Tom28

This post doesn't make you a moron. No. Anyone of us could have made this mistake and been made to look foolish 2 and a half years on. What makes you a moron is that you consistently spout utter drivel like this and that you consistently make snap judgements based on temporary changes in circumstance i.e. one bad result, one bad performance, one good result for our rivals etc. Of one thing I am certain; you have absolutely no clue about football whatsoever.

just seen its on bbc1

its a 5:25 kick off...anyone know if it's on telly?

If we go up, I'd like to see us get Snodgrass, Whittingham, Clyne and a centre half of real quality. I think that would provide the quality and depth we'll need in the PL. Possibly Matt Phillips too but Holloway seems to be digging in with him.

Davis Butterfield Fonte Hooiveld Fox Guly Schneiderlin Cork Chaplow Lambert Sharp Bench: Hammond, Martin, Puncheon, Lee, Connolly

Brighton away last season.

Wow, we really do have a strong squad and cover in all positions if only Butterfield and Seaborne are out: Kelv Bart Richardson Fonte Hooiveld Fox Stephens Martin Jaidi Harding Puncheon Morgan Cork Lallana De Ridder Hammond Chaplow Falque Guly Reeves Ward-Prowse Holmes Lambert Sharp Lee Connolly Barnard It's a shame you can only put 11 players out!

I don't think lack of pace in the side is the issue. Teams pass the ball about not for the sake of it, but to draw other teams out of position. There was a really good piece of analysis on MOTD the other week looking at how Swansea appear to be passing the ball for the sake of passing, but what they actually do is draw teams forward onto them, which leaves holes in behind, and they have been very good at a) not panicking in possession and b) timing it right to penetrate forward. I think we were doing those things very well earlier in the season, but teams are now hunting in packs and closing us down better. We've started panicking on the ball which has meant firing balls forward more often and at the wrong times. Fox in particular has been getting a lot of stick on the forums and in the stands for doing that, but it's because he's often put under pressure very quickly by two players and his short passing options are being snuffed out, so he has no option but to hit the channels. So yes, I do think we've been found out, but I think the solution is simple. Players need to work harder off the ball to get open for the short passing option, and the player in possession needs to relax on the ball a bit more, and as fans we'll need to accept that occasionally that may result in the likes of Fox and Richardson especially getting caught in possession.

Bart, Harding, Martin, Jaidi, Shaw, Chaplow, Ward-Prowse, Hammond, de Ridder, Lee, Reeves. Subs: Kelv, Richardson, Fonte, Schneiderlin, Guly, Lallana, Barnard

Yes he has been good. PLEASE remember though he's a skillful flair player who will look good in some games where his play comes off, and will look bad in games when it doesn't come off. Can we please not get on his back in those games where he doesnt come off. That's all.

Difference between first and second half for me was Richardson was getting beyond our midfield in the second half on the overlap. Wasn't happening first half. Fox didn't do it all game. Connolly was good tonight, those saying he wasn't either weren't there or were too drunk/busy abusing Cardiff fans/busy abusing the ref. He worked the channels and the hole all game long and never gave the ball away. Punch was good tonight. Lallana looked good too in brief spells. Schneiderlin ran the game second half. Cork was a bit of a passenger at times. Lee looked sharp, quick over 5-10 yards. Lambert was quality up until the goal and was then anonymous after that. Martin was class at the back. Better than Fonte I thought tonight. Davis looked dodgy..couldn't see the goal but he flapped at one second half. Overall, decent point, encouraging performance. Would prefer a bit more adventure from full backs. Fox especially.

I think this is connected. Celtic have been shopping around for a striker ever since the talk about Hooper started. They will have wanted to get his replacement in before letting him go. This may be his replacement. If so, the Hooper transfer might be on. Or maybe I'm just being optimistic!

One man's junk...

Just watched highlights, Shaw looks class. That's all.

Bart Richardson Saville Martin Harding Puncheon Cork Ward-Prowse De Ridder Reeves Lambert Subs: Davis, Racine, Fox, Hammond, Lee, Schneiderlin, Holmes

We've enquired about Peter Whittingham.

I think Adkins and the team have earned the right to a pass on any criticism for the rest of the season. What we have achieved this season is nothing short of miraculous. We've led the league for 4 months!!!! 4 months. Never in my wildest dreams could I have seen that happening last summer. We've played superb football for most of the season. We've shown the ability to adapt and be flexible with our line up and formations. We've overcome suspensions and injuries all season, but no team in any division could overcome the amount or injuries and suspensions we have had to key players in the last few weeks. Even Manchester City with their ridiculously deep squad have had a little wobble in recent weeks without Kolo and Yaya Toure away on int. duty, and losing Kompany to suspension. Give them a break. The booing last night was ridiculous. Yes it was very frustrating, but come on, give them a break. Once we get Chaplow, Fonte, Lallana and Lambert back I see no reason why we wouldn't be as dominant as were were earlier in the season. If the right players aren't out there in the market to add to the quality of the squad then don't buy players that fall short of the mark. That's how we've landed Forte, Holmes, Forecast in the past. The players we have now were the best in the division for 4 months; once we get them back, I am failing to see why they wouldn't be the best in the division for the remainder of the season. The squad has shown frailties in recent weeks so undoubtedly we need to strengthen the squad for next season during the summer, but the players we have now are good enough to fight for the Championship this season and we should trust them.

Siphiwe Tshabalala

I know we're well stocked in the position he plays but Peter Whittingham would be a great signing. Class.

This will never ever ever be the team they go with, but I really wouldn't mind if it was. Chance to rest a few players, get their injuries sorted, and a chance to see some of the younger players have a go. Bart Stephens Martin Hooiveld Shaw Holmes Ward-Prowse Cork Reeves Forte Hoskins Subs: Davis, Saville, Butterfield, Isgrove, Robinson, Connolly, Lallana

I work in Reading with lots of Reading supporters, and to summarise what they say; he doesn't have a good first touch, is too slow, and not great in the air, but to his credit, he's a decent finisher. They all (more than 10 season ticket holders) say Le Fondre is better.

My Christmas shopping list would be (in priority order): 1. Albert Adomah 2. Mame Biram Diouf 3. Luke Chambers 4. Lewis McGugan 4. Nathaniel Clyne

We're gonna win...just watched NA's pre-game interview and his energy and enthusiasm is there. Maybe it's just me, but that energy and enthusiasm wasn't there for his pre-game interviews for the matches at Bristol and Doncaster. It's back, and Saints will be back. Totally confident, 3-0. Boom.

Some real morons on here. "Lallana isn't producing anything, hasn't since he's been back". "Not being pessimistic but I think we lose our next 6 games". I hate this forum at times; or rather I hate some of the posters on this forum. NA says after every game that 'we try not to get too high after a win, or too low after a defeat'. Wise words. Some of our fans would do well to take heed. There are some serious manic depressives on here. We lost an away game - big deal. We're doing better than any of us in our wildest dreams could have imagined. Being top after 20 games into the season isn't a lucky run. We're a good team that is methodical and well structured. We won't win every game. But we'll win a lot more than we lose. It doesn't matter that we lost to bottom of the league; it's a very strong league and anyone can beat anyone.