Saint Fan CaM

RIP - condolences.

The evidence of an all-round fantastic performance? 0-2 away at Arsenal without all our 1st 11 and a clean sheet. Sensational performances from young Sims, Reed and McQueen given their experience compared to a side that cost much more to assemble. Claude was spot on with his tactics and subs. Hull next please - at home. Guess the press will blame poor Arsenal rather than credit our lads.

Fonte is a great servant to the club and has been a good captain, however his ankles apparently need great care and attention by the backroom staff and he is getting close to his sell-by date. Not only that, but if we have any chance of keeping VVD then it will by giving him the Captaincy and that means retiring Fonte. My understanding is that the club are searching hard for a top CB - whether that is to replace Fonte or to protect for VVD's departure remains to be seen. For our continued success I hope it's the former.

Hojberg is already a better option than JWP, with the only part missing from his game being goal threat. I do believe some consistency in selection and partnering would help him, but at 21 I doubt he could start every game and keep the intensity in his game so he needs to be rested for cup/Europa games perhaps.

Ref shocking. Liverpool messed up their finishing today to give us the point. We were very well drilled in defensive midfield duties so hats off to Davis, Hojburg and Romeu. Our strikers are not up to the job - I think Boufal will get there and will shake things up a bit. But we desperately need to get another Striker in January - not an easy job and should have been addressed.

So is this the start of our famed pre-Xmas slump that we've decided to start slightly early this year? International break probably a good thing to provide a rest, but there's still much to do on the training pitch - particularly when it comes to the last passage of play in front of goal. Our corners are awful - the manner in which the ball is delivered is crying out for players running onto the ball - but they all move too soon and so are almost static when the ball comes to them. Poor technique and coaching surely?

And now Puel takes off Tadic for Buafal - a player who has not found his Prem form yet. We will lose this game.

Absolutely typical - farting around with the ball at 1-0 and let a rubbish team come back into the game.

Yes of course. Not saying the lad has no potential, but he is quite a way off the pace of the EPL at the moment. Probably needs a couple of starts to really get find his way?

Forster has little to do then when needed acts like a statue. Boufal has much to do to convince me he will be what we hoped he might be. In terms of Strikers to replace Austin we are looking very weak without Long and JRod and even then I'm not convinced we've done enough business in the summer to deal with a huge number of fixtures. After saying all that, this was a good draw for us.

Is Forster really THAT good? Absolute statue for their goal.

I really like the manner in which Romeu goes about his business on the field - no nonsense ball playing DM - fantastic. Prefer him to Wanyama frankly without even considering who is the 'better' player.

Get shot of the dirt - if found guilty of course.

This is one of those games where we will be expected to win. So we won't. 1-1.

Good OP observations which are hard to argue with.

Palace give away a soft pen - Austin slots it home with ease.

We look toothless - midfield poor with no creativity...we're just hoofing aimlessly up to Long and Austin. Palace looking like the home team.

Cannot see us getting the win - they're putting out a reasonably strong team whereas we're not, but I'm glad the youngsters are getting blooded. Yoshi and Fonte have a calamity between them and I suspect that's where the winner will come from. 1-2 Palace. PS: Watch Targett get caught out and Palace catching on to Martina being our main assist down the right.

Honestly don't see the love for Berahino. Quite ordinary IMO.

Assuming his injury is not a recurring one then this is an excellent signing - not only because he's exactly the type of player we need, but because it put's to rest the critics that say that we're just a selling club - we are clearly now just creeping into the realm of clubs willing and able to invest large sums of money in young very talented players that fit the model. I just hope the system we're playing and any coaching provided at Saints doesn't kill off any creativity and bravery the lad has - he clearly can and will shoot from outside the box if he gets the chance, so let's hope he's given the chance by Tadic and Redmond.

OK, so if it happens and if he makes a full recovery from injury, Boufal could be exactly the spark needed - he looks excellent on Utube. Looks like he plays central, so at the tip of the diamond, so is he in contention for Tadic's place or Davis or who...? It's a valid question - we need to increase the quality up front, not just bolster it by removing one good player for another good player, leaving lesser players in the side. The four best players (IMO) in the diamond - Romeu, Tadic, PEH, Boufal - would that work?

Some of these players must be very close to the first team I would have thought - looked much better going forwards, but then they were playing the 'old' system and not Puels diamond which I am not convinced is suitable for Saints in the Prem.

Interesting - no diamond being played and the players look SO much better for it. Olomola looks the business...why the hell is he not in the 1st team?

Oh dear someone's feelings have been hurt. Read carefully before commenting and it might not affect you so much you poor dear. IMO we'll not be signing 3 players before deadline day and I LOL at those who think we will - particularly if it's thought that serious money will be splashed. There's no complaint in my statement - it's just an opinion... you know, one of those things that you see once in a while on a fans football forum. I doubt Les is panicking, but that's how it might be seen by selling clubs at this stage of the window and transfer fees will inflate.

LOL at those believing we'll sign three new players before deadline. We'll be lucky to see one through the door (unless Les is panicking now of course).