Saint Pete

I still can’t believe Bertrand made that error at the end, dreadful from someone of his experience. We can moan all we like about officials but if he had put that in row Z like he should have done, it was game over. Worst possible thing he could do was what he did, even just letting the ball run out of play would have been better! Oh well, we have to move on now and take the positives, which are we still got a point and we are out of bottom 3 in advance of Swansea game. That means it’s clear what we need to do at Swansea, only a win will do, but if we get it we should be safe barring a big swing in goal difference. In some ways, it makes our strategy easier for Tuesday as we have to be positive now rather than going in thinking a draw may be enough. We are probably in a better position now than most of us thought we would be a couple of games ago, so we have to be thankful for that and that it’s still in our power to get out of this. Tuesday night is going to be tough to watch, but I think we have the capability in our squad to pull off a win.

Come on Saints, we can do this! Just hope we don’t sit in too much and let them dominate, as we don’t have obvious pace to hit on the break. Need to try to get full backs and Lemina forward to support Tadic and Austin.

And even if Swansea don't get a result at Bournemouth, they still have Stoke at home on last day so a win for them there would keep them above us even if we beat them. I agree, we definitely need at least a draw at Everton. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We are still right up against it. Saturday's great win has given us a chance, but that's all it is at this stage. I think the talk that 2 or 3 points could be enough, whilst possible, is dangerous! We need to go into the next 2 games firmly aiming to win both, because somebody else is going to come up with an unexpected win or draw, they always do at the end of the season when desperation takes over. It would not surprise me at all if Huddersfield manage to beat Arsenal at home on the last day, which would give them 38 pts assuming they lose their other 2. Swansea have 3 winnable looking fixtures left, including Stoke at home so you would expect they should get at least 3 pts, bringing them up to at least 36. So I think we need to push for 6 points and if we get 4, it MAY just be enough. Realistically can't see us getting anything from City on last day so we have to get it done in the next 2. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Surprised at that, expected us to return to a back 4 and press them further up the pitch. Oh well, let's hope we see a better performance from the full backs as they are key today. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Well boo ****ing hoo. Some decent performances on the pitch and some effort might help him get more game time? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Time will tell but I honestly don't see him succeeding elsewhere unless he totally changes his attitude. I just don't see a burning desire to succeed in him, he just wants everything to fall into his lap without putting in the effort. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

If it’s true that Boufal refused to go and warm up in a critical match for the club, he deserves all the stick he is getting and more. He clearly thinks he is more important than the club so I will be very happy if he never appears on the pitch for us again. I think most people can forgive some below par performances from players as long as they are trying and doing their best for the club. Boufal is paid a lot of money, he has some talent, but he has no divine right to be in the starting line up. He should be ready to play whenever the manager calls upon him to do so and keen to prove him wrong for not selecting him. It seems that is not the case, so good riddance to him.

Boufal is another classic example of a player only interested in himself, no team ethic whatsoever. Unfortunately not surprised it has come to this. He clearly has some talent but nowhere near as much as he thinks he does. I expect him to fade away from top level football over the next couple of seasons. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I would personally return to a back four for this one. We need to dominate and play the game in their half, so need more players in midfield. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Inclined to agree, would have played Austin today. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

However they have won 6 more games than us. Pity our former manager didn't understand 3 points for a win system. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Doomed. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yep, composure was lacking, defensive quality was very much lacking as well. I'm just unconvinced by the argument that making a sub would have magically resolved everything in our favour. The players and in particular the defence need to be better and mentally stronger in these situations to beat the likes of Chelsea and I don't think Hughes can be expected to resolve that overnight. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

What makes you think bringing on a sub would change anything in this situation? The problem is our poor defenders and we have noone better that we can bring on! The people on the pitch need to do the job at the end of the day. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

It's not "game management" that's the problem in my opinion, it's **** defending, pure and simple. Our defenders are no longer good enough for this league and will crumble and make mistakes when pressured by a quality side. Giroud was clinical in taking advantage of that. When you play the good sides, you have to be able to withstand periods of pressure. People will say we sat back too much, I don't really think that was the case. You need to defend better, end of. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Best performance of the season, but still no points. Gutted. Giroud just too good for our defence. Anyone who blames Hughes for this result is a total numpty. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yep really annoying as the shift to Sunday meant I could actually go, so was waiting for general sale to get tickets. As there were plenty left Sunday evening thought there wouldn't be any issue. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

It is a bit baffling why successive managers have used Tadic on the right. Can we assume that this may be coming from Tadic himself if for some reason he thinks he is more effective cutting inside? To me, he always looks more comfortable when on the left and links up much better with the full back on that side.

I agree it was a smart move and a statement that we need to be more forward thinking and on the front foot from now on. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the formation we will go with in premier games or not with the same personnel. I could see us possibly trying it with Long instead of Carrillo, dropping back to help in the middle defensively when we lose the ball. This would also give more pace in the middle. I would also swap JWP in for either Tadic or Boufal for a bit more cover in the centre. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

It’s us and the big boys then. Would rather avoid Spurs out of the 3, so we’ll probably get them.

Agreed. I didn’t feel there was a signal to the team to defend deeper and stop attacking, unlike under MP on the rare occasions we were able to get a lead. Yes we brought on Romeu for Gabbi but that was on 87 mins and seemed sensible to add a bit of muscle in midfield to slow them down when they tried to attack us, which he did with a couple of “good” fouls towards the end!

I think you are basing that at on how MP set up the team with a single isolated striker. It looks like Hughes is going to look to provide the striker with more support in a more positive formation, so in that context I think Long can have more impact potentially. He was pretty good as a starter for Koeman who didn’t defend deep, so maybe he can offer more in a more positive Hughes team? I would personally prefer him to Carrillo who in my opinion offers very little and didn’t link up well enough with Gabbi or the rest of the team today.

I agree about starting Long in the next game. Think he is at least more of a nuisance to the opposition defence.

Disagree on the point about dropping too deep after first goal, I felt that we were continuing to try to push forward and go for a second goal, which ultimately we got. Wigan were bound to try and attack us in last few minutes but I thought we coped alright in general and our approach after going in front was certainly better than what we saw with MP in charge! Of course, there are loads more areas for improvement, but sure Hughes is well aware of that!