austsaint

Yep, has to be the team for me - except I'd play Maya instead of Jack.

No mention of JWP's performance tonight. Can someone summarise where he played and how?

Wins a win. We looked better when they had 11 on the pitch.

The goal resulted from the sub JWP allowing Cresswell too much time and space - poor decision by Pellegrino.

Set up Gabbiadini and won the penalty - give it up.

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?