mrfahaji

Forster Cedric Yoshida Hoedt Bertrand Lemina Romeu JWP Davis* Boufal Gabbiadini * Would consider swapping Davis for Tadic, or putting Tadic left and Boufal central.

Yoshida, admirable as he is, has also regularly been better than Stephens, has more pace (which might be needed alongside Hoedt) and isn't a total liability in the air.

It's pretty hard just to watch a game, pick up what's happening and understand the intracacies of it. While there are unquestionably a few annoying aspects of it, a lot of criticism is usually from people who have never bothered to learn about it - things like "it's so stop-start" are just lazy observations and completely miss the point of the game. The reason I picked up Dangermouth's comment was because plays in American Football are so extensive and complicated, and because the game doesn't flow it makes sense for the players to discuss the next move (a bit like if Saints got 3 free kicks in a row, you'd expect the players to discuss what was happening with each one), rather than just 'make runs and hope for the best'. The players still have to memorise entire playbooks and routines, something far more complicated that any team in assocation football ever tries to implement.

Do you watch/follow American Football? Is this comment a criticism of it, or just an observation how the two sports are different?

Yep, same! (although Tadic was poor in the cup final)

This. Hard to justify sticking him when others are playing well, in case it's a risk that backfires. But hard to see what he could do worse than either Tadic or Redmond in the last game. I'd rather replace Redmond with Boufal as they are more similar.

Probably because we stood firm and didn't sell. Lallana & Lovren didn't last that long because we sold them fairly early on. I think the constant clamour by so many hateful, pitiful ex-Liverpool (and some not ex Liv) pundits has made it a particularly sour scenario, plus 'cryptic' (= ***ttish) social media posts from VVD don't help. I understand why you feel that way, but plenty of others may have ended up like this given the opportunity...

What about Tadic and Redmond benched for JWP and Boufal? That's probably what I'd do. Although I'd hope that Tadic regained his place eventually on merit, as at his best he is much better than Ward-Prowse. Perhaps JWP can replace Davis.

I see your point, but I think a boo gives a sense of ongoing disapproval, whereas a groan or a shout is frustration at a particular moment in time. That being said, it does feel like the people who shout things like "you're a waste of space" have an axe to grind with that particular player and will shout it given half the chance, even if what they do isn't bad/has good intentions etc. I remember someone behind me shouting at Pelle for the entire game. His first comment was before the match had even kicked off... That isn't much different to booing to be honest.

Yep, I rate him. We miss his creativity when he's not playing or not performing. Unfortunately there's no denying he hasn't been great for a while, though I think it's more of a team rather than individual problem. That being said, I wouldn't mind resting/dropping him for a game or two and see if Boufal can find his feet.

Apparently Tadic played quite well for Serbia yesterday. So he can't just be rubbish, or going through a bad run of form. Suggests a more inherent problem with our tactics/style, especially as Tadic isn't the only forward player to look uninterested, isolated or out of ideas. Having said that, I agree that Boufal should have a run. Probably in place of Tadic for 1 or 2 games (not 5 - keep Boufal in but mix up who he replaces), but Redmond is an equally viable candidate!

I'd have thought the best time for him to 're-integrate' was at the same time the other players come back from international duty. Imagine it would be a slightly easier transition than if he were the only player coming back into the fold. That of course assumes he is willing.

Yeah, and the rumblings from his omission is that his injury must be worse than they are letting on, as opposed to him simply being dropped. My Ox comment was in jest, but would be pretty funny.

Funny that, it's almost like they're looking for reasons to complain.

Clyne's out of favour now Liverpool have bought a new right back, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Huh?

With that sort of post, one can only conclude you either don't support Southampton, know nothing about Southampton, or are simply incapable of seeing the positives of any situation.

I don't think the defending vs Mbappe was that embarrassing, however in the highlights package I just watched there were a few other poor moments, most notably being turned inside out by Coman.

I'm not sure it will matter too much when they first join. Signing a 4 or 5 year contract means that the club will have to think about selling you after 2 or 3 years. What may change is players who have already been at the club for a year or two, having played well during that time, extending their contracts for a long period, if at all.

As things currently stand, agree. But even though I'm not Redmond's biggest fan, I have seen him play well in the past. Equally Tadic has been excellent at times over the past couple of years, and is very creative. The problem is either that they're not being dropped/rested despite underperforming for ages, or that we aren't deploying the right tactics to get them involved in the game. Whether Boufal can make it in this league remains to be seen, but he is certainly skillful and creative enough, it's just a question of whether he can hone those abilities to be effective.

Well Paul Clement's connection with Ancelotti is partly behind why they managed to get Sanches, so that's one reason for you.

Haha, I bet it's full of people slagging off London, with a few 'alcoholic' jibes at Merson for good measure.

Obviously it's great that van Dijk is still here, and also great that he isn't at Liverpool, but for me the most satisfying thing about him still being at Southampton today is all those reporters, ex-footballers and tweeters who either claimed to be ITK or talked about the transfer like it was some sort of god-given right or inevitability. I haven't wanted to assert one way or another whether he would leave, just hoped it wouldn't happen. Now I'd like to personally 'reach out' to all those smug idiots and ask them why they felt the need to be so cretinous for the past couple of months. HA BL00DY HA. It's just a shame that this episode won't permanently ruin their credibility, they'll just carry on regardless and start spouting sh1t about the next topic.

The top team is strong, we should be capable of a decent league showing if we keep that together (with one or two tweaks along the way) this season. The second team is decent and should serve us well for another good league cup run... D'OH!

I see when Bolton were told, due to their embargo, that they could sign no-one they misinterpreted the instruction.