austsaint

Jack S. played well yesterday but he is a long way off England cap quality - as are the other two you mention. Grealish, in a poor Villa side stood out as International quality - the Club could do with a midfielder like him.

Not a day to be critical but agreed - this was a perfect setting for Ralph to give Adams at least half an hour to boost his confidence and get him more involved.

Great result -well done Danny Ings, Stephens and both full backs.

Got to call that one out. Romeu is our best (only?) CM/DM midfielder by a country mile, and he has had a fairly good season so far. The decision to omit him in favour of PEH/JWP is an odd decision by Ralph and exposes further our fragile defence.

The lack of accountability Reed and Wilson were subjected to was a breathtaking failure which the Club seems destined to pay for.

One thing that stood out for me about Saturdays game is that Romeu is a much better midfielder than PEH or JWP - forget this furphy about pace and mobility - he's just a better midfield player - leaving aside that JWP's set piece delivery adds value to a struggling team.

Ralph's idea to play a Hojbjerg/Ward-Prowse midfield was always going to end in tears. Romeu one of the few bright spots in an awful performance. Trusting in Long to start multiple games has also been a bad decision by Ralph. Saints do look like a Championship side.

No one's mentioned Liam Miller for Leeds in the 87th minute for Leeds at St Marys in the Championship to make it 3-4 after Saints led 3-0 with 20 minutes left. That was a nasty memory. Thanks 'Arry.

Played well in my view - took a holding and box-to-box role - the two man midfield is going to cause problems against the better sides, and we needed Romeu in the second half; especially since the early withdrawl of Djenepo emboldened the Norwich midfield (Tetty). PEH was good.

Yes, and a good January...ie CB and CM.

Agree...McCarthy had to cover the open side and Pukki took the wrong footed option near post...it was a quality finish. My only complaint with McCarthy is a few sloppy clearances. As things stand he is a better keeper than Gunn.

What impressed me with Brighton is the way they continued to attack Arsenal after conceding - they never retreated into deep defence - something Saints often do....even as recently as Wednesday night. Mooy is such a creative mid-fielder and the run of Connolly, Daupay and Trossard looked impressive.

You really are a prize *anker Glasgow.

Nicely done.

Yes - I'm in the "Long is past it" camp, but he played his role perfectly tonight for 70 minutes or so and the flick on for RBs goal was good.

Thought PEH was good tonight - agree with Romeu and Boufal getting game time. I'd put Long in "cotton wool" - he did his job tonight but after tonights cameo, Adams as a better striking back up than Long or Obafemi.

Yes, that's true - we were being rolled in midfield and Romeu tightened things up, but by taking Djenepo off so early it took all our speed and counter attacking threat away and invited Norwich into it - their midfielder Tettey ran the show in the second half. But what an important 6 points...Watford and Norwich. PEH was very good tonight, Ings, Bertrand and Djenepo also. Fair play to JWP in the first half - his corners and free kick kept the pressure on. I thought Adam's cameo was good and he deserves more game time. Even Long did his job well for 70 minutes or so. Surely the Club will strengthen in January - CB and CM now that the table position is not adrift.

I just can't see Everton being one of the three going down. After tonight, a Club like Bournmouth are becoming a more likely team Saints can get past.

What you say makes a lot of sense - but I'd be inclined to play Redmond for the "play well against your old Club effect". I still think Ings, Djenepo, Boufal and Redmond is the best attacking quartet - with Armstrong, Adams, Obafemi and Long (reluctantly) as back up. Is Sims eligible to play? Speed in attack is the key to staying up. I take your point about JWP, but a two man midfield (without Romeu) could be very risky against better sides.

Give it a rest. His goal was an exceptional free kick, well done JWP. The rest of his game was bog average.

I think you are wrong on this one Lighthouse. Boufal is an exceptional talent. Don't worry about the odd loss of possession - he's a direct running, creative talent who tries things which often lead to something good. Djenepo, Boufal, Redmond and Ings are the four attacking players who could get the Club to safety.

Delivering something at last.

Delivering something at last.

They both added something today, didn't they. Obafemi's pace does unsettle a defence - even if Arsenal were all over the place today. Like you say, he has an eye for a pass and showed some quick feet to create a shot on his left side - he's such a better option than Long these days. Armstrong's got that direct running style and he can harass and press high up the pitch. I prefer Boufal to Armstrong but both MO and SA showed up today. I think it showed Ralph he must persist with three attacking players to support Ings.

We will agree to disagree about Hojbjerg's performance. Some have named JWP in the best players today? BBC made Hoj man-of-the match - not that I take that as an expert view - but he clearly wasn't poor, and he was playing both a holding role and driving forward with the ball.