Shropshire Saint

I agree totally and I thought Klarer, O'Connor and Dan N'Landulu in particular had good games.

I agree that Vokins, Klarer and Valery could make it but when ever I have seem him play I have been quite impressed with Aaron O'Driscoll at CB. Slattery seems to have stagnated over the last year or so but Smallbone has come on well. Others such as O'Connor, Johnson, Barnes and Alfie Jones should make a living in the game at some level.

Reid started off well but as his power base developed he began to believe his own hype. I don't think we can judge the effect of him and Hunter leaving and any replacements coming in for several months. By then of course it may be too late.

Hopefully the reaction to the ref's mistakes in this match this will be the catalyst for the introduction of VAR in the Premier League. The irony is that Saints will not be there to benefit (or otherwise) from it.

I would not have thought that we would have played a strong team as we have a league match tomorrow.

Has he gone yet?

Get this clown Hughes and his mates out of our club. To lose to City is not a disgrace. To surrender in the manner we did is.

I have no idea where Obafeni was. He has missed the last two games. Would like to see him alongside Ings in the first team - he would put more effort in than Austin that's for sure.

Went to the match last night. A generally good performance but, like the first team the final ball into the box was a problem. Some good performances - I thought the two centre backs (Clarer and O'Driscoll) were very solid and Vokes, O'Connor, Barnes and Slattery all had good games. None of the team are ready for the first team, though.

I honestly don't know if I care about the result any more.

While a agree that a target man such as Pelle would suit a current style, most of the successful teams at the moment do not have one. Our problem is that we play as though we have a target man and need adapt our style to create chances for the more mobile type of striker such as Ings or Gabbi. If we want to try playing with a target man - how about Sam Gallagher alongside Danny Ings?

I am sure that most season ticket holders will renew whatever the performances are like, however is manager and whatever league we are in.

IMO he had bags of potential and just what he needs at this stage in his career - a loan playing a decent standard of football. Good luck Alfie.

Mine not arrived yet

Hughes said in the after game interview that some will be discarded and some will be persevered with. Interesting!

Top 10 for Saints. Redmond to be the surprise star. City to win the league. Spurs & Liverpool to be in Champions league with one other surprise team (not us!) Disappointing seasons for Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal. Relegation : Brighton, Cardiff and (regrettably) Fulham.

Back tonight apparently. Weekend off and back to Staplewood on Monday.

It worries me that there is no new striker seriously linked. Hughes has indicated that once the CB situation is sorted there will be no more incoming. From what I have seen there are no young strikers in the Under 23's that are ready for the first team. It worries me if we have to rely on Austin, Gabby and Shane Long. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/16350154.southampton-very-close-ahead-of-taking-summer-spend-to-51m/

I don't think that there will be a 'first team' as such. With a larger and better squad to choose from I think that the team - and possibly the formation - will vary from match and even within a match. Form and fitness will of course come into the equation as will the opposition and their formation and tactics. There will be of course some players that will be definite starters when available such as McCarthy, Maya and probably Vestegaard and Bertrand (if he stays) but Sparky how has the ability to be quite flexible on selections and formations. I expect to see a few more departures before the deadline and hopefully another striker coming in.

His scoring record is not good. 17 career goals in 125 appearances.

If he wasn't already our player I am sure that we would be screaming on this forum for us to sign him after his performances at the World Cup.

The gist of it is that Nice have made a £12m offer for Boufal.

I think that Matt Target is a good player but as others have said lacks that yard of pace that is needed in that position. McQueen I think is a better allrounder as backup assuming Ryan stays. On the horizon we have Jake Vokins coming through. I have been impressed when I have seen him play for the Under 23's - he could be another Luke Shaw. Vokins probably needs another year before he challenges for a first team place but keeping Targett would only block his progress.

Renewed a few days ago. Never in doubt even if we had been relegated.

Surprisingly Alfie Jones is now out of contract. I thought that he was the next bright young thing!