austsaint

One of the most mediocre keepers I've seen, and by comparison, even Kelvin Davis appeals as a better GK. There have been many excuses made for him - injuries, loss of form and confidence - but we have seen enough of him before and after the injury to make a negative judgement. Koeman should take some blame - it was he who proclaimed Forster would be the first choice, banishing Boruc to the bench and virtually giving the big lump an unchallenged place in the team. No outfield player would be able to survive such a prolonged run of mistakes and poor performance without being dropped or replaced.

He could. Was it Koeman or Pochettino who froze him out of things somewhat. It didn't help Cork's chances that Vic and Morgan were here and he was probably a "victim" of the belief that JWP was going to be the next big thing in midfield at the time.

Plenty of persuasive references (for Black) available to the Scottish FA from this forum. We will even waive any compensation fee. Might even pay a portion of his new salary.

This. Although, if Lemina is fit we have the defensive set up to limit damage. Oddly, Mane has missed the majority of his games v Saints, or been below his best - he and Salah are the likely tormentors. Hard to see where our goals are coming from.

Where have you been? Great summary; it,s been so apparent for so long that our defence/defensive midfield is good and our attacking players/strikers mediocre - with the possible exception of Gabbiadini and Boufal. The question I'm not so sure of is whether Pellegrini is a good enough coach/manager to get the team set up and playing better if better attacking players are found! Agree with your sentiment though that Crystal Palace style axing of Managers and Sunderland/Villa before that are slippery side reactions.

Yes, you're right. The Club don't seem brave or decisive enough to take the action needed - sacking Pellegrino. Sure, the arguments are there about the mediocrity in the squad, but MP has had the easiest fixture list, no cup or European distractions and no serious injuries, yet the style of Football and tactical set-up is awful. Maybe 4 games was unfair on De Boer, but the eleven MP has had is ample evidence. The new owners view on all this is the most intriguing part of the season so far.

I've missed seeing the last two games - how did Boufal play today? And was he played in a more central role?

Well he probably would have been a better player under Pochettino, but my point is a player like Winks has got an all round superior game to Ward-Prowse - is younger, played less games and is likely to improve at a greater rate. Do you agree?

Incidentally, for those who have championed JWP as a future England Captain/player - Harry Winks is a genuine midfield English prospect, isn't he?

No, I can't. Doesn't Pochettino still live in Hampshire, and his son go to a local University? I don't want to promote a love in, but he was good for SFC and though I don't like Spurs you have to admire the job Poch. is doing. I think his support staff are good too; another thing lacking with us.

You've nailed it Duncan. He never gave any promises of loyalty - but I think he had more warmth and fondness for Saints than Koeman ever did. Pochettino is an excellent Manager and Coach. One certain indicator of that is that players warm to him and want to play well for a Poch team.

I.m not normally one for an early call - but he has to go. MP doesn't look like a Manager who can cut it in this league. The squad has also been ridiculously weakened, but it's hard to believe someone else couldn't do better.

A really good post. What worries me most about MP is he can't see the need to play Boufal behind the striker, not out wide. He can't see that Forster is a terrible goal keeper and he has shown too much faith in the likes of Tadic, Redmond, Long and Ward-Prowse. The Manager has to change things, otherwise he will be/should be looking for another job.

Really is this - much more than the qualities of Puel or MP as Managers/Coaches.

Much ado about nothing.

I wonder if he will come in for Redders to be his main striker.

Glasgow - you give new meaning to the term wan*er.

Totally agree about the idea of Lemina getting forward a bit more and someone like Boufal linking with him. My point is that in the absence of JWP's corners and frees, we did quite ok.

His corners against WBA were fine; as were Bertrand's frees.

It's not just the goal though Dodds. - in that short cameo, he produced two great passes which could have resulted in goals - the one to Austin in particular. And he is quicker on the ball and with his decision making than Tadic or Redmond.

Without Mane to spark them they really are ordinary.

If so it's the Manager who should be backing down or waving bye bye.

When you're not slagging off Davis you talk a lot of sense. Central attacking midfield is the spot for Boufal.

Do you understand why the Manager is not playing him more? I don't. If it's the not physical enough; not tracking back enough argument - where does that leave Redmond, Tadic, Austin...even Ward-Prowse. None of them contribute much in those areas of the game either.

You didn't miss anything. Yoshida was once again very good, it's just that many were saying Van Diik couldn't be assed and wasn't pushing himself so his performance, which was like the player pre-injury/tantrum, stood out as committed and excellent.