NewYorkSaint

Well, among other things made a key pass to JWP to set up the 2nd goal...

We trashed Puel on here for the changes Thurs, and now trashing him for changing them back? Can't we accept we have a strong squad? Goals will come aplenty at some point from Long and Redmond. He's been clear in his strategy and to me it makes a lot of sense. The guys who gave it their all on Thurs may not quite be at the same level today. Having the pace of Long and Redmond together may be exactly what Swansea don't want......... Personally, love seeing Reed and Isgrove on the bench. Think they both have huge potential...

If football doesn't introduce video replays soon.... it will destroy itself. From Arsenal sending off to unfair penalty. It just kills your faith in the game.

Lots of strong takeaways. Most of all, I'd just highlight the confidence of the players in the first 15 mins. If you saw that, you'd say all the talk of diamond probs, player disquiet, etc, is utter nonsense. Davis strong this half. And great having Bertrand back. C'mon Saints. we can nick this.

I really don't buy blaming everything on Puel and the diamond. For one thing you could just as easily call our system 4-1-3-2 - as we've played many times before. Romeo playing ahead of the back four... We were by far the better side, and on another day win by a couple goals. It's completely self-destructive to start turning on Puel. Any individual match can go wrong. He's trying to create a strategic advantage for Saints. Give him a break. I predict that over the next four matches it'll start to come good big time. Thought Davis had a terrific game, and completely thrilled for J-Rod. That could prove a huge boost to his self-confidence and recovery. If he comes back to his best, the season suddenly looks a whole lot better. JWP had an impressive cameo too, I thought. A yard different on his free-kick, and we're all celebrating Puel's genius substitution.

If he joins, I wonder how much down to Puel?

Ease off guys... There's much to like in this performance.

Imagine that exact same first half, but with just one second of it working out differently and Long scoring as he should have. Then how do you feel about Saints performance? Bloody great, right? So don't judge 46 mins and 59 seconds by the standards of 1 second. There was so much to admire in Saints performance. Confident passing, terrific skills, all in the face of the most intimidating build up you could imagine. This season's going to work out just fine.

No meltdown necessary. Frustrating not to win…. But I’d say plenty of positives there. Redmond, Hojberg and even Pied looking super-promising, and Tadic and vvD could be in for epic seasons. Way too soon to be on Puel's back. Let's give the new system a chance. There were moments second half with electric fast conversion of defense into attack right down the middle of the field. We might just surprise ‘em on Friday.

Frustrating not to win…. But I’d say plenty of positives there. Redmond, Hojberg and even Pied looking super-promising, and Tadic and vvD could be in for epic seasons. We might just surprise ‘em on Friday. Way too soon to be on Puel's back. Let's give the new system a chance. There were moments second half with electric fast conversion of defense into attack right down the middle of the field.

When you try a new system, it's not going to work in the first 10 minutes. Give it a chance! Tadic's little penalty area cameo was incredible....

I'm puzzled by the low valuation on the deal. I get that he had only 1 year left on the contract, but market price for a single asset is usually set by competition between BUYERS. Is it really the case that no club out there values Wanyama more than £11m? If we're going to sell, there has to be a better way to bring more buyers into the ring. Even if the Vic himself wanted to go to Spurs as first choice, there should be still be leverage. I mean we had a year to figure this one out. I'll miss Big Vic a lot. The red cards were troublesome, but I thought he often turned in MoM performances.

Meanwhile, in an alternative universe.... Ring Ring. Hello Ronald, Katrina here. Can we keep this confidential? But I'm curious, how much of this is about the money at Everton, and how much is it frustration with Mr Reed? Ah, I did wonder that. As it happens, I've become quite fond of you. Would love to find a way for you to stay, even at this late hour. Any chance I could persuade you to shut down conversations, go back to your vacation, but just brainstorm with me whether we could work something out here in which you take full charge of all footballing matters. Of course that would mean earning substantially more, and by the way... I actually am extremely ambitious for this club. I know Dad would have wanted that..... Mr Reed has been tremendous at Southampton, of course, but I must confess I'd be so excited at the prospect of you and Erwin committing for the long run.... Oh, and I have a beautiful vacation spot in the Caribbean I can recommend....

Bertrand pulled off a cross from the touchline yesterday that seemed almost superhuman. He seemed to be completely blocked but pushed the ball aggressively to the touchline and somehow delivered it perfectly for Shane (who nodded wide). Commentator was stunned at the cross. I agree he's been key part of our success.

Man U game Tues... that actually really helps us. They can't get fourth now. So with the Final just a few days away, unlikely to have either top team selection or 100% commitment from players. Bournemouth could nick this and give us 5th.

Fantastic team effort. Everyone played their part. We march on!

Just for fun, put a tenner on us overtaking ManU... 10-1. C'mon Bournemouth!

Any one have a spare ticket? I'm in UK this w/e and would love to get back to Southampton. Drinks on me.

Absolutely terrific performance. We outlasted them. The downside of Poch's high energy game is that his teams often fade in the second half. Our boys battled it out and ground them down. Brilliant by Davis, Wanyama, Romeu, and some dogged defending. Pelle looked v sharp for his cameo... made the second goal. Wow... this could turn out best season in decades. Well done, Koemans. Well done, Saints.

For me, a thrilling first half. For 30 mins they edged it, though we've had some exciting counter-attacks. Mane has been incredible, and unlucky not to get a penalty. Seems to me like we're gradually taking over midfield, with Vic and Clasie impressive. Forster a little unlucky w their goal. Kane's presence made the situation incredibly hard to read. We've got a real chance at winning this. But for that, our defense needs to regain a little confidence!

Great team. Great bench. And Pelle an unhappy man, I suspect.

Great piece, Connor. Thanks for writing - and sharing.

If Koeman left, a key question is whether his brother would go too. My friends in the Netherlands always insisted Erwin was the wiser, better manager, and may well be a big part of way things of gone well the last couple years. Just his brother's name recognition and playing record. I dunno how much he's loved being the invisible one here. Could we imagine a scenario where Ronald goes and Erwin stays?!

Exciting half. You can see why Leicester have done so well this season. But honestly, I think we're a better team overall. Wanyama has been superb. Clasie too, apart from the goal. I'm going for 1-1.

Here's a philosophical question. If you knew we were going to win, would you welcome a first half when you're 2 goals down? I would. There's no thrill in football like the thrill of that kind of roy-of-the-rovers comeback. So so happy for Mane. During most of his dry spell, he's still shown brilliant touches. I think he's (mostly) been unlucky and sometimes badly served. The confidence of him and Pelle, plus that of the whole team, going into the final games, is going to be huge for us. For one thing, we now KNOW that we can come back. No need for heads to drop if an early goal goes in. Anyway, a game to lodge in the memory banks for all time.