austsaint

I don't have an agenda against the lad at all. He has shown some bright moments in his last 3-4 appearances for Saints, but honestly if you look at his overall performances, leaving aside his free kicks and corners it's very hard to understand the hype and push for full England selection. The post I commented upon said that "JWP will become an inbetweenie player for England which would be a traversty" - I couldn't let that hyperbole go unchallenged. If you happen to rate JWP good for you: I don't rate him, and I don't think I'm alone. JWP is clearly a lovely lad and is highly articulate and a great advertisement for the Academy. I just don't think he has the qualities to become a leading Prem player, let alone an International.

Is this a serious post? The JWP P.R. people are hard at work.

Comes across as a down to earth character with humility and a complete lack of ego. Throw in the fact that he's a more than decent, high energy mid-fielder and you start to realise what a good signing he's been.

Outstanding player and quite unique in so far as he can cover wing, striker and AM effortlessly. Has unique skills of pace, control, evasion and great vision for an assist. Will be delighted if we get another season from him beyond this one. What a player.

Romeu on to tighten up midfield.

Did anyone else notice Mane's goal celebration to make it 2-0? It was a brilliant replica of J-Rod's opening goal effort. Almost as though he was trying something out he hadn't seen before.

tpbury - I am also over from OZ (just over the bridge from you) on holidays - and as I couldn't get a ticket for the Saints v Man U I travelled out to WHL to see the Spuds v Palace. Left at half time and walked to Seven Sisters Tube - one stop to Finsbury Park, and managed to find a great pub "Worlds End" showing the Saints game. Most other pubs in the area and seemingly throughout London at the moment are showing the Rugby World Cup. Anyway have a great trip - enjoy the MK Dons game and safe trip home.

Easy to heap blame on Yoshida for his calamitous back pass, but he should never have been asked to play RB from the start of the game. The things that stood out today were - Pelle is a damn good striker when he gets service. Mane is wasted when pushed out wide. VVD has some way to go before he's established in the Prem. Yes, JWP provided a good cross for Mane to nearly complete and Pelle to finish off, but otherwise was ineffective and didn't influence the game, and the more we wait round for him to deliver something of substance week in week out, the closer we will sink to the foot of the table. We looked better when he went off and Davis came on.

When you consider that RK for much of the League season so far has had to play the likes of Ward-Prowse, Targett and to a lesser extent Steve Davis, he really has started the season well. I don't hear him complaining and offering excuses too often.

VVD the only bright spot for me; though an away point in not be scoffed at. Surprised that Long or Juanmi didn't make a late second half appearance and once again James Ward-Prowse was totally underwhelming.

Put Mane on asap - even if he's sleep deprived he will add more than the dross of the first half. New boy (VD) looks good.

And don't tell me, you think Steve Davis should never wear a Saints shirt again and JWP is the next Gerrard.

A bit of revisionism going on here. While Romeu had a blinder, let's be fair, Norwich were pretty awful with 8 starters from their Championship side. Against most other Prem sides Romeu is going to need help and a clear headed Wanyama is just the player we need firing alongside to build something like we had with MS and Vic. I understand the annoyance and disappointment with what Wanyama is seemingly doing, but let's not pretend he isn't a unique, powerhouse defensive midfielder, and most weeks we are going to need both of them.

Agree entirely, except against better teams than Norwich Romeu won't be able to command the holding midfielder alone. There was little pressure on our midfield after the sending off which gave us so much time and space. He was the stand out player though (Romeu) edging it from Mane - who we just have to hang on to.

I hope Wanyame stays; but not as much as I hope Mane does - he is the creative force in our side. Romeu man-of-the-match.

Tadic is much more effective on the left. Mane is our cutting edge. Romeu solid and cultured and Cedric looks more at home today.

Credit where it's due. Ward-Prowse did well in the lead up.

Take Mane out of that lineup and it's the weakest side to line up since L1/Championship days. Midfield in particular looks suspect. Why not Reed partnering Romeu and either Davis or Juanmi on the right AM.

He is a dud player; and will be when he's 23, 24 and 30. I'm not holding my breath thinking a "big" team are going to swoop for him one of these transfer windows. On the other hand he speaks well, is photogenic and is a good advertisement for the Academy.

A consistently underwhelming player whose limitations have been obvious for some time.

Just about the most astute summary of what we need to compete for a mid-table finish. The CB reinforcement of itself will not right the ship without the other additions.

I want to believe that so much; can you provide some itk titbits.

Both Toby and Morgan are also above average dead ball exponents, which to be diplomatic took the pressure of having to include Ward-Prowse or even saddle Davo wit that responsibility.

Don't Bale, Theo and Ox count?

Woke up (Oz) to the BBC reporting this - awful news. Someone tell me, he will stay and not be distracted.