austsaint

You might be right - but your "too slow moving the ball, too much backwards/sideways" description sums at least one of our current mid-fielders and probably two. Morgan's great strength for us was his interceptions and tackling/harassing; but as others have said, there is no chance of him returning. He was such a good player for us though.

You're right about one thing - I don't rate JWP at all as a current Saint's midfielder; particularly when judged against the amount of hype and promotion he has received - not his fault of course. Maybe coaches in the UK do have more knowledge than me, but I can spot a limited Footballer when I see one. It was very noticeable in our game v Bournmouth how quickly and directly our play flowed through midfield with Clasie, Davis and Hojbjerg - Davis and Hoj providing the run and attacking passes which JWP just isn't capable of. Defensively, he offers little compared to Clasie, Romeu, Hoj, Davis and Reed. Get back to me in a season or two and let's see how the lad is going. It's also significant that Pochettino, Koeman or for that matter any other Prem Manager has ever made an enquiry for him. So there is a limit to the impression he's making on scouts, managers and rival Clubs.

Incredibly depressing if he goes there. Chez, you talk about Clasie filling a squad number at the expense of someone like Morgan; but what about JWP? Still with us, not getting any better and showing neither defensive or attacking mid-field capabilities.

I hope Boufal starts and Puel doesn't do a "Koeman" (dropping Mane v Norwich) and discipline Boufal for his dummy spit at being subbed. The bottom line is he is getting into his stride and giving us creativity and threat in attack. I also hope JWP is given another spell because our midfield looks so much better with midfielders who can and do take the game up to the opposition with decisive running and passing - Davis and Hojbjerg were great examples of this in the second half on Sunday. Tadic has been below par in two "off the bench" appearances since injury and Redmond might be the better option wide with Boufal and J-Rod.

I thought Clasie did a good impersonation of Romeu today. So much of our play was quicker, more incisive and attack minded; particularly from midfield. I put some of that down to the absence of JWP, which might be harsh - what do others think?

That really was the astonishing thing about the game for me; the absolute turnaround of Hojbjerg - from dismal to one of our best. It was a great showing from Davo - as he gets older the sub role might be increasingly his thing and he can bring great energy and skill from the bench.

Good summary. I was surprised Puel took Reed off, given how poor Hoj was for the first half hour - but the introduction of Davis; the all round display of Clasie and the complete turnaround in Hojbjerg's game meant our midfield dominated a tiring Bournmouth. Back four all good and there were some magical moments by Boufal; his subbing was a shock, even allowing for the yellow card - Tadic still looks a little off the pace. What a feel good match for J-Rod - that second goal was a marvellous thing. Really good display and great to watch - the first half had a bit of a Derby look about it but the second half was more of a clinic.

How gutted are you Glasgow.

Tadic a bit meh.

If Hoj was a horse he'd be swabbed for a vastly improved performance.

Hard to understand Boufal being subbed.

Hojbjerg a lot better; Clasie out of his skin. Like to see Boufal more central.

Good lad.

Calling Verlaine to the Forum.

Bit hard on Reed.

If you take reputation out of the equation, Yoshida has been at least the equal of Fonte this season.

It's good to watch - Bertrand, Clasie, Boufal and Yoshida all very good.

Reed is going OK; one mistimed pass.

Feisty game - what's wrong with Hoj today?

I wouldn't argue with your assessment that Reed can offer as much or more than Clasie. I'd go further and say he offers more than JWP can in central defensive midfield roles - and Hesketh or Sims offer more in attacking areas than JWP when he's played in more advanced attacking roles as he was against Stoke. Sunday against Bournmouth is a great time to throw Reed in for Romeu and start to test these theories out.

He looked a bit rusty the other day, I was wondering whether he could see properly!!

Good player with some silky skills. Very pleased.

Yes, I know he has had to bide his time behind the Wanyamas, Morgans and Romeus, but I've always seen a player in this lad. Also think he has a few more technical/expansive skills than Koeman's famous quote ever gave him credit for.

Can't we play someone else other than Ward-Prowse?

Frustrating night with the Boufal cross to J-Rod's missing left foot the critical moment - perhaps SB should have tucked it away himself. I found the central midfield set-up confusing tonight. Davis had a poor game; he seemed to be set up deeper tonight than normal, meaning the box-to-box runs he often makes were missing. JWP's brief seemed to be in a more advanced forward role; what we saw from him was no running with the ball, rather safe passes and then a run into the box as a de-facto centre forward or inside right!! I'm wondering why Hojbjerg wasn't given that role tonight - and Clasie who played so well on Sunday didn't get a look in either. Boufal and Bertrand were very good again and clearly our defence was rarely troubled. Ironically if Stoke had played all night with 11 we may have got the result. Long, Redmond and J-Rod all off the pace tonight - where has Sims got to? I'd like to see Reed, Hojbjerg and Clasie get the midfield spots v Bournmouth.