S-Clarke

I'm not sure Rodriguez will go, but I think something drastic will have to happen between now and may for Lallana not to be included. Best english AMC this year by a mile.

That was a win we desperately needed, and one which was never in any doubt to be honest. We did alright, but Cardiff were the worst side I've seen us play all year. Utterly horrendous, and it made it a pretty easy afternoon for us all being told. Next game will be the bigger test...

You're very, very odd and sad. It's Christmas, yet you have time to do that. Weird.

Ah yes, our relegation season. Cheerful comparison

I've never known a season of injuries like this one. It's relentless

I'm really not making a knee-jerk reaction, this is a reaction which should have been made months ago. It's been clear to me since the start of last year that Jos, Fox and Gazzaniga are not good enough and will never be good enough. When you continue with players of their level at backup, you're asking for trouble. We've had a very unlucky season injury wise so far, thus we've had to call all 3 into action. It's no coincidence that we're conceding goals and losing games, they are the reasons for that because they are pretty **** at their individual jobs at this level. It could well be that Fonte, Shaw, Clyne and Boruc all return shortly and calm is restored - but I still can't see the issue in going out there and getting a better CB than Jos for e.g, there are plenty out there..... It's also true that the injuries have killed us in a run of fixtures against some big sides, but in all honesty it's just highlighted the inadequacies of our backup players. I must admit though, I'm completely perplexed as to how you think any of them are doing an adequate job.

There's no unsettled weather forecast? Boxing day will be the best day of the lot, bright and sunny but cold. On friday/into the W/E it could be interesting, but I wouldn't expect any games to be called off.

How can you say they're doing an adequate job? Both are gifting goals in every game, for me that suggests they're not good enough backup and my expectation of a backup player is obviously higher than yours! It's an area which needs a close look in January. You say you have to question how much they'll play, but that's kind of like sticking your head in the sand and saying we'll get no more injuries. What if Lovren gets kicked and is out for months, along with Fonte? What on earth happens then? A slide towards a relegation battle I expect. I'd consider ignoring this area much more 'foolhardy' If we are serious about progressing, then we cannot have them as backup, as we then get periods of the season such as this where we have to play them. And it never ends well because they're not good enough.

Yep, completely. What would the money give us? We'd be weaker and I don't think we'd be able to attract a player at the same level of Shaw. £30m or no £30m.

We'd be a hell of a lot weaker for that. Bertrand is pretty awful. And it would be hollow money really, and would go against everything the club is trying to do.

He's an accomplished player, so the sort of player who could put in a shift anywhere if you asked him to. He's not spectacular, but an excellent squad player to have.

Try harder, it's oh so obvious.

What on earth are you on about?

Sorry, wasn't referring to you. More so the poster just underneath who posted at the same time.

A very positive year, in 12 months we've progressed into a very competitive premiership team. We've got some top class players here, and this is now probably the best team in my saints supporting lifetime (when they're all fit, obviously!). But nothing to really moan about to be honest. The future is certainly very bright.

We should have signed a new goalkeeper when we were promoted to be honest, that along with an experienced top level CB should have been a priority. But unfortunately we spent all summer chasing attacking players it seems, or players which were out of our reach at that time. I felt we left the CB till the last day (although I'm sure Maya was a target for a while, but it stank of us missing out on who we really wanted) and the GK as a bosman signing mid-way through September. Should have shown a bit more urgency back then. I don't think we'll get a new GK in January though, maybe just a loan to tide us over - but it's a position we do need to 'evolve' for next season.

To be fair though, Rickie is still doing better than some of these so called big names bought over the summer: Norwich spent big on Ricky-whathisname - Hasn't done a thing Swansea spent big on Bony - Scored a couple in europe, but zilch impact in the PL really. Tottenham spent big on Soldado - rubbish return for £28m. Missed 2 sitters yesterday too. We spent big on Osvaldo - zero impact. Sunderland spent about £6m on Altidore - yes 6 frigging million on that - horrendous impact. West Ham signed Carroll for a big fee - Injured all year so far. The only ''new signing'' strikers I'd say who have been a success would be Negredo, Remy (he's on loan though) and Lukaku (also on loan). Other than that, clubs have had a pretty woeful return for their money so far.

I've never, ever seen him save a shot.............they all go in!

Unfortunately it's true. It was the same last season when we were conceding goals left, right and centre. The reality is that Fox and Jos were totally out of their depth then and contributed to that horrendous goals against record, and that's true again now. It's not a coincidence, it's not because they're unlucky, and neither were 'decent' - otherwise we wouldn't have shipped 3 goals. Positioning wise they're all over the show,t hey have no pace and can be turned way too easily. Both struggled in the championship when up against decent strikers, so it's no surprise to see them sinking so badly at this level.

I'd throw Boruc in goal with a sling on....would be better. Sod it, Toni Jimenez...

It's really odd to be honest. The posters who bounce it (Always the same posters as well), seem absolutely delighted to be laughing at their own fans and taking the **** out of their own fans. It was a bit far fetched to think we were having anything other than a good start, but who cares? Enjoy it whilst it lasts is how it should be.

I don't get that, why? He needs to be showing so sort of ability, you can't really improve on being rubbish in all areas. He is showing no natural goal keeping ability or instincts, I will be utterly gobsmacked if he's anything more than a lower-league keeper in his career.

Oh for the day we can say the same about the left back position...!

What exactly do you expect? You're a wum, and they're treating you as a WUM. If we're honest, they should just ban you for good. Why the hell you're back again is beyond me.

Jay Rodriguez has been completely the opposite. Has come back fresh with something to prove. Lallana has been ok too. it's just Lambert who has returned in such poor shape. Reckon it's just an injury, as he did pick up one whilst on duty.