austsaint

He is contributing much more than JWP, wouldn't you agree?

We are - if Ron isn't going to bring Mane on then it must be time to give Seager a chance - Ward-Prowse off, there are others who can take corners and free kicks.

Agree with posts 16 and 17 - he's a good all action holding midfielder who can pick a pass and has a decent shot in his kitbag. Hope he stays; a partnership with Clasie awaits.

Superb against Arsenal and has been at the heart of most creative things Saints have done this season. Mane will be in demand come the Summer and in my view 30 million will be a starting price several Clubs will be willing to meet. I hope he stays - he's a brilliant player; it's just a pity RK has switched him from right to left wing; attacking mid and striker to fill the gaps for most of the 19 games so far.

Never mind the platitudes, you've got Dalek in your corner, you'll be allright.

Yes; I'd like to see that line up. I thought it odd RK played Mane wide left today rather than more central and in turn Tadic wide right when his creative best seems to be on the other flank or in behind the striker.

Deflating stuff - why was Mane taken off I wonder.

I laughed Vectis - very good!

It was a screamer, but 25/1 was massive unders.

Icing on the cake was the cameos from Tadic and Juanmi. There is a player within Juanmi.

Might be both. He was mighty tonight, along with Clasie.

Good summary. The other noticeable difference in our game was the effectiveness of Mane in the 10 role and Tadic late in a similar position - keeping the ball on the deck more and the pace and movement of Long and Mane really exposed Arsenal's CBs.

Leicester, Spurs and Barcelona owe us tonight.

Our midfield have killed them tonight - Vic MOM.

Hard work, intensity, confidence and a bit of luck.

Mane is such a player - is he not? Great lead up by Davis too.

Least we're getting stuck in a bit tonight - Clasie and Vic in particular.

Best Xmas wishes to all Saints supporters from sub-tropical Oz. Hope all in the UK get a sunny Xmas day and a result or two over the next three days.

Hodgey, I'd be interested to know which Prem Clubs you think might come in for Ward-Prowse?

Perhaps Olly Lancashire could return with him to shore up our defence !!!!!

A really good analysis of what's gone on since RK arrived. Hard to argue that Pochettino achieved with Saints, and is achieving with Spurs - a superior set of results and an improvement of players in his squad, including young recruits and academy products. The question marks over our recruitment team also ring true with the suspicion that the departure of Mitchell was significant.

You do have to worry about a statistic like that. Then again you only have to look at most of our last dozen games to be worried by our style of play - often ponderous, laboured, too many high direct balls in the vicinity of Pelle - over reliance on Sadio Mane to be the creative force, and a general lack of intensity and spirit, especially when we go behind. A result on Saturday would be a wonderful thing.

When Tadic first arrived I thought we had a gem, who would easily compensate for Lallana's defection. As time has gone on I see a player with some great technical qualities; an eye for a pass and the ability to whip in a cross, but amongst that you get a reluctant defender, a player who doesn't track back to help out (a criticism often levelled at Lallana) and a player who often goes missing when the game gets tough. I think Tadic is one of the players Ron was commenting upon in his post-game presser - no urgency, intensity or killer instinct - and he is right.

So disjointed in midfield and attack - just hopeful long balls in the direction of Pelle.

Not recognising and valuing the talent of Lukaku enough goes down as a huge early blunder by Mourinho. The trouble with so many of these "special" Managers seems to be their appetite for buying established superstars at the expense of developing or spotting the potential of players. I'd like to see how well Mourinho would get on at a Club like Bournemouth or Watford - probably no better than the incumbents.