austsaint

I often agree with your observations, but not this one. Davis was excellent all night, ran at the defence and provided several incisive balls to Pelle, Mane, Elia. His corners and dead ball delivery were also good. Needs a goal, no doubting that.

Obviously a frustrating outcome since we were well on top even before the keeper's "Boruc" moment. I thought we lost a bit of momentum after Mane went off, he was once again clearly the biggest attacking threat. Our midfield was excellent tonight and what about Reed? He showed glimpses that he is more than a DM, has an eye for a run and killer pass as well. Hasn't Yoshida done well filling in at LB - Fonte was good so was Clyne. It was two points dropped.

Reed, Davis and Wanyama all impressive.

I think Pelle has been great all season, and but for the woodwork would have a greater goal tally - he also commands the attention of several key defenders which means more room for the likes of Mane and Elia to exploit. He's probably missing the sharp service he was getting from Tadic prior to Christmas.

Yes, but of that list, how many of them take all/majority corners and free kicks like our future England Captain. I can only remember the one/one with Mane resulting in an assist from open play. The other feature about that list is all of those players have various skills and qualities JWP doesn't - either athleticism, interceptions, tackling, driving forward with the ball, aerial ability, taking on and beating a man etc.

Sakho and Valencia loom as the threats to us on Wednesday judged by what they have done since our comfortable win at Upton Park.

Agree with you Nick. You could tell from the off that Mane had exceptional skills, pace, two footed ability. The comments on here early on were bizarre; he not only can score goals but his assists and penetrative passes/trickery are up with the best attacking midfielders going round. He really is a mixture of striker, A/M and winger. If we get to Europe Sadio Mane will have had a big part in the process.

One good goal disallowed too by the "dubious goal committee".

Lucky for Elia he wasn't juggling 3 balls at the same time! Good question though, Dunne was lucky to stay on as was Barton.

Mane "redeemed" himself? He was exceptional from start to finish, wasn't he?

JWP is 20 and he is certainly not a class act (yet, maybe never). He did pass tidily today and as usual ran around a lot but he was leaky in defensive duties and gave the ball away in dangerous areas. He is getting every opportunity but time for a rest against the Hammers.

At least you're owning up Simo. He's a beauty isn't he?

What an exciting player is Mane - and a great finish. Pelle looks like he needs a spell; we missed Big Vic in the last 30 minutes; I thought Yoshida did well playing out of position, Gardos not bad either alongside Fonte.

Mane particularly and Elia lively, they look our main threat. Tadic has to come on.

Spuds look very sharp. I guess Poch isn't getting the sack anytime soon.

Hey Grigsy; you've got balls coming in for another serve after the "Guardian" blooper. Touche.

I don't think anyone feels hostility towards CC (or Shaw, Lambert, maybe a bit towards Lallana and Lovren) and he played several blinders for Saints including that draw which no doubt influenced Wenger. It's just if it came down to having him back or keeping the money the preference seems clearcut.

No, I don't think that badly of CC, although I always thought that when Clyney was fit he should have been first pick at RB and his subsequent form bears that out. I just mean although he showed a lot of promise with us and hit the ground running with the Gunners for the first few months, the money we got for him is now looking to be good business. I know Chambers is young but it's hard to see him holding down a permanent spot in their side and who knows, when Wenger eventually does put his cue in the retirement rack, the new Manager might look beyond him too.

Thanks for the lead in - the Kiwi's have a great sense of humour and don't mind taking the **** out of each other. Surprisingly, this show doesn't get a viewing in Oz, which is just "over the ditch" from New Zealand. One similar program we have over here you could see on youtube is "Summer Heights High" an Australian actor plays multiple roles depicting a misfit Samoan student, a private school student on exchange and a camp drama teacher. It's quite good and funny.

For no other reason than his Footballing ability and potential I would opt to keep the money and wish him well in his increasing role as bench warmer.

One of the funniest five minutes of my life. Thanks Griggsey.

Couldn't have put it better - Mane is a terrific player; looking forward to Elia and Mane combining with Mane hovering around Pelle.

Is this so? With the FFP requirements on Chelsea for the expensive purchase they made - great work by SFC if the case. Been a great player for us this season; love his runs down the flank and he really has a good cross in his kit bag.

I cannot remember seeing Davis at 20 - but I've seen Shaw at 18; Chambers at 18, Reed at 19, Targett at 19, Barkley at 19 etc and they all have a immediate quality of class/ability in a defined position. Shaw's speed, strength and touch; Chamber's athleticism; Reed's tenacity and defensive instinct - I don't see any such quality with JWP, and Rasiak-9s assessment is brutal but very close to the mark.

It's not a popular view on here, but we really did look better when he was out injured. The observation of JWP running alongside an attacking player and not tackling - as with the lead up to Shelvey's goal is demoralising to watch. If you take the corners and free kicks out of his game he is a complete luxury.