austsaint

On the subject of Centre Backs - Yoshida played very well for Japan v Australia in a World Cup qualifier overnight. He was quick, tackled and blocked well and was calm and composed all night. Whether Astori or someone else arrives in the summer, I think M. Yoshida has a big part to play for Saints.

Swansea are now my second team and if Arsene's boys do the business over Wigan they will become my third favourite .- up from 19th.

Thanks for the summing up - just one thing, if we are talking about the same Mayuka effort on goal, it seemed to be cleared off the line by a defender at the near post rather than the GK. I think there is more to come from Mayuka.

You've dined out on that one.

There's also a slight Scottish side to his accent by the sound of it. Watching the highlights video he has plenty of courage to advance and smother at a players feet unlike many other keepers - think Federici and Rodriguez recently.

Have we seen a right wristed, watch wearing contract signing player yet?

We look strangely lethargic - Davis has been good in midfield; J-Rod lively; big miss by Ramirez and Jos looks shaky. A little fortunate to be in the lead.

I love what Kelvin has done for the Club, but if AB is fit and overlooked for KD I'll be both seriously worried and doubtful about MP's judgement in such a crucial game and stage of the season.

Wes, agree with you completely....think you'll find though, Phil is the Toffee's player and brother Gary the excellent pundit.

Not at this time of year he isn't....Christ that is.

Glasgow etc would do well to watch the Fratton Park game again to see that it was primarily Harding and then Lallana most responsible for their equalizer.

A very optimistic forecast, but I so hope you're right. Our remaining games all look tricky, even Reading away.

It's not the blasting over from 10 yards which worries me about AL as much as the long periods where he goes missing and the weaknesses in his defensive game ie not tracking back enough to help out Clyne and Shaw. He should definitely be relieved of the captaincy role. I still maintain though that our best football this season has been when AL, RL, GR and JP have combined, even allowing for the improvement in J-Rod's game.

Let's hope he doesn't turn up at Anfield on match day.

Containing Suarez and Sturridge will be crucial. Omit Jos, Maya back to CB and Clyne returned to RB.

Certainly agree that AL wearing the {c} armband is largely ineffective - he doesn't look like an inspirational leader on the park. As for substitutions, the one I found strangest today was bringing JWP on, at his age and stage I can't see what he brings to a crucial scrap in tough conditions as we face a fight for survival, surely someone like Davis coming on would have given more to the side.

Much of our best creative Football this season has involved Ramirez, usually with Lallana, SRL or Punch involved too. For those inclined to question the Ramirez price tag in relation to performance how would you rate the value Rodriguez has given the club so far?

I know it takes a big budget to bolster a side in the window like Newcastle has - but as a means to ward off relegation worries it's looking like a better model than our approach.

We looked so much better when he came on today - lovely through ball for Gaston with his first touch.

The best Football played at home this season has involved Ricky, Adam, Gaston and Punch - I was very disappointed with Rodriguez today and hope he doesn't start v QPR.

After the 1st 5 minutes we have been run off the park - Lallana, Rodriguez, Davis quiet and ineffective. Geordies running riot down the flanks with both Shaw and Clyne massively exposed. Let's hope for a big turn around 2nd half.

Best keeper since Niemi - by quite a margin. If he had started the season for us (fit and well) we would be safe already.

It's a nightmare prospect.....going down and losing the nucleus of this developing team. Yet as it stands we are one of five teams staring at the abyss.

He was never going to live up to the hype surrounding his arrival but his performances were never as bad as many on this thread are making out. He won't be back after a month and will do well at any Championship level. I still remember the rubbishing of Nathan Dyer's ability when he left the Club yet he's proved many wrong.

I'm hoping Mayuka is named on the bench and plays a part in the second half to inject some pace and zip into our attack. In an ideal world we would be leading 1-0 when he comes on and we go on to win it 2-0 thus avenging the 2-0 defeat at home.