austsaint

Just as a matter of interest Tom, just what would you be expecting JWP to do up there in the forward line alongside Long? Or do you see him as a 10 role candidate, something he hasn't managed up till now.

There was zero creativity in mid-field last night - Romeu had too much holding work to do with Ward-Prowse along side and Davis had a really off night when he came on. The fact that Saints got few corners or attacking free kicks really showed up the shortcomings in the rest of Ward-Prowse's game. I felt a bit sorry for Mane, Long and Austin because there was no supply apart from hopeful long balls and square passes in midfield. It looked as though Tadic should have come on earlier but Bournmouth had such a head of steam up it was apparent nothing was going to turn the tide on the night. I'll bet Boruc enjoyed the night!!

He's been more involved than Long and Austin to be fair. There's just no delivery for our attacking three - I think Ron has to try Tadic or either Long/Austin or Ward-Prowse.

Great work by VVD - they have really out enthused us in the first half with their pressing and offensive running.

Missed defensive header from Prowse gifts the two B'mouth shots. Midfield has to be addressed at H/T.

We look light on in midfield - Maya or JWP off for either Clasie or Davis.

I have always thought the whole idea of a "team of the week" was a weak idea whether Crooks was the judge or not. I just can't believe that someone like Crooks watches every minute of every game before selecting his team, which you really would need to do before coming up with a final side. His capacity to then make the right choices are a different question again.

Yes, and it would be a nice circular wind down to his career - back to where it started. Has anyone got a clip of him missing the penalty?

We looked like the away team, couldn't maintain possession and invited Willian, Hazard and co to run and pass into dangerous areas - something had to give. I thought Mane should have been on earlier and Pelle's arrival put even more pressure on a retreating midfield and defence. We would have been very fortunate to nick that 1-0.

Good line-up and bench...maybe Tadic to replace Targett if we go behind. If Mane doesn't start tonight he must be off somewhere in the Summer.

I think there has been a lot of unjustified negative comment (rubbish) directed his way. He did not go on strike; he was left out of one match, no different to Morgan when he had his head turned, and like Morgan, Vic has pretty much given his all in most games this season. Yes, his red card tackle v W.Ham was unnecessary but surely you see both the card and the ban as too harsh. He may go in the Summer, but the negativity towards him from sections of this forum have been way over the top.

How's our Ronald done tonight behind the microphone? Should Michael Owen be worried?

Great clip - professionally put together and a marvellous soundtrack. I hope he remains with Saints too; there's been so much rubbish written about him on this forum in recent times.

I'm going to hold you to that last sentence Andy. Big call!

Yes, agree that Leicester, and therefore Manager Ranieri, deserve the highest praise just for breaking in to the top four, let alone if they win it. I take your point too, that if Tottenham do go on and win it, the pressure they, and Pochettino will be under to do well in the Champions League and maintain their lofty Prem position the following season will be immense and would have a bearing on Pochettino's reputation if the big Clubs come calling. I still think an adjective like superb rather than creditable in front of performance is more apt.

"Win it this season and it's a creditable performance". Come on Wes, Poch might be seen as a shifty character for the way he left us for Spurs, but if he guides that lot to Champions status he's earned a bigger accolade than "creditable performance". He was a very good Manager for us; a very good one for them and will be successful at the next Club he goes to.

I think the point with players like Khazri, Ozil etc is that their crossing and dead ball techniques are just part of the tools they have in their kitbag. Not that JWP has to measure up to their standards but the question remains is a very good crossing and dead ball technique alone enough to justify a regular place in the team?

Mane hasn't been poor of late - his finishing near goal hasn't been on target since being left out for the Norwich game - the rest of his play has been fine. I hope we keep him, but I fear we won't.

There's a good photo on the "official SFC site" under "We can still climb higher" showing Jack Cork walking off the ground and Ron looking in his direction as if to offer a handshake and a few words. I wonder if it happened. I noticed in the coverage in the tunnel pre-game, Davo and Fonte both greeting JC warmly.

Mane has to start - hopefully tucked in behind $Long and Charlie A.

I doubted Ron's starting line up, but his explanation of wanting to exploit Swansea's weakness defensively from crosses worked out with the delivery from Davo and JWP to Long the crucial moments apart from the disallowed goal. Once again the back three worked well with VVD proving yet again he is one of the Prem's best CBs - aerially there's probably no better. I thought Romeu was tremendous and showed a willingness to get forward; what a buy he's turning out to be. Pelle had a better second half but needed to and Long proved once again he's a better player in the thick of it than out wide.

I watched every minute (on Sky), a lot of running around, shadowing Swansea players in defensive positions without tackling or intercepting and a lot of time spent in the AM role without a lot of contribution. He really does get around the ground well - and his free kicks and corners were good; the cross for Long's goal was perfect - but for the BBC correspondent to make him Mom in front of VVD is quite bizarre.

Lovely cross for the goal but otherwise he wasn't really in the game.

But why wait that long which only increases the chances of a poor Swansea nicking a 1:0.

It is there for the taking; but not with the present formation, Tadic for JWP and Mane for Pelle.