austsaint

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.

Much better second half with the right change at H/T. Bertrand excellent; Van Diik very good - great finish from Austin and Boufal had his moments even if he was over elaborate at times.

Great finish Austin - good lead up Romeu and Redmond.

We had a much stronger midfield against City, that's the difference.

I've seen one cross from open play. The rest of his game has been awful - tell me what I'm missing in his game?

DEspite that gaff from Hoedt - Pellegrino hasn't shown BFC sufficient respect with midfield set up. Ward-Prowse has to be replaced at H/T.

Lemina on for JWP, Boufal on the right, Tadic left and Lemina advanced central - we get nothing in attack or defence from Ward-Prowse.

Ward-Prowse instead of Lemina just doesn't make sense.

But Redmond was a stand out fizzer on a night where every other Saint's player put in and contributed.

So do I. I find both Redmond and Tadic quite hard to like, and definitely not team players.

I think is the way to set up from now on.

Good summary; I was angered by Redmond's "performance" tonight. The Hoj, Romeu, Lemina midfield was excellent and is a formation that could/should be used at home against beatable teams too. Boufal showed in 10 minutes why he should never be passed over in favour of Redmond again - not that Redmond's place in the team is the only one Boufal can take.

What was that all about? Pep should have been thanking him. Redmond completely lost my support tonight - he was the only Saints player who didn't give his all; he jogged around, lost the ball and didn't compete. Such a cruel end to the game where a point would have been a just reward for the performance.

The only mistake he made tonight was leaving Redmond on the pitch. Have you ever seen such a gutless, clumsy, half-hearted performance by a player whose team mates busted a gut around him for 96 minutes?

He has to be credited for the set up and tactics tonight. Apart from Redmond and Long - I'd say this is our best line up, even at home against a weaker side. I love seeing the 3 CB's and Hojbjerg, Lemina and Romeu all included. Add Boufal and Gabbiadini for Long and Redmond and we have a very good line up. Should be 2-0 up, unbelievable misses.

Go back and watch a replay - Bertrand was superb all afternoon, and his link up play with Boufal was top shelf.

Exactly, Boufal should be considered as a starter ahead of several of our regular attacking players, not just at the expense of Redmond. Yes, maybe some of the flicks and tricks are overdone at times, but to use a diving (board) analogy, he often performs a pass or a move with a higher degree of difficulty than most others, and that's more likely to lead to goal opportunities, even if there are some turnovers.