Rickman42

It finally looks like Ralph is getting the best out of HIS squad...its taken 3 years but he finally has a group of players he actually wants at the club! I wouldn't be too fussed if we don't make any moves this month. We'll be fine. If anything, lets keep developing the group already here. In the summer we can say thank you and goodbye to Longy, Big Fras, and hopefully strengthen with a new GK, Wide attacking player, and a striker. I hope the owners are seeing how good Broja is! Lets get him back next season however means necessary!

If there was ever any doubt who the most important player at the club is, this stat backs up the fact its Stuart Armstrong: we need him starting tonight! And every other game for that matter! https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1480864090952187910?s=20

If there was ever any doubt who the most important player at the club is, this stat backs up the fact its Stuart Armstrong: we need him starting tonight! And every other game for that matter! https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1480864090952187910?s=20

This week is a big one for us, starting tonight at Selhurst Park...we need to start picking up some more wins to distance ourselves from the drop zone...need a big result somewhere! Hoping for 4 points this week to calm the nerves before Christmas...I'll be there tonight in full voice! COYS!

Dele Alli available for loan in January - Considering his best mate is Kyle Walker-Peters and they spent the summer training together in Dubai, it might not be unreasonable move from us! We clearly need a different number 10 option!

Just chiming in on the striker debate above: Che has pleasantly surprised me in recent weeks. He seems to be playing freely and with confidence. If he can continue to build into the 'leading man' role then it could get very interesting. Armstrong reminds me of when we first signed Che...lashing at chances, taking too long to release the ball. I think its only a matter of time before it clicks for him. Neither of them are the final product! Broja has the 'it' factor and I really do believe he can make chances out of nothing...remember his solo effort against West Ham when he hit the post? His cross for Redmond that he somehow didn't turn into the back of the net? He's going to be a star in the future with his combination of height, speed and composure in front of goal. As for striking options long-term...with Shane Long and Broja out the door at the end of the season, I could see us make a move for Eddie Nketiah possibly? If he's really seeking first team football as he claims to be in the media, then he would fit the mould of player we would normally sign.

Which Saints journalists do you think are the best to listen to/follow?? Obviously Blackmore is still doing a good job, but I really enjoy reading Tom Leach from Hampshire Live... Don't really bother with The Athletic, Dan Sheldon isn't great. Would be good to know if there are any other decent Saints reporters that are worth a follow? And who is the most reliable?

Its a bit of a luxury having a 17-year-old as good as Thierry Small waiting in the wings...clearly has that same 'it' factor that Tino has. If anything, this season is showing exactly why young players should be ditching the academy system of the top 7/8 clubs and be seeking first team football elsewhere. Tino and Broja shining under the Premier League spotlight, with Small soon to follow! Interesting to see which other players might also fall our way in the future!

Oh would you look at that...10 points from the last 12 and the panicking is all but over! Got to love a Saints meltdown!

Danny Ings ruled out through injury...and in other news the sky is Blue and the grass is Green... bring on the Broja Brace!!

Armstrong reminds me of Che when he first moved to Saints...very good at getting into goal scoring positions but just lacking a bit of composure and lashing at shots a little. No doubt he'll find his form very soon, I've been encouraged by the Che/Armstrong partnership

Big result for the B Team today, putting 4 past Villa! Good to see Tella, Smallbone and Small proving their worth and keeping their match fitness up for when they’re called upon in the Prem!

The exciting thing about Salisu as you can see him growing with confidence and composure with each game…he’s coming on leaps and bounds with the ball at his feet too. He’s one of the first on the team sheet now and you can see the game time is doing wonders for him…and he’s still only 22! big future ahead for this lad!

Understandably, many Saints fans calling for Fraser Forster to start today… But another Premier League clean sheet for Macca, and a couple of BIG saves at the end to secure the 3 points! Both keepers in good form!

Should have scored a couple more there, but a win is a win and another clean sheet! 7 points from last possible 9 + a decent performance against Chelsea. Roll on Villa and Norwich!

Its pretty obvious that we extended JWP's contract to increase his market value, and with Newcastle very publicly coming into money, they will be forced to pay over-inflated prices for players over the next couple of years. JWP is a legend at this club, but every player has a price. If they offer 50 million + then we have to accept. We can re-invest that money in a top keeper, a new striker and a midfielder. Diallo looks like he's coming along leaps and bounds and could naturally fill JWP's place in the coming seasons. More importantly, with Forster and Long set to leave in the summer, it opens up a big wage gap for some new players. We just need the finances to make the moves

Feeling strangely optimistic about tomorrow...we've been playing well lately, and Watford are a leaky defensive team. No Broja gives a huge opportunity for either Che or A.Armstrong to prove their worth...if they fail to do so, I fully expect Broja to keep them out of the starting 11 for the forseeable. Hoping JWP is back to his best after an extended break. It seems our fans are calling for him to remain on the bench tomorrow...despite how impressed I've been with Diallo, JWP at his best is a sight to see. Hopefully a big 3 points on the road!

Same old Saints fans writing a player off before he’s even had a chance to prove himself. A very promising performance from Lyanco there. Looked rock solid at the back, and looked composed with the ball at his feet too. Hopefully the Saints scouts have worked their magic again…lets hope he pushes on from here!

First 45 minutes from Lyanco has been very encouraging…perhaps a sign to never judge a player after one performance…especially considering he couldn’t even speak English last time out! looks assured at the back, and clearly very passionate about his defending. Let’s hope he continues to improve, as Salisu did last season, and he can provide some healthy competition in the CB position!

Here's an interesting one...Yan Valery has been filling in for Jack Stephens in Central Defence during Saints training sessions... “He has been playing at centre-back in a lot of sessions, replacing Jack Stephens during his injury, & I must say that he does it in a good way.” - Ralph He's certainly not getting a look in at right-back in the near future with Tino and KWP...where does the lad go from here?

Looking forward to seeing a rotated squad tomorrow, in particular Lyanco getting another 90 minutes. Expecting him to slowly be brought into the first team foray, as Salisu was last season. Hopefully we see enough quality to be encouraged! As good as Salisu has been this season, its obvious Bednarek is nailed on as his partner until Stephens gets back...we need more competition in the CB department and hopefully Lyanco can provide that at some point!

I just knew McCarthy would be made the scapegoat for the second goal…poor bloke can’t catch a break with our fans! he’s actually been much better so far this season…made some massive saves. Distribution dodgy at times, but not dreadful. Bednarek was at fault for the second goal yesterday by letting Cornet turn him, but not many keepers are saving that strike. until Forster leaves in the summer we’ll be sticking with Macca, and he’s done well so far!

As always there’s a few panicking on the forum… missed some key chances yesterday, but 4 points out of 6 is a decent return from the last two games. A couple of wins over the next few games (Watford, Villa, Norwich) and we can all relax a little. Tino and Broja…wow. A level above the rest! Still unsure on Perraud. Salisu still had a good game despite 2 conceded…

While I agree with many in this thread that we need to continue to strengthen the squad, it’s important to remember that a lot of the players we’ve signed over the last couple of years aren’t the finished product just yet… just look at Salisu and Diallo at the weekend. They were both brilliant! Both only 22 years old! When they first signed, they were rarely getting a look in. I hope we see a similar story with new signings such as Lyanco, A. Armstrong, Thierry Small, Dynel Simeu etc. the squad is starting to come together nicely as players improve, learn the system, and get game time. we might not have many ‘household names’ in the squad, but who needs them when you’ve got 11 players on the pitch who play well as a unit together. it’s important for every premier league club to improve in some way each transfer window, but for us, clearing out the deadwood was key. Hopefully we can build on Saturday’s win!

Easy to forget he’s only 22 years old. You can see he’s gaining confidence with the ball at his feet match-by-match. Tino is clearly a gem stealing a lot of plaudits, but im really excited about Salisu + Diallo’s futures as well.