Baird of the land

Got to worry that Koeman thought there was anything positive to take from the performance. On another night we might have sneaked extra time by the strange handball by their player but equally they could have scored 3 rather than 1. Hope Koeman ditches the awful 5-3-2 formation he's used last 2 games. It removes all creativity and reduces us to hoof ball from our own half. Goal was once again suicidal play, this time by Jrod. Worried by our inability to pass forwards. Davis was least bad at this, at least attempting now and then to turn and try an incisive pass. jWp was awful, Romeu had his worst game for saints by a country mile. Badly missing the likes of cork/Morgan. Need Clasie fit to give the midfield some passing mojo. When tadic came on at least there were a couple of moments of creative spark where we tried to do something better. He needs to start against Norwich. Wonder what going out does for the likelihood of signings or sales. Assume nothing good.

Got to blame Koeman completely. Was desperately worried when I saw the lineup to be honest, zero creativity. Why did we spend the entire game hoofing it upfield from utterly appalling positions. I get putting crosses in from advanced positions but his plan for tonight was embarrassing. Worried me for a while that our midfield is scared stiff of turning with the ball, something that Morgan or cork could do in their sleep. Hence its a constant backwards step, Clasie better be very good in defensive mid as otherwise we will churn out the same dross. Desperately disappointed to go out of Europe, even more so as on basis of early season it's going to be a battle to stay clear of relegation rather than a top 10 season.

Wouldn't complain if we signed Townsend. Fits the mold of young, english, talented but needing games and rough edges sanded off. The negatives for me would be question marks over his defensive side especially when Cedric seems defensively fragile too. Also like last year if they are reputedly after one of our stars its likely to block any move even if we are interested.

Really hope Reed is given his chance to impress tomorrow. If we revert to pushing Davis out of position again it'll be very disappointing.

I understand why they are reticent. Without their first choice left back till Jan and with only one other centre back in Jagielka. Then suddenly having to panic and pay through the nose on the eve of the transfer deadline for new ones. Then integrate them in the starting xi immediately. Plus they've got stones on a contract till 2019. Can't see his value suddenly disappearing unless he gets a serious injury.

Well i'm pretty satisfied with notion of Clasie in that role, just a pity he got injured in build up to the season. Also see a lot of worth in young Reed there too.

Not convinced by him as a regular. As a cheap and cheerful 5m squad buy he's ok. Tendency for horrible challenges. Could easily have been sent off in every game he has played for us. Hope when Clasie is fit he'll drop down to the bench as cover for Wanyama, which would give us a much better balance in centre mid.

If its fantasy we are talking about then for me i t would be offer swansea a huge amount for Cork. Personally i'll be very happy if we avoid Austin too. Of QPR's players i'd much prefer Phillips.

Chambers moved far too early. Fourth choice centre back and possibly 3rd choice right back isn't a good thing for his development. Should still be at Saints, would have saved us wasting money on Cedric who looks worryingly poor.

Looks like we played for a point and got a point. Thought Fonte was excellent & clearly mom. Caulker played well in the 2nd half after looking dodgy in the first half. Romeu: Was looking ok till for third game in the row went nutty and easily could have been sent off for an utterly reckless tackle. Long worked hard based on awful service. Shame Mane had to go off as he was causing them problems early on. On the whole while the shift to 5-3-2, helped cedric & targett. Neither were terrible but neither offered enough quality in the opposition half. Can't say i've been particularly impressed by Cedric as a signing. On another day we would have possibly lost 1-0 nil as they have best chance of the game. I was disappointed we went so negative. Would have much preferred the likes of Tadic in the side who don't fit this formation. Bit worried about the amount of long balls we are playing over quick incisive passing. Don't think the balance of Romeu and Wanyama works as both have the same strengths and limitations. More solid than with Davis in there. Keeping my fingers crossed Clasie can fit in to that role of being a defensive shield but also much more all round ability on the ball.

I can see why we've changed formation. It does seem have helped Targett & Cedric who have had more protection behind them. Not sure caulker is at all at home in a back three though and its really affecting our ability to try and play any football. Right now we're a threat with Long on the break. I'd be tempted to try and bring on JWP quite soon. With Caulker in the side we seem dangerous from set pieces & we could do with his quality of delivery.

T No it wasn't it was the fact the midfield decided to congregate in the bottom corner for a town meeting and left their centre mid in acres of space when the clearance came out of the box. Don't see why comparing him to another similar defensive mid in cattermole ridiculous? Cork certainly didn't take time to settle, it was apparent immediately how good he was. My issue is that if we are going parachute in this type of player they should be better than the academy player they are blocking. I'm not seeing that yet, where it was completely obvious in Morgan/cork's case.

Well for me personally he's played one and a half games and probably should have been sent off twice. So his cattermole vibes aren't impressing me much. Didn't think he was particularly special on Thursday. Once again it was centre mids going walkabout that gave them a goal. Miles off Cork let alone Morgan imo based on admittedly small sample of games. Personally its not the issue that he's foreign, but just being better than Davis who isn't a defensive mid isn't a cause for wild celebration in my eyes.

stek martina fonte caulker targett reed vic davis mane pelle tadic gazza, yoshida, romeu, soares, jrod, long, jwp

Disappointing if true but its clear Koeman won't give him a proper chance, so its probably best he gets away. Hopefully Clasie gets fit soon as i'm no fan of the mediocre Romeu in that role.

In patches we were good, in patches we were horrifically bad. For the first goal the 2 defensive mids went completely missing. Caulker had a goal unluckily chalked off. We got a penalty, Jrod scored if not imressively. After that when you think we might have pushed on. We played horrifically badly. Really not impressed by Romeu. Once again could easily have been sent off. Gone backwards in centre mid over recent years. No one in the league of Morgan or Cork to partner Wanyama. Yoshida doesn't strike me as a right back. Why have 2 right backs on the bench & none on the pitch.

This should be treated in the same manner as Morgan bid last year, he simply isn't for sale no matter the price. We can't afford to sell anyone else and certainly not at this stage of the transfer window.

Be interesting to see what Koeman does. Big game at the weekend, so i'd suggest a fair amount of rotation midweek Stek Soares Fonte Caulker Targett Reed Romeu Juanmi JWP JRod Long

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.