Greenridge

Relying on those four for our goals I would suggest is something Puel was wrong to do. Rodriguez was out for the best part of 2 years and showed no signs, certainly not last summer when Puel arrived, that he was getting back to his pre-injury form. Long's goal return last year was of out character for him judging by his previous seasons, Redmond too was not a goal scorer and Austin has struggled with different injuries throughout his career and was therefore likely not to be available for periods throughout the season. So yes, Puel has some liability for our lack of attacking options. He is the manager after all.

We have a ready-made replacement for Fonte in Gardos. It will be like a new signing after his 2 year injury nightmare.

The point I was making was that Koeman gave the impression he didn't need see any players READY to contribute to the first team, right here, right now. As I said, maybe he wasn't a million miles away with that view. Hopefully, in time, several of these players will be ready. Let's face it our business model is clear. We need the academy to be successful.

5). We are 9th in the league.

Puel giving the academy players some outings doesn't necessarily mean they are good enough and Koeman didn't know what he was doing. With the exception of McQueen who's getting a few games who else has had anything other than a bit-part to play this season? Sims had a cracking opening game and has been largely anonymous since. Reed has had a couple of outings and the games have largely passed him by. Stephens has had a couple of games recently and the others just the odd start or sub appearance. So really no-on either than McQueen has seen any real pitch time. Maybe Koeman wasn't that far off the mark after all? What is clear from Les when Puel joined was that he would be expected to give these players some first team exposure and he's doing as he was instructed.

...

Readymade replacement on the bench tonight in Gardos. Reed's just putting the finishing touches to his press release video.

There are several faces complicit to the position we find ourselves in as you rightly stated. Unfortunately Puel went on record at the end of the summer transfer window saying he was happy with the depth and quality of his squad, or words to that effect. So either he was mis-judging his squad, he was paying lip service to the fan base as he had been told that was his lot from Reed or his tactics, training and motivation is in question. The buck stops with the Manager rightly or wrongly. Always has and likely always will.

That's the real point I guess.

And before that, when was the last 'superb' performance?

Fit? Not sure he's ever been truly fit looking at his career to date but as for his latest injury maybe he'll get a few games in before the end of the season.

If Puel walked up to you in the street and for no apparent reason punched you in the face you would claim it was your own fault for head butting his fist.

More of this might be the only thing that prompts the club to get their arses in to gear.

Listening to Solent in the first half was like over-hearing two blokes chatting about nothing on the next table in a cafe. There might as well not have been a game going on the amount of interest it was generating for them to talk about. The halftime summarising was hilarious.

It really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone let alone Puel.

Roll up, roll up. Nearly time for this weeks SFC Team Tombola. Get that drum spinning Claude and pick out the lucky winners.

I made the same observation the other day that I thought the opposition had gone to school on him. Low down to the corners and he doesn't get near them. The same shots are of course challenging for all 'keepers but he's such a big unit his size and lack of agility goes against him.

I, for one, think you have brought him up very well.

But not out on the pitch. At the moment.

I think beowulf is suggesting that if we don't add some quality in this window we will not attain mid-table, we will be battling the bottom third. I'm pretty sure just about everyone would take a mid-table finish right now.

Just seen this stat on the SSN article looking at Claudio Bravo's performance. Forster's numbers given as well. Apols for the formatting. Percentage of shots on target faced conceded - Premier League (min 10 games) Player Club Percentage conceded Tom Heaton Burnley 23.7% Hugo Lloris Tottenham 26% Jordan Pickford Sunderland 27% - - - Claudio Bravo Man City 42.6% Fraser Forster Southampton 43.3% Lukasz Fabianski Swansea 43.75%

Back to Fonte. The options are increasingly looking pretty thin on the ground for Jose. Be interesting if he doesn't get a move whether he'll be prepared to knuckle down and contribute to the remainder of the season. We will certainly need him with our lack of depth in that department.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04phhxn He talked for nearly four minutes about important interesting possibilities. I think.

Everyone could see we were short of quality and depth up front before the first kick of the season. I know Claude said he was happy with his squad but I think he was just towing the club line. The club is completely liable for not seeing what was around the corner and now we'll more than likely end up with a higher fee, high wages and lesser player than we could have got in the summer.

Leicester are allegedly in for Gaston Ramirez.