ErwinK1961

Forster Martina VVD Fonte Bertrand Romeu Clasie Davis Tadic Austin Boufal

Maybe something to do with distribution? Plenty of opportunity to get forward down the right, but no-one seemed confident enough to play the ball, so maybe VVD moved that side to help with that? Plus you're right, probably to cover Martina! I thought it was interesting that Inter targeted Martina over an academy graduate whose been converted into a full back - guess that's a big compliment to McQueen!

Disagree with this - thought it was noticeable that Austin gave us an out-ball option, held it up and linked up well with the midfield, giving us the opportunity to get forward more as a unit. J-rod just looks completely devoid of any confidence, wants to take an extra touch, decision making off and seems to want to shoot on site wherever he is on the pitch. Sad really, but the days of him taking on and driving at a defender seem to be finished.

If the structure, set up and personnel remained the same, just with a bit of extra cash to spend on wages and transfers, then don't see an issue. However, it's never that simple is it. As Doddsy says, has there been a good Chinese owner yet?

True, though will the new person have much time to change anything in such a short period? I guess we'll see Thursday just how much their players have been t*ssing it off so far this season.

Not sure if FDB getting sacked is a good thing or not?!

If we can't get Lambert back, might be worth seeing what Jon Parkin's up to nowadays.

Only change I'd have made in the summer was getting a more reliable forward in place of J-Rod. Other than that, I think the squad's the best depth we've had in a long time. Overall quality probably could be better.

Will be interesting to see the starting line up. Injuries up top may force Claude into picking a 'first choice' front 3. Imagine it will be Austin, Boufal and Redmond?

GET HIM SIGNED UP LES!

With you on this one - happens regularly - considering how big he is, he doesn't dominate his area like he could.

Fantastic point. To come away with anything from their with 2nd / 3rd choice full backs is a great effort. Give VVD and Romeu a well earned rest this week, they have been monumental. Looking forward to seeing Boufal hopefully start on Wednesday.

Christ, what a complete weapon.

Appreciate he was always a big (tall) lad, but looks like he's filled out a bit as well - looks a unit in the highlights!

Yet we get a 10 day gap between Bournemouth and Spurs.. ridiculous. Plus, Everton get an extra days rest on us ahead of our game there on 2nd. Must be this media bias against Saints

So we get even less rest now between the Spurs game and West Brom game? Cheers for that.

Got a toffee here at work, he reckons jury still out on RK at the moment. Said they obviously had the good start, but performances have tailed off and they've not really played anyone of note yet (Spurs aside).

Balotelli....

If they really wanted him, they'd have got him in the summer.

Interest seemed to die off pretty sharpish as soon as we played them. His performances so far this season aren't exactly helping his case either.

Really don't think Man Utd are actually interested in him to be honest.

Yeah you could well be right, though I don't think the tactics were for Martina to be that woeful! Really like Cuco but he was pants today (2 crosses second half aside).

How the full backs play seems to define how good we are going forward. Targett I don't think got in their half all match and Martina was woeful. Stark contrast to last weekend.

Long doesn't make our strongest once everyone's fit. Couldn't trap a bag of cement.

As you well know, football doesn't work like that.