austsaint

You promised to leave and take your attention seeking posts with you a week or so back.

Off to Bournmouth? Circle complete!

It really does, and fair play to MP for accepting the invitation.

Bog standard poster boy for the Academy - sooner or later, he won't have youth on his side and his limited game will be increasingly questioned.

Nigel came to Saints at an opportune time to inherit a squad which was too good for League 1 and subsequently too good not to be promoted to the Prem. He was likeable, effusive and great with the team spirit side of things, and his legacy at Saints can never be airbrushed. However his coaching and judgement in the transfer market had to be questioned, particularly if you look at his time at Reading and the Blades. Cortese probably made the right call. I always thought that his trusted Assistant (tall fellow, name escapes me) was not up to the job and was something of a lead weight for NA. Great guy, Nigel. A Southampton legend, but his future in Football management is looking very shaky.

Doesn't he look a right plonker at the minute.

I've really enjoyed watching Big Vic impose himself on our midfield - he will be a huge loss; I still hold this faint hope that we read of him signing a new contract but I'm far from confident. Vic and Morgan were a colossal pairing and if he has to go I'll be following his progress with interest. No where near the passing liability some have made him out to be.

Great write up. If anyone has the chance to watch the replay - make special note at about the five minute mark when Vic legally clatters Dier to regain possession; a great show of strength.

It worked beautifully in the end.

For the first 30 minutes we were played off the park; and they did look a class above us.

Saints will play a lot better and lose games but who cares - we've finally stuffed Spurs at their place. Davo, Long, Bertrand very good and special mention to Romeu, who once again was far more effective than Clasie. Not a great game from Vic today; maybe he's staying!!

Indeed. Austin for Long next change.

Long not having much joy getting behind their back four - maybe Austin to come on to bully their Belgian Cbs.

It's looked like one of our poorest first halves of the season and to be 1-1 seems incredible. Maybe it's got something to do with Spur's press but we just can't maintain possession or build any pressure. Same change as last week, Romeu on for Clasie. It's difficult to see this finishing 1-1.

They look a class above us. It's quite embarrassing at the moment.

There goes the Clubs "no dic-khead" policy then.

Over the top Prof. I can understand people not liking the way he left SFC for North London, but he did some great things for Saints during his time and managed an attractive style of Football. At Spurs he has overseen a complete cleaning out of a bloated Spurs and then taken them to a Champions League finish in his second season. I remember him coming on to the pitch in the aftermath of our game at Norwich when Boric saved a penalty - it was mostly about supporting his players - the other night it looked as though he was trying to diffuse the conflict not inflame it. He's a very good Football man and his star is bright; best to accept that and move on.

What you say is true; but the scope for a smart, young manager (Howe) to take the next step in management is there. Look at Poch coming to the EPL with some moderate credentials from his time at Espanyol. I think we could/should look elsewhere if we have to but Howe looks to have something about him.

Good on them. I suppose they realised they were going to miss the final of the Australian A League played on the same day where their home town Club, Adelaide United won their first title beating Western Sydney Wanderers in front of 55k crowd at the beautiful Adelaide Oval.

So true - it's galling to witness the inconsistency.

When Dier committed that foul, Clattenberg reached into his pocket for the second yellow, but then ran upfield to the developing spotfire and didn't get back to Dier. Can the red be given retrospectively?

Well done Leicester - great sporting achievement. I'm not sure which game I enjoyed most - our win against City or the 2-2 draw just witnessed.

I've sent you a book. The DSMV - your issue is on page 254 - Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Well, he lost possession several times in dangerous areas; either mistimed passes or completed ultra safe short ones and only made the one foray forward where he was given acres of space and tamely scooped the ball over the City goal. By contrast, Romeu hit the ground running, broke up City attacks, intercepted and got forward convincingly to be part of late second half attacks. In Clasie's defence, many better judges than I consider he's going to be up to speed and more effective next season - I hope he can be, but overall, for a player of his reputation and International experience he hasn't delivered a lot for us this season and very little yesterday where Vic carried him for the first half.

Fair enough Doddsey but I couldn't stand the stress of worrying that Spurs would overhaul Leicester so late in the piece. I'd rather Chelsea bring them to their knees tonight and we finish them off the following week.