austsaint

My take on Mane is that his brilliant, quite unique skills would take a lot of replacing, even if some Club like Man U coughed up 40k plus pounds. I see his role and value at Saints equal to that of Suarez when at Liverpool and even Bale when at Spurs. I can't think of an attacking player in the Prem I'd swap him for......Hazard, Stirling, Martial, Aguero, Benteke, Vardy, Kane? No thanks. I know he will go eventually, but I'd like the Club to dig in and keep him for as long as possible, including an extension of contract, because when he goes, even for big money, it will leave a big gap in our style and efficiency.

Inspector Gadget would have not been able to reach the Willian goal; it was freakishly placed and unstoppable.

If you judge purely on form and performance, and trust what you see rather than just rely on statistics, FF should have a battle on his hands to regain his spot when fit.

Could be a dead man drowning, in Swan Lake.

Yes, in a way, Sam's hoof ball style took the pressure of our mid-field (none of whom played badly) and allowed us to marvel at VVD's command of the high ball.

He really has been. Davo and JWP much better 2nd half

There's a bit of prima donna in Pelle.

Clasie very good today and better second half from Ward Prowse.

Mane could have three by now with more luck.

I've been busting to say the game has passed him by but you run the risk of being labelled a JWP hater.

But with the line up we have today, Mane has to create and do so much - along with Tadic.

He is playing quite well - so is Clasie.

Like a lot of Saints' signings these days seems a genuinely good lad.

Sums it up. Vic's still playing well but he hasn't got the class help around him he used to have.

This game's gone from being embarrassingly one sided to embarrassingly one sided.

Davo = goal machine.

Hope you are right. They did create plenty of chances on Wednesday night v L'pool. I think Sadio will get amongst their defence and create plenty of mayhem.

Thought he did quite well. Might have been more effective in the hole with JWP on the right.

"Red's" tip of STREAM2U is working well with commentary.

Shifting JWP out to the right for his crosses and Gaston into the "10" might result in more cutting edge scoring chances for Pelle and Juanmi. Juanmi is certainly showing signs of being a good player; great interception and pass to Pelle late in the half which looked on-side in replay. We certainly lack a bit of pace with Mane, Bertrand and Cedric not playing although young Targett has done quite well. Romeu and Vic very solid. Could be a nervous watch in the second half.

Thought our back four were good - especially Cedric. Didn't Gaston look good in that cameo. Clasie showed signs he can play. Red card looked harsh but a great point in the end.

Any guesses at his market value these days - 8K?

Fingers crossed for Stek. I think we can manage without Jay Rod at this stage. If Stek's out it has to be Gazza, surely.

Let's hope Sturridge and Benteke are still out - I thought they looked pedestrian up front against Spurs.

Such a great connection back to the Liebherr involvement; the Pardew, Adkins, Poch and now RK days. The day at Wembley and the promotions back to the Prem. Well done Jose.