SaintTex

This. It would be best for both parties that he not play here again. This Southampton team is a new chapter, I really don't see him being a part of it as a player. But like noted above.. in the future, one retired as a player.. I think he would/should be welcome with open arms in any capacity.

oh man.. I didn't want to see that. Some seriously bad juju there.

with 9 matches to go to the halfway point in the season, I think what Koeman needs to focus on is taking care of business and getting the 12 points from Leicester, Villa, CP and Burnley. Even if we get no points against the other 5 matches (Chelsea, City, ManU, Arsenal and Everton) that still leaves us: 22 points + 12 points = 34 points at the halfway point. now I do think we can get some points against those 5 clubs, but even if those become 5 losses, we will be in good shape for a top 6 finish with beating the other 4 mentioned above. If we can "steal" 6 points from those 5 clubs and get to 40 points by the halfway point, that would be brilliant. if it becomes a 2 horse race between City and Chelsea, I figure 65 points get us a top 6 finish 75 points get us a top 4 finish

whatever happens in January, I trust that it will be a reasoned decision, both financially and performance-wise. I doubt it would be a one player 30mil signing. It's a pretty tight knit group as it stands now. Any players brought in would have to have the proper personality and character. It can't just only be about football talent. We don't want to create a self-inflicted wound by bringing something toxic into, what appears to be, a pretty happy locker room.

Since Liverpool is on TV every damn week here in the US, they get to be the team I make a point to sit, watch, and root against.

do you think either of them thought they would get so little playing time? I did see the writing on the wall with Rickie (and he may have as well too, but didn't care), but I seriously doubt Lallana thought he was going to sit on the bench for entire League games when he made the move to Liverpool.

Unlike Boruc, Forster doesn't mess around with the ball in the box. Distributes it quickly and efficiently. Doesn't attempt to make the difficult pass when an easier pass is available. GKs need to get it to the players paid to play the game with their feet and get back in the damn 6 yard box.

so, basically, we are doing so well because we give 150%?

He seems like a real genuine players manager. Players love him. two points: 01) Pelle leading the charge to hoist Koeman up 02) Clasie seen wiping tears from his eyes twice with his jersey would love to have Clasie on this team. I know there were rumours last summer. I wonder if there was anything to them.

I am already tired of that narrative: "Sure, Southampton is doing well, but wait until December. They'll come crashing down to reality." The folks pushing this narrative are the ones who slated us for relegation and are now trying to find some way to save face. I hope to god the team comes out of December smelling like roses, and we can shut all the naysayers up. Personally. I am ok with the summer narrative. I think that it makes a good story - juxtapositioning the perceived health of the club in the summer to the health it is in now.

right? Look around the League.. 5 goals given after 9 games! Yes, a lot of the credit can be given to the back 4, but still, 5 goals given in 9 League games. Davis, Cropper, Gazzaniga are not going to be upgrades. On the second goal last night, I am more critical of the Saint player(s) who allowed the Stoke defender to cut in front of them on the corner, and head it to the back post. That is poor defending. You don't let your opponent to get easy position like that. (Sorry, the highlights I saw were pretty fuzzy, not sure who the players were involved on that corner).

Hopefully Mane will be fit. Tadic sitting this one out? General consensus seems to be that he needs a break. Was surprised to see him play tonight. Forster Clyne Fonte Alderweireld Bertrand Cork Schneiderlin Davis Long Pelle Mane would be nice if JWP was back to give our MF a bit of a rest.

What the hell? Forster better be playing tonight. I can see resting a few players, but "resting" our GK or not playing him to avoid the .00001% chance of injury is pretty shortsided.

yeah. I notice that too. He is too young to be walking off the pitch like that. Now a 40 year old... sure. and JWP reminding everyone that he is still only 19 - still so young. Oh, He'll be 20 on Saturday. Happy Birthday JWP!

This. The less I notice our CBs the better. Look how noticed Lovren has been at Liverpool.

of course Citeh would have to drop points to QPR, West Ham or ManU. I think we are getting ahead of ourselves, but the dream is a nice one.

OK, I just saw the first re-play after the goal (the camera angle from behind the net), and I will concede it does look like the Sunderland defender poked it in. but still, come on.

This. You have got to be kidding me? This is a joke, right? The Sunderland defender didn't even touch it. Are my eyes deceiving me?

It's an interesting match for sure. I am curious to see who he starts and how the game is played, considering we have to turn right back around and play them again 4 days later. I am wondering how Koeman manages the Cup strategy as it pertains to the League game and visa versa. have to imagine it is all related to one another.

Sunderland had given up 7 goals this season coming into the game.

I think this on point is pretty good, however, Long's ball into Pelle was not exactly good... it went long and wide, Tadic backtracked and headed it back in to Pelle. But I am in agreement with 99% of your points in regards to Long and I don't see the point of continuing to bash the guy. He isn't being negative or hanging his head. When he is in, you can see the effort. Not going to blame the guy for what he cost or what he gets paid. What do you expect him to do about it?

I feel like Tadic has had his best games on the left. Mane, I believe, prefers the left. Do we have anyone who wants to be on the right?

Lovren, Lallana, and Lambert left a team that has zero losses in their last 7 games to a team that has 4 losses in their last 8. (nearly 5 losses if you count the Middlesbrough debacle)

Indeed some cable providers don't provide the ExtraTime TV Channels and only offer the ExtraTime Streaming. NBCSN does show two to three games a week on the boob tube, but it is often the big clubs. Trust me, most Americans find the FoxSports TV "soccer" coverage awful and derided their "expert analysis" (namely, Eric Wynalda). NBCSN's all around EPL coverage and their in studio talent with Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Mustoe, and Robbie Earle have been excellent and a serious upgrade since taking over broadcasting rights last season.

I think the above are our best starting 11 if healthy. I guess the question would be what is the best formation for them. Another one to consider below, as I like the link up play we have been getting at each side between our backs and wingers. If you want to cultivate that relationship, where to place JRod is a question (paired with Pelle?) ----------FF---------- NC---JF-------TA---RB ---------VW---------- DT-------MS-------SM ------GP----JR-------- but I know Koeman seems to prefer a 4-3-3. So, maybe.. ----------FF---------- NC----JF-----TA----RB ----DT---VW---MS---- SM-------GP--------JR It seems both Mane and Tadic seem to both favor the left.