Baird of the land

Yeah i really doubt we've got the dynamic players to be able to play with 5 at the back based on the Wolves display where we struggled to get out of our own half much of the time.

Spent last night looking at Fifa rankings. It looks on a knife edge really for us. There's a number of teams tightly bunched for the likely last 2 places outside of Italy/portugal. republic coming 2nd might be better as they are ranked below us currently. We have to keep performing over last 2 games to try and ensure best chance of seeding as well as ensuring a definite play off place.

Davis superb again for Northern Ireland as outmaneovred Czech's for another comfortable home win. As much as i like pretty passing it was an example of how without any penetration it's pointless. As for England, there seems to be a vast gap between the quality of the players and the expectations of the public.

You'd think home to watford would be a chance to see what Boufal can offer. You''d also wonder if after a week of potentially being back in training vs the likes of Yoshida coming back from Saudi whether Van Dijk might be an option or is it too soon.

Probably an Austin 6.

Typical two faced reaction. No mention of keeping an unhappy Coutinho in his Liverpool analysis.

I'm not. We've still three battling for one position in the starting lineup.

Willing to have faith in manager to get more out of our existing players personally. Think we've strengthened in the two key positions we needed too. When you've got boufal who was brought in for big money only 12 months ago and due to the options we currently have has been used lightly so far this season I can see why they might prefer to see if he can adapt rather than someone new, especially if it's a last minute gamble on deadline day.

I was at the liverpool games listening to people behind me criticising him and saying he should be subbed. Very funny how quickly they changed their tune after he turned that game on its head

Got to be pretty blinkered imo to think that Davis was ducking in that video. Seems pretty clear he was trying to head the ball.

Was hoping we'd get a fee back for him rather than loaning him out. Given he wasn't in the first team plans at least it means he's off the wage bill.

Unless we are going to give up on Boufal & shift him on i don't see us investing heavily in another attacking midfielder.

Reasonable display today. I'd have taken a point before against a team high on confidence. Our finishing is still very much letting us down. Bertand header, Redmond shot wide etc. Those are the things in tight away games that make the difference between a point and 3 points. Defence was pretty solid. Yoshida and Stephens dealt with everything. Stephens had one lovely moment coming out with the ball at the end of the first half. Lemina, Romeu and Davis were all good. I assume fitness is why Lemina came off. Thought Long made a difference when he came on. Should have started for me. Tadic & Redmond not great today.

Much better than midweek. Great chance carved out by davis for Redmond who needed to at least work the keeper. Glad to see us trying to go through the middle a bit more rather than the predictable one direction shifting it out wide. Really like the midfield pair of Lemina and Romeu and seeing davis freed from a role that's not his perfect fit. Bertrand looking somewhat off the pace to be honest though. Forster after making some nice interventions came for a ball he had no need to come for. Made the block to recover though Would love to see Long given at least half an hour

I'm coming more and more round to the notion of starting Long with his pace, given Huddersfield like to press.

Given we play one up front and gallagher didn't even make the bench for the games he was here for(hence no doubt why he was loaned out), i can understand why the club wouldn't want to bring in a 4th choice striker unless something special happens.

Really hope the club stand firm & don't sell Van Dijk. There's no way it could be spun positively. Rolling over now would just make us a laughing stock and do nothing for our credibility in future if we say we want to keep hold of any player. Selling him to Liverpool would be even more craven.

After last night definitely don't think Boufal should be starting. We most definitely should not be playing 5 at the back. Davis & Lemina definitely need to come back in to give us some better balance. First choice fullbacks back is a simple choice Normally i wouldn't rush Hoedt in but think with aerial threat of Mounie it's probably needed. Which of Stephens/Yoshi drop out is 50/50 for me but i'll go for Stephens to start. Austin shouldn't be starting away imo. His lack of mobility is a real concern. I'd prefer to see Long used off the bench if we need to change things up top. Forster Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Lemina Davis Tadic Redmond Gabbi Subs, Mccarthy, JWP, Long, Austin, Boufal, Mcqueen, Yoshida

What a mistake it was to go to that game. Manager has to get the blame for putting out team in completely defensive shape & then sitting on his hands waiting for wolves to score before bothering to change anything. Hard to see any positives in display. McQueen had some bright moments. Let's just hope pellegrino learns from that debacle.

Yes i've seen the footage. It's certainly a late challenge. I'm not sure i'd consider that sort of barge awful. Sorry but reacting by shoving another player is completely unacceptable behaviour, especially when he was physically if not mentally the most mature player on the pitch. That would never be a yellow in the prem. That's a straight red every day of the week. His past injury record is no excuse for his lack of professionalism. In what world does he not respond to the no5. He clearly does in the video.

Yep Saints should steer well clear of Wilshere . Always been vastly overhyped in comparison to what he's actually delivered. Can't believe anyone is standing up for his reaction. The tackle wasn't great but reaction by Wilshere was completely unacceptable especially for a guy who's supposedly trying to prove his fitness. Should go to West Ham, the sort of club would snap up a player with an ego too great for his ability.

Very happy with the extra strength in depth & balance in terms of aerial ability that Hoedt represents That said i in no way think Stephens should be shipped out on loan. If Van Dijk winds his neck in i would very much hope there is open competition for the 2nd slot. Before then i'd argue if they are good enough they are old enough to play together. Also Stephens could maybe follow dier's example by multi skilling in the defensive mid role.

Well i suppose another year in the championship isn't the end of the world. Pity it's redknapp's Birmingham but they are the sort of side where he's likely to get more game time hopefully. Just hope he can repeat his levels at Blackburn & if he does he gets given a chance in prem. You'd assume that would also mean Long is staying. I don't think we need another out and out striker given we've got 3 and we only play 1 up front. Might make sense to bring in an attacking mid, maybe even just a loan to provide competition for Tadic/Redmond/Boufal

Pretty happy with both our keepers to be honest. Hoping Mccarthy gets a run in the cups to show what he can do & stays clear of injuries this year. Rated him a lot when he was at reading. Fraser is a good keeper for a club of our level. Last season he played well below his previous standards whether due to injury or form but with mccarthy injured our options were limited. Fraser made some good saves at the weekend. I blame the defence more for not covering the deflected shot parry.

Not really to be honest. I don't hate him but equally don't feel sorry for him or want to give him a warm greeting. He made his bed, chasing money after the euros, now he has to lie in it.