Saint Fan CaM

This ^ (or is that these?). I hope we batter them, but they are a bogey team, we're away from home and we don't like teams that play like they do. We have ****-tenburg. Too early for Lovren too? Meh... 2-1 defeat.

No conspiracy theories to get your teeth into there. And even the players seem to be of the opinion that the fault lay with them - not team selection. I think you've conspired against yourself there Mr Genius.

Trouble is that there are too many on here that appear not to understand what is going on with the team. As a unit the team plays attractive, cohesive and for the better part winning football. This relies on every player operating at a very high level personally and there are some players on the team that are operating near the peak of their ability. And when said players drop performance levels individually there is a risk the whole deck of cards falls over. Or when it comes to the likes of Lambert - if he fails - it's usually in front of goal with either the penultimate or the last kick of a move and so we don't score. The above scenario describes the Sunderland game - we don't have a squad overflowing with individually highly skilled players...we have some good players able to play within a system that makes the team collectively great. If enough of the players have a bad day, the system breaks down. Now then, is it Mopo's fault that he chooses to have faith in the system he tells the SQUAD to aspire to regardless of who is available for selection? Is it his fault some key players did not play to their full ability? IMO the answer to those questions is no. Nobody threw the game. The squad is there to be used and the biggest mistake came from a player first on the team sheet. Next.

Given that Sunderland fielded a team of 9 changes and Saints just 2-3, who do you think showed the most respect?

Because we have an extremely thin squad with our best CB out injured still?

I've been involved with and watched football for near on 45 years and in all that time most pro level teams rotate the squad for cup games to some extent. It should be expected and particularly by the brave souls who travel away. Having Boruc in goal would have made little little difference...I doubt he would have had better game to be fair...Davis made a couple of great saves. No, if blame is levelled anywhere it should be on our midfield and front-line players for such a poor showing. Particularly Lambert who should be crucified for missing an open goal from 4 yards out.

Your posts over one lost game of football are all the insight I probably need. Be disappointed sure...just think big picture a bit more perhaps?,

What if finishing as high as possible in the league provided Mopo with extra funds to strengthen the squad for the following season and beyond? Would that be OK? Anyway, as some of the enlightened on here have pointed out, the team put out was near full strength. Our talisman Lambert missed an absolute sitter from 4 yards out. The team performance was flat and poor...is that the fault of the manager? Sure, be disappointed, but place the blame fair and square with the pro players on the pitch. Unless yiu have an agenda of course.

Well done with a really good balanced post. So, the fact is we played an almost full strength team that lost by one goal and put in a very poor shift. And yet some on here are "fuming" and its all the Managers fault?!

How confusing. In your OP you suggest Mopo threw the game for personal gain, but then say he wanted to win and put out a team capable of winning. Twisted logic at best....simple fact is that the players on the pitch including the likes of SRL, JRod and Lallana had a really poor game and we lost the game to a worldly.

You really need to get some perspective in your Iife mate.

Absolutely this...top answer.

LOL. Boo frickin hoo. LOL. We lost a game of football. The FA Cup is not what it used to be...primary focus for a team in our position right now is Prem consolidation. LOL

Sure, the players were pants today. But Mopo is "hero to zero"?!?!? Come on.... grow up....spoilt brats springs to mind.

What a bunch of numpties on here, headed up by the biggest of the lot Glasgow. We're sat 8th in PL playing great football. So we've lost agame of football...yeah the players let themselves and the fans down. It happens. Get over yourself. Jeez.

Shockingly poor performance...one of the worst I can remember in years.

Worse perforformance from Saints in years.

Not enough quality being shown in attack...very slow. As for Davis...why does he insist on trying to hit Shaws head at every opportunity?

Ref giving everything to Sunderland but then Saints have been poor in possession.

Sounds like a great money making idea....£20 for team B games anyone? Now, IF they price the games right...say no more than £10 it could become very popular indeed - bit like College Football in the USA.

If anyone thinks we've got an easy run to the final they're mad. This game could be lost quite easily given it's away and the weather could be awful, plus Sunderland are no push-over. At least the thug Brown is not playing. If we win it'll be something like 2-3. Even if we get through this round, there's every chance we'll get drawn against one of the top four - not that we can't beat those teams, but it will be very tough.

This guys looks like he's got Adam skills but on steroids...nice goals and he's young enough to improve where necessary. Would be a great signing.

Mmm, Yoshida and Fonte have done pretty well together by all accounts. Lovren will not necessarily walk straight back into the starting line-up.

£80 extra on top of my £800 ST - they must be 'aving a laff!

I defo would not take Rose over Shaw. What about team spirit if nothing else - the lad WANTS to be here?!