Saint Pete

Why should it be absolute bollix that we would want to keep a current England international with 4 years left on his contract? Yes, he is potentially replaceable (if we are not going to complacently assume that Targett and McQueen are enough) but our default position should be we don't have to sell and it's going to take a very high offer to tempt us to do so. Bertrand is only 27 so don't think age is a factor.

If we are making it known that Bertrand is definitely to be sold, that's the wrong strategy in my opinion if we want to get the best price. Like Van Dijk he is on a long contract, so there is no need for us to bend over and let him leave easily. We should be putting it out there that we don't intend to sell him unless we get top dollar and even then only if we can find a good enough replacement. This may well be what we are doing, but it does seem that in these circumstances we sometimes give in too easily and quickly when we could have held out for a better result/price for the club.

Jeremy Wilson latest piece in telegraph says no decision likely in the next week and also that we are looking at a number of options so sounds like it could be a while. The article also says that Saints are "aware of Tuchels difficulties at Dortmund" which sounds to me like they may be preparing the ground for it not being him? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Totally agree with the part in bold. If the Echo article is true, the club are surely making Puel's position effectively untenable going forward, so they may as well do the deed now and make it clear to potential replacements that there is a job available. It's naïve if they are thinking that Puel can continue after everyone knows that they have been looking around for something better. I hope that, in reality, they have already made the decision and communicated it to Puel and it is just a case of going through negotiations about how they part company, because otherwise this seems a bit of a muddle developing.

I'm no expert on German club football - are Leverkusen a that much bigger draw than Saints would be for Tuchel, apart from the fact they are in Germany? I assume he has ambitions to manage in other big European leagues so Saints may be considered a good move at this point for him rather than a similar sized club in Germany?

Of course it's not right for players to behave unprofessionally if that's what they have done. But like it or not, man management is part and parcel of a football manager's job and some are better than others at it. Managers are very rarely universally liked, but they do have to be able to coax performances out of their players, and it certainly helps if they can persuade the players to at least buy into their ideas. Outwardly it appears that Puel has failed to do this with the current crop and ultimately it maybe​ that is what will cost him his job rather than results alone. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Luciano Spalletti sacked by Roma this morning. Roma finished 2nd in serie A with their record points and goals totals but fans still not happy as he dared not to pick 40 year old Totti! Can he speak any English? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Seem to recall we were told last year we were signing up players on longer contracts so we could guard against being forced into selling so soon? So surely we don't need to sell Bertrand as he still has 4 years left right? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Got to say having seen how Hull played (or rather didn't) against Palace and Spurs in their last couple of games, I'm far from sure Silva would be an improvement. Not to say we shouldn't make a change though - there are other managers out there!

I've not seen or heard any Saints fans saying that 8th is not good enough though. It's much more about the direction that Puel is taking us in terms of style of football, goals and entertainment.

Our record in the past 4 seasons is definitely something to be really proud of and shows that generally the club have been very well run in that period. That said, the trend in points, performances and apparent morale throughout the club since the latest manager arrived is not so good. So I think there is a discussion to be had about the best way forward after Sunday. Think much will come down to how Puel is regarded by players and other staff. I have no idea on this as not ITK and don't really listen to all the gossip. If Claude still has support of senior players, I'm sure he will stay. If not it may be best to make a change now rather than saying "let's see how first 10 games of new season go". Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I think the concern is over the approach we are taking in games against the top sides, particularly at home. Under Puel it does appear we are playing more cautiously in these games rather than getting on the front foot and pressuring them like we have in the past few seasons. This defensive approach is only logical if you have a strong defence capable of keeping out the best opposition, which is clearly not the case, especially with Van Dijk out. The strength of our team (when Gabbiadini is on the pitch) is our attacking 3, which can cause problems for anyone when we play positively, so we need to play to our strengths. It won't always work against quality opposition of course but I think most would be happier to see Saints at least having a go at home, as we have previously.

I don't doubt that is what Saints think and hope now but my view is still that it mostly depends on who comes in for him. He may be quite happy right now but it may all change if city or Chelsea make a move. His injury may work in our favour though as it may put clubs off offering the big bucks. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yep, can't argue with that. Boufal needs to learn that he doesn't have to do it all on his own and it's not all about him, otherwise he won't start many games for us. As you say he definitely has the technique and ability to do well in premier league, but he needs to use it in the right way. Yes, use skill to get away from a defender, but then use your ability to pick out a team-mate with a pass or cross, that's what the best players do. Chances will come for him if he does this and then gets in position for a return pass - he doesn't need to try and score a "worldie" every time he gets it! Save the tricks and party pieces for when we are 4 up.

5 ex Saints included in the squad as well.

http://scores.nbcsports.com/epl/player_leaders.asp?category=101 This shows he has lowest saves to shots ratio of any of the 20 keepers who have spent most time on pitch (SPct column). Claudio Bravo has the next worst ratio!

I would flip that around and say what on earth have Clasie & Hojbjerg done in their appearances to get ahead of JWP in the pecking order at present? JWPs performances in last 2 games have fully justified his selection so not sure what your problem is? As others have said, let's hope he can kick on now and keep up this level more consistently.

I like him on the right. Has looked more positive in the last couple of games and has shown he can put some great balls in from open play as well as from set plays. Hope he gets a run in side now in this position as think he can link up well with gabba's movement. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I have wondered the same about injury as well. He's always been a big lump but his movement does seem to have got considerably worse this season, so must be something behind that? Maybe time to give the new keeper a go for a few games?

Yes, amazing what a difference he has made to our attacking play in just a few games. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

There's no denying their league form has been terrible. But what makes you think they are more likely to stay up now having sacked the manager who has led Leicester (!) to a league title and also a reasonable chance of reaching the Champs League quarter finals?! (Especially as so far it appears they have not earmarked a replacement). Those are unbelievable and unprecedented achievements for a club like Leicester and it's sad to see that even these don't allow the manager any faith from premier league club owners anymore.

They wouldn't have gone down - they're not in bottom 3 now and wouldn't have been at the end of the season with Ranieri in charge. Not so sure now though with caretaker manager in charge and no apparent replacement lined up.

Will be pretty outrageous if it's simply members irrespective of whether they have even been to any games this season! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Are players really that bothered about whether they are captain of a club side? I would suggest that isn't a huge factor in whether he stays or not. Reality is if a big club come in for him with a big offer he will almost certainly go. Champs league football and much higher wages will win the day over captaincy at saints any day of the week! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We're gonna have to get over our goalscoring issues in a hurry that's for sure as can't see us keeping many clean sheets until Van Dijk is back with the options at our disposal in defence now!