Trout-Tickler

IMO when your struggling to create and score goals you don't replace one of your front 3 with a defender. I like Bertrand, he's been a good acquisition this season but he's a left back not an attacking left midfielder.

He scored against Barnsley in last seasons League Cup. As far as I'm concerned he's had enough chances to show he can do something, I'd rather one of the kids took his place on the bench. Aren't the U21's top of the league? Surely Ryan Seagar, Josh Sims, Sam McQueen couldn't be any worse than Mayuka? Surely their full of confidence from being top of the league?

Our inability to cause them any problems was very worrying. Can only remember their keeper making one save from Mane, that apart he could've been in his pipe and slippers the whole night. For me we just didn't work hard enough and want it as much as they did. Never was this more acutely highlighted than right at the end when their player ran to close down Fonte and then Bertrand who ultimately kicked the ball out of play. Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard enough!

I maybe the only one but I thought Targett did well. Didn't do anything wrong defensively and can remember him having a good run and going past a couple of players, one of whom eventually fouled him. Didn't understand why Bertrand played on the left of the front 3 though. He worked hard but he's a left back not an attacking midfielder! I always think you choose your formation and then pick the players to play their natural position. With that in mind Isgrove should have played from the start.

Why did we keep pumping long balls to him last night? He's never been a 'target man' striker. His biggest asset is his pace and we should've been trying to play the ball down the sides or at worst over the top into the corners for him to run onto and stretch their defence.

Can only hope they're drawn against some Russian outfit!!

Pretty sure that was the hope from RK at last Fridays presser.

This is a very tough game. They may be short on quality but if we don't match their work rate and determination then we'll struggle. Could do with a positive result to get us moving in the right direction again!

Putting it diplomatically, last night wasn't his best game. Almost everytime he had to make a decision he took the wrong option. However, I do think there's a player in there...just has to keep working!!

Why didn't he come out and close down RVP for the first one? When RVP gets the ball he takes one touch and then puts it through Forster's legs who's pretty much standing still. If he'd gotten closer to him then he'd have forced RVP to take it round him with a heavier touch, that may have tightened the angle and made it more difficult to score. In saying that though, Fonte should never have put him in that position...horrendous error from him. For the second our marking was criminal, why is anyone (let alone RVP) allowed to run onto the ball from the free kick completely unmarked? Forster is a good keeper but I don't understand how people can say with such confidence that he's an upgrade on AB. He might be but at present I'm not fully convinced. Additionally, if Forster is worth £10M how much for a top class keeper such as Neuer or Courtois?

May be wrong but I thought Morgan sat in the dugout during the 2nd half of the City game. Surely he'd have been getting medical treatment in the dressing room if the injury was serious? He was also on the Saints advent calendar wrapping presents (badly I might add) and certainly didn't appear to be hobbling about. FWIW I think he may have returned to early from the injury he got whilst away with France. It may not have healed properly and now it's flared up again.

If Reed plays I wonder who'll take his place on the bench? Presumably another youngster...

Lighthouse, given the current situation with injuries who would you play in midfield on Monday?

That's it isn't it? If RK plays the usual system with 3 in the midfield who else is there with current injuries? Presumably it'll be Davis, Big Vic, and someone else. Considering current injuries, Reed is the only other fit midfielder we have. Could move Gardos forward I suppose but I'd rather have players operating in their natural position.

Call me cynical but I don't see Chelsea allowing any Bertrand deal to be completed until we've played them twice.

Why not play him and find out?

Brilliant assist for AL in last years home game against West Brom when were really struggling to break them down. FWIW I think he's a half decent player but he just hasn't produced consistently since we bought him. Shame really but hey-ho....

Here's hoping Aguero trips coming off the coach!! Nothing serious but enough to keep him out of the game on Sunday.

No he isn't.

Top Quality!!!

Thought VW was out due to injury sustained at Millwall?

Look forward to Alps scouting report....

Lol! Who remembers Ralph's little gambit about being excited to see Taider in action?

Also played in the draw at Newcastle and the away win in Cardiff. Does make me nervous though....

Agree with this. Forster signs one day and the day after Koeman is saying he's here as number 1. There's never been any competition to see who'll be the number 1 for this season. However, clubs like Saints don't sign keepers for £10M and not have them as first choice. Forster probably wouldn't have come if he wasn't going to be first choice I guess.