Saint in NZ

Just about everyone wants to see a weakened team in Europe when there was such a fight to gain a place in the first instance. Very strange. Are we just there to make up the numbers? No one wants/expects Fonte to play. Shame we are likely to bow out without the Captain playing even a single minute.

This was a good result. I'm sure everyone would have taken it before the game started. Agree with all those that lament the shocker at Hull. If we had taken three points there, I'm sure most would be very happy at the Saints' position. No attacking intent shown today so there were never going to be any goals scored. Still lacking a really potent striker though. Charlie looked like a cart-horse. This has to be addressed in the transfer window if the club is serious about improving on mid-table mediocrity (or relegation concerns) let alone progressing in any other competitions.

Let's face it, the Saints approached the game thinking it would be a relatively easy win and the early penalty was the worst thing that could have happened. It just increased the complacency. The first half was used as a training exercise in passing instead of killing off the game. In Snodgrass they have a player we don't have, one who can change the course of a game. Deserved all we got! A load of rubbish and mid-table mediocrity is about all we can now expect from this season with the lack of goal-scoring potential on hand. Will now be crucified by Liverpool with 4 ex-Saints players. Won't they love that!

That mindless tw*t of a defender Ranocchia should be banned from playing football and dispatched to rugby or league. The ref must have been blind. Can't believe how VVD kept his cool. Great result but so many wasted passes, particularly in the first half. JRod sadly out of his depth but VVD immense once again and strong performances from JWP, McQueen and Redmond. Thought Boufal would get another run late in the game though. Wonder if Fonte will ever play in this comp!

Remind us again. How many of these 6 forwards are prolific goalscorers!

Looks like JRod and Bertrand are unlikely to be considered so McQueen at LB. Probably a good idea to use Boufal as an impact sub. Interesting that no-one's really considering that Hojberg should start before Clasie. Mustn't let Chelsea get a sniff of an early goal. We have the best CB partnership in the league so hopefully they will keep Costa quiet. Would hate him, of all people, to get the upper hand.

Oh yeah? What about his last four games? Losses to Bournemouth and Burnley. Draws with Crystal Palace and Man City, which should have been a loss if Man City had any penalty takers. Not very impressive at all for great manager.

Oh dear, oh dear! Same old, same old. Should have won that in a canter! The defence must be so frustrated. Oh well, can't expect much more than a mediocre season as this was to be expected when the club failed to sign a recognised striker who is looking to score at every opportunity. Boss the game all over the park and then lose 1-0. Could have written the script on that even before the game started. God help us at Man City and home to Chelsea!

It's funny how many have forgotten the many posts in previous seasons that complained about Wanyama (and Mane) "disappearing" in some games and their general lack of consistency. I think we are starting to see more consistency from Romeu (and Redmond) now and believe that Romeu, in particular, is every bit as good as Wanyama even on his best day.

His quote was related to playing with the Saints in Europe.

What's all this talk about wrapping Fonte in cotton wool for the Europe games. What happened to his statement about "I can't wait to play again in Europe". Hasn't played one minute yet. Also, why aren't JRod and Boufal certainties to play some time in these upcoming games? How long can they go on playing the injured card? These guys need to man up!

Still don't understand when Fonte spoke of how he was looking forward to playing in Europe that he hasn't even played one minute of either game. How does Puel decide to rest Fonte and not VVD, for example. Something to do with age I guess but, agree with others, that we fight tooth and nail to get into Europe and still field a second-string side. Not convinced.

Said it before and will say it again. We have only one recognised striker and he was left at home. Result no goals. No great surprise there. Long's a willing runner but a regular goalscorer he isn't!

I'm referring to Gardos, of course.

Can anybody tell me if he's played a game at any level in the past year?

Not a great first half but more about Wham "parking the bus" until we found a way through but once that happened it was a totally different deal in the second half. Great overall team performance with stand-outs from the whole backline with VVD imperious (again). Cedric a bit wayward at times but still in there challenging. Midfield held things together well. Great buy in Hojbjerg and Davis with Romeu, very strong performances. Tadic showed his class and Austin showed what a true striker is all about. Wonderful pass for Tadic's goal. Still a bit unsure about Redmond. A very willing worker but think even he is not clear about his role in the team. Main striker shouldn't be it. Showed his frustration on several occasions. Anyway, onwards and upwards, hopefully to carry on into Europe and at Leicester and go into the International break on a high.

Agreed but Sanchez has scored 4 this season in all comps and Long none. I would be delighted if he scores against Wham but.......! Saints scoring record in the PL this year is the equal second worst despite all the chances that have been made, so that tells the story.

Hope Long was watching Alexis Sanchez today. That's a real striker's finish.

Gather you're not addressing this to me as I'm not the one speculating. I said that because so many others are.

That's a shock!!!! Read the "Rodriguez" thread and you will see varying reports between "He's fine" and "He's in Germany having possible groin/hernia operation - out for a couple of weeks". About time someone came up with the truth. Why can't the medical team make an announcement to stop the speculation?

How can he be fine and also having an operation with a liklihood he'll be out for a couple of weeks. Someone in the club needs to come clean over this. THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!

Thanks for this. Agree Hesketh looked good. Not out of his depth at all. I remember him starting a PL game, at the end of 2014 I think, and looking good but was then forced off injured. Taken this much time for him to be given another chance with the first team. Hope he continues to be involved.

Couldn't watch the game from here but saw the goals. From the poll, it looks like Hesketh was undoubtedly MOM. Good for him. Well taken goal. Other youngsters too, taking their chances. Bodes well for the future. Where was JRod? If his injury was only slight, wouldn't this had been an ideal comeback game? Hmm....!

Pulled a muscle in his shorts!

Think after what has been reported in the last few days that he might now agree with that.