5string

Early exchanges, we're slightly 2nd best, but City seem nervous of our attacking ability. Aguero looking strong. Redmond quite tricky for us.

Is there equally a case for starting with JRod & Austin? Combination of experience and form could put City under early pressure. Redmond would be itching to get on, perhaps a half-time shout and he could run them ragged in the 2nd half. Could even give Boufal 20 mins to see how he copes with PL pressure.

And this might indicate our problem, when the DM is getting regular MoM in games where we produce lots of scoring opportunities. Surely it should be the striker getting MoM under such circumstances. Shooting practice at training, Claude!

Well, I'm very disappointed with that result. Really should have won, given the chances we had. Poor finishing let us down.

He seems to be spoiling it for us nicely. Need the more experienced fellas to step up more.

How on earth are we losing this game? Poor finishing, but no luck either! (Did I just answer my own question?)

Deservedly so, with that challenge. Now we need to up the ante and get some shots on. Boufal, Austin... do your thang!

Ok, just back from taking the missus to the hospital.. what have I missed in the 2nd half? .... aww blooming heck! Really?! Come ON, Saints!!

Inter corner. Came to nothing... but at least they tried a shot (unlike us!).

Still plenty of possession for us, but like in PL games, final ball/shot isn't good. Making chances ok, not incisive/decisive enough with the last part.

Burnley weren't great. Maybe Inter watched that game and have learned from them?

Haha me too.

On current form, I'd even say Austin on at half time, for Jrod.

From SportingLife commentary: "The Saints have started the game with a much higher intensity than the home side, and it's a balance that is being mirrored in the stands, where Southampton's massed ranks of travelling fans are out-singing the Inter crowd." Nice one!

Good break from Hojbjerg, from deep in our half to edge of Inter box. Could've shot... cut back instead (he's been watching Jrod!). Attack continued, but cross headed over. We're getting chances... uh-oh here's another... nope!

Do you want sound effects too? Oof! [Romeu challenge] Aaaargh! [inter player falling over] Incidentally, we seem to playing the long ball tactic a fair bit (and Jrod is still cutting in rather than shooting).

Agreed - I can see how they've not done well in this competition so far. We're better than them. Confident of getting something from this game.

Saints free kick, attacking half, 35yds out. Tadic shoots! Came to nothing.

Through on goal, left side of box... instead of shooting, cuts in: right into the defender, who clears. GGGNNNNNN!!!

Thank you. Right, here we go... Shlong blazes over already

That's awful. RIP to him

Great photo. Enjoy!

That dodgy knee/ankle/hip has suddenly flared up, hasn't it? HASN'T IT?!!!

Win the Champions League with a squad consisting entirely of recent World Cup winners... for 12 consecutive years. I think that counts as one thing.

Absolutely! As we were against West Ham, Palace, Sparta, Swansea... hmm, surely not all of these teams can have had an 'off' day against us? We even 'held our own' against the current PL champions, Beer-Sheva & Arsenal [til THAT pen decision]. We were not awful against Burnley, at any time; we were good, especially in the 2nd half. So, 8 recent games when, according to some, we've been 'alright' and the opposition have been 'dreadful' and that's why we did well? I think not! We have a good team. We're playing well. Other teams don't enjoy playing against us. We're not the last-10-minute-pushovers we used to be. We're 8th (and heading up) for a reason.