Baird of the land

Depends on definition of what is a red card. My preference is that, that sort of tackle wouldn't be a red card as it wouldn't have been in the past. However they've radically changed the interpretation and under that expanded interpretation its possible to justify it as a red. So doubt there's any chance of a successful appeal.

Said it at half time. Can't dominate a half completely and walk in level. Absurdly poor in the final third. 2nd half Swansea played better, Koeman gambled on the win taking off reed and they caught us out. Disappointed Forster didn't save Shelvey's shot to be honest.

Disappointing first half, lack of end product despite dominating the game. Don't expect Swansea to be that bad again in the 2nd half.

On the face of it seems a bit of a gamble. Only thing we can do is trust koeman and co judgment though.

Disagree saints could have made him an offer in the summer when he was keen on a new contract. Don't think it's as simple as first team football now but more a lack of faith that he even would get opportunities if others moved on given how many hoops he was made jump through even to get a contract offer.

Sad to see him go, one of my favourite saints players of recent times. Remember being amazed how good on the ball he was the first time I saw him live. Think he'll be a big hit at Swansea.

Not particularly confident. Lost cork, neither Morgan or vic available yet, so midfield looks very weak.

Not offering a contract in the summer thereby annoying the player, then offering him one a month ago is poorly handling the contract situation imo. Played more often than vic under Mopo. Played a fair amount this season considering he's been out injured since before Christmas.

Agree with every word. Poorly handled imo.

Think you are the one who's joking.

Very sad it's now official. It'll be very hard to replace him, let alone cheaply or at short notice imo.

Agree clearly someone didn't rate him, i'd assume Reed. As a fan i think it was a mistake.

He was never offered a contract in the summer to reject. Hence why it was a mess up. 'First team football is an excuse', think it's likely he doesn't feel overly valued at Saints. In fact Monk at Swansea suggested they were interested in the summer but Cork was committed to Saints at the time. 6 months later after being treated like a trialist he suddenly feels he might be more appreciated at Swansea.

IMO They messed up by offering him a contract at the last minute, rather than when others were given theirs in the summer. Think Cork's response might have been very different if it had of been. Being made to act like an apprentice on trial likely didn't make him feel overly valued.

Personally disagree, especially as it seems almost certain we'll lose Morgan in the summer. Big loss, big mess up by the club. Don't think Reed's ready and neither does Koeman clearly as he's already stated we'll need a midfielder if Cork Leaves.

Agree completely with Monk's assessment. Only reason he hasn't played more this season is he has been injured and we have 2 of the stand out performing centre mids of the season. Expect to look on with frustration as he excels for them.

Absolutely gutted that apart from dotting of I's and crossing of T's we have lost such an excellent player. Think it'll come back to haunt us. Time to cross fingers and hope that Koeman can bring in someone equally good in the next few days, without having to spend a fortune.

Yeah i consider him equally good as any of those names.

Yep still easily our third best centre mid, i'd still argue too that for certain games i'd still prefer Morgan/Cork dynamic.

Very disappointed if this turns out to be true, especially as it gives a rival club an excellent player. Think situation has been badly mishandled.

I'd give today's starting line-up another go.

Very disappointing to go out. Made even more so by the likes of Chelsea/Man C/Spurs going out. Suppose if we were going to have a poor display its better it came in the cup rather than the league. Hopefully we play much better next week against Swansea.

Good to see cork coming in. As promising as reed is, cork is what's needed in cm with Morgan and vic out. definitely strongest 11 which is nice to see.

Another midweek game for United then.

Keeping Cork should have been simple. Hoping the delay and messing him around doesn't cause us to lose such an excellent player. You'd think we'd be able to retain Bertrand. He's not as good potentially as Shaw but a good english youngish left back all the same. Can't see him going back to chelsea as first choice. Toby, would be an amazing coup, if he stays. Been convinced since start that he likely won't stay. Clyne, equally would be coup if he signs a new deal. Would show we can keep hold of english internationals. After last summer i'm rather doubtful. Champions League is the miracle at the end of the rainbow that might swing it our way. Jrod, if it weren't for the speculation, i'd be thinking he'd sign a new deal once fit. I certainly hope he gets back and shows a little loyalty.