austsaint

Eh? Yoshida's had a blinder. It was Romeu who got turned by Antonio leading to the goal - otherwise they haven't had a sniff.

Agree. He's a likeable, tenacious, fast forward - but his control, touch and finishing are not good enough. Hope he goes to Reading.

I suppose the Chinese owners would be banking on expanded future TV deals into Asia and India to provide profit on their investment. The Liebherr family are legendary figures who have provided eight memorable years to all who care about SFC. Katharina has been such a class act; principled, dignified and trustworthy - remember how she took a bit of stick from the media when Cortese departed - kept her own counsel and steadied the ship - reassured staff and has delivered in a steady, measured way.

No, no and no. My feeling is Stephens is a rapidly improving young CB, not far behind other highly rated English CBs like Stones and Gibson. But our Dutch wantaway is different class - and doesn't lack Footballing intelligence.

My point is I don't think it should be Tadic and Ward-Prowse getting on the end of things in the box - neither of them have a shred of clinical finish, particularly Ward-Prowse who doesn't play the wide right, attacking mid or 10 role with any conviction. We need Gabbiadini getting on the end of things in the box, (or Austin) from passes and movement from the FBs, Tadic, Boufal, Redmond or even JWP.

Pete, as a matter of interest - are there any circumstance - eg JWP's second half display yesterday - where you wouldn't include him in you starting eleven?

No, be fair. At the moment it's a case of "meet the new boss" with much the same players as "the old boss".

Gabbiadini just didn't get much service from players like Tadic, Redmond and the overlapping full backs. Another thing which seemed to hinder him was JWP (obviously under instruction) often hurtling into the box to take up a "de-facto" striker's position, which had the effect of crowding out Gabbi's space. I think Gabbiadini will be fine once things settle and he will score a bag of goals.

While Tadic missed a sitter he actually played quite well. If it had been a boxing match it was unanimous, Saints win, but the near things, lack of a clinical finish and a bit of bad luck worked against us. Thought Bertrand and Cedric were good; Romeu and Davis hard working; Redmond busy and a nice little cameo from Boufal.

All looks a bit familiar to last season. Swansea look quite poor - plenty of tempo and movement by the FBs and Redmond. Boufal needed to unlock things.

That's enough for me.

Foul mouthed fake

JWP as the 10 - as part of a team that "picks itself" ........you've seen something I haven't!

Made me chuckle. Good news signing - everyone needed a lift after the "Coq au Van Diik" saga and Mr Mario Lemina looks like the midfielder we've needed for ages. Let's hope he can play!

Ha, ha....same here. He does sound like the midfielder we've needed since Vic and Morgan departed. Watching Romeu hold things together on his own last season was hard going.

Indeed. Nice lad, and a more than reasonable LB/wing-back, but unlikely to really ever crack it in the Prem.

Really? I rate Poch. a better judge of a footballer than the people who shed Boruc for Forster and continue to play Forster despite repeated major flaws in his game. If we ever get Mcarthy fit, I'd be happy with him with Gazza as the back up!

Wasn't a big fan of Puel but I think it's starting to dawn on many that it's the average quality we have at midfield and CB which condemns Saints to a continuing decline, unless something is done in the transfer market pronto! Another thing which seems obvious to me, the people who think JWP is going to morph into a star "10" or wide right player are going to be disappointed - likewise our midfield, bar Romeu, is awful and will be cut apart by the leading Prem teams. I know the VVD situation is a distraction and a hurdle for Les and co. but there has been so much time previously to put midfield and CB right in the wake of the exits of Morgan, Vic, Mane, Fonte etc.

This is the issue which is flying under the radar with the focus on a possible no VVD and a Stephens/Yoshida CB partnership - the midfield (apart from Romeu) is very average - ie Davis, Clasie, Hojbjerg and Ward-Prowse. I can't see Van Diik being here when the season starts; can anyone else?

Verlaine....you've forgotten Davis; surely the first midfielder on your team sheet given the wraps you've given him these last 3-4 seasons. Eventually you'll be proved right of course because age is starting to become a factor. I'm surprised how many people have Ward-Prowse as either the DM partner for Romeu or as the middle of an attacking three - I'd be interested in what they've seen in his game to think he can play in those positions.

This really is the single biggest issue facing Saints as the Swansea opener draws closer - strengthen mid-field to support Romeu. I cannot believe that the Club's management didn't notice our midfield being ripped to pieces by the top 6 teams last season as the ageing Davis, fading Hojberg and over hyped Ward-Prowse failed to provide the cover to Romeu or box-to-box player we needed and need. I've left Clasie out because it's obvious he isn't seen as the solution to this problem.

Loved the video and given a consistent run in the side, free of injury I think we will see a gem of a player. I'd like to see him played as an AM just behind Gabbi, with Redmond and Tadic wider.

We're a boat with oars while others have outboard motors.

I like your idea of the attacking three, though Redmond and Tadic would be cranky about it, but a midfield pairing of Davis and JWP to support Romeu is likely to see us carved up even if VVD stays.