austsaint

Well done for a good humoured reply Do you think we can get by with 6 on the bench?

Indeed, I'm not a JWP fan but he fully deserves his place. The other two odd things about Nic75Sfc's team is the absence of Sims and Forster over McCarthy.

Like him as a player; like the sort of person he seems to be and now I like his politics.

I'm hoping Ralph doesn't forget what a great half Sims played v Spurs

Get off his back? Likeable character who should have been shown the door two seasons ago. Now clearly in decline from a level that wasn't that good.

Your card's been marked.

The other point of difference I'd make about Sims is he's a homegrown talent who has been overlooked. No one could say JWP has been overlooked after 7 seasons and nearly 250 appearances - let's hope he sustains his excellent form in the past 5 - 6 games.

Give it up Ginge - I've always been a fan of Sims and Harry Reed - and up until recently, my criticism of Ward-Prowse has been well justified. Get back in your box.

Sims has shown the ability consistently every time he has played to my eye. Just think he is a homegrown gem who has been overlooked - and its taken Ralph a while to get the message too.

You would have to say he is - a beautifully taken strike. Thought Ralph's half-time decision to belatedly give Josh Sims his chance turned the game - his movement, touch and runs turned Spurs around, brought Redmond into the game and took the pressure off our CBs. Sims has to stay in the squad - Ings, Redmond, Sims with cameos from Armstrong is the attack which can keep us up - not Austin and Long. Sensational comeback - great to watch that second half.

It has been hard to watch - Spurs outclassing us. Ralph has to try something different....4 at the back, Armstrong, even Sims on to try and put them under some pressure. Saints look like a poor Championship side today and Spurs look like a Champions League outfit.

The "don't give a toss" Lemina theorists are way off the mark. The man has been injured - fit, he's a cut above any other player we have.

Even though Fulham were poor and some luck went our way, it was a deserved win. For those arguing for Targett over Bertrand, tonight illustrated why a fit Bertrand must always be the choice - a true attacking full back/wing back who injected width, pace and telling crosses most of the night; special mention to Valery who improves each match. Bednarek very impressive in defence and Yoshida calm and composed. Three midfielders all had good games - PEH full of energy and bite; Romeu swept and snuffed out so much and that left foot half volley was crucial. Ward-Prowse worked hard all night and his effort to get to the spilled save for the second goal was testament to his work rate - he is still massively over hyped but he earned his pay tonight. Redmond's touch and decision making poor at times, but he made great runs into space and made defenders jittery. A great night of relief, and the hope of survival lives on.

JWP seems undroppable now, which is odd, Ralph seems to think he's an attacking midfielder - Armstrong can count himself unlucky. I'm disappointed Sims hasn't been given a place to liven up what is an attack lacking pace and movement. Do we really need 3 CB's at home against a side like Fulham?

It is a 50 - 50 game and the scary bit is Fulham look a better attacking side than us.

Good call - Redmond, Armstrong and Sims involved with Austin as a sub if needed. Four at the back including Bertrand and Yoshida. No Long, no Elynoussi, a long rest for Stephens and no start for Austin.

The trouble with your "if Redmond scores" and "Stephens wasn't playing" theory is the 3 or 4 easy goal opportunities Arsenal squandered and their complete "foot off the pedal" approach to the second half - let's face it; we were blown away by a far superior attacking unit. When we went 2 down it was hard to see where a goal was coming from with just Redmond and Armstrong advanced - and five at the back with three non-attacking midfielders. In taking Armstrong off (who looked quite threatening) we lost much of the limited attack we had - with little drive from midfield and no service to a threadbare attack it was apparent we would never get back in the game.

Back 4 Yes....sad thing is we don't have the players to "go for it".

Someone said we look dazed and confused - and we do. The poor defending is obvious; but the midfield has been totally overrun - is Ward-Prowse playing in mid-field? And we look to have only Armstrong and Redmond as attacking players - feeble and embarrassing so far.

He should be in the senior squad ahead of Long and Elynoussi.

Every day of the week - obviously RB "needed the run" yesterday, but his first half was good; plenty of runs and quality crosses. I also think the "can't play with Redmond" claim is a myth - particularly with Redmond now having a roaming, central role rather than being stuck on the wing.

Is it complacency? More like tight ar$ed naivety - the Kreuger, Wilson, Gao team of ignorance and cost cutting.

Yes, Valery was really the one positive thing today; Bertrand had a good first half.

I was surprised he played three CB's at home against a side like Cardiff. Starting Long was also a strange decision given how dire he's been for some time. I also thought a player like Sims - on the bench last week, out altogether this, could have added something to our threadbare attack. It's hard not to see the January window as a hammer blow to our chances of staying up and highlights the thin quality in the squad.

Bertrand's return has been impressive - very little else has been. Has to replace Long; I'd rather Austin at H/T, or even Elynoussi. Awful half of Football.