austsaint

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.

Clasie has been quiet today; Davis out of position; Ward-Prowse anonymous all of which has put pressure on Romeu.

I think you've nailed it.

Very weak in midfield apart from Romeu and creativity in attack is zero with todays line up. Davis where JWP appears to be playing might help.

If Ron wanted a more offensive player on the right why isn't Mane starting? Who is going to play there, Ward-Prowse?

And aren't they playing well?

Why would anyone not want Mane starting, consistently our biggest attacking threat. On performance it's hard to justify Pelle's inclusion. Ron's proved us all wrong recently but this lineup doesn't seem to carry much goal threat.

Hey Trousers, assuming you find your way to the ground ok, can we expect a report post-match?

Is that the Alpha mail?

No duds from you tonight!

Off the cuff?

No disrespect intended to Pelle, but if Austin is fit enough, surely he has to start. Similarly, if Clasie can back up he starts with Romeu; Davis in for Tadic and Targett for Yoshida.