SaveloyMush

Are you a fucking moron? Utterly disrespectful, irrespective of the opponent. Stay classy.

I thought he was better than alright, playing on the left of a three/five - isn't that how Nuno likes to set up? He made some excellent passes, both long diagonals and through the middle, he also brought the ball out well a couple of times.

Charlie Austin?

A good big 'un will always beat a good small 'un.

You can thank me for that!

Fuck me, this is just like watching bad-version Saints.

Stephens!

Why the fuck didn't Stephens play?

If no defender ever made a mistake, there wouldn't be many goals!

Absolutely, clearly he gives a shit and is one of the few who really does leave it all on the pitch.

Yes, I have touted Antonee Robinson on here before, looks a left-sided version of KWP, excellent going forward, not quite as tricky but more robust.

They do look scarily good and even likeable!

On that, I certainly agree. I remember a game at St. Mary's a few years ago, when the terrorism threat was high and armed police were posted around the stadium, West Ham fans were giving them (and Saints fans) grief - stupid fucking cunts. At least they lost.

Antonio is a fucking monster.

Didn't he play left back recently - and acquitted himself quite well?

Southampton's score, you mean?

"He may be a nob, but he's not a twat."

It is clear that this season cannot be judged like any other, given the wayward performances of all clubs in the Premier League. Manchester City will win, despite not being anywhere near their best and despite playing without a recognised striker half the time. Manchester United are strolling to second, despite being a bit shit, albeit with plenty of goals in the side (who wouldn't when paying Cavani 300 grand a week to come off the bench?). The other top 8 sides are much of a muchness, all lacking in consistency (although Chelsea, under Tuchel, look a frightening prospect now). By their own standards, both Spurs and Liverpool are having a worse season than Southampton. Mourinho was always going to get the push, his appointment was baffling, borne of desperation. I cannot see Liverpool ever sacking Klopp, though he may walk at some point. All clubs have had to contend with a disproportionate number of injuries, due to the compressed nature of the season. Football, in fact sport in general, has changed so much over the last 20 or so years, given the improvements in sports science. Look at the size of the average player today, compared to 20 or 40 years ago. Adams and Keown would be dwarfed by most defenders, and many attackers, these days. The term "men against boys" is often used; when watching Saints against West Brom, it was entirely valid. Being skilful is no longer enough today; speed and/or size or crucial (yes, Messi is the obvious exception). Herein lies the heart of Southampton's problem, in my view - the squad has no physical presence and simply gets bullied into submission. Vestergaard is huge, but never looks dominant, even against smaller opposition. Salisu is built like a tank but falls over like a dandelion. Somewhat incongruously, given his cultured character, the only hard-man in the Saints squad is Romeu (hard-man in being prepared to match the opposition's physicality, not in a Kray Brothers sense). Yesterday, Jonny Evans, hardly the biggest of defenders, let the Southampton attackers know exactly who was in charge with his aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude. An obvious current Saints nemesis is Michail Antonio, who simply barges his way to scoring at will. Southampton's own Messi is clearly Ings - slight, nippy, skilful, though he seems to have lost interest (honourable mention to Armstrong too, who I believe to be the better player at present). None of this is exclusively the fault of the current, or indeed a previous, manager - rather the blame lies at the door of those who have recruited such a lightweight (literally) assembly of players over several years. Of course, the new breed of fast, strong, skilful player costs big money. Yet supposedly "lesser" clubs have managed to pack their squads with players who at least can stand up and be counted. I am now ambivalent about Ralph; he is stubborn to the point of arrogance, although yesterday he did at least try to change things around, albeit later than most of us would have wished. On the other hand, joining the majority of clubs who churn their way through managers hardly seems wise at present (not that Southampton can afford to...). The ruthlessness of Chelsea or the continuity of Liverpool and Arsenal? Manchester United appear to have reverted back to the continuity programme with Ole, after their own period of ruthlessness. In a sense, all of this is moot, given the parlous state of Southampton FC's finances - although the club is far from alone. It appears with the ESL announcement that football finances are going to get the shake-up that has been long overdue, irrespective of the success or otherwise of the breakaway group. Where that will leave Southampton, with its want-away owner and mounting debts, at a time when a club's value is likely to diminish and revenue reduce, remains to be seen, with or without Ralph.

That was a 55:45 game, in Leicester's favour. On balance, 1-0 was the correct score. Their goal was lucky, but no less than they deserved, given the respective qualities of the play. A special mention to the poster who said that Saints should pressure Schmeichel, as his footwork was dodgy - with the ball at his feet, he played like Franz Beckenbauer! I thought Saints' defence did very well in the main and, unlike the commentators, thought that the game was less cagey and more frenetic. Bertrand's legs have clearly gone, hence his continual turning back - and why do his eyes always look like he is massively hung over? Ings, Redmond, Walcott? I see no goals there... I agree that Ward-Prowse's last-ditch free-kick was unforgivable - tiredness or bottle? Soyuncu was a lucky boy.

Armstrong in "Fuck it this lot are shit so I'll do it all myself" mode.

Ben Chilwell, who has played for Chelsea for the last 2 seasons?

Bit harsh on Kenzie!

Jon Moss has been excellent when referring Southampton recently.

Granted, but they look bloody awful today and Southampton have not suddenly morphed into Bayern Munich.

Er, lads, it's Bournemouth...