austsaint

Quite agree. Stephen's reminds me a bit of Chambers - athletic, good on the ball, picks a pass well; room for improvement aerially. Maybe not as quick as Chambers, but there are similarities.

Your first line is an interesting observation. If he continues to improve then perhaps the spot Davis is playing now might become JWPs - that's probably the position he needs to try and cement. That would free up the inside-right place for someone like Sims or even Boufal if Tadic is still with us and still commanding the 10 position. One of the not-so-good things about JWP in the right attacking role is the pressure it puts on Cedric to run the flank, but also to get back and cover defensively. On the left, Redmond and Bertrand have the pace and run to do both.

Gingletiss - if I'm understanding your description of being in "Carramar" - I take it you are living in a residential care facility. If I've got that right, I'm sorry to hear it; can't be much fun losing some of your independence and I hope your health is allowing you to see the Saints play on the TV regularly. You were saying in your post that you watched the Crystal Palace game which by my calculations would have been around 3am Perth time. Look we have different views about JWP's abilities, but I don't think anything I've said that qualifies me as a troll or even makes my post stupid. I gladly concede he has improved this season and is benefiting from a consistent run in the side. I still see several limitations in his game as an attacking inside-right - he doesn't really run at the opposition; doesn't show an ability to beat a man with pace or trickery and quite often slows the game down when he's in an attacking space. He has a great work rate and runs around the pitch willingly but I don't see an effective defensive side of his game at this stage either. But, he is getting his opportunity, is improving and he plays for a great Club - long may it continue.

I'm guessing Pete Campbell, Andy Durman, Faz, Gingletiss might be the same person, so effusive are they about Prowsey. Man of the Match said Gingletiss...ay, what....did you see the performances of Tadic, Redmond and Romeu? Future England Captain says Faz? The lad has improved this season, that's for sure. Last night he took his goal well; played a couple of lovely passes and was neat and tidy. I'm still not sure about the inside-right position being the right spot for him; nor the automatic selection he is enjoying at the moment, but hey ho, we'll see.

He really was. Going to missed in the next two.

One of the best games Tadic has turned in since the 8-0 Sunderland win - Gabbiadini would have had a field day with that delivery tonight. Redmond shone and is finishing the season as a genuine attacking threat. Romeu the other who played well. matching and then rampaging through the Palace mid-field. Table has a better look about it now!

Redmond very good tonight and Romeu as solid as ever. Young Stephens having a tough time with Benteke.

I'm very glad you and your son don't pick the team Andy.

Sorry Trousers, temporary loss of my senses thinking Glasgow is a troll. Thanks for the wise up.

They are both good players and their day will come you trolling clown, Glasgow.

Can't agree with you. One of the problems we had today was wide right; JWP doesn't have the pace or the run to give us width. If he has to be in the team then put him in Davis' position. If we are going to stick with this set up I'd prefer Boufal at 10 with Redmond and Tadic the wide players.

I agree with you, but in the end, he and the curator earned us a point.

What's happened to young Sims? Has looked so promising, now not even on the bench.

There's a grade 4 cyclone buffering Brisbane at the moment - those flights in from Perth could be a bit bumpy.

Good work Glasgow; finally a post worth responding to. Agree, Redmond has been so much better since played as a winger - can only improve further and now looks a snip signing at 10 million pounds or so.

Which would have made Gabbi about what? Twenty? The Club has picked up two smart ones at a great price given the intervening 5 years or so.

Stan, Davis was pushed from behind as the free kick was taken; go back and take a look. Look, I'm a Davis fan, but I do concede there are early signs of his game starting to wane; it certainly hasn't helped that he's been given that DM role recently which clearly doesn't suit him. What do you think of JWP being placed wide right now Stan? While I think he's shown improvement in the past 6 weeks or so, the midfield formation has been changed to accommodate him - to the detriment of Davis. While Prowsey is doing quite well, you don't get a wide player running at defenders with him, that's left to Cedric, whereas Bertrand has Redmond, a genuine wide player in front of him. I'd like to see Boufal or Sims getting more time in that spot W-P is occupying. JWP and Davis could contest a more advanced role and someone like Hojbjerg could be given a go helping Romeu out.

I agree with you. Tadic has done some great things at the Club, particularly when Pelle and Mane were team mates - but he has often gone missing in games against top six teams and his prima donna behaviour with feigned fouls and injuries leave a bad impression too. I think Puel is trying to find a way to get Boufal up to speed and increase his playing time; for good reason, as Boufal has the cut through creativity and impact to win games for Saints. It's a nonsense for Tadic to think he's been subbed unfairly; he consistently fades out of a game and his being replaced is often justified, though I think someone like Boufal could just as easily be given time playing wide in place of Ward-Prowse or even Redmond.

Stephens has done a pretty good job, and Yoshida has been mostly excellent. The problem rests with the change of midfield shape, with Romeu essentially left to do the lot; Davis out of position in the DM role and JWP being played as a wide right. Good teams midfields have motored through.

He was pushed out of the wall by Herrera actually; but don't let that stop your blinkered bias.

But Tadic wasn't playing well - and at least Boufal tried a few things and ran at the defence; he's shown enough to be very influential with a consisten run in the team. Much, much better 2nd half - I thought Redmond and Bertrand had good games but Romeu was clearly our best - some of his tussles with Vic were great to watch.

That's the problem - he isn't suited to the DM role, but has been forced to assume it with the positioning of JWP wide right. Looks much better (Davis) when he's allowed to play an attacking role which he did 2nd half. The side's midfield has been unbalanced by trying to fit JWP into the team, wide right - Romeu is being forced to mop up everything - which he did alone in the 2nd half - massive performance by OR - but our midfield at present has problems which an in-form Hojbjerg could help solve.

He's not the problem - it's MIDFIELD.....Romeu on his own while Davis and JWP get overrun.

They're better all over the park. We are being slaughtered in mid-field and sadly without Gabbi - zero attacking threat; surely Boufal offers more than Tadic or Ward-Prowse - bring him on.

Thanks for the report - hoping Carceras get's a call up for the Spurs game. Sorry to hear about the Boufal spat dummy. I can understand his frustration in not nailing down a spot given who we are playing on the right wing/inside right at present. If we want to beat Spurs, Boufal needs to be involved.