NewYorkSaint

The main argument for leaving someone like Mane up field is that, because of pace and guile, it will force opposition to hold back not one, but two extra players. That means you have a better edge in your own penalty box defending... AND at least a chance of a breakaway goal.

Ease up on big Vic. Anyone's allowed to be ambitious. He's been spectacular for Saints last couple of years. And he will be again this season.

Fantastic. Football always surprises. Just when you think a dull season in prospect.... boom! boom! and BOOM! Love it.

Exciting half. Tadic is back! JWP had a great half. (I thought the pre-match-acid poured on him was way over done). Mane is wondrous. Constantly trying to create. sometimes results in ball given away, but you have to gamble to make it. Great great assist on the goal. C'mon saints!

Too much negativity, gang. Yes, the VW situation is upsetting. But you're not giving JWP a fair chance. On his day, he's an wonderful creator. He always gives his all. I think there's going to be some fire out there today. If Tadic is back to fit, and Mane turns on a little magic, we'll be on the scoresheet before long and life will feel a lot better. Meanwhile, we're supporters. Let's support!

A little perspective, guys. It's bad, and I agree our midfield way underpowered. But there are always two teams involved. Everton have been excellent, really excellent. It's not over yet, either. A goal in the first 15 mins of second half, and we can still win it. Let's see how Koeman reshapes. And, if you want a silver lining, this will confirm club's determination to buy before deadline.

At risk of flogging a dead horse, in a league where you get 3 pts for a win and only 1 for a draw, it's definitely worth gambling on winning even if it increases your chance of losing. Imagine two teams that were overall equally good, in the sense that over the course of a season their net goal difference was zero, but one team only let in 30 and scored 30, while the other let in 60 and scored 60. That means on average, both teams will have the same number of wins and losses. BUT, the team that scores more and lets in more goals will have a lower % of DRAWS. That's because the first team will almost always score or let in 0-2 goals, while the second team will score or let in 0-4 goals... that greater variability means more chance of a result one way of the other. So the first team might have 13 wins, 13 losses and 12 draws, and the second team 16 wins, 16 losses and 6 draws. That means it will actually clock up more points (54) than the lower scoring, better defense team (51). It will also be a helluva lot more entertaining. So in that sense, if you could dial up attack at the exact same rate you dialed back defense, you should do so. That, by the way, is why the 3pt incentive is there. It's to stop the game becoming boring. So count me among those who welcome our new uber-attacking Saints.

Yes, NBC. Superb streaming onto a computer in the US if you have a cable subscription. (and usually on TV too, though sometimes better HD on computer!)

What a great game! In the end we deserved all 3, but it's still a fine fight back. Don't be harsh on Mane. It was only his brilliance that made those two chances. The first was more a brilliant block than his mistake. He's an incredible player. And he helped make the first goal. I love this team! Davies superb today. Tadic looks really sharp again. Yes, we miss Toby and Bertrand. But at least Bertrand will be back before long....

But can I just say... how fantastic it is to have the season back. We made a lot of mistakes... but it was still a thrilling half of football. That Pelle goal. Wow! Cedric is such an exciting player. I'm going to say... first day nerves has dialed up the mistake factor a lot: Fonte, Wanyama, Maya all being uncharacteristic. Could it be tiredness post Europe too? Maybe. But I think more likely just nerves. JayRod definitely is going to need some game time. I'd bring on Shane Long for him before too long. C'mon Saints. Please let's win this!

3-0 to take us top of the league!

If Consortium 11 were here, you would know. The site's entire word count output would treble. It's amazing to see a single poster become an actual reason why people rush to the Guardian's Saints reports.

Love it. We all agree. ;-)

Hey, what a nice treat to get to see the first team in action... Not the most electrifying game ever, but plenty of nice touches. Wanyama soooo good. Tadic sharp, Mane dangerous, Soares promising, Matt Target looking strong, Yoshida hasn't put a foot wrong.

What none of us knows is just how clear the legal language of the contract is. If it's crystal clear that they missed the buy-back deadline, then our negotiating positions remains strong. Toby's presence in London could simply be that as far as he was told yesterday, the Spurs deal was on and he booked his flight in. Sky are reporting that he'd be happy to sign for either club. AM will not want to face a months long legal dispute that could cost them all the Spurs premium and more. More likely, there is some legal ambiguity, and the route to a deal for us is to offer a part-way match to the Spurs premium.... But let's see. I think it's still at least 50/50 that he ends up staying.

I'm shocked if we paid him anything to terminate. I would have thought the negotiation would go: - Us: "Look, you want out, we want out, so let's see. Your value maybe not quite what it was, so you won't get the same wages at another club. On the other hand, if we release you you will be able to claim whatever a club would have paid for you as your personal signing bonus. Maybe you'll lose £3m in wages over next two years... but you can more than make that up in a signing bonus. You're not claiming your value has plummeted by more than 75% are you? Are you??? And if that doesn't appeal, last time we checked head butting a team mate is cause for contract cancellation plus a lawsuit for damages. So we can go that route if you prefer. But why feed the lawyers? Just go." - Osvaldo's agent, who now has complete flexibility on stiffing some other club. "If you insist..."

C'mon guys, I think some of our players deserve a little more love. Here are my ratings.... Forster - 9 Davis - 7 Gaza - 5 Clyne - 8 (9-10 in first half of season) Fonte - 8 (that's player rating...great, but he got away w a few this year. As a captain I'd put him at 9 or 10) Toby - 9 Bertrand - 8 Gardos - 6 Yoshida - 7 Targett - 6 Davis - 7 Wanyama - 10 (my player of the season. utterly dominant) Reed - 7 JWP - 7 Morgan - 9 (hoping the big boys underbid) Tadic - 7 (10 on a good day, but not enough of those) Djuricic - 7 (better than most people seem to think) Pelle - 8 (can be frustrating, but incredible combination of physique and skill) Mane - 9 (and 10 based on his second half of season. incredible player.) Long - 8 (improving all season)

I mean.... that has to be the most astonishing 48 mins of football I've ever witnessed. Shane Long has been electrifying. Just electrifying. Even before his goals.

I think criticism of Mane 'diving' may be overdone. Part of the issue is that his acceleration is incredible. He's constantly surprising defenders. And the speed he's moving a relatively small tap can still take him out. Several times in the game he took a tumble but raced to get to his feet. One thing's clear. He's an incredible player w unique skills. Kind of an uber-Lallana.

Thrilling game. Bit of a heartbreaker at the end. We did enough to win. Best attacking in ages. Fantastic to see Pelle's confidence back. Mane MoM for me, though. Tadic for Davis next time out..?

heartbreaking.... but we can still win this. we are so much the better side this second half. Tadic on for Davis, pls!

Saints definitely playing the more exciting football. The JWP Schneiderlin corner move wd have been sensational goal. Mane has been spectacular. Wonderful seeing Pelle score again... he was ruthless there. And on US TV they're saying clear hand-ball for the Tottenham goal. We can do this!

Spectacular play by Saints. on another day wd be 1-0 the other way. their goal really lucky. Toby, big-Vic, Morgan superb. Pelle's been good too, imo. Chances are we'll come back second half. But yes, Mane and/or Tadic needed.

No Mane: I would guess it's part a man-management thing. I bet there's been something behind scenes this week. Maybe he held up yesterday's flight up north!