ExSt Peter Saint

Don't know what to say really. Better than a defeat and we had a good chance to win it near the end, and that would have been an excellent result.

Do the players read this forum? I hope not, for their sake.

He'll be Lallana's replacement when he's sold in January, probably.

Wish I did.

OS has confirmed we'll be playing the same starting 11. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10968 Only question is who to put on the bench. It looks like it'll be Forecast, Pearce, Wotton, Gasmi and Paterson from the squad listed. I guess there aren't too many options with Gobern, Lancashire, Gillett and Euell all out. Hopefully Gasmi's up to it if required.

I can't see us winning going on the way things have gone, especially at home, so far. A draw at best, but more likely an "unlucky" narrow defeat.

I think we should big up some of the players who we wouldn't mind being sold - to put them off the scent of the better ones ;-) e.g. That Nathan Dyer's better than Walcott. I can't believe we let him go out on loan!

Cork, but Chelsea wouldn't sell even if we could afford him.

In place of who? He's much better coming on as a sub, surely.

Enough has been done about the defence, but I fear there is no way we'll keep a clean sheet, so, with Euell banned, what's the best attacking combination for this match to try and actually score the goals to give us a chance? I'd go for: ------------Robertson ------------McGoldrick Skacel-------------------Lallana with BWP and Gobern to come off the bench and Mills back in at left back. What does everyone else think?

What about giving Hatch a go, as that is his favoured position? I thought he was one of the youth players likely to make it in the first team, but has hardly played this year and others have played out of position to fill the slot. Does Jan not rate him?

Seems to me that Lloyd James has had a really bum deal by being stuck at RB in the first team so often as it's obviously not his best position and he is probably a better defensive midfielder than Pulis. If jan had brought in a RB instead, he would have had a better chance of making it as Schneiderlin's partner, without the stigma of some very dodgy performances out of position.

Does Paterson not normally play the striker's role?

Should be on the bench. From my armchair position and only seeing games on tv and listening on radio since he made his debut, I will admit I was wrong along with many others who said he should start after his 2nd half showing against Preston. He should be eased in and not have too much pressure on his young shoulders - but then same for a lot of them who aren't much older.

There are 2 strikers in the starting line-up. Does that mean 4-4-2 or Robertson out wide? http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10918 I reckon it'll probably be -----------Bart James Svensson Davies Mills --------Wotton Pulis Thomson Gasmi Robertson ---------Paterson

Shilton for sure.

least successful/impressive performers: GK: Blayney RB: James LB: J Wright (yes he did play there) CB Kenton CB Makin (out of position, yes - crap - very) RM Hammill LM McCann CM Sarmiento CM Wotton ST Pericard ST McGoldrick Jermaine Wright could have gone in various positions, but put him in the one where he was worst of all IMO. What does everyone else think?

Actually, the team I'd like to see would line up 4-4-2 to give the fullbacks some decent cover. -------------Davis--------------- Cork-----Perry--Pearce----Skacel Euell--Schneiderlin--Lallana--Surman --------BWP--McGoldrick---------- subs: Bart, Lancashire, Gobern, Robertson, Thomson It'll never happen under this clueless coach, though.

JP obviously sees Euell's best position as in the hole behind McGoldrick, who is undroppable from his striker's role, apparently. I reckon the team will probably be: ----------------Davis--------------- Cork----Lancashire--Pearce----Skacel --------Schneiderlin--Surman-------- Lallana----------------------Gobern -----------------Euell--------------- --------------McGoldrick------------- But I don't necessarily agree with that. I'd put Perry in at the back, if fit, and wouldn't have DMG up front as he scores very infrequently from there. Trouble is noone else who's started there has done well either.

I'd be pleasantly surprised with a point, any more will be a miracle.

I saw on another thread that we have brought in a lot of new players since the summer, so thought I'd try and look at the all and assess their impact so far. Here goes: Schneiderlin - we look better when he's in the team as stated on other threads and will sell him on at a profit - good signing. Holmes - also looked good until he got injured - gives good balance on the left wing. Perry - Not been as good as last season, but then he had the dependable and committed Lucketti next to him - jury's out, but most were happy to see him arrive. Forecast - Not got near the first team, partly due to KD's great form - hard to say, but I guess we'll see when Davis is sold. Wotton - not impressed at all so far. Not good enough on the ball in midfield and not strong enough in defence as far as I have seen Pulis - who knows, but I don't have high hopes of him making much difference once back from injury Gasmi - hoping he'll have more of an eye for goal than our other attcking midfielders, but again not seen him play yet. Peckhart - not been impressed so far - doesn't hold the ball up well enough and limited to a few appearances from the bench Cork - good signing, if only on loan, and has been solid generally - need him rather than James at RB, even though it's not his best position Robertson - scored one good goal, but yet to see whether he can be relied upon on a regular basis Smith - Hasn't been an adequate replacement for Holmes so far and a 17-year old has now taken his place. Pearce - good debut and looks dangerous in opposition box - seems better than Lancashire. The team you could put out from this lot would be: --------------Forecast----------- Cork------Wotton--Pearce---Perry Gasmi--Schneiderlin--Pulis---Holmes ---------Peckhart--Robertson----- That would hardly strike fear into most CCC teams, would it?

I just had a look on Sheff Utd website and he's only come on 3 times as a sub so far - not even on the bench this weekend. So obviously not setting the place on fire.

So what, we'll never score.

Give Jamie White a go. Scored a hat-trick in mid week and can't be much worse.

This is rubbish. One good move which Euell missed but not much else.