saintsmike25

Blame the bad stream Bexy.

The biggest problem is we're barely getting the ball to Mane/Jay Rod and constantly going back and forth between Targett//Cedric and the midfield who are too nervous to play sharp passes into the strikers feet.

So far we're looking very nervy and short of confidence, the Everton result is still in the minds and we're not committing enough. Wanyama/JWP/Targett all look nervous on the ball.

Just a bad bad performance - much soul searching to be done in all aspects. No good performers and a real shame for all the fans.

I'm more concerned by the midfield, Davis and Victor aren't at the races and we're outnumbered which is causing issues, Tadic/Pelle/Mane all look sharp at least. But again another mismash of a performance, we have enough quality to get a goal back. But we're missing something at the moment. We need a spark.

Tough one, but we got turned too easily you have to hold up Lukaku or take him wider, we let him have too much.

Targett to blame... sorry to say.

Wanyama looks tired probably from starting both Vitesse games and the friendly. We look like we might nick this game on a break away, Mane and Jay Rod both not up to speed in this game, Jay Rod will need more time, Pelle is doing well, Davis is running the show for us in the middle, Cedric has had a mixed game, defensivily shaky and silly fouls, but he's excellent going forward. Targett has been a 'target' for them and he's struggling out there, but Cedric has been booked.. so Erwin has a problem on his hands. Tadic has been excellent dangerous on the ball, holding it up well providing an outlet and linking well with Cedric. Fonte has been shaky, Yoshi has done well. So all in all, we're once again "cruising" through but not at 100 per cent, Mane/Tadic will be the difference in this one, creatively we have the game changers.

Steven Davis is having a cracking game, Cedric needs to be careful, Tadic is looking sharper.. Mane is having a weird day. So far I'm happy.

The game was so rubbish - but who cares we looked solid throughout. Apart from a Caulker brainfart on a set-piece we were very comfortable. He made a few vital challenges and interceptions, he cut out alot of low crosses and redeemed himself. Positives from tonight are that we're only playing in third gear and we were very comfortable throughout - the big thing was to win with no injuries. Performance wise, Pelle, Mane were both good when called upon (without ever really excelling themselves) Yoshida should never play left back, great defensivily but going forward is painful to watch. Cuco Martina, solid throughout and looked athletic and like a shrewd signing who will play ALOT in this competition. JWP, mixed performance set up the first goal, a nice free kick and corner, and can drive when need be, he just needs to work on the physical side of his game and bulk up and have more belief in his undoubted ability, I have faith he'll hit some form with more games in the EUROPA this season. Tadic, probably a passenger, forgot he was playing, looked like he wasn't bothered and like he wanted to just focus on Sunday, our worst player. Davis, solid as always without ever standing out, played an average game but worked hard. Wanyama, again played to not get injured and took it easy, looked very laid back but still was a cut above their MF. So really no standout performances, some mixed ones and if i had to choose an MOM i'm gonna go with Pelle, some nice knock ons a well taken goal which set up the easy victory. He worked hard and looks like a man with confidence. I think we're holding back for Sunday which will see the high intensity game back and hopefully Tadic will shine as we know he can do, as he's looked shaky in his last two games. Thankfully Mane is looking superb... even today at 60 per cent he scored a well taken goal.

Looking at a better replay, Caulker at fault for the goal, he was out of position and left Targett with TWO men. He had moments of calm but hopefully he'll explain that one to Koeman.. don't need that in big games, Yoshi wouldn't have let that happen.

Bit of a stop start performance, Espanyol don't deserve to be ahead but we're just lacking something, Juanmi looks good as does Long, Pelle is well Pelle - Caulker looks assured, Targett looks shaky but had a mixed game was at fault for the goal but looks stronger, he is also hitting the lines more which is encouraging. Martina playing well, JWP - Poor, hate to say it. Jay Rod, still off match fitness but he had flashes of danger.

Poor defending from Targett and a missed header from Caulker I think leaves an Espanyol man free to rifle home with lots of time - pretty poor. But hey, rather do this in a friendly than when the big kick off happens.

Jos is leaving Saints, Billy Sharp tweeted the news first. Meh, sad to see him go, but probably best for both party's.

My ratings. Forster: 6.5 - key save in the first half, but should have probably saved the deflected effort, didn't have much to do. Clyne: 8 A real force down the right and absolutely solid at the back Fonte: 7 Yosh: 8 unlucky with the deflection but kept West Ham quiet, dare I say it, he's improving and the added competition of Gardos and the carrot of a regular starting spot is improving him. He looked ASSURED against a big physical side, and praise is where it's due for our 'weak link' he may not be as bad as some make out. Bertrand: 7.5 - some good crosses and running, still could be a bit more positive but he's proving to be a real hard man to beat down that side, good performance. JWP, 5.5 - Not his day, we looked alot better when he came off, his set pieces kept hitting the first man and his passing and touch let him down today. Davis: 6 - so so, some crisp passing but also a poor first half. Morgan: 9, immense today a real dominating force who ran the game and played like a true pro, despite the circumstances. We'll never sell him for less than £20m he's one of the best CM's in the league. Tadic: 8, creative, great delivery, lovely control - all in all a real joy to watch and will cause sides headaches. Pelle: 9, link up was superb, held the ball well, and a lovely goal as well, was in all the right positions and dominated West Ham with his physicality, unlucky not to score two with another header off the line. Long: 7, unfortunate to be taken off, he was bright and was making in roads in the second half, a good effort almost crept in, starting to get up to speed and caused West Ham defenders problems. Subs: Cork, 8, very good cameo role with his role in the third goal. Gaston: 7, nice touches and kept our possession game going. Koeman 9: He made some key changes and inspired the team with whatever he said, it seems the team are starting to take on board his ideas and today was a game where we really gelled well.

Glasgow_Saint in disguise. Aziz Yebda

I fancy us in this one, no doubt Arsenal will rest a load of players considering the CL. I think we take them into deep water and even win on pens. I prefer this game to the smaller clubs.

Well, rather than jump on top of him after three games we should be supporting him. We were understandably expecting fire-works but it hasn't worked out that way. I expect with one goal a few more will follow. He's probably banging them in on the training pitch. He cuts a frustrated figure. But he was worse against WBA.

I expect the game to be a slow affair that will not jump to life, look at the other results against lower league teams and Premiership sides, not many are full of goals. This is being treated as a training and tactics exercise. I believe our problem is the players are clearly not gelling immediately and it is so different to what Poch played. There's alot of hoofing up towards Pelle, but when we play with a bit of thought and inter play we look tidy.

I think Pelle is improving as this game is going on. The switch to a back three is helping, although I worry about Yoshida without cover. Tadic is already changing the game, Shane Long looks lively. I think we're turning the screw now, I'd like to see Taggert and Clyne get forward to the by-line a bit more.

He'll get bigger and better and stronger. Personally would prefer him in the team over S Davis, who deserves to be dropped after the last game. Once again, players improve with age, experience and great coaching. What JWP has which is clear is a mature head, a good attitude and he wants to improve constantly. He lives the life a footballer should, judging by how he's trying to better himself constantly. He has bundles of potential that we should tap into, so lets support him like our newcomers like Pelle who have had two games. I expect he'll come on leaps and bounds by the end of the season.

Last season we struggled against WBA, this year once again the game is a snoozefest. Difference is we're playing very narrow with Koeman, and you can tell the players need to gel again, so many are trying to play it safe all the time and only Tadic and to a lesser extent Clyne have any intent at the moment. Koeman has a job to do to inspire them to get his ideas on playing into their heads, as right now we're playing as we expected a team of strangers. Too scared to lose games, but not brave enough to win them. What is obvious and despite Pelle playing better is that we're not supporting him enough, he needs someone in the middle to pick up on his flick ons, or when he holds the ball up. We're hitting and hoping to him, we can get on his back, but he's got a tough job up there and barely any service or outlets, When we play Wanyama, Morgan, JWP, Davis it's clear they ALL want to be Mr Tidy and comfortable, none want to make a break for it, so we always look negative. What I think needs to happen is the following - Either JWP or Davis needs to be dropped. Give Taider a chance. No more playing CM's out on the wing, play Isgrove or at least Long. We need to hit crosses earlier into the box. We're not awful, but that was hard to watch and we look more solid as a unit, but we're doing that at the expense of winning games or at least playing to win. Plus points, Foster, Berts, Yoshida, Morgan, Tadic, Clyne Minus points, everyone else.

We had to rely on some Gaston brilliance to beat WBA last year, problem is we're not being zippy enough we can't just rely on Tadic, the likes of Davis, JWP need to be more positive on the ball. I'd take off JWP and stick on Taider/Isgrove.

We've seen the best and worse of Clyne, great goal, awful positioning. Which is why we need another right back because he needs to up his game defensivily.

We've seen the best and worse of Clyne, great goal, awful positioning. Which is why we need another right back because he needs to up his game defensivily.