Lallana's Left Peg

Having now seen the goal I think Ramirez's pass was supposed to be around the corner for Lambert but it doesn't matter

Created a nice little gap with teams below us now.

Seem to remember he was a boo-boy for a period of his time here.

I don't think we're copying that system to the degree some think we are. But we definitely have a squad where our replacements in some positions are nowhere near as good as the first choice player. That is always going to happen when you make as much progress as we have in the last 5 years. But whatever we've done tactically thus far has clearly served us well as the only clubs above us in the league are those who spend far more on wages, have bigger squads, and better teams. I am sure we will look to bridge that gap through developing the players we have and where some aren't up to it, seeing them replaced over time.

You think that is what we aim for?

What do you think our system is?

I think he has great movement but a bit like Hooper it's not anywhere else but around the box. The challenge with Rhodes is that the sort of teams that might take a punt on him need far more from their striker as they may have less than the ball than their opponents. If you look at Hooper and Norwich, they only get the best out of him when he has a partner (Elmander) and Elmander doesn't score but he has to take the burden of running the channels etc. as Hooper doesn't do it. But then if Norwich shove two up front they lose the extra man in midfield which causes them problems too. I think he has Premier League quality but I can't see a team taking a chance on him unless he is available for below £5m - like Hooper, and even then his potential destinations are minimal.

Surprised to see the goals conceded rank so high after the last 6 weeks. However, time to push on now and cement that top half finish and make sure if a team above us are going to slip up that we can take advantage.

Whilst I have some sympathy for players coming in from the cold and having to contribute straight away, some of the performances from our backups haven't been very good. With Hooiveld and Yoshida I am sure they could do a job in this league but not for a team who plays the way we do. Maybe if they played for a team that sat deep and had another bank of four in front of them defending they'd do ok (as do a number of other CB's in this league who don't look very good) but given the level we aspire to play at and the way we are set-up they don't appear to be up to the job. I am sure over time they will be replaced but it isn't very easy selling players you don't want and replacing them with better players straight away.

Ridiculous timing for something like this to come out

Yoshida did well last season. But he doesn't seem like the sort of player that can come in from the cold and perform straight away. I think he needs to have a run of games to play to his level. It's not that he makes mistakes but his general concentration isn't at a level where it should be when he is in and out of the team and that is an issue. Whilst that is entirely understandable he does play in a very important part of the pitch for us and as long as he remains a backup it'll be hard for him and us.

It has just occurred to me - maybe the deal also incorporates an element of wiping away the sell-on fee for Clyne?

Ba wouldn't pass a medical and given the wages he commands I am not sure we'd take that risk.

Why are we selling him so cheap!?!

If Boruc isn't back for this game I'd be a little worried.

What? You think a teams performance being impacted by a number of first choice players being out is a problem? We've been in the Premier League 1.5 seasons. 4 years ago we were in League 1. The squad will evolve but bar wholesale changes every summer and money we don't have we'll always have backups that are nowhere near as good as our first teamers. We did the right thing in the summer buying Lovren. But now people are going to whinge the players he displaced aren't as good as him? Good grief. You must surely watch enough of us to know how our tactics have evolved in the year Pochettino has been at the helm?

I think Butterfield is at Exeter. Lloyd James is at Leyton Orient but I am not sure if he gets a game. They are going well in League 1.

All you need to know is that yesterday outside the box Lennon went to close down an Arsenal player who booted the ball as hard as he could. It struck Lennon on the arm from a few yards out and the Ref gave a free kick. The Spurs players and bench went mental. But the Ref said it hit his arm so it is a free kick. The commentators said it was very easy for the Ref to give that free kick outside the box. The Referee? Mark Clattenburg. So even Clattenburg can't make his mind up properly.

Over the last 4-5 games the following players have been missing at one time or another: Davis Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Wanyama Schneiderlin

Who has coped when they have had injuries that have taken out most of the defence and reduced the team to their backup and / or third choice keeper?

It's a mixture of personnel, quality of opposition, and a dip in confidence. I'm not too concerned.

Adam Blackmore suggested West Ham only offered Saints £2m. It'd take far more than that for us to contemplate letting him go.

Same for every club outside the Top 7 in my opinion. But our first team is definitely on the fringes of breaking into that part of the table. And that is the challenge - for the team to still find a way to perform when we have a few injured. Right now it feels like when we have more than one backup in the team at any one time our performance drops. Whilst that is logical we need to find a way to get over it as injuries and suspensions do happen. I think we just need to accept this for now as fans and see how the club reacts in the way it evolves the squad over the next few years - including with the kids coming through.

Lallana has been so good this season and shown that he can be incredibly influential when playing centrally its hard for me to find a place for Ramirez in the team if everyone was fit.

Sounds like some wage bill shifting may well happen which could tie up with Monk's statement that we're looking to get one in.