mrfahaji

To win a penalty?

Thanks - and Hallelujah!

All fair points, and also reasons why at the time I was encouraged because we were signing the "right type of players". The caveat of course is that most of these descriptions are based on what's on paper - eg club, goals scored, position in table, height etc. You would expect a Premier League scouting department to actually watch the players in action and make a good call on their quality and suitability for the league. The right type of player but not actually the right player smacks of leaning too heavily on names churned out by the infamous black box. Either that or Scouts who don't know what they should be looking for.

Also, is Sims not better than Tyreke Johnson? Obviously it's good that Johnson is involved and maybe he has a lot of potential, but I'd have thought Sims would definitely be ahead of him.

Where did he say that? It's what many of us have said for ages, nice that the manager sees things the same way.

Yes I had a feeling someone might point that out... although I expected it to be MLG. Is it consistent with any punishment handed out to players of the big clubs though? If so then fair enough.

Dele Alli banned for one game. Charlie Austin banned for 2 games. Vincent Kompany not sent off for 'scissor challenge'. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sent off for 'scissor challenge'. It's almost like there are different rules for different clubs.

Makes me think of a scene from Life of Brian.

Agree, but the emphasis is on this player called "NEW". Don't think getting rid and leaving ourselves just with the other four is wise.

It's possible that the source of this could be making things up, but I'd say fairly unlikely. But I can assure you that I haven't made it up, that's why I said "random..." in my post. When I was told about it my assumption was that the name was wrong and I had to ask, "what, you mean the ex Watford striker?" I didn't even know about this link - perhaps that's where the players heard it and why they were using him as a comparison. I too am sceptical of 'ITK' people, but this is a pretty trivial thing, it's not like I'm pretending to know who our next signing is going to be...

The other players have been mocking him for his poor shooting. They have been likening him to the ex-Watford striker Odion Ighalo (random...) Presumably Ighalo's 1 goal in 18 season rather than his 15 in 37. I don't think it would necessarily be a mistake to get rid of him, but I think it would be unless we were certain of getting someone else in.

I accept the reasons why some people don't rate Boufal and/or don't want him back, but does anyone think that he is worse than Elyounoussi? Incredible that he is our Tadic replacement, and for twice the price.

When it comes to younger prospects, we should be looking for the best available, regardless of position. People may have thought Gunn was a waste when we had McCarthy but if he proves to be top keeper then it'll be worth it in the long run. However, if we're looking for players to "do a job" in the short term - those that will contribute immediately and help us fight off relegation, then given our financial restraints, we need to be identifying what kind of player we need and going after players who specifically fit that mould. For example, while Wanyama is a good player, possibly (definitely before his injury but who knows now) an improvement on our current midfield, with Romeu, Hojbjerg and Lemina, is this really a position we are desperate for? Would money spent on him mean we couldn't invest in a centre back, right back, or quick forward?

How did you find the match? You were there, right?

I doubt many pundits and ex-players pay as much attention to our players as we do though. Were you at the game? And not many 'forum experts' have said Cedric is world class. In fact, I'm not sure a single one has.

A lot of people are disdainful of the club putting resources into growing the fanbase and looking further afield. However, I thought that was about fans in USA and China, not Salisbury and Ringwood I mean, to an extent you have a point. Someone born and raised in the City the club represents surely must feel a greater affinity than someone from further afield, but I think you're wrong to equate "mongs" with "people not from the city". I'm sure plenty of the plonkers on show are Southampton's finest. (I've just seen you say 'non SO postcode'. That does at least reach as far as where I grew up and isn't quite as strict as I first interpreted...)

Ah ok, I figured you might mean that, but as you say, it involves relegation. Which to be honest, I wouldn't be too bothered about, but Hasenhuttl has rejuvenated life as a Saints fan so we'll see how things pan out.

According to that Twitter account it was the 'highlight of the night'. I'd have gone with the final whistle, maybe Yoshida's heroic block, or Gunn's last minute save from Jorginho. But yeah, I suppose "shark song & dance" is the real winner.

Another?

One thing I forgot to mention in my original post was that the two moments in the game that got Saints fans in their loudest voice were both tackles. Can't remember who the first one was (maybe JWP), the second was Valery on Alonso. It might not be a very "modern football fan" outlook, but I love the fact that players getting stuck in gets the crowd up as much as a shot on goal!

I think it says something that Austin is still in the picture. When Hasenhuttl arrived pretty much everyone - even those who think he is a decent player - thought it was curtains for Charlie, but he's still getting game time. Instead it's Gabbiadini who is heading out the door. Admittedly, Gabbiadini hardly fits the mould either, but surely does more than Austin. Perhaps Austin's attitude has been good and he's showing a bit more than we thought he was capable of.

Fair enough, couldn't see that from the stands. I withdraw my credit to Ralph in which case.

I know the atmosphere at St Mary's is generally pretty poor, but don't think the Chelsea fans sang or chanted a single thing all night. Yoshida quite rightly getting plaudits but I was equally impressed with Bednarek last night. His positioning and awareness was top notch - without it there would have been a number of occasions when Chelsea (and usually Hazard) would have been clean through. Watching MOTD last night, perhaps Gunn's saves were simpler than they looked live, but notwithstanding that I thought he had an impeccable game in the way he was always well positioned and quick off his line to snuff out any danger. Cedric was poor, probably our worst player, but after a few weeks out it's no surprise he was looking rusty, and was also playing on his weaker side. Valery looks too half hearted most of the time for my liking - coud just be confidence but not as convinced as some people are about him. That being said, he was up against Hazard and Alonso today, perhaps his reluctance to get forward and demand the ball was just being wary of being caught upfield. Romeu had a typically-Oriol good game. JWP was excellent too I thought, best I can remember him playing in a while, really put himself about. Redmond ran himself into the ground and always looked a threat but it's a shame he doesn't possess much pace. I like Armstrong's directness. He's a bit rough round the edges but he causes defenders problems and it's important to have someone with an eye for goal. Ings was disappointing but good that Ralph saw that and made the change early, considering how good and how important Ings has been for us to date - lots of managers would have left him on in hope. The game highlighted the gulf in class between the two sets of players though. So many of our attacks broke down because of sloppy passes or poor first touches. How many times did we give the ball away from our own throw in? Chelsea nearly scored from one that we had near their corner flag! When you have better players, the ball is under control and everything is crisper and faster. We just don't have that - hopefully understanding the system will give players more confidence and that will improve. All in all a great evening, even better leaving the house at 7:15 and being home by 10! Certainly reasons to be optimistic for the rest of the season, but there's still work to be done.

Sorry but I think people are getting a bit carried away. He doesn't look up to standard at the moment. Not sure what he's good at, and is often hesitant in and out of possession. Of course this could be down to nerves or confidence - some of his best moments yesterday were when he showed a bit of determination, but most of the time he looks half hearted, and it's not like he has any obvious stand out qualities. I'm not saying he can't be a good player in the long run, but there's a long way to go yet. It's still encouraging to see players like Valery get game time, because they can only get better and it's fair to say that he has come through a few tough games without disgracing himself - being up against Hazard and Alonso yesterday, for example - but I don't currently see a player who oozes the quality that some of the above comments suggest.

We've seen the corridor of uncertainty between Stephens & Cedric, now there's one between Bednarek & Targett...