bazza

If we were to go behind early on the atmosphere could get toxic pretty quickly which won't help. I think we'll win though.

I disagree on Martina, I though he was gash. No surprise he wasn't getting the ball as the game progressed. But yes, Sims was terrible first half.

I don't think I've ever been so relieved to see a goal go in. Another 30 mins of that dross might have tipped me over the edge. What a shocking game of football.

Has he jacked it in? If so no real loss for me, constantly getting at other posters rather than responding to the topic in hand. The constant squabbling ruins threads. Pamplemousse's approach to those with completely different views is far more constructive. As for the trolls, it's up to admin to get a grip on it and sort it out.

Correct. Puel hasn't helped himself at times with over-rotation imo but the bottom line is we need strengthening.

It's not difficult to see where the problem lies. Just 19 goals in 21 league matches, only Middlesbrough have scored fewer. Even Hull & Sunderland who are both currently in the relegation zone have scored (marginally) more. It needs addressed quickly.

Me too!

Forster had no chance with that goal. Completely exposed and Phillips had the easy task of rolling it into the corner.

He was excellent right enough.

In but I understand why some would jettison him already. The results have been indifferent, the football negative at times, his seemingly dour demeanour drives me nuts and some of Puel's starting xi's (I don't like the Tinkerman approach) and tactics are very questionable. Not getting out of that poor Europa League group was a disgrace. That said it's not all down to him. The team is arguably the weakest for a while and the performance levels of a few players (for whatever reasons) have been disappointing generally this season (e.g. Long, Rodriguez, Fonte, Forster, Redmond). If he's to be given a fair crack at the job Puel needs two or three transfer windows to mould the squad the way he wants it and the board needs to back him with decent quality signings. There'll be a lot more downs as well as ups in the next 12 months though.

That's pretty much my feelings too.

Haha, indeed. Those stats are pretty damning yet unsurprising. I'd definitely take a 1-0 today.

The main issue tomorrow is the usual one - where are the goals coming from?

Worst possible draw for me.

Very sad, taken too soon. RIP.

Virgil with his customary 'missing a sitter' in the competition.

FFS Boufal. That sums up the night!

It's a really poor performance, no doubt about it. Hard to watch.

Good call lads, i've just done that too.

Thankfully successive Southampton managers know a bit more about football than clueless cockwombles like you and keep selecting him.

In fairness the atmosphere's usually terrible at St Marys. A couple of renditions of OWTS from the Northam and a small section of the Itchen doesn't exactly make it a cauldron of noise ffs.

Beaten by a much better team, who have hit a bit of form recently, coupled with a poor performance by us. A day to forget really.

Great strike.

Hard game this one, I'd be happy with a point.

Agreed.