austsaint

I think you're right about Tadic - he really has failed to sustain the promising start to his Saints career and comes across as a whinger. I don't see how Sadio's a spoilt brat; there seems to be a few different stories circulating about the late note stuff and Ron's continued reluctance to play Mane in the past 6-7 weeks has hurt the side's attacking qualities. The guy is top shelf and is easily up to Man U, Chelsea etc. As for JWP; his confidence levels seem greater than his abilities and if anything he should be thanking Ron for his continued opportunities not criticising him .

Only the second half;)

Also, he applauded the crowd for quite a long time as he left the field. His interviews are always polite, humble and grounded. I just think he's a quiet, introverted sort of bloke and his demeanour reflects that.

The way he's playing lately his Southampton career may be on hold as well.

Having just watched the replay, a second viewing allows an appreciation of how much Vic and Mane changed the game and brought every other Saints player with them. Mane's performance was incredible; quite apart from his goals, his movement around the pitch; first touch and use of the ball was sublime. He also took many passes from Vic, Romeu, VVD etc in the middle of the pitch and ran at and through the Scouse midfield and defence, turning them round and bringing others like Davis, Bertrand, Pelle,Martina and Romeu into play. Wanyama's strength and presence also changed the game; that mazy run to through Can, Lallana, Allen an co ending up near the corner flag was the symbolic "gotcha" moment. Another moment just before F/T caught my attention; Shane Long really committed to a 50/50 ball which snuffed out the last hope of a Pool equaliser. It was just a magic result wasn't it.

The win against Chelsea back in early October was pretty damn good, but this is the most special win of the season, maybe many seasons. To turn around that dismal first half was magnificent and Ron deserves credit for his half time changes. Mane and Wanyama changed everything - Mane igniting our attack and bringing Pelle back into the game after his abject first half. Vic provided the defensive shield and aura Clasie couldn't. So pleased to see Mane turn things round; he's a joy to watch in full flight and provides so much spark to the team. Mane and Wanyama may both go in the Summer, but they are the calibre of player we desperately need to hold on to. Martina had a surprisingly good game; Davis had a lively second half and a special mention for JWP, he really put in an effort in that last 20 minutes and his press high up the field led to the magnificent Pelle strike. What a day.

It truly was.

It's not just the goal - he livens the whole attacking momentum.

Calling St Benali, Bexy and Shance - got anything to say about Mane?

Penalty aside, we look a lot more dangerous with Mane on.

They've shredded us through midfield and been allowed time in dangerous positions to pick their spot in the back of the net - how many times have we seen Coutinho and Sturridge score goals like todays. 2-1 would flatter us greatly. Pelle has been abject; Tadic not much better; Clasie all at sea. Martina has shown up offensively but has left acres of space to exploit. We've been thoroughly tonked so far - he has to bring Mane and Wanyama on at H/T but I bet he doesn't.

Pelle and Tadic are lazy and ineffective; Clasie having a mare. The time and space Liverpool have is embarrassing. Has to be Vic and Mane on at H/T.

Are you sure you're not getting Davo and Ward-Prowse mixed up? After all it was Davis' corner which found Pelle's head v Stoke.

Agree with you about Martina. He really isn't a bad player. Highlights of his game yesterday included that inch perfect through ball for Long in the first half and an attacking foray where he stood up Pieters or Shawcross with great skill before whipping in the cross. He has not been a bad buy for 1 Mill. and is certainly a better alternative at right back than Maya or JWP.

Yeah, Costa has one red card and that intimidating stand over man and bully Sadio has two. Puzzling.

The other question about Lukaku is, what was the "special one" thinking in letting him slip away from Chelsea.

Well done to Pelle for his goals but the overall performance of VVD and his command of the air in that last 10 minutes was immense. Nonsense red card and a frustrating display from Tadic.

Has to be appealed and has to be rescinded.

Clinical stuff from Pelle; Long being Long, hang your head Dusan despite the assist. Davis had a great half as have Clasie, Romeu, VVD and Bertrand. Couple of impressive tackles from Targett. Anyone expect 2-0 at H/T? Thought not.

Andy; hang in there. Sure, dips in form and defeats like Bournmouth are hard to take, but the "bounce back within 24 hours" maxim is crucial. Cast your mind back a few years to 'Arry consigning us to League 1 and the dark days before Markus' arrival. Do not lose interest - you've got all Summer to do that!

Your final sentence really is a shower of nonsense - we are having the season which reflects our level......a bad run where we haven't played that badly then a really good run where we have had our share of luck. To claim we have missed out on Europa League through bad luck and Ronald's bad decisions is crazy. To lose interest as a supporter is also a bit naff.

Great to get the late equaliser. Not Saints best performance but Romeu in mid-field was superb and VVD outstanding all day. I thought Mane had a bright second half and can't understand the negative comments from posters about his game. Pelle on the other hand was awful - he should have made way for Yoshida, not Mane. Bertrand's first half was very good, and although Martina gave the ball away twice in dangerous areas he actually got down the line into attacking areas often; he's not that bad as a fill in for Cedric. The late point makes all the difference to the rest of the weekend.

You are not the only one - we should be 2/1 up and there has been some nice interplay with Davis, Bertrand, Tadic and Mane. Bertrand so much better at conventional LB with a licence to get forward. Clasie a little quiet in midfield but we have created three good chances and there should be more to come. Agree Pelle is poor today.

He really was. Just the same, the boy can play a bit.

A fairly hard report card Shance. I think it's fair to say SM has not produced his best since the game (Norwich?) he was dropped for being late - but I still see him doing good things and getting into good channels, but two things have worked against him; there have been so many long balls recently just belted up to the Austin, Long, Mane direction and when Mane has played he's been stuck out on the wing, with little service from midfield or wing back. IN the game against Bournmouth I noticed three times ( JWPx2 and Davisx1) hit a square pass hard out to his wing in a cramped part of the field with nothing on - I think, in part he is missing some of the interchange with Tadic, Davis at his best and even an inform Pelle, because without some of the on-the-carpet passes in and around the box some of our play lately has resembled a non-creative overly direct aerial bombardment.