austsaint

He wasn't rubbish three years ago, or even one year ago. He is in decline now. Verlaine, it's time you shifted your focus to a player like JWP; when are you going to call him out?

Hoj didn't play! His recent performances have been outstanding. Davis id definitely on the wane. Has been a great servant just the same.

Davis was poor tonight, as were our entire midfield. No doubt in my mind, he is in decline from the hard working, shuttling, eye for a good pass player he has been for Saints for so long. Hojbjerg is deserving of more Football at Davis' expense - JWP is not the replacement for Davis, and with Tadic and Redmond mostly mediocre, an attacking midfield replacement is badly needed.

This sums it up well for me. Puel used to cop flak for tinkering with a team playing Europa; Prem and Cup matches. Pellegrino chops and changes, on the basis of what? Hojbjerg and Stephens were great performers last weekend; you have to back them up. I was stunned to see Tadic left on the pitch for so long tonight; Boufal was much more industrious and involved, but hauled off on the hour....for Redmond?? There's a contagion around the team, and Pellegrino is at the heart of it.

Why Boufal off, who at least has shown a bit of desire and flair, instead of Tadic who has been hiding for most of the game?

Brightened me up no end.

I know it's a stretch to single out one of our players, but what an insipid, gutless player Tadic is. No fight, no busting a gut. Pellegrino has to bring Gabbiadini on; also PEH for Davis, or even Tadic. Manager has to go.

I like the idea of those three starting and pushing Lemina more forward. Perhaps "would pretty much be competitive against most other midfields" is a more grounded wrap.

Good call; notwithstanding Lemina's injury, he has looked different class since day 1 - and with PEH playing so well at DM with Romeu, the case for Lemina to be that third midfielder with licence to play more advanced is obvious, or should be, especially as Davis is slightly on the wane. As you say, Boufal is the perfect player to drift around Lemina and continue his very effective partnership with Bertrand. Even Tadic might be more effective with the drive and muscle of Lemina around him - especially if he can reproduce those two or three exquisite killer passes he delivered on Sunday (before fading out of the game).

He did well today - thought he was spent on the hour though - thought that's when he should have been subbed. Great finisher.

He was very good today; exceptional in the second half.

That was one selection decision which seemed to count against us today. Breaking up the Bertrand/Boufal combination, which has worked so well in the past 3-4 matches made us less cohesive and dangerous down the left flank, even though Redmond had a few good moments; he doesn't link up and feed Bertrand like Boufal has been doing lately. Wasn't Stevens good in the second half? And PEH all match.

That's how I saw his game too. Quite how anyone can describe his game as brilliant is breathtaking. One of the problems with playing him wide right is he doesn't run with the ball or drive at defenders - it's just neatish and tidy with good work rate which doesn't really impact the game.

Yes, but we could have played one of our best players (Lemina) for the last 20 minutes or so in place of the tiring, ineffective defensive efforts from Tadic and JWP. It was a great game and we did fully play our part - but the win was there for the taking.

You're taking the ******...aren't you. Boufal is the most direct, pacey runner with the ball we have - and played a neat cameo today.

Arsenal were there for the taking. I blame the Manager for the team playing so deep and inviting Arsenal pressure. Why, oh why was Lemina not brought on to shore things up and rebalance the midfield? Tadic and Ward-Prowse were defensive liabilities in the second half and JWP afforded Sanchez much too much space and time to cross for the equaliser. Very impressed with Hojbjerg, Romeu, Stevens in the second half, Bertrand and Yoshida. Another nice little cameo from Boufal.

Great first 15 minutes with Tadic giving Austin two great opportunities. If the Bertrand - Boufal combination had been maintained we could be further ahead. One goal lead doesn't look enough; if Pellegrino doesn't want to bring in Boufal , he should Have Lemina on at H/T and JWP off. PEH has been magnificent; Romeu, Bertrand and CBs sound. We have looked wide open on the right side with Stephens and Ward-Prowse giving Sanchez and co too much space.

Where is the consistency in selection? Pied had a good game filling in for Cedric and is dropped. Ward-Prowse had an abysmal half against Bournmouth and is re-instated; Boufal has been an improving attacking spark, and is left out. Redmond and Tadic who have been so patchy continue to be picked. A class attacking player like Gabbiadini can't get a look in. It's just crazy.

How can you start Ward-Prowse in front of Lemina or Boufal in such an important game? What form line or performance this season justifies JWP starting?

Anyone else see the Norwich v Sheffield Wed. game? Harry Reed played well in the 3-1 win, but the 21yo who caught the eye was James Maddison, an attacking midfielder - looks a real prospect for Prem. Football.

That's good news - really looking forward to seeing him play Prem. Football again.

Romeu has not been sub-standard Pete. At least I'm pleased to note you no longer nominate JWP as an automatic starter.

Austin can certainly be clinical with the right delivery. I'd like to see more of the low cross or pull back to players like Austin or Gabbiadini, similar to the Redmond cross v BFC and the Boufal pull back for Romeu. Also think that Gabbi should be tried in the wider attacking role - essentially competing with anyone of Tadic, Boufal or Redmond.

But Fernandes (from memory) only had a left foot, which defenders could read like a book. Boufal has a great non-preferred, and is also showing great touch with many of his passes. He will frustrate at times, but he is the most exciting attacking player we have, and is improving with game time. Once he corrects the "one defender too many"issue, he will be a great asset.

Boufal didn't struggle - he was lively, ran at the defence and worked well with Bertrand. He tried to do too much at times, but he at least is bringing attacking threat to the team. Two players struggled today - one was taken off at H/T and the other played alongside Virgil.