macca155

PEH had a poor first half but when he moved to his normal position we improved. He had a number of scoring opportunities, whilst he didn't score he did get into those positions which is half the job. On another day one would have gone in. He was part of the reason Brighton were pushed back in the 2nd half, he did his job but I agree it is time for a good servant to move on. Vesty is not prem standard, take the hit and offload, easy to slate him but he is young and centre halves develop later. His confidence is shot at Saints, he needs to reboot elsewhere. I thought Vokins played well and Smallbone needs time to develop, as fans we need to be patient with the youngsters. They aren't all Bale or Walcott, they need time to develop their game. I thought Adams did ok, seemed to be involved in a lot of link up play. Ings sets the bar high for strikers, sadly I suspect the vultures will be circling.

Tatters on a spread bet for 9 0 mentions. I reckon between 5 to 7

6 point gap to Burnley with 3 games to go. So 11th it is at best. Play some fringe players build for the next season, which we are pretty much in anyway.

Obviously we all want him to stay. If a big club want him, and can offer CL football then frankly he deserves it. I'm not sure there is an opening yet at a suitable club, but things change. I doubt it is all about money for Danny, although that's a factor, he'll want to test himself against the best in the world. He only signed a 3 year contract in 2019. So 2 years to go. No way will the club allow his contract to wither. Either he signs an extensio, or they sell for an obscene amount. That will be the story next year. Best scenario is that we keep him for another year. However with Euros and WC coming up he'll want to keep his profile high. I've come to terms with players moving on, it's their job. Still hurts though. I doubt he has any great emotional attachment to Saints. The club let him go in 2008. And hasn't he made that decision look foolish.

Excellent performance all round. Have to be careful not to go overboard as Watford were weakened and a bit all over the place. City, Everton, and Utd next. Not expecting much from that lot. However could ask no more. As someone posted earlier Ings is in imperious form. There will be serious money for him, if there is a gap in a suitable team. Has to be a top 6 side, and unless Kane is sold I can't see the other sides being interested. He says hopefully. I think JWP is a more likely target. He really is crucial to us now. Good thing it's a short transfer window.

Good post, I saw the team sheet, as I stood in the hail waiting to be searched, and knew Saints would struggle. Take Ings, Redmond, or Djneppo out of the side and clearly our attack is severely blunted. With a decidedly average performance from McCarthy, Bendarek, Bertrand, Boufel, and Holberg, the omens weren't good. However personally I don't think the performance wasn't that bad, just emphasised how thin the squad is and how vulnerable the defence is. Ralph cannot magic up a top 7 side with that squad. We all know it, and safety this year is the best we can hope for. I would have played Stephens at right back and brought in Vestergaard. Maybe Adams for Obafemi. The only motivation being to match WHU physically, and hope they messed up. Other than that what other options did Ralph have. Teams give Saints the ball now as they don't seem to be able to do a thing with it. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

"Possibly with Romeu instead of Smallbone for this one.' Big mistake IMO. Whilst I hold Romeu in the highest regard as a pro, he just seems of the pace at the moment. Quicker to the foul than the ball these days. Smallbone made a big impact, start with him with Romeu to come on when his legs tire. I would also play Dansu or Stephen's at right back, as we need to counteract their bullying style. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

He's a good pro looking to develop his career. Good luck to him, he gives his all in every game. Cannot ask more than that. We cannot expect lifelong loyalty from players, when the club wouldn't hesitate to dump them (and fans turn on them) if their form dropped. We've had good value from him. Happy if he stays but not a disaster if he leaves. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

I took a school trip to see the ground being built and this was something we were told. Seats and leg room an inch smaller, resulting in a few thousand extra seats. Somebody more informed will probably debunk this theory, but it does seem a classic Lowe trick, and St Mary's is definitely more cramped. Or I'm getting fatter [emoji50] Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

I agree with a couple of Posters on SON, I've always admired him and thought him honourable, the diving and brandishing a card was ridiculous. However the penalty whilst very soft was legit. We all have to remember that the quality of Son's dive was irrelevant, Gunn moved his hands towards Son after he had gone past, I think he was trying to bring him down as it was obvious he would score, in the end he brushed his knee and as that showed up on VAR the rest is history. Ali's killer pass was the undoing of Saints. Their reserves were better than ours, Romeu was lost for the 2nd game in a row, they spun off him at ease and it put our defence under a lot of pressure. On reflection putting JWP at right back destroys our midfield, Stephens filled in there without too much of a problem and we would have had a more dynamic midfield as a result. Taking off Boufel was the wrong move, Armstrong struggled to get into the game and Boufel was causing them a lot of problems. Disappointing to lose but we can't be too downhearted at surviving games against the Champions league finalists relatively unscathed (the bar is set at 9 - 0). The season should kick on from here for Saints and I'm looking forward to the West Ham game particularly.

I think there is a big difference to taking a mate to a game who has 'some' allegiances to the other side to selling a ticket. As long as they are neutral and enjoy the game no problem. I've sneaked into the away end at other grounds on a number of occasions when I couldn't get a ticket and as long as you don't behave like an idiot then you'll be ok. I had two tickets for the Liverpool game but unfortunately couldn't go, which was very annoying. I asked the ticket office if they would buy them back and they did. This way they were resold to Saints fans on the waiting list. I wish they would advertise this facility a bit more. I agree with previous posters, those who sell their tickets to the highest bidder should be harshly dealt with. It is a bit different if a ticket is advertised on a forum like this. The individual selling is putting their season ticket/membership at risk so will probably make sure the person buying is 'sound' as far as they can, and isn't going to start doing the helicopter (on live TV) if Vestergaard scores.

Look Burnley away was a nightmare, floods, trains cancelled, torrential rain. We were lucky that any of us got there in one piece. No way could I have managed a pick up point.Worst away trip since Everton when we lost 7 - 1

I thought the ground is fantastic and if you go via Northumberland Park (as others have advised) it's a relative breeze for such a large stadium. The safe standing was such a pleasant change to the usual ghastly seats/standing we are given. I loved the Dell and everything that goes with the old days, but if you brought that back now there would be uproar amongst the modern fans. I could use my mobile phone at half time (a first), the TV screens were a bit big, I had a great view. They need to up their catering a bit as no pies at half time. Back to the OPs original point. I would strongly advocate replacing the Northam with safe standing but push the away fans into the corner a bit more. We all know that Rupert slimmed down the seats at St Marys to increase the capacity so the overall capacity would have to drop a little. However a 30,000 stadium is fine for the catchment. Beyond that you have to attract tourists and they cannot be guaranteed. That wouldn't be expensive, neither would pumping up the wifi/mobile signal. I also think an easy win is to push the turnstiles to the back of the car park the same as the Rosebowl and Twickenham. his would provide a lot more space. Probably increase the take on concessions as well. For me the number 1 would be to put a station right next to the ground. What a difference that would make. None of this will happen of course.

I'm more concerned about the four missed fouls before then Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

And relax [emoji50] Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Some reactions are a bit OT here. The teams had a great run. Wolves are a good side, did their HW and exploited our weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the 2nd half. RH needs to adjust and be prepared to change tactics. A team taken apart so easily by Bournemouth, Everton and Leicester was never going to recover completely so quickly. Saints struggle against physical sides. For me the lack of cover in defensive midfield (Wanyama type) is exposing a fragile defence. This Jan should be about buying RB cover and either a strong powerful DM or converting Dansu or Stephen's to that role. RH needs to curb his attacking instincts a little. A draw in the EPL is a good result. When the game went south in the 2nd half he should have accepted the karma and tightened up the game. Putting Djnepo and Boufel on was a bit silly. Wolves had the their tails up. Kill the game and see if we could sneak a goal at the end. As always first don't lose. Move on, draw against Palace and regroup. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Wolves are a good side, they were never going to just roll over. Players need to dig in and believe again. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Wolves are no mugs, they are marking Ings tightly and really harassing Prowse. They've done their homework. Even more credit for the scoreline COYS Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

All like liverpool fans in there no prob Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Some changes are obvious. Gunn, Romeu, and Adams must start. They'll be needed later in the season probably, so keep them as match fit as possible. Boufel Yoshida/Danso could all do with a game and won't weaken the side. I've written off Vestergaard. Full backs are an issue as no decent back up. I suspect Bertie and Cedric have to play. As others have said it would be good to see one of Slattery Vokins, or Smallbone play. Somehow the club have to get the youth conveyor belt going again. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

We might be top of the VAR league at the moment, but we all know that karma will come round to bite us. I don't like it but I accept its needed. Some of the the top 6 are struggling a bit with 'level playing field' and the league is more open than before. Bar Liverpool of course but maybe they are just a really good side. It will improve as time goes on but they must speed up decisions. The problem could be solved instantly by allowing replays in the ground. In cricket and rugby the fans are part of the decision, they cam see what's going on and have the same experience as those watching on TV. The PL have to allow this. Also give each manager one appeal per match. It is an additional skill and would add to the game. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Oh that's ridiculous, I was there and he played really well. Linked up well with Armstrong and was part of the reason we won. I like to respect all views on here and fair enough you don't think he made as good contribution as I do, but diabolical ...... Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

JWP has been playing consistently well for a while now. It is no surprise he is probably the first name on the team sheet. Hell of an engine, started to tackle well now, and top class passing. Like all midfielders he needs support otherwise his efforts are masked. PEH and Romeu are good at breaking up play and interact well at close quarters but they simply don't have the killer pass. Que Armstrong's arrival in the team and as you have observed he has made a huge difference. Suddenly the opposition have to worry about 2 playmakers. Ings must love being on the receiving end of their play. Armstrong has also hardened up the right hand side. Cedric is no longer exposed, and that easy result to our goal has been closed off. Saints still need to improve at RB and an experienced CH wouldn't hurt. I'd like to see Lemina (in a good mood) in that midfield. He hasn't really been given a chance yet. Mustn't get carried away. Hodgson will watch that game and adjust his tactics. He'll try and contain Armstrong and expose the lack of pace on the left. Bluntly can our RH be better than their RH. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

I've been singing his praises for a while. Not a worldy obviously, but a natural leader and a player who shows the courage we need. Armstrong MOTM for me but JWP and Stephens close behind. People really need to accept that these youngsters need time and confidence. They will very rarely be instant hits. They'll make mistakes but good pros learn from them and improve. Obefemi is a classic example. Frankly he looked a little lost until he scored his goal. Suddenly he had an extra yard and started spinning off defenders (his USP) and causing trouble. Enjoyed the game and MOTD for once. Onwards and upwards Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

I think that was what I was saying. Developing into a good club player, certainly better than we've had for a while. However England no way. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk