S-Clarke

The pressure on this match will be absolutely enormous, even at this early stage. Both teams struggling at the start for points, but we're at home and if we put ourselves on the front foot we'll be OK. But the Wigan performance still haunts me, that struck me of the players feeling the ''pressure'' that they had to win it. We didn't get going at all. If we go 5 games without a win, with Everton away next, holy jebus. NA would be hanging by a thread.

Well, at least Wenger would have first-hand viewing of his new target.

I wonder if this is going to turn into another 138 page thread, with lots of poorly translated Italian articles and tweets? I do miss the Gaston thread.

Appearance wise, possibly. But football wise, he's already on a different planet.

I think you needed to be there to appreciate W-P yesterday, lots of off the ball running and closing down and great composure in tight areas, which may not have come across on TV as it did live. Morgan ran the show, absolutely, but W-P wasn't far behind.

Let's not do that. Cylen - Yoshida - Jos - Fox that will have to do until January.

What's that got to do with anything?

Look at it in the bigger picture alps. I'm also convinced he will join with a view to a backroom role at the club, having someone like that potentially working in a similar role to Jaidi will only help us in the future. It's potentially a move for now and for the future. I can see the clubs motives.

He's not a CB, or a LB - granted, but he's an experienced head which is what we lack. To be able to throw someone like on the pitch at the end of a game would be a great option, he'd settle everyone down. He's played at the top level all his life, he's played at world cups, euro's - the lot. He will benefit this squad massively in terms of experience and I'd be chuffed if we can get someone like him in. Don't expect him to score many, or to play a great deal - but expect him to be used as an option to calm everyone down with his experience in the closing stages of games. There's a hell of a lot good with our squad, let's not start think we're full of dross because we're not. We've got so much young talent that will only get better, and to have someone like him around the place is only going to accelerate their progression.

He deserves his crack, but he will be moved to one-side within time. Would imagine he will become a backup and then eventually a coach for us in the coming seasons. Top bloke, top captain and top player for us - but we've got to evolve and we won't reach the levels we want with Kelvin in goal, that's the reality unfortunately.

They did though. I think it's more telling that they didn't feel they needed to mention him much, he just slotted in out there against one of the best teams in the world. The Ajax and England coach have both singled this kid out for praise, so he's not being ignored. You can bet your bottom dollar that Wenger is drooling as well.

Well, we're a fit side, but the effort we put in for 60/70mins was immense. The closing down, the chasing, the tackling - of course some players are going to be knackered after that. Our fitness will improve as we become used to this level, but Morgan made a very valid point in his post-match interview. ''We're a fit side, but we were struggling with 15 mins to go, which shows you the intensity of this level and we need to adapt'' . It may be that we need to pace ourselves a bit during games, rather than going gung-ho for 70 odd mins, but it's harsh to expect W-P at 17 to be as fit as Carrick for e.g

But who would you have replaced Davis, or W-P with? There weren't any like for likes on the bench. We had Guly, Rodriguez, Mayuka, Seaborne, Richardson, Lee. So in theory, NA's hand was forced with what he had available to him. He needed to freshen it up, and the only area he could freshen up was the front 3. Unfortunately I still feel he made all 3 changes too quickly.

I've run out of things to say about him. He's just a natural football player, nothing is forced in his game.

Totally agree, we needed fresh energy in the midfield once Scholes came on. Would have been a good option. Weird subs all in all y/day.

Del Perio is clearly one that we've made approaches to. I think his experience could add a hell of a lot to our young side. Zambrotta is another decent shout. Fabio Grosso? World cup winner 6 years ago, not sure what he's been like since though - but he was outstanding in 06..!

It's been happening for the last 18 months, it's the 50/50 half time lotto. No one is forcing you to buy a ticket, but the money goes towards the Saints foundation which I'm sure we'll agree is a good cause. If you don't want one, then don't get one. Simples.

Totally, an absolute jewel in our crown. He wasn't quite ready last year as he was very lightweight and would have been eaten up in the Championship - but over the summer he has baulked up slightly and has a bit more of a physical presence about him and he can put himself about (OK, he's not Fellani..but much stronger than he was 6 months ago!). But his composure on the ball is what stands out for me, he just doesn't panic. He's a natural football player, he's got attributes that you cannot coach - they just come natural. His ability to find space, to anticipate passes and have the energy to go box to box non-stop. He has a real football brain that's always painting a picture, he's got comparisons to a young Scholes in some ways. He should start regularly for us as far as I'm concerned as he gives us so much control in there. He'll have spells where his ''youthfulness'' will come out, but I still think he has a real mature head on his shoulders that belies his age. He is the next star of our production line for sure.

I can see the reason why he was played up through the middle, his pace and strength running onto the flicks from Guly and Rodrgiuez. In theory, a good idea, but I just feel all 3 changes were made too quickly.

Can't quite believe, on just 10 mins, certain people have come to the conclusion that Mayuka looked useless and ineffective. Let's give him a chance eh? Christ.

It was Lambert for england, although on that display I think Adam will be giving Hodgson big headaches. Compared to Cleverly, he was head and shoulders above him today. He's the sort of player England don't really have at the moment, and the fears of him not being able to make an impact due to his lack of pace have been put to bed. Skill and ability to find space comes to the fore, he moved them around all afternoon long. We did give Scholes too much space to dictate the game, possibly down to having a little too much respect - but probably down to to us being absolutely shattered. That midfield 3 had just run around like Trojans for 70 odd mins. Can't wait for Cork to be available again, as we needed to freshen it up slightly in the middle today - more so than in the final third IMO. The one thing I'd say though is that we need to keep playing as we are, on the front foot with our positive attitude, keeping up the fantastic energy and ball retention through the middle. If we do that, and cut out the real basic mistakes, then we'll be fine. It's a learning curve for everyone, but we've been cut a unlucky throw with the fixtures. There's not much wrong with us, so there's no need for anyone to panic just yet.

Well, we could do with a couple of experienced heads - that's for sure. I think Scholes is a fine example that class never goes, no matter how old you are. Would not hesitate in taking either if the opportunity arose.

I think he's referring to their 2nd goal, where Valencia crosses into the box but Guly is just stood inside the penalty area. I'm still mystified as to why he's criticized though, the first people you should ask questions to are Fox and Jay Rodriguez on that one. But hey, it's the theme to blame Guly, so let's do it. Crap, I've just dropped my tea. Bloody Guly.

I can see why he made them, but I just don't think they should have all been made around the same time. It just seemed a little too much change at once and the subs never really got into the game.

He didn't have a great deal to do, let's be honest. A great penalty save and wasn't at fault for any of the goals. I think his distribution on 2 occasions was so bad though, almost undone all our hard work by just one sloppy bit of play.