S-Clarke

I thought Jos had a fine game If I'm honest, a good pick for a game against their strike force and the obvious aerial bombardment. I wouldn't look to move him on in January, that's for sure. I think if we bring in a new top class CB, we're sorted in that area.

They lose a couple of players in January to the AFCON as well. Off the top of my head, Tiote (edit - forgot Senegal were disqualified)....and that's adding to the injurys they have to Ben Arfa, Cabye etc. They're in trouble, that's for sure.

Injured, reoccurring hamstring injury apparently. Bit of a trademark injury for a pace driven player!

He was out of position today, but he wasn't bad. His weakness is distribution, both on the floor and with his head - it's getting better, but it's still his weakness - and from a full back position that's thrown into the spotlight a little more. But he reads the game as well as anyone, positions himself well and cuts out danger. He's an international level player in those regards, and is growing as the team is growing. For me, I'll be honest, the jury has been out as his distribution does my head in, and causes us problems - but it's something that seems to be getting better game by game, and let's not forget...he's only 23!

You'll never get anything from the club, but don't expect to see him back until March at the earliest.

If you look through the fixtures, we have some points to get there. If we're on our game we could make it very difficult for teams like Everton, Liverpool, WBa, West Ham, Stoke, QPR etc at St Mary's. Then add the away games against Reading, Villa, Wigan.....there are plenty of realistic points for us to get as far as I'm concerned, and a little bit of tinkering in January could make the finish a lot more comfortable than some people anticipate. Rather than having a strong start to the season, I think we'll be the team who finish on a high. Call it new years optimism, who knows, but I'm quite happy with our prospects right now.

Oh well, let's not bother turning up then. Got more important things to do anyway.

To be fair to Guly, he put in a great shift today, and that's exactly why he was picked to start. Was very impressed. With Lallana out, he's not a bad shout to continue there. Playing out of his normal position, also special mention to Yoshida who was not out fought, gave as good as he got and was pretty comfortable. Seems to be getting better, week upon week. I haven't been 100% convinced by him, but today's game has answered a lot of questions I had.

Need to hope they've used all their goals up

You're absolutely spot on fella. Have been saying the same. We now compete in every single game. We're in a much better place than we ever were.

Weirdo.

That's good work! Nice job, looks smart.

Christ, what a bunch of weirdo's. Of all teams, to see Stoke complaining about us playing long ball is hilarious. They are probably the most dull team in the history of the PL, they will get relegated at some point in the next few years, so they best enjoy it as they are. It might be rose tinted glasses, but from where I was sat we dominated most of that first half and looked pretty good for it. Not sure why they think they're some sort of Barcelona all of a sudden, they're a bog standard english team punching above their weight.

When will the mods wake up to this pillock? Dull.

Isn't this old news?

That goal was a carbon copy of Rickies from earlier!

This is a bloody great game.

Wigan also play Villa - will be an interesting one.

I don't know if you're being serious or not, but that is a bloody funny post.

If only it was that black and white. I can't even be arsed to debate it.

Same was said about Ramirez, a lot of it is just talk though.January is a month of rumour, gossip, and very little truth.

But then a win is probably ''in spite of everything'' anyway.

Arsenal are an odd team, you can never really say what Arsenal will turn up. The Bradford result is a fine example. Take the game to them, put them under pressure, and they will buckle. Goals in this for sure - probably for both!

He did a pretty fine job on the hole of getting his tactics right today. Bloody fans.

We don't really though, do we? We conceded 3 today for the first time since WHU I think....not too bad. So, no, we don't really concede many these days. Today was a funny one though.