S-Clarke

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.

A couple of posters stand out like a sore thumb on this thread. Sad.

I think we can all safely say that we are proud as hell of this club, for everything it stands for. This 'way' has success written all over it, but patience is required.

Ignore him, he's just being a plank.

BBC Reporter: "At Staplewood for a behind the scenes tour of the new #SaintsFC training complex. Looks incredible. Not allowed to tweet pics til midday tho" And apparently, Katharina has handed over Markus's lucky red and white scarf to the club, where it will remain.

Had a feeling that would happen, and it's absolutely fitting. Brilliant

I expect a full second by second account this evening.

Is there going to be a live Youtube stream of it or any coverage? or is it all being recorded for distribution later? And Saint Armstrong is a jammy bugger for getting the chance to tour it with Fonte!