austsaint

Cedric's crosses?

So with Boufal, Gabbiadini and Lemina all prospects for leaving, the three players who can get you on the edge of your seat might all be off.

If Hojbjerg is dreadfully overrated, what is your assessment of JWP? To me, he is the elephant in the room, who season after season escapes scrutiny. Is it his 7th season coming up. Better attacking players and a midfield nucleus of Lemina, Romeu and Hojbjerg would suit me next season.

There's another reason for Les to be offloaded.

Yes, and a proactive, decisive Board/Head of Football would have provided that sword long before they did.

Yes, ok, that's both good and bad news if he has tweaked a hammy. Bad that his World Cup involvement could be affected, yet good that there's a chance he stays with the Club.

Romeu had a blinder today; his pass to Tadic, who should have scored was sublime - I don't understand the criticism of OR at all.

A little deflating to lose twice to that mob in the last seconds of the game but job done and an easy game to watch without any pressure. Hojbjerg and Romeu great today and Cedric played well. Bertrand coming off on 80 mins was a little surprising; cotton wool for the world cup or a chance to say goodbye to supporters? Let the shake up begin!

Just watched the 4-2 win at St Marys under Koeman. Hat trick to Mane - notable performances from Vic, VVD, Tadic.

Would be a travesty if Reed and Kreuger stay and Hughes isn't signed up. He has saved their unworthy backsides.

Chez, you've never really rated Targett, have you? Much as I have never been able to understand people's high rating of JWP!. I agree with you on MT..........Should Bertrand leave we definitely need a quality replacement; sadly Sam McQueen falls into the same category - not quite good enough for Prem level Football.

Matt, I think you've got Gabbiadini all wrong. It's been the limited nature of our midfield which has held him back. If you look at his history he plays best on the shoulder of, or wider of the main striker..someone like Austin. The slow build up, "possession based game Pellegrino played ending in floated crosses didn't suit him at all. Go back and have a look at the Cup final v Man U and you will see a different player to the one you're describing.

Shaqiri, apparently available for 12 mill. is not an expensive prem player; he's a proven attacking midfielder who has goals and assists to his credit. He is the type of player that we need.

It's been a huge night for Mr Gao. Here's hoping he's got the intelligence or good counsel to show Reed, Kreuger and Wilson the door.

Shaquiri (sp?) is a good shout, and probably quite likely if Sparky is rightly kept on.

Brilliant...ok, maybe he did go to take the big money at Everton; but he was great for Saints, and there's still a suspicion that Reed's heavy handedness had something to do with Ronald's exit.

I hate criticising someone when they are down, but FF wasn't only down on confidence, he was down on fundamentals and agility. McCarthy's command of the box, shot stopping and calm demeanour have been inspirational and season saving. The Club has a history of persisting with poor goalkeepers too long; even "super Kelvin" should have been replaced long before he was.

I think the Club should be buying into Hughes' mentality, not the other way around!

What did big Ron have to say?

He just cannot be kept on - Reed I mean; Mark Hughes has earned the job, and must stay on.

Just to take your point about Gabbiadini a step further - quite apart from his goal I thought his cameo was excellent; lots of good hold up play, nice touches and passes and good decision making in tight situations. I know he probably won't stay, but I'd love to see him in Saints colours next season. LOng's cameo was also good. Some posters were calling for Hoj to be replaced at half time but he and Romeu worked all night to contain and eventually overpower the three man Swansea midfield. Alex McCarthy has proved himself a quality keeper and his belated promotion on top of all the other delayed decisions or non-decisions by Reed, Kreuger and Wilson are the only sour feeling on a glorious night for SFC.

This times a hundred. Epic stuff.

Take one of the back three off and put Gabbiadini on to run the channels in support of Austin.

Hoj has been good - put through the pass to Austin who scuffed it - we need that midfield of Hoj and Romeu to remain solid.

Midfield is working harder - they are just outnumbered!