Baird of the land

Looking at the defence and midfield I was worried before the season started. Lost our best centre back injured, Claus was getting on, as was Dodd, we sold fitz hall, Oakley was injured. All 3 appointments were bad too though.

Personally I'm hoping Stephens plays a role for us next season rather than being loaned out again.

Agree can't see him fitting our system. Other issues regarding wages and after Osvaldo we need to be careful regarding players who's egos think they deserve to play for what they define as a big club. Bit confused by all this talk regarding a new striker anyway. I'd be surprised if Pelle or Long left in the summer. If Jrod stays that 3 strikers competing for one space. Ings is certainly a talent & a bargain on a free(sure bigger clubs will snap him up though) but Austin seems to be likely to be massively overpriced and another one who seems not overly suited to our system.

Personally i'm not a particular fan of Austin & don't he'd be well suited to us.

I don't see it happening but it would be marvelous if we could get to situation where we were 2 points adrift of them going in the final game of the season versus them.

Davis Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Reed Morgan Davis Mane Tadic Pelle Think it is likely JWP will play instead of Reed though.

Utterly appalling first half, made worse by Wanyama's booking. No pressure on the opposition and no other attacking intent other than long ball. Lucky Hull weren't in front. 2nd half started slightly better and a bit of idiocy by Alex Bruce and good play by Long won us the penalty. After that felt we settled down somewhat & Pelle who looked devoid of any form, got a goal delivered on a plate to him. Tadic played well when he came on. I still don't understand why he doesn't start more. Important 3 points & handy that Spurs lost.

Really don't get our tactics today. Seems to be to stand off and give them possession whilst resorting to long balls as our form of attack. Hoping for a major rejig at ht.

Ivanovic seems pretty established at right back for them so can't see Clyne thinking that's a good move for him. Equally at Chelsea is Morgan going to displace Matic or play alongside him? Still think he's likely to end up at Arsenal despite Coquelin's performances.

Disagree completely. As shown in the recent Burnley game the balance of the team was all wrong without the usual 2 centre mids and we were lucky to get away without conceding. Personally i'd like to have an alternative for the role like we had when we had Cork who whilst lacking Vic's presence was excellent at moving the ball around.

Tadic, Davis & Mane have to come back in if fit for me. Davis Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Vic Morgan Davis Mane Tadic Long

Top 4 dream ended most likely with that result. One of those games where 1st goal was important and we conceded a very soft one. Everton are a decent team despite their current league position. First half we looked more threatening. Pelle should have done better(though it was a nice save by Howard) and JWP needs to get his free kicks on target. 2nd half we completely ran out of ideas. Was there even a shot on target. Struggling to see how Pelle deserves his place in the starting line up currently. Hopefully next week davis will be back and it'll be Tadic, Mane, Long up top.

Frustrating game against difficult opposition. We conceded a soft goal. While at the other end if i'm being critical, while it was a nice save i want Pelle to get a firmer contact on Long's delicious cross and leave Howard no hope of saving it. JWP playing well but equally with the sun in the keeper's eyes making sure he got the free kick on target rather then being the perfectionist and going for the top corner might have been better. Elia's been quiet going forward, as has bertrand(lennon keeping him in check.) 2nd half surely has to be Tadic or Mane for Elia

Hopefully Elia can recapture the early promise he showed. Should be fresh at least.

I'd go for Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Toby, Bertrand, Morgan, Wanyama, JWP, Tadic, Mane, Long

As a Northern Ireland fan i still love them. Kyle Lafferty Legend!

Seems bizarre to me that he wasn't considered good enough to be called up when rose pulled out but now days later he's being added as third left back.

Hopefully they won't. If Hodgson rates Bertrand so little why call him up when he's already got 2 left backs in the squad. Tire out Arsenal's Gibbs given he picked him.

I've long ago accepted her is going to go this summer and am just enjoying one more season of him at Saints. The only issue i have is if he goes to a club not in the champions league.

Gutting news. After Jrod last season getting another long term injury in the squad is appalling bad luck. Tough situation sourcing a quality keeper to cover for the entirety of next season. If we could get a top quality keeper on a season long loan that might be the best option. Hard to buy the sort of quality when Forster will likely resume the first choice slot once fit.

Yeah i do get the issues regarding good players playing for lowly ranked nations. I assume if the work permit was rescinded, club would still have to pay player and sell/loan them abroad for remainder of contract in next available window.

I think a fee based model doesn't make much sense. What i've read today is of tightening of work permit rules based on international rankings(top 50), which seems reasonable though. I'd also like to see a tough approach regarding reviewing/renewing work permits once they are in.

I think anything that helps to cut down the mediocre players clogging up squads and preventing opportunities for young british players is a good thing.

Interesting quote from Davis on the Echo website. Not sure if he's making a point about situation before Watson came in or just simply praising the coach. “I think if you’ve got a sloppy goalkeeper coach that is not too interested in anyone else other than their number one then if something like this occurs then, obviously, you’re not going to be ready. ....Obviously, Dave puts his work in and puts his effort in and puts sessions on for all four goalkeepers, not just for me."

Well i wanted a draw ideally but a united win isn't end of the world. They've got Man City and Chelsea in 2 of next 3 games, so i'd still expect them to drop some points there.