austsaint

Henri Camara - gave us a sniff of staying up in that awful season.

Good, but so is Boufal.

Cannot agree about Boufal - he provided attacking spark straight away; it was his shot turned in by Gabbi and then he threaded through and hit the side netting.

Don't disagree about PEH/Clasie being drafted in to help Romeu. Davis is being played out of position lately and can't really handle the support holding role. The situation in midfield has been brought about in part with the switch of JWP to a wing/inside right position, which seems to leave us exposed defensively.

Time to give Stephens a rest; Yoshida carried him today. The other area of weakness was midfield where once again, Romeu was asked to do much of the DM work alone. Hope we see more of Boufal from now on; he makes things happen. Cedric was great again today, but Bertrand unusually quiet - Tadic and Redmond stood out.

Anfield celebration from Claude.

I'm warming to Redmond.

Boufal for Mr Ward-Prowse anyone?

Bertrand has been unusually quiet so far.

Our midfield is wide open with WP played as a winger and Davis trying to lend Romeu a hand in a role which he is unsuited to.

Fake forensics.

I would like to disagree with this. But I can't - he really is an average goalkeeper.

I think we've already got a better player than him in our ranks - Josh Sims. J-Rod, Martina, Isgrove, Forster (I know it won't happen, but it should) out - new CB, CM and versatile defender in.

A really good post - as is post 409; both posts capture the essence of what the game meant to most Southampton fans; great disappointment and heartbreak at the result, but incredible consolation with the performance, skill and spirit of Saint's players. Wes, just to take your comments about Gabbiadini a step further; it's just not his goal tally that's impressive - his movement, turns, touch and eye for a pass are incredible. What I like about him compared to Pelle is that his movement and skill have resulted in more crosses and passes coming in and around the box on the deck, rather than lumped in. The result is a quicker style of play, suiting Cedric, Bertrand and even Tadic - though I'd like to see more of Boufal just behind Gabbi - could be an interesting end to the season.

If it was just the isolated co*k up by Forster no one would be questioning him; but it's been a recurring theme for quite a while. Puel has to show some ticker and drop him.

Yes, Redmond - who had such a good match, particularly first half - could have put Lingard's role in the game to the test had he gone over in a crumpled heap as so many others would have...well done to the lad for his decision to keep going. One afterthought I have about the game is a belief that someone like Sims, with his run and pace might have been the right sort of sub to have had on the bench to try and win the game late on, rather than Rodriguez or even Long.

Davis wasn't poor; it was JWP who lost the ball immediately prior to their second goal - he wasn't poor either; probably his most important game in a Saints shirt. Our only poor player on the day, and for some time now was Forster. It's going to be interesting to see whether Claude has the bottle to drop him.

You might be right, but you can't fault our CBs today, particularly Yoshida. If anything our midfield were responsible for the openings that led to two of the goals. Surely we need a better keeper. Still a great day to be a Saint's fan.

You couldn't ask more from a Southampton team. Heartbreaking end but what a performance from our lads. Cedric, Bertrand, Yoshida, Gabbi all magnificent.

He lost possession immediately prior to the goal. He's played well otherwise.

You'd be one of the few thinking that offside call was correct. Agree, Forster is something of a liability. Ward-Prowse has played well apart from the defensive lapses leading to their second goal - Boufal must come on sooner than later.

Really shouldn't be behind; abysmal decision to disallow our goal. Boufal on for Tadic.

Ward-Prowse has done a few nice things today but mark that goal down to him; he's not good enough defensively.

I know it's not a day to complain about team selection but I feel sorry for young Sims - surely he deserved a place on the bench given his contributions in this competition. All the best to Saints today......2:18am here in Brisbane.

He's just a blunt, pragmatic, self-serving Manager telling it how it is.