Lallana's Left Peg

They both bomb on considerably when we have Vic and Morgan covering them when they play as a part of a back four, so the idea of having them bomb on and two of Elia, Mane, Tadic, or Djuricic also attacking high up the pitch is probably more appealing if we want to be attacking. We don't play with any creativity in the middle of the park in the Koeman system. We'll know what West Brom will play like as Pulis has been there well over a month now. They'll do all the basics, battle hard, and try to wear us down with functional football. Our defensive organisation and resilience should stand us in a good position to deal with that. So then it comes down to what sort of game we want to play. Do we want to control the ball and see if we can tease West Brom open, or do we let them come onto us and hit them on the break with our pace down the wings? For me I would go with: Forster Clyne Fonte Alderweireld Bertrand Wanyama Schneiderlin Davis Mane Elia Pelle Keep it tight in the middle and hit them with pace out wide.

There is a sense of inevitability about us losing him this summer, but a bidding war does look likely for his services. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United definitely have a need for him. Pochettino obviously likes him as well. PSG are always after French talent too. Might be one of those ones where we have to see where the likes of Pogba goes first but he'll get a great move and we'll be paid handsomely.

Spurs the far better team in the second half but Saints defended reasonably well. Had very little going forward but one of those games where the opposition are far bigger and stronger than us so some lads struggled. But a clean sheet probably welcome after the last few games they've played, and Spurs are handy too.

Elia didn't do too bad his first few games to be fair. And I can't help but feel that a part of Pelle's problem is that he's been playing the full game for the vast majority of our season and he looks absolutely shattered. So not sure it is just a matter of form - he is just fatigued and needs a rest.

Thanks for this

Saw an Opta stat a few seasons saying around 30% of all goals in the Premier League come from set-pieces. They are very important in football.

They are naturally going to cater towards the majority of their viewership. I wouldn't get too upset about it. It happens everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't looking for a big signing (or even permanent signing at all), but heading into the back end of the month it was clear Pelle was struggling and we had no alternative. We found the money for Elia and Đuričić on loan - I'd have comfortably sacrificed the latter for a striker, whilst also acknowledging it can be harder to find a striker who can contribute in the Premier League. But it can be done, it's not impossible.

Đuričić plays exactly like Tadic, who can't even get in the team. We were good yesterday but why on earth didn't we get a striker in January? It's very confusing. Gallagher has a long way to go, the club would know Jay Rod is struggling, and we all know Long us useless as a proper striker. And poor Pelle is knackered and his confidence is shot.

Try living in Manchester!

Well remembered - I remember that show now you mention it. Les has definitely softened his stance on loans now though!

Good article I've just read - definitely starting to notice this sort of behaviour in supporters of other clubs! http://thepremierleagueowl.com/southampton-the-erosion-of-goodwill-and-tribal-truths/

I would imagine so. And I also think his agent is smiling heavily right now.

I suspect Liverpool will bring in Sterling for Lallana and Markovic for Ibe on Sunday. Maybe Gerrard for Allen if he is fit. Liverpool so easy to break on in transition. I don't think Rodgers will ever be able to fix that.

Apparently if Atletico want to sell him to a club other than ours then they can just pay us £1.5m to break the clause. So all the other club would have to do is offer more than £6.8m and then cover the additional £1.5m fee and it would make financial sense for them to sell to that club.

Was always likely to happen. Not sure if he'd be first choice though, despite Mangala looking like someone who has his limbs controlled by a separate brain at times.

At best, at absolute best, I think he may well salute a part of the stadium at the final whistle as he trundles off. Or do a quick 360 on his way off. I can't see him doing anything too much, and that isn't a sign of disrespect from him, I think fans are just overplaying it all (and that includes Lallana the other way as well).

Win, lose, or draw there is no way he'll do a lap at the end I think he'll loosely acknowledge any warm reception at an appropriate time but not much beyond that - nor would I expect him to. He can say something nice after the match if he wants.

I don't think so. He rarely moves forward with the ball himself - I think he just drops deeper circumstantially to create more space behind him for the runners.

Wouldn't be wise to absorb too much pressure from Liverpool I can see both teams having a proper go at it and both sets of fans having their heartrate increased considerably. I suspect we have more faith in our defence than they do theirs but I can't remember another time this season (other than the opening day) when we have played a team with so much pace in the final third.

*cracks open popcorn* EDIT: And when I hear 'consortium' I immediately think bad things. I don't know why. Has there ever been a successful 'consortium' takeover in football!?!

I recall it first flaring up in the Championship promotion season which makes it a fairly long-term thing I suppose. Here is a log of his Premier League injuries and it's definitely a concern: http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/players/3903/morgan_schneiderlin_injury.html

He has a dodgy groin he is constantly nursing and he always did pick up quite a few cards.

Agreed. So that would make the WBA away game even more important than the Liverpool game then? It's an important game but they all are, that is my point. This is not some huge game we must win etc.

I'm still none the wiser why it is much more important than our previous league game or our next one. It's just a league game at this stage. It's February. No disaster if we lose, and nothing won if we win. It's bigger to the fans than the club I think.