austsaint

It looked like an ankle that rolled when the slow motion replay was shown. Surely torn ankle ligaments or even a fracture would be a better outcome than an ACL! Those two superb strikes from Ward-Prowse and his midfield partnership with Romeu certainly saved our blushes today. Midfield was the only area of the pitch we had the ascendancy although all three full backs, Adams and Tella made contributions. I just thought Shane Long starting was a shocking selection; and keeping him on until the 78th minute compounded the error - surely Broja or Armstrong A. would have been the better call.

You walked a lone path on that one from memory. Big difference is you argued your case well; avoided one-on-one chest beatings and didn't throw up statistical models to try and befuddle opposing voices.

His performances have tailed off; but likewise JWP, which curiously, rarely gets highlighted. Fair enough I suppose that JWP's corners and free kicks tend to inflate what otherwise have been several months of very average general play. My observation is that Romeu has been more effective/influential in open play than Ward-Prowse. It is surprising that Ralph hasn't trusted Diallo more to give both of them a spell.

It was exactly the response needed after the Chelsea debacle. As was the change in formation and the retreat from the press and high line. Very impressed with both KWP and Perraud - KWP sacrificed his wing-back attacking style and Perraud showed again he has grit, skill and defensive nous. Lyanco was impressive all game and he helped to settle Valery after early mistakes - Bednarek was better, and I love the comment someone made about how surprised he looks after he scores a goal, as if he can't believe he's scored. Elyounoussi has received justifiable stick lately but was much better today. Playing three C/Bs certainly made it easier for Romeu and JWP, although you'd have to say the Arsenal attack carried nothing like the threat of Chelseas' the week before. And then there is Forster; I'm one of those who think he should move on and not be given a new contract but he was immense again today.

Many western countries do, not just England. New Zealand is one of the few democratic nations whose moral compass is untarnished.

Blair, Campbell, George Dubya and our little Aussie brown noser John Howard.

Can't wait for your next post!

Sums it up well. This felt like the biggest tonking I can remember - more comprehensive than the Leicester/Man U debacles. At times in the first half (and Chelsea did play well) I allowed an integrity theory to surface in my mind - was it tools down to win money? Was it players knocking off early, dreaming of their Summer holidays. Perhaps Salisu has been tapped up; maybe Oriel is returning to Spain; could Ward-Prowse finally be off to a "bigger team"? How else could you explain the timid, white flag performance. Taking the last month or so as a yardstick there are several conclusions you can draw. Elyounoussi should be on his way at season's end - the "new improved" version we saw early in the season was an illusion - he's no more effective than Walcott; and Long, Bednarek, Valery, Smallbone, Redmond and Djenepo should be going with them. Why is LIvramento picked at RB whenever available? He has a naive sense of defending - the call for him to be tried further up the field has never been heeded - KWP and Perraud should have been our starting full backs for some time. I still see a player in A. Armstrong and Adams, but replacement attacking midfielders and replacements for Djenepo, Walcott, Redmond and Elyounoussi are badly needed to provide service to the strikers. As good as Chelsea were - it was a total humiliation today - could easily have been nudging double figures - a scary thing to reflect on.

Not even at the Tete-a-tete stage yet.

You're not biased! Any non-Saints fan (including Southgate) who has watched these two England games now knows what we lot have known for a couple of seasons......KWP is right up to International competition level; and has the left back, wing back versatility to strengthen his continued inclusion.

Take your point; and would have been a bit callous not to "nurse" him through a tough time in his personal life. Maybe he would be an ok back up for a first choice new keeper, yet at 34, after 8 seasons at the Club, it's probably the right time and best decision for both parties to part ways.

Exactly this. Some deserved redemption for him after several good performances of late - yet he's a seriously limited keeper and gave the impression for a long time that he was happy to sit on the bench and rake in the big wage rather than play Football elsewhere.

And should have had A.A. up front once Broja was rested/benched. Smallbone, Elyounoussi and Armstrong with Che up front was crazy against a struggling side. Smallbone gives no indication he is up to a starting place. KWP on the other hand gives every indication he is up to an England call up! I'm glad/relieved we've got the 35 points in the bank.

Yes, that little bit of confidence, swagger and luck has been missing v Villa and Newcastle - the pattern of getting stuck in a slump is also a worry. I can see the case for restoring Perraud and switching KWP...will Ralph? There's a case for giving A. Armstrong extended game time, certainly ahead of Shane Long.....maybe starting ahead of either Broja or Che. Maybe bench Elyounoussi in favour of Redmond or even Djenepo, even if Moi has paired well with Perraud previously. Also important for JWP to lift on his two recent subdued, conservative performances.

Please, stop it! You're reminding me of the Black Knight from the Monty Python sketch.

This seems to be an inconvenient truth/observable fact for Ralph to accept. While Tino is still playing ok - KWP is consistently our most creative attacking player as well as being sound defensively while Perraud has demonstrated he is right up to standard as a specialist LB. This was such a frustrating game to watch - sure, that little bit of luck wasn't there, but for long periods we didn't match the press and energy of Newcastle. Elyounoussi in particular was so wasteful with poor touch and passing. Ward-Prowse for the second consecutive game lacked his usual energy and reverted to a safe, conservative style of passing - while Romeu often took on the responsibility of taking the game on and passing progressively. I found his substitution baffling! Shane Long? There was more likelihood of Romeu creating or even scoring a goal than Long, despite the "hens teeth" goal v Everton - Ralph got that wrong in my view. Armstrong, KWP and Romeu, along with Salisu, easily our best tonight. It's a nightmare prospect.....Salisu being sold in the Summer!!!

If ever there was a player the Club should push the boat out for, it's this lad. 40m might not be enough though - if he's put on the market.

Quite so! I was one of the many critics of Ralph's starting 11 - and for the first 15 minutes it looked very shaky. From that point most of the "fringe" players grew into the match. Smallbone, Stephens, Valery, A. Armstrong and even Djenepo helped change the shape of the game. Only Long in my view looked a liability, yet he still had a couple of moments drawing fouls. You could hardly call Perraud a fringe player, and that goal had been coming judged on several other sweet strikes from distance lately. Once again Broja showed that the 25 million pound tag some on here are forecasting is likely well short of what's required. Well played Ward-Prowse, not only the emphatic penalty but held the midfield well and linked the play well. Redmond's cameo was good and Willy's late save compensated for some shaky moments.

Strange decision Ralph. I know you shouldn't pick out one player, and I know he scored a goal recently, but starting Long seems a crazy decision. If we lose this game decisively Ralph will have given up a lot of th goodwill he has earned in recent times.

Yes, he (Romeu) has been very good for most of his time at SFC. His controlled aggression and physical strength have long been recognised, but he's such a good passer of the ball and has that good first touch. KWP is such a good mover - quick, well balanced, evasive and a great touch with his passing. You have to feel sorry for Perraud, who has proven himself to be a genuine first team left back yet has these two talented young English full-backs consigning him to the bench.

Romeu and KWP have been headline acts for several games now. Their consistent excellence, backed up by Salisu, Livramento, Armstrong, JWP and Adams have paved the way for this purple patch which must be rivalling the run we had under Koeman.

You're a jury of one. The kid is, and will be class.

I don't know about that. His last two games have been less impressive; yet he is still highly influential and brings other attacking players into the game - especially since defenders are now paying him more attention. He definitely needs to work on his passing and link up play - but he's still a gem.......every day of the week! Will he be our gem next season though?

They probably do - but Mourinho and Levy didn't; which is laughable!

Yes, one of the many great things about watching that win today were the performances of Romeu and Armstrong - with their combined purchase price of 12m pounds. Best game I've seen from Armstrong, particularly first half. With the full backs playing high up the field, Armstrong's central midfield runs; his touch and passing, capped with the strike would usually make him a stand out mom. As it was, Romeu, and the second half efforts of KWP put them in the frame too. Add Adams, JWP, Elyounoussi, Salisu, TIno all as stand out performers and it made for a dominating win which is exactly what it looked like for all but 10 minutes. Everton's touted Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin were completely shut down by our back 4 - their midfield Allan, Gomes, Gordon undone by Romeu, JWP and Armstrong, and were left to commit cynical fouls. Romeu and JWP made so many quick, progressive passes today to willing runners which was such a contrast to the slow build up style of not long ago. Played them off the park today, a joy to watch. And full marks to a referee who let the game flow - only 15 fouls given in the match! And it was the only column the Toffees won all day....9-6.