austsaint

Thought Salisu's performance was the most encouraging part of the match; that and finally getting off 29 points! He and Vestergaard looked the best CB combination we've fielded for quite a while. Chelsea dominated midfield and young Mount was unstoppable in the second half, but it was a well earned point. Breaking the run of losses and getting to 30 points felt like a win.

I have been reluctant to criticise JWP this season, even though there have been many games including today where he has been distinctly average and hardly leadership material. His dead ball delivery is so good that many seem to be blinded by the limitations of his outfield game. Yes, his work rate and energy are also first class, but the percentage of static, safe, unadventurous passes often means it is left to Romeo to initiate quick movement and attacking passes from midfield. JWP has improved immensely over the past 18 months or so but he should also be put under the microscope for the downturn in our style of play and form, just as the regular scapegoats are. Having said all that, I don't doubt that JWP must be feeling the effects of the workload he has had to carry. He could certainly do with a freshen up and a seat in the stands for a game or two.

Yes, he was standing at his near post but the shot beat McCarthy on his right hand side towards the far post. Have to laugh at those saying Forster would have saved it! Totally frustrating 2nd half set in motion by that absurd penalty call against Bertrand. Very disappointed in Minamino and Djenepo. Thought Redmond did ok and that volley from Ings deserved to earn something for Saints. We may not be relegated, but in this form, 17th is looking a possibility!

I'm struggling to understand the chorus call for Forster to replace McCarthy. Yes, he now has four consecutive clean sheets, but incredibly has barely been called upon. There was the block (with his leg) against Liverpool but otherwise, nothing needed. Statistically he is doing well but performance wise he hasn't needed to wash his kit.

A very solid debut given all the lead up problems. Once he settled you could see many of the attributes needed - strong, quite quick, very good in the air, good reading and anticipation of the play and a very cultured left foot. Salisu is going to repay the patience - worth waiting for.

Incredible how little Forster has been asked to do in those three recent games. While McCarthy has made a few errors of late, he's still an acre in front of FF in my book.

Indeed. Non-League games?

A small but significant consolation in the wake of Old Trafford. At the very least Dean should be demoted to the Championship for a while....ie the rest of his officiating life!

Absolutely this. The "did it on purpose' and personal abuse merchants are way out of order. If it had been a 28yo experienced player rather than a 19yo, there would be some grounds for being unforgiving. He would have been fired up, nervous and keen to make an impression.......just happened to be a reckless, brain fade impression! I hope he stays at the Club; learns a painful lesson and gets the chance for redemption.

Made me laugh.

It did look terrible at first sight, yes. But it did take a deflection of a Man U player. As you say, the poor kid shouldn't have been put in the furnace in the first place.

If you go back and look at the replay you will find that the ball took a deflection taking it away from the French kid's head.

This, a 1000 times over. Get off Ralph's back; what was he supposed to do differently in the circumstances? These sort of results bring you back to the decisions made on ownership, recruitment, list management and poor choices on contract extensions etc. Ralph needs to be backed. But if he wants to walk you could hardly be surprised.

I think it will be overturned - is there a way Martial can get a retrospective yellow? It has to be appealed. A nauseating night, but nothing like the Leicester match. Decimated squad; two red cards; every decision going against Saints......should have had two goals of our own. Move on.

Really? Have seen a lot of him playing for Japan - he is quality and the sort of creative attacking midfielder we've needed since Lallana. Just need KWP and Vest back sooner than later.

Would be a great bit of business - and would be a good move for Long; it's his level these days.

Was thinking the same. Just looks like a player (Jankewitz) we need to keep, even if midfield looks strong.

Really good summary - amidst the bad luck, shocking officiating and Grealish brilliance, Saints second half performance was pretty damn good and on just about any other night would have been rewarded with a point or three. Diallo was strangely off the pace and we looked better when JWP returned to midfield. Romeu was great, especially in the first 60 minutes. Redmond was frustrating, while Ings showed class and commitment, and clearly should have been on the score sheet. Really liked the cameo of Jankewitz and lets hope there are more opportunities to come. Really missed KWP tonight.

So many of the contentious penalty calls are 50/50 but the Cash handball looked blatant and obvious. JWP needs to be shifted off Grealish - swap with Diallo perhaps.

You're on to something -Theo's star is waning. ANM played as an attacking midfielder could be a master stroke.

I I've seen enough of him to place him in the "decent lower half PL player" category" - but I agree the Club should be aiming higher.

I don't think the season will fall away, although as you and others observe, the lack of depth in the squad to cover injuries was graphically shown up tonight. Arsenal just had their way down both flanks and pressed our defence effectively most of the night. One of the best games I've seen Armstrong play, particularly 1st half and Diallo once again showed his composed talent. Be nice to get something from Villa.

I think it confirms what a lot of people are thinking; Diallo is too good a player not to be in the best 11. By the sound of it Romeu won't be fit to face Arsenal anyway which paves the way for a Diallo/JWP pairing.

Diallo is too good a player now to be saved up for next year. Ralph has to find a way of including him each game.

I doubt JWP could have either. At the moment Diallo looks a more complete player than both Romeu and JWP.