S-Clarke

There's no doubt about it, he is having a total nightmare. This is right back to his Lyon days, as bad as that. But with us, when he was isolated 1 on 1, he always struggled and was most of the time beaten. (Away at Spurs last season being one example).

Would be sad to see Jay go, one of my favourite players. But we've shown we can live without him. If we can use that £20m to replace him and sprinkle a bit more depth in other positions then I'm for it.

To be honest, I see where you're coming from. Our start has kind of enabled us to go into these games with no massive pressure, we can just pit ourselves against them and see how we do. You're also right in that they're not going to come and park the bus, they will attack and there will be space. I think we'll win at last one of the home games, but away will be the test.

Where the hell is Lovren in that picture! Looks like he's the furthest player back? mental.

Should have been captain last season rather than that tippy tap ******. He was a rubbish captain.

It's the team and the internal set-up, not the individual player. They would need to buy the club. £300m should do it.

His first touch was pretty special.

Having the squad makes a hell of a difference, much more depth in the final third this year. Plenty of options, which more to come too.

Clyne has been an 8/10 player for 18 months now. Undropable. If he doesn't play for England in this break, then someone needs to section Hodgson and send him to Tatchbury Mount.

I also find it quite funny that Jose mentions Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal and ourselves still being in the title race. Yet doesn't mention Liverpool or Tottenham, where all these great players and coaches we had last year moved to - to ultimately challenge with Chelsea. Whopsy.

I'm so upset for Lovren, what a shame for him. Actually, no.

Southampton's last 12 games in all competitions: WWWWWWLWWWWW Holy jesus.

It's been very much a team effort, hard to single out a specific. but if I had to, Clyney for me. A total player, best RB in the league.

Ummm, how about, never?

We dominated most of the afternoon against a very well organised, hard working but ultimately limited Leicester side. Our final product was very frustrating on a number of occasions, we seemed to do the hard work...and then muck up that final pass, or overplay it a tad too much. I thought Mane caused them all sorts of problems, plays on the shoulder of their full back and was in behind so many times - just couldn't quite deliver well enough. Tadic wasn't as influential in the final third either, and as we moved into the final throws it was clear we needed to change something. This is where we have a different situation from last season. Last year we'd have brought Guly on to try and influence things, now we can bring on a proven PL player who can change the game. To be at 25 points at this stage, after the summer we had, is nothing short of fantasy stuff to be honest. Not even the most optimistic person can say they predicted this! I think we've put ourselves into an amazing situation to challenge for a top 6 place. There will come a period where we have it tough, every single team has one at some stage, but we've given our selves a great platform - actually, a bloody podium, to build from. Bring on Villa.

Meant to word that as ''The best of the 3''.

I don't think Leicester are ****, far from it. I actually feel they're one of the best of the 3 promoted sides this year, not just down to quality, but they've got a decent team ethos and organisation there - more so than the other sides. They remind me of us when we first came back, a settled side who are organised - ultimately lacking a touch of quality here and there, but they're not ****.

Dejan has settled in well after playing with him last season. Oh my, he's a bit of a clueless one.

Adam Lallana: He's going to be in for a shock. Jesus christ, he's priceless.

I think their analysis starts and ends with Roy Hodgson and Ray Lewington going to 3pm matches in England. That's pretty much it.

I think it's more to do that it's a subscription based site, and copying and pasting stuff onto non-pay sites is probably a pretty big infringement of their t&c and could get this place in the ****!

Doubt they'll care much. Although, if Clyne doesn't get any game time in this round of games then I think people may start talking.......best English RB this season by an absolute country mile, no contest.

Dyer is a good call, so is Routledge. Not amazing players, but surely better than an unfit Theo and a pretty poor Townsend?

Weird. kind of proves that if you are English and are at a big club, no matter if you're benched or returning from injury, you'll get selected for England. Lambert wouldn't be anywhere near if he was a sub for us for example.

Cheers, great read.