austsaint

Least we're getting stuck in a bit tonight - Clasie and Vic in particular.

Best Xmas wishes to all Saints supporters from sub-tropical Oz. Hope all in the UK get a sunny Xmas day and a result or two over the next three days.

Hodgey, I'd be interested to know which Prem Clubs you think might come in for Ward-Prowse?

Perhaps Olly Lancashire could return with him to shore up our defence !!!!!

A really good analysis of what's gone on since RK arrived. Hard to argue that Pochettino achieved with Saints, and is achieving with Spurs - a superior set of results and an improvement of players in his squad, including young recruits and academy products. The question marks over our recruitment team also ring true with the suspicion that the departure of Mitchell was significant.

You do have to worry about a statistic like that. Then again you only have to look at most of our last dozen games to be worried by our style of play - often ponderous, laboured, too many high direct balls in the vicinity of Pelle - over reliance on Sadio Mane to be the creative force, and a general lack of intensity and spirit, especially when we go behind. A result on Saturday would be a wonderful thing.

When Tadic first arrived I thought we had a gem, who would easily compensate for Lallana's defection. As time has gone on I see a player with some great technical qualities; an eye for a pass and the ability to whip in a cross, but amongst that you get a reluctant defender, a player who doesn't track back to help out (a criticism often levelled at Lallana) and a player who often goes missing when the game gets tough. I think Tadic is one of the players Ron was commenting upon in his post-game presser - no urgency, intensity or killer instinct - and he is right.

So disjointed in midfield and attack - just hopeful long balls in the direction of Pelle.

Not recognising and valuing the talent of Lukaku enough goes down as a huge early blunder by Mourinho. The trouble with so many of these "special" Managers seems to be their appetite for buying established superstars at the expense of developing or spotting the potential of players. I'd like to see how well Mourinho would get on at a Club like Bournemouth or Watford - probably no better than the incumbents.

I think the difference is though that Leicester haven't had multiple players sold off or wanting to leave the way Saints have - therefore their purchases of Mahrez, Kante and co. don't have to be compared with departed players. The point remains valid - Leicester have made several astute buys in the transfer market.

The thing is Stan, if the unthinkable happened and you found yourself 2400 quid better off, by the time you'd bought yourself a new Smart TV, a trip to the Caribbean and a dozen bottles of Chateau Le Tour you would have the misery of watching Saints go round in the Championship with an unrecognisable side and facing an almighty battle to win automatic promotion.

I remember putting $400 (Australian dollars) on Coventry at 12/1 when we beat them to clinch promotion and I vowed I'd never bet money against Saints again - but 200/1 is massively over the odds - we probably should be 50/1 maximum.

Indeed. Kante and Mahrez are inspired signings aren't they. Some black box Leicester must have!

Watching Leicester tonight it's noticeable how many players they have who are able and willing to run at oppositions' midfield and defence - in contrast, we only have Mane who does with any conviction.

This was my main bewilderment yesterday - we have seen so much of JWP and so little of Juanmi. JWP, whatever his qualities may be, is never going to be a late impact sub when you're chasing a game - on what I have seen of Juanmi, he has some speed, skill, eye for a pass and can bang a shot in; yet all we hear (from Ron) is he's not ready for EPL Football. It was a strange call on Ron's behalf.

I agree with this - Virgil is a good player with a different set of skills to Toby A. - but Toby A. going to Spurs was a big loss, compounded of course by Morgan and Clyne's transfers. I've seen a lot of Toby A's games this season and he is right up there; a composed, cultured CB, playing in a team with momentum. Now all we need is a Saints win next week to bring them undone.

Maybe one reminder too many.

Spot on.

You've lost me there Ron - JWP for Romeu.

Yes, Long and Bertrand very poor today.

Romeu's been good today.

Just done for pace wasn't he! With Bertrand pushed higher up the park, Bolasie exploited the gap.

He's been our only real attacking threat for a while.

I'm with you on this "9" - Clasie has more to offer than those writing him off after so few starts. I would argue that Mane showed the class skills to come quite early in his Saints career. I would like to see Juanmi given more minutes in favour of JWP if the latter is considered for an attacking role. Got a good feeling about a result today in South London.

I've been impressed with Joel Campbell - would be an upgrade on S. Long.