VictiAbNonem

Our squad is so much better than it was when were top of the league a year ago. And everybody in the squad seems to be playing for Ralph, the Ralph way.

He's not the best at distribution. But, quite remarkably, he's the best home keeper in the league this season at the most important keeper stat - not letting in goals. It's obviously not just him, Salisu has been crucial in our improved defence too. I think we're looking better at the back than we have since VVD left.

We're level on points with 10th and we've got Norwich next. I'd have taken that a month ago.

I've gone on about how good their keeper was tonight, but I've got to say McCarthy was busier and faultless. He's looking more confident every game.

I also thought Elyounoussi looked well worth his place in the starting 11 tonight. He worked so well with KWP first half, and certainly no longer an obvious weakness.

I think Che had an amazing game. He worked his ass off and brilliantly set up our goal as well as being the last man in defence a few times. I think it was close to his best game for us.

Lyanco looks good again. I think we should trust him against Norwich.

Who's worse out of Villa first half and us second half?

He won us the right to a sense of injustice at not playing against 10 men, whatever the result.

Sure, but Martinez has made two quite exceptional saves tonight.

Would be 3-0 against most keepers.

Romeu can act

Lyanco hattrick

It really grates seeing El Ghazi getting chances

Our final ball and Salisu's insane back passing have been the only blemishes on this performance so far. And not all of our final ball has been bad - AA scored an awesome goal, and Martinez had to make a stunning save from JWP. Che has had an excellent half, Moi has looked really good, Stu's looking back to near his best, McCarthy has been solid and saved Salisu's ass, Romeu has been good in defence and attack, JWP's corners haven't been great but he's been really good in open play, KWP has done wonders to get in so much space so often but hasn't made enough from it, Tino should have won us a game against 10 men (Ref has been as bad as Villa) and provided my favourite moment of the half aside from the goal when appeared on the left wing and showed KWP how to make use of the space.. I am LOVING seeing such a positive attacking and accomplished performance from our boys. Obviously disappointed not to be 3 or 4 up, and playing against 10 men, but the positives easily outweigh the negatives. I expect Villa to be better second half - could they be worse? - but we've still got Broja up our sleeve..

Think someone said covid

Does anyone think Lyanco wouldn't be an improvement on Bednarek? Bednarek has been attacked on here after nearly every game he's ever played

Today we didn't lose three points from a winning position. I think that's enough to applaud!

I'm rather dismayed at the absence of festival after our triumphant arrival into mid-table, especially after the terribly doom-laden predictions when we didn't beat the best teams in the league. How can any true Saints fan be disappointed with our performance today? The effort was immense. The technique was good. The result was the least we deserved.

Oh and, obviously more importantly, such a good Saints' fan too!

Well I think you should take a lot of credit for your part in raising such an eloquent and talented lad.

Good work Steve! You've got some really good footage of the game and I think you talk well about the game and how it's changing. I think you should drop the hand gestures like the finger pointing. The odd fist pump when we score or win is good, but they're a bit distracting otherwise. I'll definitely watch again!

VVD 24 in July the year he joined Salisu 22 since April, so just turned 21 when he joined

Does anyone else notice Salisu make a few utterly remarkable interceptions every game, where he leaps high in the air doing the splits and manages to cut out a dangerous looking ball with what ends up being a pass to one of our players in space? Then the commentator might say 'nice block from Salisu' I want more than a hundred million for him.

Ahh.. Down the asylum