austsaint

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.

You may be right. I hope we get both in because if KK can cover several defensive positions, all the better. The first two league games show defensive frailties beyond just CB.

He was very impressive. You might remember in both games v Everton last season Martinez played Lukaku out wide on the left and Clyne kept him very quiet.

You can add Tadic, Long and Ward-Prowse to that list , and even Fonte doesn't look up to it early on.

Good summary. Wide open through midfield - full backs look shaky and indifferent performances from Tadic and Long - who is better suited as a sub.

I want to add my thumbs up. Looks a great signing, and the Newcastle game just highlighted our need for a player like Romeu. Those all touch videos don't lie - he can play. Impressed with his skilled-with-both feet attribute.

I think you can definitely delete the word almost from the sentence about Mane.

Thanks for the correction. Misspelling or not; he can play.

The Hammers have got them selves a gem in Payate. Just the sort of midfielder we need - skilful; creative, hard in the challenge and great set piece delivery. Whatever they paid....it looks cheap at the moment.

To be fair Mane had to show great skill and run to create those late chances, but yes, you expect him to hit the back of the net with one of them. Much better second half - Martina and Long steadied the ship. Davis very good all day; Tadic did some good things. Mane had a better second half.

What's happened to the composure in midfield and defence? Geordies are waltzing through midfield and down the right flank. We could be 2 or three behind. Fonte and Yoshida look like they hardly know each other. Big Vic has to lift.

The three ex-saints all played well; particularly Morgan and Toby, who are big losses for us.

There are certainly polarised opinions about our JWP. I've seen most of his 70 plus appearances for Saints (TV) and can't see what the fuss and hype about him amounts to. If the recent quote attributed to him about hoping for a senior England call up is true I can only wonder how realistic his own assessment of his form and development really are.

Cannot see Ward-Prowse starting and certainly not in that set-up.......surely Juanmi or Long. Our defensive midfield is looking vulnerable with too much being asked of Vic.