Vancouver Saint

So, now we've all calmed down a bit... A fantastic win - fairly even teams (Everton really not great)...good game...for once, we rode our luck and the result was just what we needed (and fair to cancel out the result at home). Honestly, could have gone the other way if the one that hit the bar went in - that was when I just felt the the luck could run our way today. Onana was a beast for them in midfield - he'd have been the story if things had gone Everton's way. Fair play to NJ and the team - I have been heavily critical before this week and confess I was in the 'fix this mistake quickly camp'. Now I'm in the ...'wow, take it back, would be delighted to eat humble pie every week for the rest of the season if it keeps us up' camp. Certainly looks like he has the team behind him. We could and probably should have won by a bigger margin in the end - our lack of ruthless breakaway killer instinct/composure/finisher showed. My observations FWIW: JWP - two brilliant bits of skill made all the difference...like him playing further forward...that said, hink he can play better than he did today, looked tired KWP - not at his best today, looked tired CC - very solid...better in defensive role than creative move it forward quickly...but we need defenders that can defend! Lyanco - another good performance, positive, aggressive but controlled Edozie - obviously talented, think he's better as an impact sub against a tired defense Che - did well as hold-up and lay-off master...always better when he has someone to play off him in close support...two good assists, could have been more Alcaraz - didn't think he was as bad as everyone else seems to think...showed he's going to be good I think...fast, aggressive, foot-forward. Literally just off the plane so surprised he played Dialo - really not up to it I don't think Ely - please will someone explain to me why he continues to hold down a starting place? I just don't get him. Think he's slow and lacks courage, flair or finish. Not terrible, but bang average. Bazunu - looks very nervous...needs to build up confidence...command his box, come for crosses - punch or catch corners near the six-yard box...will get better as we win games and hopefully keep some clean sheets Salisu - hmm...blows hot and cold...not great first half, very good second half Adam Armstrong - thought he was really good in the new 'Shane Long' role (harry opposition defences and run everywhere even if you're not likely to score...get occasional bonus goal or two! Lavia - obviously talented but early yellow card took the edge off his superpower No S. Armstrong on the bench even - is he injured? You can see NJ's strategy is to keep high energy and is not afraid to bring fresh legs on, so we will need good options from the bench to mix things up... Now to beat Villa at home. Just watched the highlights from their Leeds game and they were super lucky to win that - Martinez made a couple of incredible saves.

Thanks for the link 31 cc. Well that was a pleasant surprise - wow! We actually played with heart and passion and scored two great goals - amazing. Hopefully we can hold on to a win and avoid a replay and injuries.

Any streaming links?

Well I'm old enough to remember listening to radio commentary live as we won the Cup in 1976! A special day indeed (and the only time the Queen presented the FA Cup I learnt later - one for the Southampton record books). But honestly, I'd take staying in the Premier League any day over the League Cup (especially) or the FA Cup. Play the youngsters and reserves. No injuries. Don't start unfit new signings and risk injuring before they're ready for nothing. Would I like us to win - of course!

Don't really care about this at all - care more about us winning our league game against Everton. Play reserves and youngsters. No injuries and anything other than a drubbing is a bonus.

Missed the game. How did we play? Any signs that Jones might have a clue?

Looks like a really good signing based on Dinamosupporter's excellent endorsement. My only fear is it encourages NJ's one-dimensional Championship diagonal hoofball strategy.

Yup - got me. Haven't seen anything yet, but am 8 hours behind and haven't read ahead yet...my bet is SR / Ankersun haven't got the courage to do it...hope I'm wrong

Ankersun stand up and be counted - be big enough to admit this was a bold experiment that has backfired. Remedy it now please. This guy is clueless, even admitting the squad he's inherited is weak, I see not even a glimmer of a plan or a philosophy other than five at the back and hoofball to 5'9" striker who isn't a target striker anyway. No indication he has a clue about the strengths and weaknesses of any of our players. And no sign he has got them up for the fight.

Commentator on Fubo 87th minute-ish: "they've tried that long diagonal 100 times and it hasn't worked once". I was shocked at how bad we've been since NJ's arrival. Not so much as a dead cat bounce even. But I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt after the 90th out of 92 statistic...this game was his chance to prove to me that he had a clue, had a plan, could motivate this team and perhaps, if not actually win a game against our nearest relegation rivals, then at least not lose. Doh! Starting Lyanco (at all) but especially in a back three/five that has been a disaster...no S.Armstrong or Edozie to start - he lost me before the whistle blew even. Primitive diagonal hoofball - who exactly does he think we have that can out-jump defenders a foot taller than them? What exactly did he think was going to happen? No shots on target in a must win relegation battle says it all. Ankersen stand up and be accountable. Jones OUT, tonight. Start the rebuild for the Championship now. No way back from relegation this season I'm afraid and we've totally screwed ourselves in the transfer market. Tell me, what player in their right mind is going to be inspired by the statement: "You'll get to work with Nathan Jones?"

Forget bloody score and formation predictions - WHERE ARE OUR NEW SIGNINGS FFS?

Brilliant stat St Knowle. Really does tell the story of our 'death by 1,000 cuts' decline over the last year and more... Now is the time for Ankerson, SR and the board to back their man Jones with some proper players. Now.

So trying to put some positivity out there as we head towards the New Year: First time in a long time I thought we were actually the better team The players were playing for the manager...first glimpses of green shoots? JWP played well and scored a great goal The Saints fans at the game sounded louder than Fulham's and were behind the team We're not completely cut adrift yet 3pts against Forest now imperative - better than two draws we might have played for if we'd drawn? Lyanco unequivocally exposed for the liability he is KWP getting game time in Lavia, just possibly fit and not going to Chelsea Ely actually played well S Armstrong must surely have shown why he can't be left on the bench Edozie is good Tino still to come back SR's hand forced to invest tomorrow It's a New year and we'll start 2023 undefeated! If you don't laugh, you'll cry...

Still shaking my head in total disbelief that we continue to contrive ways to lose games. Quite incredible. All we had to do was not concede a goal - I really thought we were the better team and for the first time, signs that the players were behind the manager and working hard. We simply had to get something out of that game to build on. A brilliant free kick from JWP - all things pointing to us going on to win. Commentator cursed it for me "Southampton have only conceded one goal in the last 15 minutes"...cue concession of a stupid corner and terrible non-marking front post and back post. We simply have to win against Forest otherwise we're down. Lyanco though, c'mon what a joke. And Bazunu - grow a pair and take responsibility for commanding your area! His lack of confidence is so apparent.

1 for sure....but looks like Bournemouth have already taken that option

Well my hope for a turnaround under Nathan Jones has disappeared completely after watching the Lincoln, and Brighton games...no clue, no fight, no shape or style. We are now the wounded bird in a ruthless flock and will be pecked to death unless SR make an outsized statement investment in new players on the first day the transfer window opens. Without that I think Lavia is gone and without him I think our run in the Premiership is done (not just because of him not playing but because of the psychological impact of our best, most promising young players leaving). Oh yes...and the Fulham game!...3-0 to the Cottagers. Hoping this is just a bleak midwinter we'll somehow escape from with a 17th -place finish...but just don't see it happening when I look at what our rival relegation competitors are doing relative to us.

Good question! More pertinently - would he come back even if we wanted him?!

What a gulf in class between us and Brighton. They have advanced in terms of style, skill and effort as far as we've regressed. On that showing we are the new favourites for staying bottom of the league. Only positive from that game is that the owners must realise, despite all their investment, we need more to have even a glimmer of hope. Bazunu at fault for for both the first two goals. JWP needs to be dropped. Aribo unfit? Lavia must be on his way out. Lyanco a red card just waiting to happen. Elyonousi - why? AMN very ordinary at best. Djenepo a lightwieght. Nobody who can finish. Edozie bright but needs to finish. KWP rusty. Didn't see the fight or endeavour you'd expect from a new manager bounce...you actually have to rise to bounce - we didn't even get started. Terrible.

Merry Christmas all...was going to attach a wintery picture of a black bear on our back steps last week but can't figure out how to attach an image....doh!

Well I had to stop watching the (very good) livestream (thank you Charlie) with 5 mins of normal play to go so missed the two sitters everyone is talking about. From what I saw, it looked like we had found our level - mid-table League One. How AMN wasn't taken off at half time, or early in the second half I'll never know - he doesn't look like he's interested in playing professional football - so don't play him. Edozie was the only consistent bright spark. Didn't see the Bazunu error for their goal but sounds like powderpuffing...he will get picked on by the bully-boys unless he cures that immediately. Everyone else was...well just shite really. Predictable one-trick pony attack play...cut back on the edge of the 18-yard box to JWP to curl a cross in to the back post...mixed with Lyanco hoof ball long diagonal....or give it to Edozie (when he was on) and let him beat three players to get to the byeline and cut-back. So slow and ponderous and...jeez...Walcott on before Mara or Aribo? What's going on? In fairness Walcott did okay for the few minutes he was on. Nothing to suggest Jones has done anything in the six weeks he had with the team, except perhaps convince Lavia he's too good for us (expect the announcement of Chelsea buying him to come after he misses the Boxing Day game).

I'm looking forward to the restart, nervous of course as we have to hit the ground running - but the timing of the WC break is perfect for us. A chance to regroup and for NJ to get his approach across. We are a striker and a creative midfielder away from having a decent side. With the confidence of a couple of quick wins I think we can aspire to the giddy height of mid-table mediocrity. My caveat is we need Lavia and KWP fit and performing well and those new goal-scorers to come in. Whoever said Wood on loan from Newcastle...I agree. Would never have picked him as an exciting first choice but he is a big target man, better with his feet than given credit for and knows the PL, no need for a settling-in period we can't afford.

Me too. Could be just what we need.

Posting before reading others. Thought we played pretty well and were unlucky not to score a second or even a third. At the end of the day the difference was the goalkeepers. Bazunu should have saved the first...for a young goalie he should be able to get his feet across to that looping header...has to save that. Contrast Alison who made three goal-saving saves. Yes Bazunu did well on a couple of others...but at 2-1 we always had a chance. At 3-1 it's game over before half-time. Think with a new striker, players returning and this level of energy we will stage a recovery after the World Cup.

Like the candour of Nathan Jones. Also that his wife's family are all Saints supporters - he will want to keep them out of his ear! Who knows about tomorrow...I'd be happy with a draw, ecstatic with a win and unsurprised if we lose.

I voted unsure. Not normally a fence-sitter but in this instance I think we must give the guy a chance. How does anyone ever get out of the 'no PL experience trap'? How many of us have older kids who have faced the same Catch 22 dilemma looking for their first job but need experience to get that job? Not playing holier than thou - confess my first reaction was Who? WTF? Underwhelmed. But having slept on it and watched a couple of his interviews I'm more relaxed. Think Ankerson and SR know what they're doing enough to have done their homework. Would have liked to have seen Thomas Frank come to us, but Jones will get my full support until he doesn't as someone else said before me! Nobody seems to have mentioned the biggest elephant in the room - he's Welsh FFS! 😳😊