egg

Jeez, you need a hobby mate. You know I meant Forster you pompous muppet. Pied is crocked and in our rotational system only foster (yeah I know), vvd and Romeu play most games so to say we have a first choice anyone else is stretching it. I repeat I'd take Johnson over Martina. Re 3, Arnautovic plays in a very forward position and I'd have him in our team over Jrod and long. Re 4... ah ****** I can't be bothered.

It's Dalek so relax MLG. But to be fair they are stronger than last year and we're weaker so he has a point. I'd take a fit Butland over Foster, Johnson over Martina, Shaqiri, Anautovic and at the moment any of their various other strikers over long and jrod.

Enjoyed that, we played some great stuff. Slattery is a real talent.

Yeah, a lad called Pelle. Decent by all accounts. As for tonight, we got what we deserved. Awful tactics, and loads of terrible performances. Redmond had a shocker, Bertrand couldn't cross, midfield starved sims of the ball, Davis ran around lots but ineffective, Hojberg ditto, Long anonymous but had little service. Shocking.

Good line up is that. They're a good side but I fancy us for a win.

One of those did root it out after hearing young lads talking about what was going on.

Correct. How he's playing at Boro is how he could have played for us given a proper chance. Frustrating.

We didn't play him enough and we did he wasn't given enough of the ball. It was as obvious that he was a class act who would bring so much more to our side than Redmond, and on current form Rodriguez and Long. Shame it didn't work out here.

Along with Ray. Who was the other lad that went with them as a triple move? Young promising midfielder if I recall who faded into obscurity.

I cannot see how there can be an issue with naming the guy who was a youth coach at our club who was tried (but acquitted) of sexual offences. Alleging on here that he had done anything untoward would likely be defamatory, but saying that he was tried and acquitted would not be.

Correct. In an experimental role at the back he's been brilliant. Personally I'm delighted to see him given a go in a more natural role. I'm hoping he gives us real versatility in the squad.

Exactly!! Long and our record signing up front with MCqueen, who has been excellent, playing in his natural role. Reed playing to give Romeu a rest alongside two international midfielders, and 3 of our regular back 5 and people moan like the world is about to end. Ffs, some of you lot are proper Divas

Acquitted yes, but exonerated is pushing it. The first youth player to give evidence fell apart and the prosecution case struggled from there.

I would, but would prefer to see Jack Stephens get another run out.

So you want everything but a Saints win? Nice.

Fair points CB. Footy players run 10k ish a match, in 90 minutes. That's slower than some of the fatties in my running club, and they do it at least twice a week and go to work and do an actual job too.

I hate to agree with Glasgow but I think the answer is a settled side until we get back on track, ie scoring goals and winning. We have lost our way a little and need to get back on track in the league and the europa.

Good post. FFP is the reason we can't spend an extra £10-15mil a year on wages. TV money doesn't help us compete with the clubs (most of them) with higher FFP caps. Ambition and cash aren't the issue.

Yes there's acceptance by me. Acceptance of the reality of where we are. Acceptance of FFP. Acceptance that we have fans like you that have no grip on reality. I haven't got time to get involved in a long exchange with you and others on this point but ask yourself how you feel we can attract and keep players like vvd who are clearly destined for the top even if we're never gonna hit the top. On that point actually read about and understand FFP. Fans completely overlook that but because of it wmwe will never be able to compete at the very top even if we had the cash and the ambition. If you have time to watch a move take a look at layer cake. The big boys are Gambon, we're the fella who gets shot.

This. The best players want to play for the best clubs. We're good not the best. VVD did not come here for the rest of his career. Neither did Mane, Lovren , Wanyama etc. The club knew that and I have no doubt that the players came here on the basis that they would get Premier league experience, develop as players and get a move to one of the big boys subject to the terms. There's nothing wrong with that and in return we get a good player for a short term and a profit. This model gives us the ability to sign some very good and talented players. Our fan base need to recognise that we ain't Barca, Man Utd, or even Spurs or Liverpool.

Personally I'd be impressed if our under 21 can emulate what our all star team did in our league 1 days. Shows we've come a long way.

Del, those two would be unbelievable. World's best pairing without a doubt. I'm not sure who's the best of the two but probably Toby is the best defender and Virgil the best footballer. Flank them with Clyne and Bertrand or Shaw and you've got the best back 4 in the league by a mile. Yes I know we have to sell and rebuild but we buy and build squads, for a profit, better than anyone.

I think he's superb and possibly better than Mark Wright who until Virgil moved to the next level this season was the best saints CB I've ever seen, and we've had some great ones. He's like a David Luiz who can actually defend.

He has. For Southend he was used up front through the middle, and as FF says he played up top for our u21's. In his youth days he was more of a winger.

Its a scratch team of mainly youngsters and fringe players against pretty much the Sunderland first 11. Ffs you are one miserable bloke.