Lallana's Left Peg

I wasn't aware we appealed. Is it one of those ones where if you appeal unsuccessfully the ban could be extended?

He's been charged, but we don't know if Saints have decided to appeal or not (the deadline has passed). If it was a 3 game ban then after the Everton game he would have served it (as he also missed the Spurs and Cardiff games).

I think the VMAN mentioned Boruc may well be back for this game

A little heads up for the Authors (I think a few of them are on here?). A relative ordered this book for me from Waterstones (in Ipswich) at the start of December and by Christmas it hadn't arrived - Waterstones were messing my relative about and claimed issues with suppliers etc. which I know is ******** and a crap excuse from them given we know it is in stores in and around Southampton. In the end we ordered it from Amazon I think.

Not going to score many, not going to assist many, but very good at all other aspects of the game and I like his work in transition (both ways) which really is vital with the way Pochettino likes to play. He's got a year left on his deal after this season and I know he said he'd like to return to Rangers one day but he is worth a 1 year extension on top of that if he'd agree to it.

Not sure he is ready to start in the league but he appears to be one of those mobile big men that are all the rage right now. Seen him play for the u18's a lot and he can physically impose himself on the game and make an impact - although that is easier against kids of his own age. Saw him at Sunderland and Newcastle and he liked to put himself about, and also he got stuck into Dawson within about 10 second of coming on today which I loved - very confident guy. His run for his chance when Lallana played him in was also very intelligent. Might be worth a shout against Burnley if our strikers need a rest.

During commentary today Gary Neville mentioned he spoke with Les Reed before the game who told him that in addition to Gallagher and Reed and the others already in the first team squad there were 'a couple more' ready to make the step up to the senior squad. Anyone want to guess who they may be? In terms of kids right now we've got Shaw, JWP, and Chambers a part of the first team squad with Reed and Gallagher coming in and out due to injuries (although Reed is apparently making the step up full time from 1st Jan).

Happens in little pockets but I don't think the Manager has the confidence without his first choice keeper, defence and central midfield to do it.

I suspect he has a way to go before he reaches the achievements of Dunne and Carragher but in terms of ratio he may well be leading that one.

I agree but why are the club going to keep talking about Europe if the depth in the squad can't cope with a 38 game season to the level required? I would much rather the club state their ambition but not put timelines on it. There is no way anyone at the club can think our squad is good enough over a 10 month season but they kept running their mouth so now they have to face the criticism that results like this brings. They can't have it both ways.

Didn't think we played too well as a team - as a unit - but unfortunately it was also punctuated with some poor individual performances. I would have hoped that Pochettino and his staff were aware by now that Hooiveld and Fox in the same team on the same side of defence is an utter disaster. I have no idea what they were expecting. They just aren't up to scratch as a pair. Nice guys but if the club are going to continue to talk about Europe then they need to get real with some of the players in the squad. We're still having a good season, but some of the issues with the depth and the balance of the squad are clearly evident right now. I just hope it is as clear to the club as it is to the fans.

What is he supposed to have done? I've seen some pictures where Cody Cropper is keeping him away from it all but I assumed that was to stop him from getting involved rather than pull him away after he had done something.

I don't think we'd sign him to just be a benchwarmer. I don't see how he would agree to that or how we could even justify it from a wages perspective (unless we're paying such a small percentage of what he earns at QPR). I'm not overly enthusiastic about genuine competition at the goalkeeper spot - I can't think of a situation in football where it works out. The uncertainty from goalkeepers doesn't really promote better form - it brings on nervousness and apprehension which can be seen in how they play. I prefer having a clear number 1 and a competent (if not as good) backup. I think we should go for an older experienced keeper who doesn't mind being a backup due to age but is a safe pair of hands in the Premier League - but they are pretty rare I know.

Very shocked to read that they don't spend any more than a few minutes on the opposition. You've got to have an incredible amount of belief in the way you play to almost completely ignore any element of how the opposition play or the things they do. It might also explain the amount of times Pochettino is frantically giving players instructions in the first 20mins of the game.

It was a chant that happened after the bench incident happened, it wasn't one that was pre-meditated or sung through boredom. Of course no-one had an idea what caused the brawl or which team is at fault, but Pardew over history isn't known for placid behaviour on the sideline and John Carver (his Assistant) is a gobby ***** who also enjoys confrontation.

Just back. Strange old game today. The 4-4-2 was an unmitigated failure. Lambert and Osvaldo don't work well together, poor JWP looks lost in a middle two, and without that extra body in midfield we get over-run too much. That said most of Newcastle's best moments came from our carelessness with the ball. I was grateful to go in only 1 down. Not that Newcastle were much good, but we looked like doing nothing and they were getting plenty of set pieces. Far better second half, players were more comfortable, tempo was better, there was always a spare man to pass the ball to and the team looked much more confident. I don't think we're good enough to start messing about with the formation now, we need to grind some results out in this period with our most effective team available. Enjoyable day out as always.

Bottled it

Pompey fans trying to get to the Saints fans

I prefer it when Morgan arrives late in the box rather than get too involved up there with the ball at his feet. We tried a lot of Morgan with the ball in and around the area at the start of the season and it didn't really work too well. He likes things a bit more direct and for him to run onto and it doesn't gel too well with the rest of the guys at the moment. Though he would be epic at winning the ball back even further up the pitch.

He's already had training sessions with the first team as well.

I can see why they'd get wound up to be fair. Although quite funny to see one of their better players completely disrespect their fans

Given Harrison Reed is being promoted full time to the first team squad on Jan 1st (or so the Neil Ashton Daily Mail article said) who do we think could be leaving? Pochettino has previously been quite straightforward in the squad size he wants so does that mean someone will leave?

He's a very neat footballer, hopefully he'll grow out a little but he is very good with the ball and not afraid to get stuck in as we saw against Sunderland.

Immense effort from the players, I have questioned over the last few weeks whether the belief and the system is sufficient enough to cover for the loss of big players. Today it certainly was and against a top class team as well. Also we finished the game with three 18 year olds and one 19 year old on the pitch - all Academy products as well. Never lose sight of the bigger picture that is going on as well. Very proud and excited of that.