Lukee

Is that a joke?

Cannot agree more with this sentiment. Pointless blaming Puel for defensive errors and personal player mistakes. As soon as we turn this bad run around we'll be flying. All the pieces are there, just need to fall into place.

If we play Martina ahead of Stephens jesus christ it will cross the line.

Love Tadic and he loves the club (always always claps when people cheer his name, he's very appreciative of support). Really hoping he doesn't go anywhere. He'll fine some form hopefully.

This is also a fair point, we have definitely had clear cut chances that weren't taken that could've decided games. On the midfielder perspective though (not sure if already posted) http://readsouthampton.com/2017/01/05/southampton-plotting-honda-move/ Would love this. Real professional.

100% agree, though must say it has been difficult for the more creative (tadic, ward-prowse arguably) when we have no real in-form eager striker making good runs.

In because Puel is a project and I truly believe that. If fans want stability after mass sellings and multiple managers, this guy is your bloke to do it. Yes, football can be dire, but it can under any manager; it's not like he's not making changes to the attack to try and help. Anyone seen the diamond recently? I think lots have forgotten about the fact Puel has changed the formation both before and during games to try and win. ''Stubborn old puel'' simply isn't true in that regard. The mentality is a worry, players do seem to let their heads drop but as someone pointed out (don't remember where I saw it) we very rarely come back from a losing position to win games. It's an ongoing problem that the club (and puel) are very clearly aware of. To finish, as the players have been saying fans play a massive part on the pitch giving players the extra boost, so support your team it's not all bad.

Don't understand the fuss about the changes, before when it was working everyone was singing it's praises, now a dip in form people are looking for any scapegoat they can. We need a creative midfielder who can play the ball forwards, and the closest thing we have to that is Ward-Prowse (and Tadic, but he's front 3). It is a solid midfield who will fight for the ball. Tadic needs a run in the team to get his form back up, Rodriguez similar and Redmond, whether you like him or not, carries a threat when he cuts in from the wing. He's a few goals away from being a brilliant player. Support the team.

http://sport.bt.com/football/claude-puel-confident-of-holding-on-to-virgil-van-dijk-S11364124013292

Can't see either CB leaving unless we had someone already there to replace them. Gardos maybe was Fonte's replacement? Speculation obviously but due to injury and that I cannot see us losing a CB as we'd only have 2 first teamers fit and available. Only other solutions (longer term) are McCarthy, Jones and Stephens. Still wouldn't trust them at the minute though. Only way is if Fonte goes in summer and we buy a replacement in January.

In my opinion, and as some others have said, a more creative midfield (as in the CMs themselves) would do wonders for our attack. There's only so much you can do with a midfield that receive the ball and play it either to the right or left back; they all cut the same mold. Tenacious tacklers and good at holding possession, but can't pick a pass. The most creative option is probably either Davis or Ward-Prowse, but even they don't have the ability to unlock or break down a team. If Davis had a better pass on him or a bit more vision it'd be perfect because of his work rate. Still reckon things will pick up, someone's gotta have a run of form soon.

Some posts on here are an absolute joke, it was a terrible performance but Puel has been trying to get us playing exciting football and it has worked numerous times. Finishing and decision making in the final third let us down, the same decision making that makes us boring. Nothing about tactics, it's about players not making runs or picking the wrong pass. Have faith. The academy is producing players and we're finally putting them into the team. We will get there.

Blimey

Agree with most people, really disappointing result and we're probably going to end up around mid-table somewhere with some decent cup runs; but this isn't a bad thing with Europe and decent Cup runs thrown in there. It's time to build up over the seasons and start some stable improvement as it's what we've been crying out for. Less selling in summer and more all-round squad improvement with an identity to the way we play. It's not all bad.

Absolutely

Really frustrating game but impossible to ignore positives, absolutely controlled the game against a strong team. So many chances that on another night would've gone in, didn't take our chances but a few decisions didn't go our way too. Romeu immense, defense so solid and Boufal looks decent. Not short of chances, just short of goals.

Yeah I'm sure the media department are making all the major decisions in the club^

^^This.

1. Manchester City 2. Chelsea 3. Manchester Utd 4. Liverpool 5. Tottenham Saints 9th 18. Sunderland 19. Burnley 20. Hull

We didn't hear about a number of deadline day signings! Heads up.

Puel, as stated in his interviews, is trying to change our style of play for a reason- if we want consistent European football and succeed in it then we have to get used to playing every 3 days and controlling the game. I admit that our striking options and goal threat haven't been the best but that's not the fault of the diamond or Puel, it's our attacking players being off form. From what I've heard too Puel was amazing with player bonding and from pictures on the website etc it's evident he likes to get stuck in during training. Finally, new contracts being signed show players aren't getting disillusioned with the system; they're just not used to it yet. It will come good.