Baird of the land

Stek: 6 (not really at fault for any of the goals) Soares: 3 Truly awful defensively. Really hope first 2 games are an aberration and there is actually a defender underneath. Fonte: 6 Best of defense today Yoshida 4 Another bad game Targett 4: Better than Soares is small complement Wanyama 5: Shadow of him at his best. Davis: 5 Played out of position first half, second half much better further forward, some decent deliveries too Tadic: 6 Not sure why he came off. Looked dangerous first half Long: 3 Anonymous, can't believe he lasted 70 minutes today Mane: 6 Nice shot just before first goal,made some nice runs. Pelle: 7 MOM, on another day would have got a goal Romeu: 4 Could of been sent off. Don't see how he leapfrogged above Reed on the basis of this. Jrod: 4 Didn't really get into game JWP: JWP, didn't get into game

Absolutely abysmmal. Soares looks awful defensively, did we really fail to notice that when bidding for him. 2nd game in a week where we conceded from our own corner. That is embarrassing. Thought Pelle came out of game quite well, looked dangerous when we were able to get the ball to him. Don't see why Reed has been constantly overlooked for the defensive mid hole he currently have. Romeu looked a sending off looking to happen when he came on. Thought the first half intensity was terrible, we seemed to be utterly lazy with little pressing being applied. Lot of work to do to try and turn things around.

Would seem nuts to me to rush Romeu into first xi after barely training with saints players. Personally if Davis is going to be moved further forward then Harrison reed is the obvious candidate to start. Steak Soares fonte yoshida targett Wanyama reed Tadic mane Davis Pelle Subs: gazza, martins, Romeu, long, Jrod, Juanmi, jwp

Don't agree at all. Reed's already shown he can play at prem level in his handful of games last season. Don't see sending him down the leagues as particularly benefitting his development, especially over prem and European opportunities that should be on offer over course of season at saints. Don't agree that desperate straights of administration years should have any bearing on giving opportunities to our talented academy players in the present.

I'd be disappointed if we shipped reed out on loan. it would show a complete unwillingness to give our own talented academy players first team opportunities, especially in a season where we have bonus of European games where rotation should occur.

My thoughts, not the ideal time for this a week into the season for it to be happening if it really is. Beyond that looking at player who will hit 32 later in the year, if Villa offer us crazy money & Fonte wants whatever payday they are offering too & we get a replacement in Van Dijk first, then i'd be accepting. If he's happy to stay, isn't looking for a big wage increase and long contract extension then i'd be perfectly happy to keep him, forgoing any future transfer fee recoup from him. It would be interesting to see who would take the captaincy. Davis is N.Ireland captain but will he play every week, maybe Bertrand when he comes back.

Seems far more long needed replacement for cork. Just hope he will be anywhere near as good. Clasie seems far more the marquee replacement for Morgan, equally hoping he adapts to be anywhere near as good.

I agree with the general point about fans getting too green eyed about others signings. We seem to have gone about our business replacing the players we've lost. Soares-Clyne, Clasie-Morgan, Romeu-Cork, Caulker-Gardos, Stek-Forster, Hopefully Van Dijk-Toby. That leaves Juanmi/Martina as the additional depth that's been added. I don't have much complaints with our approach. Though I think article is rather too dismissive of dealings of the likes of Palace and Swansea. Neither has had to lose anyone they don't want rid of this summer. Think all of Palace's signings are reasonable additions. Swansea's signings aren't as familiar names beyond Ayew but they've like us shown a history of decent acquisitions.

Have to say Stoke's seeming acquisition of Shaqiri could either turn out to be an Osvaldo like mess(if he really doesn't want to be there) or a huge success(if he's willing). The player is of such quality at such a young age, i find it bemusing other clubs of higher stature aren't in for him.

Some tough choices. Personally i'd be tempted to switch Caulker for Yoshida. If clasie's fit, he's a much more natural fit alongside Wanyama. Jrod should go to the bench, so then its whether you go with the more conservative option Davis(who played well against Newcastle) or the more aggressive option of Long(who had a big impact when he came on).

Disappointing thing about both their goals was the lack of challenge from our players. Cisse allowed to drift from his marker and chest in unchallenged. Same for the 2nd where Martina watched Wynaldum, letting him jump unchallenged. On the whole Martina seemed more solid if unspectacular going forward when he came on(i'll admit i was worried by the move at first glance, I’ll be happy if his role in the goal aside he remains defensively decent). Soares defensively looks worrying, especially when compared to watching Clyne later for Liverpool. Not as down on Targett as some others, thought he was wasn't terrible but neither was he great. Yoshida was poor today and you wonder if that might open the door for Caulker or a new signing to come straight in. As others have said Davis was excellent today. Lovely freekick which yoshida should have converted too. If we aren't willing to give Reed a chance in the first team though think we need to buy another defensive mid for when Clasie/Wanyama are out. We were just far too open without Davis protecting further in front of the midfield two. Mane was excellent. Unlucky with great Colback block and then probably should have scored with great late run, even if he was on the wrong foot. Pelle took his goal very well.Long made a big difference when he came on. Guessing he’ll start next week. All in all a draw was probably a fair result and one i would have taken away from home beforehand. Newcastle look to have made a couple of decent signings, though Mitrovic looks a sending off waiting to happen. Hopefully we get a couple of signings completed quickly.

I'd have no issue if we were linked with Shelvey. Apart from his past disciplinary issues he's an excellent young english player. Don't agree either that he was much more influential than cork, even if i agree he had a good game too.

Someone who i see seems very out of favour at Swansea is Nathan Dyer. Wouldn't mind bringing a maturer dyer back to Saints.

From the sounds of it Cork has had a big effect off the bench. Very surprised he didn't start in the first place.

Very surprised he's dropped that far down. Surely he should at least still be attractive to league 1 teams at 31. Vastly preferred him to fox as he could defend.

Yep massively overrated imo. Genuinely bemused Wenger didn't pursue Morgan, can't see them being anywhere near the title.

I'd like to see Mcqueen given an opportunity, so hoping we don't bring back the like of Elia.

Like the new away kit. Loved our black away kit too. No need for the away kit to be traditional colours in my eyes.

I was thinking the same. Would seem to someone decent who could add depth to our midfield. Maybe we want a defender who can fill in, in centre mid instead.

I'd like to see a fair amount of rotation happen. Take advantage of the fact we've got a big lead to ensure key players are fresh for the important first game of the season sunday lunchtime.

The Swindon fan I know was of the complete opposite view. For 2 years Stephens was impressive whereas turn bull was rather dodgy.

Rather disappointed that we are sending a 21 year old out on a season loan when we've typically our young players chances in our first team. Would prefer him playing league cup and europa league games for us. If we're loaning and he isn't first choice for them that's even more disappointing.

Happy that he's got away from the terrible treatment at the hands of Rodgers. Be interesting to see how it works out for him at WBA.

Yeah very surprised McCarthy is ahead of Stephens personally.

My only issue is the fact it is a loan. Just hope we have a secure option to purchase this time. Caulker's made a couple of bad moves but is still young and talented and British. Strange that QPR wouldn't have held out for a straight fee deal.