macca155

Cue rapid phoning of BT by family of Caleb. Kegs, and Dan. Great to see the youngsters be given a go. Their parents' will be gutted that they can't be there for their debut. Hell I'm gutted I can't be there. Haven't missed a 3rd round for 54 years. Hope for the best, but the team is in survival mode. No injuries or bookings please,

I think you'll find that all the defenders gave the ball away at times, it's just that certain people on here are on a hair trigger with him. Without Redmond or Long, their usual outlets are very limited, so he gets it. We all have a knob sat behind us somewhere, who moans throughout the game. No different on here. That said he has had better games. The defence came under increasing pressure as the game went on, and it isn't surprising they all started to creak a bit. Stephens didn't make any forward runs and that is pat of his game.

We lost to a very good Leicester side, but not beaten, (if you get what I mean). Up until the last minute Saints were going head to head. No disgrace, they played well and Arsenal won't enjoy their 1 or 2 games against us. I thought it was notable that Barnes kept KWP back. Good tactics and it stunted our attacks. Ralph should really have brought Valery on earlier to make Barnes do some work further back himself. Teams are defending further up the field to Saints now. The team needs width and a bit more variety on the bench. Above all else it needs experience. Classic example is Diallo, great prospect, he shackled Tielemans and played well. However he lost the ball in a critical area. and then lost it for a while. Romeu is more experienced and would probably have avoided that scenario. That skill comes with time, and Diallo will improve. Like Vesty he is very young. On the positive side N'Lundulu and Smallbone look ready for a run in the side. Need to start scoring again, that is key.

5 bookings always going to happen

Very important and valid point, however I don't think anyone is saying sell Ings and Vestergaard. It is more a case of accepting it if there is no alternative.

Those accounts make for grim reading but no surprises considering the current environment. Saints have been hit hard as the hangover from the transfer fiasco simply won't go away. I presume the loan is standard business and whilst 9% seems high, it won't be crippling will it? I mean the interest payments are only half season ticket income for the year 😵 It will be ok if Saints maintain EPL membership as TV money will make it easier to manage. The aim must be to buy the club time to whether the Covid storm. As unpalatable as it is, if I was the CEO I would have to consider selling Vestergaard and Ings. They are the two main assets after JWP and Ralph himself, but they are priceless. Danny and Jan could be replaced, I don't like it but if that means the club finally throws off the financial straight jacket then so be it. Ings, as fantastic as he is, rides the roller coaster of injuries. He may well be riding his luck at the moment and there is a case to be made for cashing in. Jannik is proving to be a diamond, but CHs are not as difficult to replace. Once again a bitter pill to swallow if either are sold, but I'd rather that than go through the agonies of administration again. Whatever happens Ralph has to be involved in the decision as we don't want to lose him. Before that happens the club really need to clear out the dead wood and reduce the wage bill. One example is Bertrand, his wages will be high and perhaps it is time to let Vokins grow into the LB position. If Ralph isn't going to use Forster, Gunn, Hoedt, Lemina, Elyounoussi, Obafemi, Slattery, Sims, Hesketh, then sell and bite the bullet on any losses. That will at least free up cash for wages and allow the club to go forward. Targeted transfers like Diallo are the way forward and hopefully some youngsters to start making an impression. As supporters we really do have a responsibility to create an environment that allows players to flourish. I really learnt my lesson with Vestergaard, I usually am prepared to support players like Stephens, JWP, and Redmond, they take time to develop and won't be brilliant every game, but once confidence grows they can become real assets. All I saw with Jannik was bambi on ice, a CH prone to mistakes, and I joined in with the moans. There were a lot of fans (me included) queing up to give him a lift to Leicester for £35m last year. Memo to self, don't make rash judgements.

I reckon we're all in pieces after that. My God that was a long 45 mins. Fabulous win get in.

Good observation, our timidity later in the game, and the opposition being set up defensively, is killing the games. However as you say the need for clean sheets is stifling everyone (except Leeds, and they'll learn), the number of draws is evidence of this. Puel would love to be a manager in the league this season. The table is really close this year and every game matters. With no fans and the virus around, the fun has gone for the players. This is not a normal season and I suspect we are in for some weird scorelines in 2021.

Really don't get this. He had a good game. Lots of good interceptions and looked in control. Yes he had a moment but hardly worth these sort of comments. The main issue is that without Vestergaard, Saints lack aerial domination at the back. That is where Stephens struggles a little, and probably means he will remain as back up.

Well earned point against a well drilled dangerous opponent. I'm way more disappointed about only drawing against Arsenal than this lot, says a great deal about this season. Obviously we all want a win but football doesn't work that way, even if you spend millions on players. I though Stephens, KWP, and Romeu were the pick of the bunch today, although I would have Rice as MOTM as he single handedly broke up up pretty much every attack. He always plays like that against Saints, can't he take a day off. 1 goal in 4 games is very worrying, but one loss in 6 is probably the better stat. It is a bit Puel as others have pointed out, but at least there's hope that a more swashbuckling style will return when all players are fit. We can all see that the left hand side is becoming a problem, Armstrong is much better on the right and it would release Walcott to play through the middle with either Ings or Adams. Dejenepo is pretty unfathomable and unpredictable at the moment, Redmond whilst far more consistent hasn't really got going this year. He also seems to have a lot of injuries. There are no youngsters to 'have a go' in that position, so Saints need to get the cheque book out. My choice would be Demarai Gray, left winger, fits the Ralph model and is worth around £10 million. Problem is I very much doubt whether Leicester will sell him to a close rival. Onward and upward

4 players missing, Fulham with three consecutive draws (including Liverpool) and fighting for their lives, , VAR karma biting, and it is Boxing day ... I guess we need to accept a point and move on. Would have liked three but December's fixtures were always going to be grizzly and the old adage 'first don't lose' stands true. I thought Stephens stepped in well, he'll be needed for at least a month and hopefully he'll regain the confidence he had last year. Diallo played well, he is clearly a ball winner but not so hot on distribution. The side clearly missed Romeo but Ibrahima certainly gained valuable experience. Let's not make the same mistake we all made with Vestergaard, he is young and it takes time to establish yourself in a premier league team. Walcott put a lot of work in, he seemed to be defending alongside Walker Peters on many occasions. He buzzed, harried their defenders, won free kicks, defended .... nothing brilliant but he did his job. My issue is why on earth Ralph played Long. He's been a great servant for Saints but his fitness has gone and he really was anonymous. This game cried out for N'Lundulu, full of running and probably able to force mistakes from nervous Fulham defenders. Or play one of Djneppo/Tella/Redmond and partner Adams with Walcott. Guess we just need to keep the faith. One last point, the cameras kept flicking to Forster sitting on the bench looking miserable. His salary is 3.5 million pounds a year...... 3.5 million! Roughly 70K a week. That would make me smile even if I wasn't playing. It takes 5000 of us season ticket holders to cover that salary, and he actually gets to see the game live. Smile big man we are going to need you at some point.

Saint88 wrote "Teams are figuring us out now in so much as they are setting up to mitigate our style. Against sides with quality players like Man United, Arsenal, Wolves its showing. We've looked leggy in all of those games, and its led to dropped points in all those games!. We are pressing and winning back the ball in dangerous areas, but they're defending in numbers and slowing down the tempo which is limiting how many effective chances we actually create. The when we're tired, they hit us" Good post and that is true of all teams really, Spurs have made a good start but their reliance on Kane and Son is pretty obvious, and teams are cutting off their supply line. Liverpool aren't finding this year anywhere near as easy, Leicester are starting to struggle, Everton have had to change things and so on. Who would have thought Premier League teams have top notch scouts and researchers and several DVD players. Nobody gets a free ride in this league. However adopting mitigating tactics comes at a cost, both Arsenal and Brighton had to play a lot deeper and at a higher tempo. That should make things difficult for them and give Saints an edge, if they can avoid the same pitfalls themselves. It is working so far. The exception was Utd, their chaotic setup and bizarre tactics/team selection negates against any strategy, however when they have such individual talent in depth to call on they are difficult to handle, as Saints found out. Great season to be a Saints fan, they aren't going to win the league and Champions league place is probably a stretch but a Europa Cup campaign will do nicely in 2021/22

Disappointing not to win but have to respect a point at the Emirates, players were clearly managing their fitness. Saints kept the Arse below them and made progress up the table, a good day at the office. However as someone pointed out it is very tight at the top, a couple of losses and teams will drop down quickly. Just need to keep this form going, players will be suspended or injured soon and that will be a real test. I thought Ings played well, lots of harrying and whilst he hasn't quite got his sharpness in front of goal back yet, he remains a big asset. We need more of that from Theo, he was bang up for that game, probably feeling the pressure from Redmond. You can see he is playing for a contract to finish his career. Shows what a decent squad can do for a team. Bertrand is clearly playing deeper under instructions, Saints conceded goals down the left when Bertrand went too far forward in our early games so probably a good tactical decision. He also needs to manage his fitness as a tough set of fixtures coming up. Ralph has no experienced back up at LB so I can understand his caution. I don't think I can ever remember a time when Saints outplayed Arsenal so comprehensively away from home. Need to enjoy this season the vultures will be circling soon.

There we go that s ore mentioned. Idiots

Yes that's key. They'll come out all guns blazing, but if Saints can hold tight, their confidence will evaporate and it will be game on. Remains a very tough game imo, a real test for Ralph and the team.

Saints fans of all people know exactly how Arsenal will react. We've seen our team do it pretty much every season at some point. They'll raise their game, that you can guarantee. Lose to Saints and they are seriously adrift. Reputations are on the line. Players will be talking to agents etc etc. Strategy will be play hard, the mission 'first don't lose'. Arteta says be brave, that means go for it. This has a draw written all over it. They may be stuttering, but their side is packed with expensive talent. Takes just 10 seconds for Willian to remember how to play (be arsed) and that's our dreams gone. But Saints are the real deal at the moment and should win. If the press is as strong as recent games, then hopefully Arsenal attempt to reboot their season will wither quickly. Going to be a fascinating match. All Ralph has to do is tell them it's a league cup match.

Good post agree with that. It was exactly the same in the Wolves game as fitness levels dropped (natural with pressing game), Saints came under pressure in midfield and dropped deeper. That gave a very good attack chance to do their thing. Armstrong is a good player and his twinkle toes make goals, but like Lallana I think he is a 60 minute player, Diallo seems to have a bit about him and looks like he would shore up the midfield, for me that was a natural substitution in both games. I personally think we missed Redmond, I know he isn't everyone's choice but he links well with Bertrand and crucially does give the ball occasionally, when Bertie does a lung busting run past him. Bertrand isn't getting any younger and was knackered by the end of the game, Saints need to rely on his experience rather than fitness if he is to stay. It wasn't that bad a performance, but the worrying collapse towards the end of the game needs to be addressed. Teams work us out just as they worked out Everton, a good manager adapts and reboots. The opposition isn't just going to sit there and let us press and harry them throughout the game. They will spend the week working out a strategy to neutralise our tactics. The next two fixtures give us a good chance to get the campaign up and running again. As supporters we need to manage our expectations a little, it was fabulous being top of the table but Saints just don't have the squad to maintain that sort of form .... yet. However we are showing decent Europa cup form and that should be the goal. With Leicester's form finishing 6th , means finishing above Man Utd, Arsenal, Everton, Wolves, and Aston Villa. Considering our EPL form in recent years that would be quite something.

They would be better off playing the game at somewhere like Eastleigh. Still 2000 fans but easier to generate some sort of atmosphere. 2000 at St Mary's will be a bit weird. 20% would be more sensible.

I think I agree with the OP. Losing Ings would be serious (very), but Saints do have cover there. Adams Walcott and two keen youngsters is reasonable cover. Long is a support player rather than a goal scorer, but adds to the dimension. In comparison cover for Bertie is Vokins. We all have high hopes for him but Bruce will be targeting that area on Friday. Its the one area that Saints don't have cover.... blast

doesn't he

Walcott looks nervous and not use to our style of play, he needs to close down more. That should mean he scores now

Bednarek nutmegged!!

He's gone early there, could be a double mention this week

Not outclassed just outplayed (by div 2 side) they'll be better days you know the form

OMG this is terrible 0 2 now, they just walked through us