austsaint

I thought all four Academy lads had good games, including Prowsey who had one of his better games. On the face of it though, from limited opportunities, you'd have to say Harry Reed is a better DM than JWP and Jake Hesketh is a better AM, leaving reputations and matches played aside.

Dodgy stream or not, a thoroughly enjoyable performance. The quick movement, incisive passing and energy displayed tonight seem to indicate the new system is bedding in well. So good to see Targett, Reed, JWP and Hesketh start the game; each played his part, but Hesketh was exceptional and no thanks to Koeman who has effectively put both Hesketh and Reed into the wilderness for a couple of seasons after both had shown plenty of class in limited first team opportunities. Martina impressive again and so was Yoshida; enjoyed Long's game too if not his finishing.

The surprise for me is that it's taken nearly two years for him to effectively get another chance! He looked so good as an 18yo getting game time against Man U, Burnley etc.....I think this may be a negative on Koeman's time here that he overlooked Hesketh for so long and for that matter Reed who he "wrote off" after an excellent performance against Everton. On the dodgy stream tonight Hesketh's movement, passing and finish were delightful. Surely he must get more opportunities now, including Prem appearances. Compare him to JWP for a moment in terms of skills and attributes....despite reputations as they stand, I think I know who's going to end up the better player.

I like that side - would be good to see Reed and Hesketh back in the first team, Stephens too needs to get the opportunity to prove himself. My only change would be to save Hojbjerg for West Ham and start with Clasie.

Well deserved result. Midfield pair of Davis and Romeu both had superb games as did VVD. Hojbjerg's appearance and performance underlined that Davis, Romeu and Hoj. are comfortably our best mid combination. Full marks to Puel for good substitutions and an emerging style of play which is easy on the eye. Redmond's finishing was woeful but a lot of his general play was lively - played out wide he's going to be an asset.

He really is. Should be 3 or 4 up, but the inadequacy of our strikers, especially Redmond is stark. Some lovely bright moments of build up play - Davis, Tadic, Clasie, Bertrand all good.

I hope we play with same spirit and energy as Watford have today. Man U what a rabble.

You're probably right; two seasons for Hojbjerg and Boufal - another one for Virgil. It's vaguely depressing to think about the exits of these guys but at least there's the enjoyment of watching top class players develop.

Do you disagree? Or do you think we should just ignore the likelihood of those three leaving in a season or two and enjoy them while they are here. Probably not a bad way to think about it.

It's clear to me that Hojbjerg, along with VVD and presumably Boufal, if he lives up to reputation, are the next three players at risk of being prised away by the you-know-who Clubs as early as next season.

Agree with this; amazed Yoshida has copped so much criticism - apart from the under-hit back pass he was great all night. Great speed to the ball, many interceptions and a goal saving block in the first half. Great to get the win; Hojbjerg, VVD, Romeu, Austin all very good. Long very willing but his control is awful at the moment. I thought Tadic had a quiet game but the cameos of Davis and J-Rod had an impact. A win v Swansea would lift the whole place.

Fair enough Baggy; nice positive post, however your first and second lines seem highly contestable!! Growing success rather than buying it is a fabulous proposition as long as the likes of Shaw, Bale, Walcott, Ox, Chambers keep rolling off the assembly line. The Club's at a point where the talent pool from the Academy is average and most of our recent success on the field comes down to players like Mane, Wanyama, Morgan, VVD, Pelle etc. For many it looks like a regression of success coming up rather than growth, and the sale of the bought talent without similar level replacements looks risky and inadequate - not withstanding the promise Hojbjerg and Boufal bring to the team. I haven't lost interest, but there isn't the same level of excitement and edge-of-seat style with Saints this season and the results reflect that. As for confounding the pundits' critics, with this year being no different....that's a brave call.

Nice work. You have earned a 5pm knock off pint.

The scary part about that team is if you take Hojbjerg, Tadic and possibly Davis out of it you're looking at a Championship side.

That's the cruellest Saints loss I've ever seen. Disgusting work from the officials. Well played by Romeu and I thought Hojbjerg was very good when brought on. The strikeforce of Long, Redmond, Rodriguez and probably Austin is not good enough.

Do you thinks so? Redmond looks a bit one dimensional to me - a sideways runner without much penetration; J-Rod fairly quiet. Midfield and back 4 doing well (Cedric aside) but we don't carry much goal threat. Romeu, Clasie, VVD and Bertrand the picks.

I laughed out loud - thanks.

Maybe his reputation as a mock might work in our favour.

Sonic - the difference between someone like Redmond and JWP as I see it; or for that matter Ali; Dier: Barkley; Shaw, even Chambers; is that they all have readily identifiable attributes from a young age, natural talents that separate them form someone like Prowsey. Speed, box-to-box running; athleticism; one touch under pressure or the ability to create attacking threat and score goals from open play. Without these qualities which are usually apparent at 17,18,19 there's only so much improvement a player can make through hard work, physical development and maturity. To Prowsey's credit he has honed a pretty damn good dead ball delivery, but that aside it's the neat and tidy possession stuff which highlights his game - it's hard to see what else can come from him as he approaches his 22nd birthday.

If the rules of Football permitted a player to be brought on to take attacking free kicks and corners, and then be immediately replaced, in the manner of American Football, then JWP would be hot property. There just isn't enough to the rest of his game, particularly in fast paced, high intensity matches in the Prem.

We pressed the life out of Arsenal that day and hit them on the counter attack with the pace of Mane and Long. In midfield big Vic had one of those days when nothing and nobody got past and then there was the stunner from Martina to get things rolling.

Well said. From a purely "business" decision, selling Jose to Man U provided we had a good replacement lined up would have worked well. Now that the storm has passed though it's great to look forward to another season or two from a very decent CB and Club stalwart.

The blindest Freddy can see.

Yes, but presumably we could have bought him. Relatively, it was still a blunder not to retain Antonio; good player now, not bad then.

Who was Manager when Antonio left us - was it Nigel? Almost as big a gaff as Ferguson letting Pogba go and Mourhino releasing Lukaku.