to attack the ball.

I'm not interested in a debate about whether the fans or the management are more right. However, a point I would like to make especially about our current defenders. Soares is a great defender as long as nobody puts the ball over head height. I've lost count of the goals conceded at the right hand post with players pulling off onto Soares. With set pieces producing so many goals buying little players for the back four is stupidity. We then buy tall central defenders including a near 6-7" centre back. OK so far but then we see the tallest man in the Premier amongst others outjumped, in fact not getting off the ground. My feeling is that the zonal marking of space and grappling with opponents isn't working because some opponents attack the cross. Personally I would like to see our best headers attack the cross at the front, middle and back post whilst other players man mark or zonal defend and grapple etc. I think we aren't seeing the best of our players because they are uncomfortable just zonal defending which isn't working. It's all very well picking players but we need to get the optimum out of their strengths which I don't think we do.

JWP certainly had an assist this season, shame it was a push in the back on Duffy to give Murray the penalty against Brighton. IMO provided a realistic offer for him is forthcoming we should allow him to leave. that would be better for him to get regular football, however I can't see him holding down a starting place in the Premier, and us. To put things in perspective, as he takes the corners and free kicks when on the pitch, of course he is going to improve his statistics but what does he provide from play, mostly not a lot.

When I heard the team announced, I pretty much went along with it. Then came the subs, no Romeu, no Armstrong. What the hell were Davis and JWP going to do, well we got the answer to that, did Davis touch the ball? and JWP's push in the back decided the game. No Gallagher, no Stephens. Gunn, Yoshida, Gabbiadini, Austin and Targett were logical but Davis and JWP smacks of currying favour. The substitutes were critical once we conceded the first goal. Rather than put on an attacker that is physically incapable of playing on his own and poses a threat we needed a physical presence with him. For me, Gallagher for Long, Gabbiadini or Austin for Ings. Targett would have been a better replacement for Elanoussi but the combative Romeu would have been a better bet strengthening the midfield even Yoshida into a back three. I keep trying to make allowances for Hoedt but I'm getting the impression he is an arrogant fool that thinks he is a lot better than he is. The number of reverse passes that either don't go to the target or worse to the opposition is too high for this league as for his Cruyff turn, ridiculous. He needs to cut out the showboating and his diving in and selling himself. I personally would prefer Yoshida. Leaving the stadium I had the feeling of being mugged by the stupidity of some of our players. Redmond had no need to dive in and give a marginal foul, what was wrong with holding tight and offering the line as the only way forward. The free kick was poorly defended. why on earth we had to keep such a high line allowing the in swinger to put us in trouble. Defending deeper would have deprived Knockaert of the space and allowed our defenders to face the ball. Alternatively hold the high line and Brighton were offside as they all lined up goal side of our line. The corner was defendable until JWP stuck his arm into Duffy's back. JWP always defends like that it's the way he plays, always diving in and mostly missing, this time it lost us the game. The management and the stupidity of a few players lost us this game. 2-0 up and twenty five minutes left it should have been all over. Two physically weak substitutions opened the door for Brighton instead of three strong substitutions getting the job done.

We have a major weakness which is a legacy from Puel and Pellegrino. Almost every time a forward player makes a run the player with the ball invariable plays it sideways or backwards ignoring the run. Need to start passing in front of the runner and busting a gut to get up in support, a fundamental change for most of our players.

That's a big statement on a brilliant 17/18 year old that hasn't put a foot wrong yet against a player that failed abysmally at MU, gave up on an England international career and is resurrecting his career as star man at mediocre Palace. Still I'll bow to your expertise.

If Long was on our right in front of Bednerek he is quick enough to catch Zaha. Sessegnon didn't cause Bednerek too many problems.

I'm quite disillusioned with Soares. Apart from his obvious lack of height, resulting in him being unable to win the ball in the air and being picked off by opponents, he seems to be in a world of his own when it comes to decision making. His crossing lacks perception and accuracy as he just puts his foot through it. Stephens, from the reports from last night was poor at right back. He may eventually have to settle for being a holding midfielder provided he steps up his tempo and cuts out the ball watching. Having said that, last season Bednerek was solid against Fulham at right back, maybe he could step up and hold down a defensive right back position as long as we are playing 4-4-2 without wing backs. If we go 4-4-2 on Saturday, Bednerek, Yoshida, Vestergaard and Bertrand make a solid back four. Hojbjerg played with good intensity on Saturday and served his one match ban last night, so I would pair him with Lemina because Lemina and Romeu just don't play well as a pair. We lack pace and consequently movement with Austin and Gabbiadini so to start I'd like to see Gallagher up front with Ings playing off him. Continuing in that vein Redmond left with Long on the right of midfield where he could match Zaha's pace and close him down. Having said that I can see close to last Saturday's starting line up with maybe Yoshida (hopefully) paired with Vestergaard. Elyanoussi shows good touches but needs to step up his tempo so maybe a place for Austin or Armstrong (not wide) but not necessarily 4-4-2.

Weird on Saints Player, Commentary low key but caption comes up 0-1 Austin (88), after about a minute the commentary reaches the goal. Same with full time. Certainly eases the tension. Gallagher up top gave us better movement, Redmond and Austin added to that. Two off the line. Gunn sounded solid, the CBs OK. Now get Yoshida back into the League team. Elyanoussi sounded off the pace and needs to step up a notch. Armstrong out wide isn't working as he is as far as I know a natural 10.

I'm surprised. Last year ManiaHD or Sportsmania went off the air at the end of the season. Consequently I lost a couple of months subscription. The reception was average and only worked adequately using a VPN. I researched and decided on Ruya XL on Kodi. I have been absolutely delighted to date with the HD quality and coverage. Far superior to ManiaHD. It is however more expensive but a lot cheaper if the same thing happens again and streaming stops.

How it is.

We were undone by an almost unique in present times free kick. Usually and 100% of the time for us players queue up to hit the wall or the spectators behind the goal. It was a common occurrence years ago to have a few slick free kicks but with the advent of the easily bending ball they have gone out of fashion. Personally I'd like to see more of them. Yet again Soares is targeted by a taller player pulling off onto him. We have conceded so many goals due to his weakness in the air. I was hoping we would cash him in during the summer. He might be a nippy international right back able to play well against passing teams. Against crosses in the Premier league he is a real weakness. Stephens is a ball watcher, Hoedt needs to learn to stay on his feet, JWP is the perennial clockwork mouse with a decent dead ball delivery but from play apart from backwards and sideways gives nothing in an attacking sense. Too slow, too negative and nowhere near good enough. Sims is a far better player on the right of 4-4-2. Redmond flattered yet again, looked pacey and lively but he lacks intelligence and anticipation. Ings looks a decent player whilst Austin suffered from our poor attacking especially from the non existent right. The two central midfielders look a mismatch. Lamina looks a good player but if he can't play with the team we are wasting our time. Hojbjerg and Romeu were a pair at the end of the season and gave us a more solid look without the self indulgent Lamina.

Lamina was awful against Derby. He had to play against Moenchengladbach because he was missing in between. He was awful again, tried time after time to beat multiple opponents adept at pressing in numbers and virtually every time lost possession. As he had more possession than anyone else we hardly saw the ball before Lamina lost it again. When he lost it he either didn't try and get it back, didn't press, or just spectated. That is out of order and he needs a kick up the backside or get rid of him, he is a bad example.It would be a travesty and stupidity to even consider him against Burnley or anyone else for that matter playing that way.

I saw today that he died on the day of his wife's funeral. Last 18 months in care and nursing home with Alzheimers.

That was dire. The formation was crass to start with. Both full backs stayed way up the pitch obviously under instruction because it didn't work. after the first goal Bertrand spent the rest of the half gesticulating to the bench about his high, wide position. The first and third goals cut the back line behind the full backs. They were as useful as defenders as tits on a bull. Second half he played more orthodox. The full backs have to be defenders first and attackers after. Targett isn't good enough to play right side. The centre backs were exposed also by the two midfielders. Hojbjerg and Lamina don't play together. Lamina was hopeless against WHU last season and mostly left out after that. He was hopeless against Derby and again today didn't look a team player constantly trying to be clever then losing the ball and rarely tracking back to help out. Hojbjerg is limited, courageous and gives his all. He and Romeu are our most effective pair. Armstrong showed flashes of his ability but again came up against the lack of blend, pace and aggression from Austin and Gabbiadini. They don't play together and lack a cutting edge through the lack of pace to make aggressive runs. One or the other with Long or even Gallagher if their isn't new blood on the horizon. IMO Yoshida, Vestergaard and Hoedt. Bertrand as a left back and without Soares maybe Stephens at right back or new blood. Romeu and Hojbjerg as our best and most physical DMs. Armstrong, Long/Gallagher and Austin/Gabbiadini. Elyanoussi shows flashes but is settling in. Lamina needs to look at himself as he is talented but wasting it. JWP, Davis, Reed, Sims, Redmond look like peripheral figures. Maybe this week we will be moving two or three on with today sealing the opinion. Opening the way for a couple of reinforcements. Sitting in the Itchen under the hot sun watching a poor display was difficult to stick it out to the end. Well done the ref blowing up on 90 minutes. I'd had enough.

One of the vital players in Saints past. He was it's beating heart during the championship winning 1959/60. In the FA Cup 3rd Round we went to 1st Division Manchester City and won 5-1. Cliff pulled a thigh muscle early on but then there were no substitutes, he played on and led by example and courage. Later Cliff's character and strength was a major asset in getting us through the 2nd division and promotion again in 1966.

I've lost count of the goals we conceded last season with tall players pulling off onto the back post. Fundamentally he is unable to defend against tall attackers in the air because of his height which pressures our centre backs to try and cover him leaving gaps. Burnley, Brighton, Huddersfield, Arsenal just a few examples. A third centre back may help but he is still too short.

Whilst he is mobile and gets forward well his crossing rarely hits the target. His defensive work is a problem as he is light in the tackle and because of his lack of height is targeted on our back post by opponents. No more than useful but a definite weakness. If we get a good offer we should look to replace him.

Targett is a bit of a problem for the club. Firstly he has good value financially. Secondly he is a good player with three centre halves but not so good as an out and out defender in a back four. thirdly he looks a decent option on the right. I'm not an admirer of Cedric because he gets picked off on the back post and is singled out by opponents. I was hoping he would go.