austsaint

Yep, first time I've seen either today. Redmond's second half was outstanding and it took about 3 minutes to see that Hojbjerg is top class box to box midfielder.

Game changed completely when the impressive Hojbjerg replaced JWP. Redmond's second half was really good; Tadic looked sharp and menacing all afternoon; Davis and Romeu grew into the game. VVD imperious in defence as was Yoshida apart from that hideous back pass. Targett not too bad at LB. The only disappointments on the day were Cedric, JWP and Long who was less effective than usual. Quite a bit to look forward too judging by our second half.

The obvious miss is Mane; Long in particular benefited from working up front with Mane. Apart from Tadic we have little creativity. Very lightweight in mid-field.

I'm all for playing the youngsters but Ward-Prowse, who must be pushing 22 has had so many chances to establish himself as an attacking mid-fielder and consistently comes up short - free kicks and corners aside. Let's see some of the other youngsters.

Ward-Prowse starting is a surprise.

Congratulations on the split infinitive:smug:

Peversely, I found the news about Mitchell's Spurs exit very enjoyable. Levy must be a loathsome preck to work for.

While that's true - you just get the impression with SG that he won't cut it at Prem level, and the opportunity for him to go to a Club like Blackburn is a great one for him and good for SFC. One of my lasting memories of Sam was the hug he received from Pochettino in a game soon after the death of his Dad.

Couldn't agree more - VVD is the remaining world class player we have, with improvement still to come.

I hope your third sentence is on the mark - the first and second are a bit of a laugh.

I wonder if Ronald will bring him to the Goodison Park dugout.

As others have noted - seems a decent guy with a fair bit of grey matter up top (not hair). More than handy player too.

I don't know whether Sadio's worth 80 million but he's a gem of a player, and it will irk me seeing him do well for Klopp's lot. I think we need to recruit a Mahrez style of player rather than a Bony type; sooner the better.

Maybe people are just exercising choice and free will, with a bit of fun thrown in.

Yes, I've got a nagging feeling this is either going to end in tears for Puel or there will be some belated recognition that the squad has some major deficiencies in the attacking/creative areas. Adapting to Puel's new system is one thing but there are so many other weak spots with Watford only a week away. Foremost, Mane has not been replaced and his loss will hit us hard; not just the goals he scored but the other qualities he provided with direct running, link up play and assists. The optimism around J-Rod seems misplaced; Redmond is a promising wide player, but to think he can transform into a clinical striker is a stretch; Austin has always been most effective inside the area yet the new system has him covering areas outside the box. Tadic seems destined to start the season as our creative 10 but his best Football has been played from the flank. Once again we seem to be placing faith in JWP to crack it as the next big thing in midfield even though his 100 plus appearances have delivered little apart from honed corners and free kicks. I have some sympathy for the new Manager having only been here for a month or so but we are going to start the season with a squad which appears considerably weaker with a tough Prem season and Europa League beckoning.

Good call, and I think if your 7th line bears fruit, lines 1,2,3 and 8 will follow.

Given that Villa are paying Fulham 12 million quid for Ross McCormack who turns 30 next week, it's pretty obvious that any attacking/creative signing we make may need to stretch the purse strings beyond the Club's preferred price of 10 - 12 million.

I really rate him, should be the first defensive midfielder picked - depending on how good Pierre turns out to be.

That's the most reassuring thing I've read for weeks.

Good to read that. Was it last season or the one before when Hesketh started and looked good in a couple of games before being injured against Man U.

I agree with you; but plenty do not. I haven't seen J-Rod play in this pre-season but, sadly, the chances of him becoming an effective attacking force in the Prem again seem slim. We are playing a high risk strategy if the speed and creativity of Mane is not replaced.

Add me to that....seems like he was stiffed.

Good read David. As things stand though we have lost our "prima donna" to Liverpool and there's no sign of an adequate attacking replacement.

Fair comments Angel. Look my comments about Andy are, to be fair, a bit too harsh and limiting. Andy often posts good information about Saints and he is obviously passionate about SFC. I've just found some of his comments and predictions about JWP way over the top. Most of all I hope he's right that we are about to sign a creative, attacking player because we certainly need one!

His ITK credentials (Andy D.) are his belief that JWP is the next big thing and should be starting every match this season.