austsaint

Maybe his reputation as a mock might work in our favour.

Sonic - the difference between someone like Redmond and JWP as I see it; or for that matter Ali; Dier: Barkley; Shaw, even Chambers; is that they all have readily identifiable attributes from a young age, natural talents that separate them form someone like Prowsey. Speed, box-to-box running; athleticism; one touch under pressure or the ability to create attacking threat and score goals from open play. Without these qualities which are usually apparent at 17,18,19 there's only so much improvement a player can make through hard work, physical development and maturity. To Prowsey's credit he has honed a pretty damn good dead ball delivery, but that aside it's the neat and tidy possession stuff which highlights his game - it's hard to see what else can come from him as he approaches his 22nd birthday.

If the rules of Football permitted a player to be brought on to take attacking free kicks and corners, and then be immediately replaced, in the manner of American Football, then JWP would be hot property. There just isn't enough to the rest of his game, particularly in fast paced, high intensity matches in the Prem.

We pressed the life out of Arsenal that day and hit them on the counter attack with the pace of Mane and Long. In midfield big Vic had one of those days when nothing and nobody got past and then there was the stunner from Martina to get things rolling.

Well said. From a purely "business" decision, selling Jose to Man U provided we had a good replacement lined up would have worked well. Now that the storm has passed though it's great to look forward to another season or two from a very decent CB and Club stalwart.

The blindest Freddy can see.

Yes, but presumably we could have bought him. Relatively, it was still a blunder not to retain Antonio; good player now, not bad then.

Who was Manager when Antonio left us - was it Nigel? Almost as big a gaff as Ferguson letting Pogba go and Mourhino releasing Lukaku.

Chez, to be fair, you've been talking up Burke for some time. A tick for you.

From a fan/spectator vantage point things don't look good. System looks confused; players look unsettled, Manager looks an ill fit (much in the manner of Garde) but most of all Mane, Pelle and Wanyama are gone and nothing like replaced

Strikes me that way too. I think the popular idea of Jose as the loyal Captain Courageous has been damaged by the drawn out saga of contract negotiations and transfers talk. Let's be honest, he was five minutes away from being included in "Defectors watch" after being looked upon as close to a spot on the banner with Sir Ricky and co.

One thing I'm sure of...Redmond is not a striker.

This is truly awful. It's abject.

If Boufal is a better player than Mane, as some are suggesting, I can't wait to see him in a Saints shirt.

A privilege reading this. Cider and vomit....just about sums up our reluctant Captain.

I'd have Mane in for either Lallana or Eklund - otherwise hard to argue.

With you on this Andy - Fonte has demonstrated that loyalty in modern Football is wafer thin. The loyalty of Lallana and co. is there until a big Club with more money comes in with an offer; the loyalty of players like Ward-Prowse exist because there are no other offers. Just the same, I expect Jose baby will be the model professional for another year or two at which point age/wear and tear will catch up.

Glasgow, on the subject of money - how much was your redundancy payout worth?

Andy, has your son told you that JWP isn't as good a player as you have thought him to be?

Boufal will be a great signing which will soothe the worries of many supporters including me. I presume he is the replacement for Mane, who is nearly irreplaceable but this guy looks the goods. What now then? Who else comes in, another forward? A centre-back? I guess the push for Stanciu is now over. Win on Saturday and things start to look better.

Not bad for a contrarian!

Nine, I take your point about Hesketh's physique, which might count against his progress - but I cannot share your optimism about Prowsey even if he is peservered with at Prem level.

Looks like he will go to WBA. I doubt J-Rod will play another game in Saints colours; that injury really was a career changer - poor lad.

Saw a full replay of the game and I thought it was more entertaining than some Prem games seen so far this season. Both CBs were good; Reed was the busy organiser - Olomola looks like he could turn into another Emile Heskey, Sims was lively, Johnson looks a likely type - but to answer your question...Yes, Hesketh offers much more than JWP; that left footed shot alone is a skill JWP just doesn't have. Watching this game made me wonder about the amount of money and time the Club has poured into JWP with such little return. The time must be coming when some of these U/23 players go past him in the pecking order and it won't be before time.

He really is a magical player, and represents the star quality we are now so obviously missing. With hindsight, the Club could/should have insisted on him staying another year, getting the benefit of another successful season, and selling for 15-20 million next summer. I would rather have had that with Fonte being sold off for the 12 million, than the position the Club is now in, staring down the barrel of a mediocre season.