austsaint

Whelk; I'm no Clasie basher and there have been games where he has impressed but he was the stand out poor player for us yesterday, so much so that I thought Ron would bring Romeu on at H/T.

One of the odd things about tonights game is you finding yourself barracking for teams like Chelsea!!

Agree with your comments Stan, although I think Mane is going to be nigh impossible to replace. The other facets of his game which was so effective today were his touches, lay offs and passes, often one-touch, often to a player in a dangerous position. I just haven't seen many players like him who on the same day can play winger, striker and attacking mid with such impact.

He really was impressive.

As you say in your last sentence of fee paid for Sterling compared to Mane is laughable. Sterling this season has looked like a one dimensional, speedy winger. Mane has the game to play striker, winger or attacking midfielder. Quite apart from his goals yesterday his range of passing and touches to set up attacks were brilliant.

Thrilling stuff to watch - whether Citeh had their minds elsewhere or not, Saints played some lovely Football. Mane and Tadic just superb. Wanyama, Davis, Long, VVD, Bertrand all very good. If there's the faintest prospect of retaining Mane the Club must pull out every pound they can to do it. The only downside of the game was the horrible form of Clasie - when Romeu came on he looked so much better.

Frustrating to concede like that. Tadic, Wanyama and Mane outstanding - Long and Davo pretty good. Clasie totally abject and must be replaced by Romeu at H/T.

Don't forget Guided Missile.

He had an offer from the Hammers but elected to stay at Saints....the cynic in me thinks it was more about having a role and a comfortable life at Saints rather than warming the bench in East London.

Often, giving a **** about the shirt is due to not being good enough to wear a different club's shirt. Kelvin's a case in point.

I'd argue they are two of our most important players; particularly Mane. VVD and RB are the other two that fit the most important player category.

I'll go with that except for Romeu replacing Clasie.

And probably one of those who never asks a question during a chat. Don't you think?

Yes, he was wasteful, was Long. What didn't you like about Davo's running and passing today?

Yes, what did you make of that - thumped the badge too, maybe he's staying. Tadic great today, along with Romeu, Davis, Bertrand and Long.

Mane time.

Any ideas/theories on why Mane has been dropped to the bench?

Look, I think the proof in the pudding will be several Clubs queueing up for Vic's services (including his passing) come the summer. I doubt there will be much interest in any of our other midfielders.

Who do you consider better? Ward-Prowse? Davo? Clasie?

I meant to say I'm not claiming Vic is in the elite category of passers - I do think he's in the elite category of central midfielders overall.

Mash; I'm not saying Vic is in the elite category of Prem central midfielders; I'm saying his passing and distribution isn't that bad, but the real strengths of his game are breaking up play; strength on the ball; aerial skill and an imposing presence - all of which would be a massive loss for us and a massive gain for Spurs, despite Dier and Dembele.

He would provide the biting defensive shield for the Belgian CB's - his aerial work is akin to having an extra CB and he provides the enforcer role which Dier is not yet in control of. Not that I want to him go - look at our midfield as it stands with Vic gone....Davis, JWP, Clasie....only Romeu inspires much confidence to provide some steel.

Which is something of a popular myth since Vic's passing and distribution is pretty good and if he goes to Spurs he will give them qualities they don't already have.

Humiliating stuff at Anfield. Coutinho's goal reminiscent of several he's banged past us.

Most of them are scattered around the globe on loan aren't they?