austsaint

Why don't you turn your forensic attention to JWP and get off Davo's back.

I thought Boufal showed more creativity and flair in his 20 minutes than any other player on the pitch. He was one of the positive things about today.

Who to be fair (Surman) has had a pretty fair career. No doubt JWP has improved a bit this season, but posts 43 and 44 sum it up for me. Hojbjerg has so much more in his locker.

No they didn't - you have to call a spade a spade. JWP has shown improvement this season but his game was abject last night - go back and watch a replay if you need convincing. Reed and Hojbjerg were very good in a poor scrappy game - but JWP did not play his part. I know people want him to live up to the hype and this is probably his best season for Saints so far, but he was extremely poor last night.

Yes, I meant Isgrove - poor lad is not going to make it at Saints.

Agreed. Yoshida, Reed, Hojbjerg, McQueen and Fonte all good tonight and of course the Boufal moment was pure magic. There were a few poor performances on the night - Stephens, Hesketh and Ward-Prowse were ineffective. Great cameo from Redmond - his speed is exceptional; thought Olamola was a brave change by Puel and he showed enough to keep himself in the frame.

He won't come back of course, but there would be a place for him. Romeu is going brilliantly, but a lot is being asked of him, and accompanied by Davis and Clasie; Davis and Hojbjerg, or even with JWP, there is a defensive frailty involving Romeu having to do too much.

He won't come back of course, but there would be a place for him. Romeu is going brilliantly, but a lot is being asked of him, and accompanied by Davis and Clasie; Davis and Hojbjerg, or even with JWP, there is a defensive frailty involving Romeu having to do too much.

Well deserved point - gritty defending and some good counter attacks. Romeu clearly the best on the ground, Fonte and VVD immense.

That's a good call; Clasie got the ball; Fernadinho got Charlie's calf.

Romeu great again today, as is VVD. McQueen a little shaky at LB. It's going to be long second half - not that Clasie is bad today but perhaps Hojbjerg to replace him, and I'd be tempted to replace Sam with Yoshida.

No doubt about it. As it stands we have three very good left backs, and two of them are young Academy products - the other is an England International...happy days.

Smash and grab job by the locals. How many chances did we have that on another night would have resulted in a comfortable win. We look to be short of a good striker; Romeu excellent but had too much to do with Hojbjerg having a poor game and JWP neat and tidy but nothing more. Both full backs heavily involved and it was good to see Boufal up and running. A cruel defeat.

I can see why they loathe Icardi.

Or a Mane. Young McQueen really can play can't he.

Those three look the ones to replace if Puel wants to win this - for Austin, Boufal and Davo.

It should be 2-0

Wish Obama would tell Tadic to stop whining.

If it was a boxing match we would be well ahead on points. How close was that for Jay....McQueen having a stormer, likewise Hojbjerg. Jay off for Austin.

Agree with what you say - Romeu is both tough in his defensive duties and cultured with his runs and incisive passing. Unsurprisingly though, you've omitted Davo's role in quick movement of the ball through midfield; and using the Burnley game as an example, Clasie too showed that side of his game.

It really was, and you could see McQueen's confidence rising as the game went on. Midfield were commanding - Romeu, Davis and the best game Clasie has played by miles. Tadic very influential, and Redmond always a handful. Defence rarely troubled. Commentator noted that all our points have been gained from lower table opposition - bigger tests ahead but the quality of Football played is very encouraging.

Agree with all positive comments about Davo. I love his driving runs from midfield towards the box, his touch and control in tight spaces and his ability to pick out a player in a dangerous position. In many ways as important a player as Morgan was for SFC.

A good point - on all statistical measures Saints shaded the game. Frustrating for Austin - top notch performances from Romeu and Hojbjerg - Fonte also good. Disappointed with Redmond and Tadic.

Redmond is shocking today

Started the game brightly - Romeu excellent apart from the back pass. Really disappointed in Redmond; doing and offering nothing - Long will have to replace him.