austsaint

He reminds me a bit of Clive Woodward, minus the Footballing nous in at least one of the codes. Kreuger's words are mostly mealy mouthed platitudes of well worn political/bureaucratic cliches and BS. I actually feel a bit sorry for the Chinese owners having bought into Saints with Kreuger and Reed in charge.

What are Redmond and Ward-Prowse on? They might be hard to shift too. Newcastle seem to have kept a lot of their best players when they were relegated; Shelvey comes to mind. If it happens and the likes of PEH and Romeu stay, with youngsters like Sims and Hesketh, we could be ok.

We need a revolution. The decline of SFC over the last 12 - 18mths is pure negligence.

But why aren't they? Does anybody know?

Don't forget Camara - he really could play.

How soon can it be arranged?

He did play well - and got little or no help in attack or defence from James W.P. Not as effective at getting forward post-injury, but he's a genuinely good right back.

Let's assume your first sentence is true - that he helps in a tactical containing away game, played in that right wing/wing back role - how would he offer anymore than a player like Lemina, or PEH or even Davis in such a role? I see no tackles or interceptions - no runs withe ball; very few crosses unless he is teed up for the one trick pony right to left curler. Tonight he didn't influence the play wide right one jot; no runs with the ball, no crosses, no meaningful passes in advanced positions, little defensive support for Pied - yet PEH was taken off instead. I find his continued selection in that wide right role - home or away, completely exasperating.

People keep saying that...."considering the squad we've got", but Redmond, Tadic, Long, Ward-Prowse v Benteke, Zaha, Townsend and Sako. In an attacking sense we were vastly inferior, with only our full backs (and Boufal) providing any width and run.

I watched Sako come on and instantly give Palace drive and width on the flank, and then I looked at our right side and saw Ward-Prowse masquerading as a winger/wing back. He's not the reason we lost, but his nothingness in attack and defence add to the inevitable pressure the side invites.

It's all been said, even when the score was 1-0; but the quote above is the main reason the Manager has to be sacked. That piece of crap on the BBC site by Kreuger is instantly shown to be laughable nonsense.

I know the conditions are bad, but the Manager must take responsibility for the safety first approach which invited Palace back in - and then his delay in making obvious changes. He really must be replaced before it's too late.

Our clown of a Manager has to match the Palace changes....doesn't he?

Lemina for JWP or Tadic seems such an obvious change to me.

Saints look scared to press home the advantage - sitting back..very dangerous tactic.

He turned back because half time approached and there was no one to cross to. We have looked so much better with Bertrand and Pied providing width and run, although Pied's injury has slowed him. Bertrand and Boufal working together - our right hand side is not as effective. Need Lemina on to cover that.

Hojbjerg is superb tonight - he's the player we thought we were getting with Clasie. Romeu has also been at his top tonight. Well done Shane Long for that finish. One goal is clearly not enough, and since the injury to Pied we don't have that attacking width down the right - width and run is going to win this game. JWP is congesting play and slowing things down by coming infield - I'd bring Lemina on for Ward-Prowse and play him in the same "wing back" position while at the same time negating the danger of Zaha's run. The fear is conceding if we don't get the second but we are such good value for the lead.

Zaha, Benteke and Townsend look much more dangerous than Long, Tadic and Ward-Prowse......only Boufal gives some hope Saints attack will have some bite. At least MP has given the right side some width and run with Pied selected and McCarthy's retention is well merited.

That's right; we're all descendants of convicts with no idea out here. Pretty handy at Cricket though!

Everything you say is right....... provided we keep our Prem status.

Better attacking players. Better Manager?

I'll join that bracket too. Some have said Forster only needs better coaching, but it's his fundamental deficiencies that let him down. He hasn't got "good hands", the ball doesn't clunk into the gloves, it all looks laboured. He isn't a good mover. These things cannot be coached - it's frustrating that this situation has meandered on so long; I'm not saying McCarthy is the long time answer, but it just seems like a better balanced side with Forster out. He is only trading on reputation rather than performances.

Now you mention it, there was much less back passing tonight.

Did well. He just looks a more agile, mobile keeper than Forster. Comes off his line well; gets down to the low ball and his distribution is good. If Forster had been an outfield player he would have been dropped weeks ago, and he should not be re-instated anytime soon.

Yes, Boufal coming off was strange; thought he was excellent today, great running, touch, control and passing - only those two rather petulant fouls on Young spoiled the performance. Has to play against Palace.