Forester

Agree with this. I can see a regular theme of self pity and "why us again" but reality is that if someone had offered us 14th, 8th, 7th and 6th three and a half years ago under Nigel, who we all are eternally grateful to, we would have bitten their arm off. If other clubs continue to court our manages it means things are going well. Don't get me wrong I hope Ron stays as any change is a gamble, but sooner or later he will go. The abuse Les gets on here is mad given the facts of progress listed above.

And fine by me. Barca or Holland, and most Saints fans would understand and wish him all the very best. But not Everton or the like! I think he will see his contract out, and then who knows

A good day out, disappointed to lose and frustrated with Mane for not burying a one on one rather than the referee. Having a read of some of the cyber warriors on here I thought I had logged on to the wrong forum. We have just lost 1-0 to a side about to win the league. We look set for a third consecutive top 10 finish, possibly top 8, and have a great manager and a good squad. Do people remember going to Dagenham & Redbridge six years ago? The world has not ended

Fully agree

I am one of those generally positive posters and certainly not a critic of Ron and the Board. But I think it is foolish to write off a relegation battle. We need to pick up a win each month, including May. I think the two home games this month are huge. A month ago I would have expected us to win both - now I would happily buy one win against either WBA or Watford. If you assume we get nothing at Old Trafford, failure to win either of these home games I think will see us within three points of the drop zone, or worse. When things are that tight, it becomes less about quality and more about confidence and resilience and I am not sure our team, as attractive on the ball as we are, are cut out for that type of battle. So on balance I think we will be ok, but if January doesn't go well.......

Spot on. I think this has been the big penny that needs to drop. What we need is to be able to play our usual 4231, or 352, or 442 whenever the situation demands. It doesn't mean that last night proves we don't ever play Pelle and 4231 ever again! Can't see why people dont see this. Koeman deserves big credit for his tactical approach and I think we will see three formations used more going forward - not just seeking to replicate last night week in week out which won't happen.

Back row with crap view granted, but what is your interpretation of the stats on shots for last two games? Or is this a good conversion level....?

A breath of fresh air on her. I went yesterday, as disappointed as everyone else, but the knee jerk swing from a few weeks ago when we were 8 or 9 games unbeaten is amazing. In my opinion, and the stats back this, the last two weeks is about shocking conversion of shooting opportunities. Something like 30 shots have yielded one goal. Sometimes it is as simple as that

I am optimistic because we have a better squad. We can all remember that there were times when we were struggling to be able to rest players or make changes without a big drop in quality. We have good options in midfield and across the back, Forster sounds like he will be ready to play around Xmas, and Long and JayRod will be fresh. Be interesting to see how Leicester and Wet Spam cope at that time....

I think Stek has improved as the season has progressed. I wasn't a fan in the first few weeks, but I think (Willian apart) he has looked good over the recent period. One other aspect that these stats don't touch on, which is crucial in the modern game, is he is a very good footballer on the floor which you would expect from a Dutchman. Comfortable with both feet

Link please

Can't do this trip, but very interested in similar day return deals for future games assuming we make the league stages so thanks for highlighting

Before anyone goes booking Sunday flight there is every chance of this being televised given the Steve McLaren first game angle, and we could be there Monday night.....

Not saying you are guaranteed a decent seat, but so you know this mirror article picture is taken from Gladys St end. We aren't there, but instead are in Lower Bullens which is to the side rather than behind goal

Stanley Park, can't recall how much we pay but it's safe and monitored by stewards. Good view of both Anfield and Goodison

Absolutely agree. His progress is startling, and we should remember he is a good few years younger than Fonte and look how good he has become. A proper old fashioned pro, hard as nails

Have a look at the history books. In almost every season, 70 points is enough for top four finish. Last season was a freak for Everton to get 72 and miss out. 22 wins will be enough without a doubt. I had been in the "top four is unrealistic" camp before Christmas. But look at it rationally now...we have played two games of the second half of the season: Arsenal and Man Utd, and bagged six points already. So one way of looking at it is that we have the bottom 15 yet to play! Look at the fixtures and it's hard to say we can't see ten wins. And to emphasise, less may be enough

The guy has barely missed a game since signing, and Premier League is massive step up. He needs resting, but injuries have made this difficult and African Nations coming along doesn't help. This is where the top sides are at such an advantage, they can give someone a couple of games out of the limelight, work on their game and they come back fresh. We can't do that right now, or perhaps we can but it's putting people like Isgrove in which is another sub-optimal answer.

Have been assassinated by starting a separate thread that referred to Burley not Burnley......! But I was trying to help and point out that for this making the trip up north forecast is for heavy snow in Burnley Saturday morning so be aware re travelling plans

Watch out! Am on the coach, but early warning for all these travelling by whatever means......

It's a tough order to play Man City in the second half without three midfielders: Morgan, Cork and JWP. Not sure some of the doom merchants have really focussed on this

Ramirez gone!

Long and Gardos supposedly

Can't wait gonna be great whatever the score. Footballs back!

I think a decent afternoon out would be Saints 1-0, last minute Lovren own goal having watched Lambert miss a penalty. Any one wish to partake?