austsaint

Indeed, if Adams stays, most people (Verlaine aside) will be happy enough with our "strikeforce". The other key might be Sulemana staying. If he does, I can see the scoring and providing of many goals - even if he isn't an out-and-out striker. Perhaps Wilcox and co have knowledge/confidence he's staying.

Yeah, high quality.

There'll be quite a few out there like the Lord Duck fuming about the audacity of Women playing high quality Football these days rather than being restricted to kitchen duties as they were in the good old days.

He (Manning) is/should be under the microscope though because he looks distinctly average thus far. Just too static for my liking and clearly lacks pace. Doesn't press or get close to attacking threats and even if he has a narrow role under RM, doesn't show any capacity to bomb forward or overlap. The only plus side I can see is a sound passing game and a good left foot cross - but not at the level of Perraud's quality in those areas and I'd like to think that Larios has scope to have a bigger impact.

He was great today. Assists for both goals; ran at the Plymouth defence, passed progressively and defended well including a last gasp clearance to preserve the 2-1 status. Impressed to by Charles who grew into the game and held the midfield well. Not at all sure about Manning - very slow moving, ponderous player who apart from a sound left foot has me wondering what qualities RM sees in him. A great result and surely time to strengthen the squad to consolidate the strong start to life in the Championship.

As many have observed - this is probably the most vulnerable Saints will be all season with a makeshift midfield and question marks in defence. Any points from this will be a good day for the Club.

Classy stuff from a class young player - I'm absolutely confident he will make his mark immediately at Chelsea. His goodbye note above confirms a maturity and a sound head on young shoulders which he has needed during the drawn out transfer saga. A great outcome for Saints and he is one ex-Saint I will be following in the season ahead.

Didn't see the game today but what you say is clearly crucial this season. Either ABK staying (unlikely as it seems) or a CB or two of his quality is needed urgently - as are CM replacements. In my mind there's a question mark too about Manning - he looks very short on pace? By comparison, at this early stage, I'd have Perraud in a heartbeat, although it's clear that Manning is RM's pick and therefore nailed on for the spot.

I'm waiting for a train at nearby Roma St after seeing the game with wife and youngest daughter. An extraordinary game which pulsated with drama and unending noise from the 50k crowd. Women's Football is here to stay - it's mainstream and attracting crowds, media networks and advertising dollars. As a Father of four daughters its wonderful to watch Women's sport - particularly Football and Cricket establish itself as genuinely entertaining and a symbol of greater recognition, respect and participation for girls and Women's sport.

Reminds me of the old Woody Allen line....."the last time I was inside a woman was during a visit to the Statue Of Liberty." Can't see a future here for Paul O. It all depends on the Adams situation - I'd be happy enough with Adams and AA,,,,,,back up from Mara. Especially the case if Tella stays.

Yes, I have BeIN Connect as part of their streaming app. The 5 games live were Saints v Sh. Wed; Blackburn v Baggies and then the three games on Sunday - Leeds v Cardiff Leicester v. Coventry and Sunderland v Ipswich. Those 5 games are stored as video replays for a week.

Not only that, but the Wednesday goal was a first time volley that fell perfectly and was converted with a strike that would go in once or twice in a season. Beyond that there was nothing much to threaten Bazunu. There is a question mark or two about the slow build up and multiple passes in non threatening areas - but excruciating? I don't think so, and there is the suggestion of an identity and style returning to the Club....absent for quite a while.

He played well - you could say the same about KWP. In the first half particularly he looked on a different level to the other 21 players. Playing that narrower wing back/attacking midfield role suited him and complemented Alacaraz, Edozie and Tella. No coincidence to see KWP and JWP create the winner for Adams. Will they still be here in September?

Be IN Sports show 5 games live each round in Oz. As long as Saints keep up near the top 6 or so there will be plenty of games to watch - but definitely not every game!

Yep, much as I'd love ABK to stay, he is an emerging talent who like Lavia and Livramento are both too good to languish in the Championship and too valuable an asset not to cash in on. Lyanco probably fits into the McCarthy, Bree, Djenepo, Mara category - hard to shift players who would free up space for the players Martin wants.

Quite right. If a Liverpool or an Arsenal baulk at 50m pounds they will be missing a great prospect whose value is only going to inflate in the mid-term. You just don't see 19yo's doing what he did regularly for us last season. I think one of them will cough up. Would be interesting to know if the kid himself is desperate to move; if he isn't, his agent certainly will be!

KWP is a tremendous player and one of the best RBs in the UK. There has been a lot of underselling of KWP. Claims he was poor last season demand a bit of context. In such an awful season as last, with the Manager turnover; players like Elyounoussi, Walcott, Arma etc clogging up attacking/creative spots, it was often left to KWP to be our sole attacking source; at least until Alcaraz arrived in January. Then there was the constant swapping to LB - and the pantomime of Jones "tenure" followed by the deeply disappointing huff and puff of Selles. There will be Premier League offers, and if someone claims him for 15m pounds, they have got a bargain.

Shrewd maybe, but I think Lavia has him covered in the excitement department. Let's hope he's anywhere near as good as another left-back named Ryan joined Saints.

Oops. What a clanger.....played for Scotland though didn't he. My reference to Poch was simply the relative youth of Martin and, like Poch, seems to have retained a lot of his skills and touch which judged by the pre-season training clips can only help him win some respect and admiration from the squad; something Pochettino achieved quickly post-Atkins. Clearly though he has to demonstrate a lot more than passing skills on the track and measured interviews, but the early signs are hopeful, aren't they?

It is. And his relative youth and great touch and skill on the training track are promising assets. Perhaps a Scottish version of Mauricio P.

Exactly, those of us putting in a good word for Stephens are doing so should he be lining up for us in the Championship (which he almost certainly won't be) - most acknowledge he had his limitations (for Saints) in the Prem, in much the same way Maya Yoshida did. Both of them a cut or two below the likes of Fonte, Toby, VVD (of course) and the recent up and comers like ABK and Salisu.

Good player, Jack Stephens. Not quite consistently good enough at Prem Level, but would be excellent in the Championship. Moot point though with indications we will sell to Bournemouth.

Let's hope you're right - that we don't let all of them leave. The two I have hoped would realistically stay are Alcaraz and Sulemana; but the signs are that both may go.

Beautifully summed up. The most puzzlingly (often) selected Saints player I can remember. Wish him well, but he never belonged in the Prem.

Yes, I think the Club should hold their ground with Tella. A required player who has the recent Championship pedigree to help us try for an immediate return to the Prem. Morgan Schneiderlin is one of the last Saints players I can remember the Club holding to his contract for a season prior to joining Man U. Different situation I know, but Saints don't have a strong record of holding required players to their contract....disgruntled or not. Surely enough funds can be raised with our Lavia, JWP, KWP, ABK, Salisu sales without the 15 -20m Tella would probably fetch.