austsaint

Is that right? Thanks for clearing that up.

Not huge numbers then - I'd be interested in his assist numbers though; my imperfect memory tells me he has played wide right in many of those seasons since leaving Saints and been responsible for bombing down the flanks bringing others into the game. He has always turned it on against Saints more often than not.

Antonio certainly one the Club erred in letting go. Les Read decision?

You can add Luke Shaw to that list of recognisable stardust.

Let's hope so. I wonder whether he would have brought on Bednarek for Theo if it had been 0-0 at half time? He was more proactive though and Diallo, KWP and Bednarek did shore things up. Still hoping Ralph has the KWP and Tino partnership in his thinking some time soon.

Yes, but surely Ralph has to find a place for both. Today it was a cameo for KWP at LB but he is too good a player not to be starting. On what we have seen of Livramento, he can surely play in front of KWP either as a wing back role or more advanced where Walcott started today. Could be a good partnership. The dilemma then arises when Armstrong (S) is fit he probably slots in to Walcott's spot. Compounding the problem is the bright way Djenepo has started the season; could S. Armstrong fit in wide left? One thing is becoming clearer...Walcott and Redmond should be impact rather than starting players as things stand. Does anyone know the terms of Livramento's contract? How soon can Chelsea buy him back? He is going to be a super player! It's quite bizarre that in a side struggling for quality across the pitch we have two of the best right backs in the Country....and both English!

Where's Kyle?

I suppose if you want to put an optimistic slant on it - the recruitment and scouting during the last few windows has been pretty good; with limited finance. Let's hope we're all pleasantly surprised by this lad from Torino. The chances of another significant signing beyond him look slight.

We do ship goals for other reasons. GK is one of them, and midfield is the other, and our world class dead ball exponent is part of that problem, despite his improvement (general play) in the past two seasons. Which brings us back to formation - three in midfield anyone? One up front? We don't really have the back four, keeper or midfield (as things stand) to afford a 4-4-2, against good opponents.

Good hypothesis except for the likelihood that this time round there will be no Toby.....just our 2021 version of Gardos.

Yes, LIvramento is special, and looks like one of those precocious players that come along now and again, eg Bale, Shaw, a young Theo even. That's why it would be a good idea to find a place for him in the wingback/wide attacking role to ensure the best RB the Club has had for a long time is in the team too. If the Club overdoes the recruitment of promising young players at the expense of experience and a bit of here-and-now quality it will start to look like a getting ready for life in the Championship, because most of the younger talent will either be not ready or not good enough.

If Ralph can't see this and select them thus, he really is stumbling towards the exit door.

Just parking the car puns for a moment. Is Caleta gettable? Seems to linked to Spurs and West Ham.

Will be electric in the future.

Didn't realise that. Yeah, I've begun my walk away from the Ralph in camp. Just too many repeats of poor game management; use (or non-use) of subs; inflexible team selections/formations and the playing of favourites. Goes to show that having a likeable, enthusiastic Manager is never enough.

We really do need a quality CB pronto. As someone pointed out, there was a distinctly Championship look about the starting lineup today.

Has to be the case. Push Livramento into Theo's spot and reinstate KWP to RB. You can't have one of the stand out players of last season warming the bench.

Sorry to hear that; you deserved better on such a big day- but in recent times, with an imperfect memory it's been a Richarlison/Calvert-Lewin, or a Sigurdsson worldy which has been the difference. They shouldn't be feared.

Same here, on both counts. Despite the bad record up there, I can't remember Saints being dismantled at GP. Why not a win, or at least a score draw. Good luck to AA if he starts.

Yep, it's a "time and tide" thing with Longy; the spring and the speed in his legs seem to have fallen off a cliff in the last 12 months or so. He has given good service. And that goal after the run and pass from Sims was a magic moment. My point about the Mane, Pelle, Tadic area was that he seemed to lift his game with good players around him and it was his "purple patch" at Saints for a season or two. Anyway, we move on to Armstrong, A. and you get the feeling every Saints fan wants him to do well and hopes he chalks off the first one early on.

That's a good point. I've been as scathing about Long as many others, and even at the time, the two year extension was ridiculous. He has, however, been a worthwhile player for SFC, particularly in the Koeman, Mane, Pelle and Tadic days.

Can see Che being a good partner for AA, just as he was with Ings. Good hold up play, an eye for a pass, looks for others in the box.

Just looks like the sort of player who is going to bang the selection door down; which could spell trouble for Redmond, Elynoussi, Long and even Djenepo. Surely Long will be out the door that Broja has burst through.

When are we going to find a home for that Irish, guitar playing, grey beard of a "striker" who used to leap like a salmon and is now coasting along with the contract extension given by wee Ross Wilson?

Judged on the highlights reel, he's decidedly two footed too - a big asset.