AllSorts

Any one from Olufela Olomola, Tyreke Johnson or Sam McQueen. Give them a go. We could get a nice surprise and save some dosh. Still think Saints need to buy in another striker though. Loads of games and potential injuries on the way.

Good draw to play youth.

Replacing a crocked recovering player with a crocked hopefully recovering player? Why not give youth a chance instead?

Not true. JWP scored with an instinctive left foot shot in the preseason. Hesketh hasn't show any dead ball skill (he may have some but it's not going to be as practised as JWPs) I do think most of the 20/21 yr olds are good enough to be given season debuts though. Hesketh included.

Nice to see. saints above Koeman's Everton.

Talked with Jake tonight. Said he hoped to be back training in 2 weeks. McQueen was comfortable at left back but then put up to striker at the end and still looked comfortable. He is a very versatile player that deserves a chance in the cup or Europa games.

Man Utd should be 2-1 up. Johnson (7) best player so far for Saints.

Marcus Barnes is sitting on the bench with the subs. He may be injured?

arghhh!

5-1 Hesketh left foot. Might have hurt himself though

SGOTBRTWBAIFTALCIFRB can't let anything else out the bag.

If the team win friendlies they get no bonuses. If they win premier league matches their bonuses are fab. If a forward scores in a friendly no bonuses. In a premier league match their bonuses are fab. If a forward gets injured in a preseason friendly going full tilt their bonus ability is negated. If they go full tilt in a premier league match they may score and get fab bonuses. Do you think that might have something to do with the lack of goal scoring threat in the final third in preseason against better opposition than last year?

He's in the green screen video which bodes well.

Agree McQueen started tentatively but disagree with "all night". He grew into the game each half, which is understandable playing in a new role against good opposition and with VVD in his ear asking for the ball. Once Davis and Austin were on they were encouraging him to go forward and by the end he was skinning the right back. He deserves a chance to grow into the role and think he would be a useful backup to Betrand IMHO. BTW you're off the pace with spelling his name. It's on his back and in the programme and squad listings on Twitter. ;-)

Oops *days

What size crowd are we expecting? Only 2 games and 10 weeks before Watford. Surely there will be a strong side put out with no exceptions bar the newest lads? Or maybe the likes of Cedric, Fonte and Bertrand will come on second half? Be interesting to see which youngsters still feature.

Not if you've been told to do and that you'll be covered by midfield.

I heard Targett rolled his ankle (with a bit of help) and will be out 2 weeks.

The whole team looked jaded and lethargic first half I thought. Some comments a bit harsh on McQueen. He won't have been activated for coming on by the fitness guys. He got faster as the game went on and took on the full back late second half. He's got plenty of pace as seen in other games but you can't switch it one without proper activation exercises. He was the one that 'busted a gut' to get up for that cross from Hesketh. Second half youngsters looked more up for it. Totally agree about Austin. He needs to be in the box getting service. It may be right that the system doesn't fit the players available.

Great ball Tadic

Good run there Sam to win a free kick.

Sam has played there last two matches. He started as a left back at Saints when he was 8. Swopped with Luke Shaw to left wing at 12/13yrs. Knows the position and has shown he can tackle last couple of games. I reckon he can but then I'm biased

http://m.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/14628749.Southend_keen_on_loan_deal_for_Saints_midfielder/

McQueen playing in left wing back position for the first time since he was 12 and Luke Shaw swiped positions with him. I think he offered more than Matt Targett in the first half. He actually made a couple of good tackles. Got caught out being too far forward once or twice but went past their right back so easily several times. He does always perform pre-season but hasn't been given the opportunity with first team appearances. I think he is a confidence player that will perform if challenged but struggles if he gets knocked back. Is that something you can change in a player? Maybe Puel will be the right manager for him. This could be his season.

You may be right in what Koeman believes in terms of motivation but surely it's horses for courses. Was it carrot or stick that worked for Ben Arfa? Getting ****ed with your boss can work sometimes but Koeman just didn't provide a scenario for some of the young ones to respond. It was "No thanks - you're not going to get a chance". If you over whip cream it turns to butter