5string

Yup it is. All the more puzzling why it couldn't be (for example) Fonte in the middle, Yoshi at RB?

I don't get this either.

Just seen highlights on Ch5. Definitely should have been a penalty from Yoshi's challenge - not given, so hey-ho, they even up over a season (apparently). Great goal from Boufal. Any win is a good win. Arsenal next. COYS!

Agree with most of this. It is annoying about Puel constantly having to answer questions on (and justify) his squad rotation - 'big' clubs do this a lot and it's considered normal due to their [expected?] fixtures glut as a result of being successful. We're just behaving like a 'big' club would, as we have extra fixtures due to our recent success (well done us!) - the Daily Fail would hate this, as we're only a, what was it, "small seaside club"? Ha. Ha. My only difference of opinion: I think we DO have the players for our squad rotation, except we're being stretched by a spot of bad luck with short-term injuries, as you acknowledge. In my opinion Puel is using more of the available players than Koeman ever did: McQueen, Targett & Hesketh are shining examples of this. I feel like we have a much broader squad of equal players than last season, so I'm not worried about injuries as much as I used to be. Having Boufal fit(-ish) is a boost, as well as Redmond's improving form. Hopefully Long will get his scoring boots back soon. Mr S-Clarke provides similar sentiments in post 16, which I also agree with.

Do managers count? Howard Kendall & Everton? Ian Rush & Liverpool (after having a 'mare at Juve). Denis Law & Man City (after hitting the doldrums for a few years at some small cross-town club...!) I know they're pre-Prem, but so was Channon.

Good point, well earned against City & Clattenburg (who took pleasure in every decision for City, and showed great reluctance when having to give a decision our way). A fine poacher's goal by Redmond. Romeu just ENORMOUS in midfield - even Niall Quinn gave him MoM! VvD still immense in defence (haha just noticed that rhymes - oh dear!). Fonte also fantastic today. Nice to see Boufal on for a time - he looked tricky. Redmond is getting better and better, isn't he? Just... a great team effort. More proud than pleased

Thought we might have seen JRod

I shouted "SHOOT!" Commentator said, "Davis...." NNnnn...oh

Hmm Boufal playing a continental style. Takes his time, coupla jinks, fancy flick... ... gets nobbled. Welcome to the Premier League!

I would ask the same of Clattenburg

Clasie [& Tadic - not yet] off. Hojbjerg [& Boufal - not yet] on.

Game has increased in pace and opened up a bit this half. Obviously good for City - not for us! Need to bring on Hojbjerg for Clasie, & Boufal for Austin. Maybe Yoshi for McQueen?

Wow! How can Clattenburg not see that Gundogan challenge on Romeu?! And now Romeu has a yellow for a lot less?!!!!! Grrr

Good block, McQueen.

Aye it's like that Redmond even got grudging late acknowledgement for his finish.... then the focus went back onto the defensive arguing.

Haha, yup. Yet again a team "playing badly" when Saints are doing well against them. A discussion which came up on a recent thread (maybe the Inter game?). Also happened in the matches with WHam, Burnley, Palace, Swansea, etc etc. Strange that...

No no no, Clattenburg!! That's called a 'good tackle'. Yellow for Clasie, because a City player fell over in a challenge.

And it's counter-productive in the longer term, because opposition won't feel threatened so much, gain confidence and attack more. We're giving them way too much in our half and relying on their mistakes to keep the lead.

Quite frustrating when we get an attack going, turn sideways, then back a bit, sideways, back some more.... momentum gone. We need to take more risks up front. I know it's early-ish in the game still, but come on! Take some chances.

Aguero offside going for the initial header, before ball went in. Correct decision, but.... phew!

Hmmm, not great from that free kick. Before that, we managed to turn a good potential attack into defence. Less of that, please. Oh, no goal???

Get in!!!!!!! Redmond pounces, 1-0

No yellow for that? Surprised Clatts didn't go for the celebrity decision. It's been a quiet game, he needs to inject some star quality.

Wasn't there some stat the other day about how many 0-0 half time scores we've had recently?

Sane is the City player I'm most worried about. I think he'll set up chances for them.