austsaint

Would you really play Elyounoussi ahead of Stuart Armstrong? Much as I like Diallo, I can see Maitland-Niles starting ahead of him if he is match fit. Glad you found a place for AA whoc continues to show up in that wide role though the spectre of Edozie now looms large over his place.

Good write up and probably reflects what a majority of Saints supporters think of him - as you say, he is a player for the future, yet is so precociously talented he is an immediate high class Prem defender. I wouldn't swap any other CB combination in the UK for the pairing of ABK and Salisu - and by the sound of it, you agree.

I'm usually a good speller too 🥺

I wouldn't put Adam Armstrong in the same "useless attacking" category as Elyounoussi, who was incredibly ineffectual and wasteful today after a "revival" against Chelsea. Armstrong was once again well spotted making good runs into space, some nice touches/passes and tracked well in defence. His problem is the arrival of Adozie who is clearly going to make the wide left attacking role his own. Two huge frustrations withe referee today....never a yellow card for Diallo, and why wasn't advantage extended to KWP after being fowled and breaking clear to the byline. Deserved at least a point today with that miss by Adams hard to get your head round.

You should have made more of your views on getting a new striker clearer before 11pm.

Reminds me of Hoedt. Thinks he's a better player than he is and seems to have a blunt, self absorbed personality. Should have spent more time with Romeu while he was here to learn a bit of humility. Can't see him ever pulling on a Saints shirt again. CC is a massive upgrade.

Just about my favourite Saints player. Gave everything - outstanding at interception, tackling and breaking up play. Good passer of the ball and never took a backward step. And by all reports, a very likeable, decent human being.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Germany CB's play if they've got two better than ABK - he just looks like he has the confidence and the temperament to step up at WC level....at 20! Agree with Redkeith too - Bayern, Barca, Real Madrid.....he looks destined for a Club like that.

Yes, there wasn't a bad Saints player on the pitch tonight. A win built on hard work and a collective commitment, compared to Chelsea's disjointed, petulant bunch of "stars". Fair play to Elyounoussi tonight - I've been critical of him but he ran, pressed and got involved for the full 97 minutes. LIkewise, Perraud showed the benefit of a specialist LB playing even if Djenepo was unlucky to miss out. So pleased for AA; he's suited to the wide left role and his speed and stamina are crucial in tracking back defensively - he also has a very good left foot and his goal richly deserved. Che Adams was immense up front - a constant physical presence combined with excellent hold up play. As many others have noted the quality of the new arrivals has transformed this side. Lavia and ABK superb; let's hope we get a second season to enjoy them before they are snapped up by the elite outfits. In Bazanu, we finally have a keeper you can trust and rely upon. The other notable quality Bazunu, ABK and Lavia share is a sense of quiet confidence and strong temperament; they look like they belong at this level immediately. Thought JWP looked much better when he reverted to a true CM role with Diallo, whose second half was excellent. Just don't think WP has the game to play as a 10 - he can still get forward from CM and whip in those crosses or use his technical skill for strikes from a deeper midfield role - Aribo looked the better choice at 10 when he came on. So good was that performance you nearly forget to mention another sublime performance from KWP. His speed and movement; willingness to get forward but also to commit to the defensive back 4 is hugely impressive. A couple of quality incomings and this side is going to be a lot of fun to watch this season.

Broja can, and has played as a winger.

Yes, probably a bit harsh on JWP who is pushing forward and whipping in crosses from the right side. Just the same, his all round outfield game this season has been below par - he had such a great partnership with Romeu, who must surely be off to Girona given his lack of any minutes since the Spurs game (Cup game excluded).

Frustrating watch. Deserved at least a point, with that superb Fernandes volley and the Bazunu, ABK, KWP blocks the only real threat United offered. Our CBs were first class today, well supported by Djenepo and Lavia, who has put JWP in the shade so far (this season) in midfield. Che Adams worked hard, held the ball up well and Adam Armstrong was impressive with his direct running, accurate passes and good crosses. Frustrated with Ralph today - he played Elyounoussi for the whole match last week and an hour today - how much more evidence does he need to work out that ME isn't up to standard. Very strange decision to replace. Adam Armstrong and even stranger to pull Djenepo and Aribo for two defenders late in the match. Nice cameo from Mara and my goodness what a bargain we have in ABK.

He looks ready made. Hard to believe he's just 20...Salisu and he look a formidable pairing already. Happy days.

Yep; it's the right team - apart from Elyounoussi. He should not be starting.

Summed it up well. Ticks to all the new signings - ABK and Lavia are gems who already look like players we will struggle to keep. Bella-Kotchap and Salisu look an outstanding pairing (in the making) with strength, athleticism and skill to justify playing four at the back most of the time. Really don't need to see Bednarek in a Saints shirt again. What a player KWP is. His movement and poise made him a constant threat which compensated for a largely anonymous performance from Elyounoussi who strangely, played the whole game. That's the only criticism I can make of Ralph today - he could have used a number of midfield or FB changes to add immediate improvement. If Adams wasn't fully fit then fair enough to see him play off the bench - what a contribution - with that second scissors kick goal perfectly executed. Mara showed glimpses; Djenepo was once again wholehearted and at times skilful; JWP and Lavia are not there yet as a combination and AA worked hard, did some good things and goals will come if he gets continued game time.

AA has the pace, control, passing game and shot which Elyounoussi will never have, and is a much better part of an attacking system which could usefully include any of Aribo, Mara, Stu, Adams and a new striker. Reverting to four at the back immediately freed the team up - got rid of the static Bednarek, allowed KWP to play his attacking game and gave Salisu and ABK the space to show they have the mobility and anticipation to present a solid central defence; especially with the impressive Lavia in front of them. Much maligned Djenepo was again a solid contributor. Clearly he will make way when Perraud returns to fitness or Tino returns, at which point he too is in the wide attacking mix ahead of Redmond and Elyounoussi. Lavia's immediate impact certainly spells trouble for Diallo and Romeu - although I would always be advocating a three in midfield in certain games instead of playing three CBs. That last 20 minutes must have given every Saints supporter a lift. If Ralph is kept on - he has to show he has learned about his players and a system that suits them - something which many on this forum had already identified.

If they start - I'm worried!

Probably right. My preference would be to play both Romeu and Romeo in midfield with JWP and trust Bella-Kotchap and Salisu to manage central defence. Bazunu has to start.

Yes, I'll gladly concede Boufal's goal was better, in a game that meant more and had to be won. Aribo's strike was fairly special just the shame. Huge upgrade on Redmond, Elyounoussi, Tella and Djenepo.

To be fair, it's an astonishing individual goal against a quality opponent - friendly or no friendly. Right up there with Boufal's effort v the Baggies. The goal also showed the touch and control in tight space Aribo has, which is often the sign of a good player.

Maybe - it's not going to be Everton then, is it. Any "unrest" is more likely to be about money though - assuming he is probably on 45 - 50k given his unproven track record upon leaving Spurs. JWP being on 100k plus and KWP earning less than half doesn't strike me as reasonable.

There could be no better statement of intent by SR than to keep and re-negotiate KWP's contract to better reflect that he has been our best player for most of the two past seasons - JWP dead ball skills aside.

Salisu is a gem. A contract extension would be the highlight of the window.

He also goes "missing" in games for long periods and the weakness you mention often results in loss of possession or a turnover. I think we have seen enough of Elyounoussi either side of his Celtic stint to be able to mark his card as surplus to requirements. Be happy just to retain S. Armstrong out of the 10s on the books and send Tella out on loan at the very least. There has to be a bit of ruthlessness shown this window and some quality recruiting to avoid a close look at relegation.

Yes, the silver lining in Salisu's loss of form post injury is he likely stays and hopefully signs a new contract. He's going to be a top flight defender and has every attribute already except sharp decision making and a long throw technique. Bednarek is not an awful player but if the opportunity for a sale is there this Summer it's a no brainer to offload and replace.