austsaint

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.

One of the things that was clear last season in addition to Puel's shortcomings was the lack of quality in the squad - especially in midfield (both defensive and attacking), centre-back and dare I say it, GK. If that's not addressed soon I think it will become obvious that Puel wasn't the only problem.

As usual you are spot on - Forster has many limitations as a GK and often it's his bulk and height which does the job, rather than reflex and agility. Niemi was different class; it's a while since we had a quality keeper, although Boruc was pretty damn good before Koeman took a dislike to him. Chez, about the only time I can recall having disagreement with your opinions/reviews etc was when you rated Hoiveld as a better CB than Fonte - remember that? Keep up the good work.

You certainly are a consistently big wrap for the lad. One of the first names on the teamsheet is a bit of a stretch ie VVD, Gabbiadini, Romeu, Bertrand, Cedric. Hojbjerg is a good player in the making - no need to dream for his future.

Yes, that's a good call. Definitely not DM and being posted wide right really stagnates the team's movement. Perhaps that more advanced role Davis has played in the past in front of Vic and Morgan - although to take that role needs a driving, shuttling run game - has he got that capacity?

But he's not going to be able to do that Suhari - he hasn't got the type of game to handle DM. And therein lies the problem with this lad; successive managers try and find a spot to shoehorn him into - the latest being the wide right spot where an overlapping Cedric or the like would tee him up for one of those right-to-left crosses. In so doing the side is unbalanced and either lacks the defensive midfield cover or the speed and movement out wide.

One of the great days to be a Saint's fan, seeing Cuco blast in like that v the Arsenal - 4-0 in the end wasn't it? Thanks Cuco.

Glasgow; I'll pay you a rare compliment if you change your compliment to complement. Get out a bit and enjoy the Summer.

Yep, without additions to our midfield I think we are going to struggle. Davis has been a great servant to the Club but is surely in decline; Clasie has been mostly underwhelming; PEH has something about him but tailed off noticeably last season and poster 8575 talks about JWP as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder....Kreist, how is that going to happen??? Romeu needs some quality around him but there's no indication it's going to happen.

Is Vietto capable of playing in a wide/wing position? Saint's lacked a genuine fast, tricky wide player last season - apart from Redmond and perhaps Sims. JWP may have had an improved season but he didn't look effective played wide right.

I'm with you - good player, who hasn't had the chance of first team continuity. I'll be seriously disappointed if the only midfield partners for Romeu this season are the ageing Davis, Ward-Prowse and Clasie.

Yes, quite right. Claude P. had to go, but one of his positive legacies is the development of Jack Stephens - really not inferior at all to a player like Stones.

Cannot agree with your assessment - I thought had an excellent season, combining courage and solid defence with adventurous runs and decent crossing. With Cedric and Pied I think we're sorted at RB.

Are you Delldays - Glasgow S.- Heisenberg? Give it a rest - sounds like a very good appointment to me.

Let's hope it's a case of pilgrim's progress!

Thanks for the scoop

Serious respect for you Ryan Bertrand.

Yes, I can see why the push to play JWP happens; he has improved and has good dead ball skills and good passing technique when he's not under pressure - but playing him forward seems to stagnate wide movement and playing him CM makes us vulnerable defensively. Then there's Davis who plays better with an attacking midfield role, but on the downside is at an age where a decline in his performance is likely. If the shortcomings of Clasie are factored in then we badly need midfield reinforcement this summer.