austsaint

The bench may have been lightweight but surely Nlundulu on for Long earlier was an obvious move and Armstrong's game was again sloppy - he could have made way for Djenepo. Forgettable game but no lack of graft and effort. KWP once again stood out....I haven't seen a better RB in the Prem than him. Midfield were ok; I thought Diallo grew into the game, and he's going to be good for the Club. Walcott and Adams had their moments too.

Nor was he playing as well as Bertrand is.

If he was a racehorse they would be checking his freezebrand markings and taking swab samples. He's earned every plaudit!

Let's hope the Echo story is right. Bertrand's been great for the Club, and he's such a lithe, athletic type I think he has 3 or 4 seasons left at a top level. Recent criticism of him slowing down and not making those overlapping runs and byline crosses might be partly under instruction and partly due to the patchy form of Redmond and Djenepo.

I'm not as confident he will boss the game, but his brief appearances and track record point to him fitting in well. Fair to say though, he is being asked to fill big shoes; Romeu has been superb.

Yes, Romeu, KWP and Vestergaard were all outstanding today. Romeu now not just a DM but has licence to get forward and thread passes into dangerous areas. I thought Vest may struggle with the speed of their attack but he read play well, stayed calm apart from that moment with RB and delivered passes VVD would have been happy with. Is there a better RB in England than KWP? Has to be the best bit of business Saints have done for quite a while. Theo combined well with KWP and really put the blow torch on their RB. Bertrand's an interesting one - it's not long ago he was marauding down the flank and sending great crosses in, particularly when Redmond was combining well, as was Boufal at one point. I wonder whether the patchy form of Redmond and Djenepo has interrupted the fluency of his game. It's certainly blunted the attacking threat on our left channel. Still a very encouraging performance after that first 15 minute blitz and as others have said, in the end City seemed happy to waste time and play a containing game

Settle down Ginge. Up until a year ago, JWP was not living up to the many chances and opportunities he was given - fair play to him and Ralph, his last 12 months have seen his outfield game improve and narrow the gap on the skill of his dead ball delivery. Anyway, good to see you're having a laugh...have a good Xmas, all the best.

I've always believed Sims was a Prem player - I'll never understand why someone like Shane Long was given an extra 2 seasons and is now a liability, yet Sims was shunted out on loan despite showing he has the goods from limited opportunities.

Don't disagree that NR, SA, TW and MD can run hot and cold, but the flip side is we have four good quality wide attacking players who can be inter-changed and the Club haven't had that luxury for some time. The draw was a fair result having not pressed home the advantage of the first half. Romeu so good again tonight; likewise Vestergaard, Adams and KWP.

I'd be amazed if Armstrong didn't start against Arsenal, unless it was with rotation in mind. He really returned to his best on Sunday with his direct running and drifting infield from the wing.

David Prutton calling him the new VVD. He certainly has lifted his game!

Very easy on the eye performance. The movement and passing was excellent today no matter how poor the Blades were. Good to see Armstrong back in form; Walcott too played well. Vestergaard, Walker-Peters, Romeu, JWP, Adams all at the top of their game. Very pleasing to see the cameos from Diallo (there's a player there) and Nlundulu. Looked like a knee hyper-extension to Romeu just before he was replaced - hope he's alright.

I think they are too, (in a false position). But still, if Ings starts and we play brave Football, surely a win is likely.

Exactly right. It's going to be interesting to see whether he gets a contract extension. Theo's a very handy attacking player to bring off the bench, a big upgrade on Long these days.

I think Diallo can play effectively as a wing back or wide attacking mid. The trouble being that with Ings back to partner Che there are four players....Redmond, Armstrong, Djenepo and Theo vying for those spots. I think Diallo is going to play well at Prem level when he gets the chance. Both JWP and Romeu are playing well, particularly Romeu...but Diallo has to get an opportunity soon and I think he'll take it and make an impact.

I'll leave you, Turkish and Hypo et al to tie yourself up in knots. Happy Xmas, hope you find some joy.

Go and find a hobby. You're talking shite.

I didn't. My point stands...the 4th official could have found a better way to address/identify the A/Coach. Stop trying to be a smart ass...

I really don't think your "effort" warrants a reply. Wtf.

The point I made stands, whether it was a player or a member of staff. Fill your boots.

One last comment - I'll express further opinions as I choose, not at your behest. Clear about that?

In your mind maybe. I'm bailing out of the "debate".

You're either taking the piss or not very smart.

Different context....a description of an alleged criminal, not known and a limited number of known professional Footballers with names, numbers and proximity.

The 4th official could have pointed, given the player's number, called him by his name. He may not have intended offence, but his clumsy words clouded the issue. And by the way....the History can and does make it more likely to cause offence, and no amount of your semantic argument changes that.