austsaint

They did, shame really because they play some nice stuff. Enjoyed the game though, some of Leeds counter attacking is great to watch, even if they are a bit ropey defensively.

Those "F' words of yours are pretty damn scary...but I'll press on. What's my point? What's yours? It seemed to be that Wigan fans were so delighted with the silverware of 2013 they weren't so bothered with relegation. My point is, they might love having a Cup but they aren't so delighted with being in a wasteland of lower Leagues, probably never to have another look at the Prem they were in for 8 seasons. Without an extended Cup run they might have survived. Why don't you scale down your tough guy, argumentative bluster. It's not that clever - and very predictable. Failing that , come and work on my building site with four other bricklayers....you can mount your arguments to us face to face....complete with your insults and F words.

What exactly is my belief that Wigan fans would not be happy with the prospect of never seeing their side in the Prem again, even with a Cup on the shelf, got to do with believing Saints are never going to be relegated again? It's not an either/or. Any Saint's fan in their right mind wants to win the Cup. Of course there's no immunity to relegation - but there are better ways of increasing the chances of staying up than we've seen on show this season, and probably the next, by virtue of lead footed ownership, poor squad quality and sub-par management/coaching set ups. Nothing to do with wanting to be knocked out of the Cup to stave off unlikely relegation fears.

You probably won't find any Wigan fans watching their side in the Prem again, squire.

Think you're right about swapping Djenepo for Tella. Tella has pace, but his control and touch don't match up. Give Djenepo that attacking, direct running role we saw from him when he first arrived.

That would be a dream result. Lookman in.........Redmond back to Norwich (or anywhere else).

That has been the most glaring weakness with Ralph's management. Responding to or initiating tactical changes - and the timing and best use of substitutions. Fair to say even Sparky Hughes did that bit better!

That's probably the best 11th post anyone has contributed. Where have you been all these seasons gone?

Surprised there isn't a " new player alert watch" running in tandem with this one. Ings 20 + kept us up last season which created a buffer for many team mates and Manager. Which is not to say a Ralph replacement discussion isn't needed. Could see Howe coming here.

Time you took your bluster, sarcasm and algorithm book back to the "Is anyone looking nervously over their shoulder" thread.

Agree - it really appears that clearcut; without Danny's 20 + goals, and to a lesser extent Romeu's presence, our overachieving and comfortable table position seems shot! As Tedderr observes, without the quick high press and a decisive pass and strike, there's not much else to create scoring chances, and we haven't seen much of that in the past 11 or 12 games (20 minutes v Man City aside).

That's a key observation. We're like a horse kicking several lengths clear down a short home straight and falling in to win by a head.

It's a very good point you make about the scarcity of "take responsibility" players we have in the side. Armstrong,KWP, Romeu (when fit) and occasionally Diallo. People don't like criticism of Ward-Prowse, but objectively, take his dead ball game out and your left with one of the most conservative, static "non-responsibility players we have. The experiment with Tella should soon be closed off; he just doesn't have the control or touch to be starting in an attacking four. Another deflating afternoon however you dress it up and it certainly looks like a flop to safety being sought out, not a comfortable mid-table finish.

Fair enough, I didn't realise he was valued so highly. I was partly responding to MLG's belief that Forster and McCarthy are better keepers - on what I've seen of Ramsdale, they aren't.

I think you're missing the point some people are making. No one's drooling over Fulham, and not many are fearing relegation, just that in the last 9 games or so, they are one of the Clubs who are in better form and playing a better style of Football than SFC. That of itself is fairly deflating, given the early season form and results.

You might - but judged on what I've seen, and considering Ramsdale's age and development - not to mention Saints budget - I'd say he's a perfect candidate for goalkeeping succession, especially if Gunn's career continues to stagnate. I'll trust my eyes on that one.

I used to think Steven Davis was the best bit of business for a UK player (sorry Verlaine) Saints ever did, but Armstrong might have him covered.

Maybe the returning Norwich will fork out a 8 -10 million fee for their prodigal son.

I think you've identified the areas he needs to improve. First touch, control and ball retention in tight areas. His pace, movement and work rate are excellent and he can strike a ball well with either foot. Tella is an immediate upgrade on Shane Long - maybe Long's aerial skills aside and he looks ahead of N'lundulu and Obafemi. I'm not quite ready to junk Redmond yet but Tella is clearly mounting a challenge for his spot as well.

You're not going to be able to retire early betting a tenner on Saints, or any other Club for that matter. I imagine you will be offered $10 or $12. for a Saints win v M. City which might tempt you. What do you drink over in the shaky isles? Monteith's Ale, Savvy Blanc or maybe a Central Otago PInot.

Same here. I still think McCarthy's a better keeper; and I still think both of them need replacing - someone like Ramsdale perhaps. Just the same, Forster does look rejuvenated and has earned the shirt for the time being. As Bankok Saint hinted at though.....let's not extend his contract again!

Come on Captain, take off the blinkers. Criticise Che if he plays badly but today he showed he's a good player. Sublime goal; a few good touches and flicks and very good hold up play which showed that against the weaker sides there's a case for the direct route to goal. Thought the return of KWP, Minamino and Diallo lifted our quality and paved the way for the win. Probably Minamino's best game in a Saints shirt - may have missed a sitter but much more involved around the ground and against the ball. Diallo improved after a shaky start and KWP immediately showed the benefit of a mobile, specialist RB. Armstrong sublime today with his movement and skill. Well done to Tella for his run and work rate and some recognition for Forster who didn't have a lot to do but looks confident and mobile at the moment - the young goalkeeper at the other end definitely looks the sort of keeper Saints should be looking at. Finally, a word of praise for the referee - calm, decisive and showed up some of his "celebrity" colleague whistle blowers today.

He always has been!

Leon Best - will always be remembered for his miss in the 07 play off v Derby. On a scale of deflating nights, that one was right up there!

As above. And whoever authorised the two year extension should have their salary docked for rank stupidity.