austsaint

Agree, but I'd rather trade off the set piece delivery for a tighter, quicker mid-field against a team like the Arse (in Morgan's absence)

I'll get slated for saying this but I would start Harry Reed in midfield rather than JWP who I thought had a poor half hour on the pitch today.

Deserves a new contract, even if we are lucky enough to sign Toby permanently.

I thought it was a reasonable question.

Does he come back straight away if Senegal get eliminated? Hope so.

Great point. Thought we sat back and settled for a draw much too early, but the discipline and focus of the back four was superb. Young Targett is a beauty. Mane's movement and tricks in the first half were top shelf and we will miss him during January.

Even though JWP played quite well at Palace, we need tackling strength and intercepting speed in the midfield against Chelsea, therefore I'd go without his dead ball skills and play Morgan, Vic and Steve Davis (who was surprisingly off his game at Palace). Surely Tadic will feature at some stage to try and unlock the defence and Sadio has to back up after his brilliant display yesterday.

He will - he has a touch of class and makes things happen; we have to accept the odd gaff. Toby excellent today, Yoshida solid and though I'm not his biggest fan JWP did some nice things today.

Bit shaky at times; Clyne not getting a lot of help from Gardos and Ward-Prowse - lively half from Mane who has been the difference.

It's a tough call - I think Maya has done enough to earn a new contract, but you don't want to freeze out Turnbull and Stephens. From what I've seen of Jack Stephens, he could be the one to step up. A lot will depend on what happens with Toby at seasons' end as well.

You would put JWP in before Davis? Please explain that one.

If you were paid for your opinions it would be a while before you could afford to replace that mouldy coat.

We had that little bit of luck today denied to us v Man U. The side showed more desire for the win than Everton. Reed's performance couldn't be missed; Toby was good and so was Steve Davis - but a special mention for Yoshida; really good today and took the goal well.

plus 1.

Great days, weren't they. Ricky really was at the heart of our revival and I always admired Wayne Thomas for his "no prisoners" approach - lacked a bit of skill but gave us some steel at the back.

I want to add my voice to the "he is actually a good player" brigade. While, like a few others, he has made mistakes and missed opportunities, Mane has also caused problems for defenders; shown good touches and even as recently as the Blades debacle, produced our best effort on goal with his weaker foot. The mass bagging on this site is mind boggling. If you want to start doubting some of our players how about having a close look at JWP, dead ball deliveries aside.

Good points S. Clarke. MY point would be we have seen 60 or so appearances from a young academy player like JWP and apart from some reasonable imitations of Gerard and Beckham with dead ball delivery there has been very little else from him as a player pushed forward; as an attacking midfielder and certainly not as a DM. Therefore, why not throw Harry Reed in against the Toffees with Vic and Morgan missing. What do we have to lose?

Not as funny as the obsession with JWP.

But we've got our future English International, goal scoring, goal assisting JWP back - is that not a positive. I'm sorry I could not resist some sarcasm. PLenty of stick for Mane and Long, but sooner or later people are going to wake up to the fact that JWP isn't that good.

Good call. Another factor which hindered Nigel, in my opinion was his assistant Andy Crosby and also Dean Wilkins - needs a better support team around him.

Cold, wet pitch; fired up opposition and supporters and a little bad luck make for a dismal afternoon.

Has broken ribs apparently (Lallana) - hence the no show v Basel. I'm fairly confident his career will steadily decline from this point, even if his pockets will be much the healthier.

Agreed. Mane is a good player who has plenty to offer our side; I am sure he will improve with more experience of EPL. He has already demonstrated special skills and speed which can unsettle rival defences. Get off his back, encourage him and see the x factor he brings to our attacking set up.

As far as unlucky defeats go that one was right up there. Jose chose a bad time after 200 games to pull out a slack back pass like that and Forster, despite his many good qualities once again showed a hesitancy which cost the second RVP goal. The continued improvement of Victor is a joy to watch; once again the full backs were good; for all the stick Maya has taken he was very solid tonight and Tadic and Pelle showed improvement after several quiet games. I can understand the frustration with Mane however he also produces several moments of quality which can and probably will win games as the season goes on. Young Hesketh coming on was a surprise - can someone describe what sort of player he is and what he's shown in Hunter's team?

Agree with this. Not strong enough defensively and too cautious/limited in attack, apart from good dead ball delivery. Yes, he may improve as he matures, but seriously over-hyped at present. Would like to see Reed given the game time JWP has had over the past 3 seasons.