austsaint

It should be 2-0

Wish Obama would tell Tadic to stop whining.

If it was a boxing match we would be well ahead on points. How close was that for Jay....McQueen having a stormer, likewise Hojbjerg. Jay off for Austin.

Agree with what you say - Romeu is both tough in his defensive duties and cultured with his runs and incisive passing. Unsurprisingly though, you've omitted Davo's role in quick movement of the ball through midfield; and using the Burnley game as an example, Clasie too showed that side of his game.

It really was, and you could see McQueen's confidence rising as the game went on. Midfield were commanding - Romeu, Davis and the best game Clasie has played by miles. Tadic very influential, and Redmond always a handful. Defence rarely troubled. Commentator noted that all our points have been gained from lower table opposition - bigger tests ahead but the quality of Football played is very encouraging.

Agree with all positive comments about Davo. I love his driving runs from midfield towards the box, his touch and control in tight spaces and his ability to pick out a player in a dangerous position. In many ways as important a player as Morgan was for SFC.

A good point - on all statistical measures Saints shaded the game. Frustrating for Austin - top notch performances from Romeu and Hojbjerg - Fonte also good. Disappointed with Redmond and Tadic.

Redmond is shocking today

Started the game brightly - Romeu excellent apart from the back pass. Really disappointed in Redmond; doing and offering nothing - Long will have to replace him.

Long is missing Mane; he and Redmond are playing like strangers at the moment - Long wasn't helped by the poor quality of delivery - so many predictable crosses coming in as if we were set up with a Pelle or Austin. Still a useful point.

BHS dominating possession and owning mid-field. Too much being asked of Romeu with lightweights Clasie and Ward-Prowse around him underlying that with the amount of games we have our midfield is not strong enough. Nothing up forward with the poor supply - Long and Redmond out of sorts; Hesketh off was the right move, and both full backs have their hands full. Only VVD, Yoshida and Romeu standing up at the moment. Despite the Leicester game we need Hojbjerg on for Clasie or Ward-Prowse. A point at the moment would be a good result.

Hats off to you Roswell; that's a decent journey you have made - very envious of the Saints supporters in Israel tonight; a very different culture to immerse yourself in for a short time. All the best to Claude and the squad tonight - hope Hesketh get's a run out at some stage.

Howe's about thirty years younger than the Hodgson, Allardyce, Capello appointments of the last decade. Increasingly there seems to be a "use-by-date" for Football Managers - corruption and bungs aside - and that might be a good profile for the England FA to pursue.

Really good point you make - and Puel has to get some credit for that; his genuine integration of Reed, Hesketh, Stephens and rotation of senior players has had a motivating influence on several players confidence levels.

Loved the fact we didn't just try and hang on to a 1-0 win even if the Hammers invited us in. Great from the midfield trio; lovely taken goal from Austin and what an assist; Tadic at his creative best; solid attacking game from Bertrand; CBs both good and Redmond had his moments, and well done to JWP - the monkey is off his back. Could have been 6-1.

Direct flight from Glasgow? Hasn't been the best of games - I think we need to up the work rate and press a little more. Quality finish from Chaz; lovely work from Bertrand. Not Cedric's best half.

"Nine", I realise our assessments of games are based on opinion but surely you could appreciate the class and sharp incisive passing of Hesketh.....anything but standard through balls. His goal from open play is something Prowsey hasn't managed in 120 or so appearances. Your critique of Reed as just a layer of late tackles, is also harsh. Reed and Hesketh showed they should have been given more opportunities by Koeman - let's hope they get them under Puel.

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.