Charlie Wayman

Quite interesting to see the squad up at the kid's hospital yesterday, ev single on of them looked worn out with worry and Steve Davis looked unrecognisable... yes, seriously just take a look at the pics on the OS. It seems to be getting to most of them except Bertie?

We have had a couple of seasons of uncertain leadership by two people who had had no previous experience of management in the PL so inevitably had to make things up and adapt as they went along up a very steep learning curve in an unforgiving environment. It is understandable that players used to more settled arrangements and patterns of play would have been bewildered by some of the changes in formation and playing styles that they had been asked to adopt. In a sentence they have ended up "all at sea" and need now to be in effect re-educated into the routines and practices that they were more used to elsewhere and here under Koeman and Pochettino. It has affected every single one of our players and no wonder their confidence has been sapped. Hughes has an immense job on his hands re-buliding that confidence and self-belief in all his players not just a favoured few. It is not just a simple case of picking those who are "up for the fight" as many on here see it. Of course a few will be mightily ****ed off with their individual treatment over two years and maybe want nothing more than to be out of this bloody madhouse (and I don't blame them for that) but most will still have an inner determination to get themselves back up to firing on all cylinders but it needs to be nurtured back into life and it can't happen over-night. It is simply daft to point at individual players when the collective team effort has failed so miserably. Hughes has to set aside petty prejudices and gut feelings about individuals and do his best to restore them all to their highest level of capabilities and pick his best team for playing football not up for the fight.

I wouldn't let Stephens or Hoedt anywhere near the Emirates unless we revel in costing disaster. Yoshida must start, must start, must start and surely time to blood an U23 CB and anchor Romeu in front of them. Davis back in please for some guts and backbone and sorry but Lemina is too cavalier for us at this stage of our season. I'd rets Cedric and give Pied a chance. Let's face it we are going to get tonked but at least we need to throw bodies on the line to keep the score down. Even 2-0 might be our undoing at season's end.

Yep! here is a real clutch. We have a game in hand but we must get a grip on goals conceded, suddenly we cannot rely on goal difference to get us put of jail because of the poor results at Newcastle and WHU. Fly in the ointment? Arsenal at the Emirates next week. They seem to be scoring for fun right now which is not good news for us. Can't see that as a 0-0 or 1-1.

Tuchel is being touted for the Arsenal & Chelsea jobs, I'm not sure why anybody thinks he would consider coming here. On a different note, be interesting to read this thread tonight if we lose today, will our fickle fans give Hughes any leeway at all. Doubt it, he'll be just another to join the long list of Saints managers and players on death row! Sparkie may well lose his sparkle!

You keep repeating yourself, we got the point first time and nobody agree with you.

Doubt it but does it matter much anyway, it's only numbers and there is no gain to anybody in publishing deceitful figures. If a ST is sold it is sold, I know several people around me who have missed more games than they have attended this year not just because of bad football; holidays, illnesses, plight of family, travel distance, a myriad of reasons why people can't get there every week or even most weeks.

Don't you think £1m and no culpability for failure has had more than a little to do with it? Probably his wife didn't want him hanging around the house 24/7 either

The good news for you guys is that my son and I are giving this one a miss so two tickets that won't be claimed.

Well actually England. We Brits have a habit of undervaluing what we have in this country and its sheer variety of topographical beauty. Yes, things are not perfect but don't dig too deeply below the surfaces in your imaginary paradises. ....and yes I have travelled the world in my business career and seen a great deal of it.

Do we ever do well after an international break? Much as I would like to see us winning this one somehow it seems highly improbable and my greatest fear is that we might get turned over by a team who might just be out to prove a point to their fans. Sadly, it would mean almost certain relegation but if we are all honest with ourselves, avoiding relegation now is a very big ask indeed with the fixtures that we have left. 4 games to take 9 points from doesn't sound like a prospect I'd bet my house on discounting Leicester, Chelsea, Arsenal & Man C.

Bearing in mind his long history of serious injury you have to wonder for just how long he will last this time, two matches, three maybe. If he breaks down again in a couple of weeks do you think we'll cut our losses in the close season and sell him on or would he become unsellable?

Devil's advocate or wilfully blind?

For some reason you are always on Cedric's back? What did he ever do to you? Who the hell could we bring here or would want to come here who's anywhere near his quality.

He's employed as full back!!!!

Not to mention the Burley Fete Egg and Spoon race which in our part of the world is socially unmissable. Sorry lads you'll have to do this one on your own.

Absolutely none of the above, if Hughes couldn't motivate them at Stoke what makes you think he'd want them here. Jack Butland would be nice, maybe we could do a swap deal with the big man? The first task is to stay in the league, the next is to decide if Hughes is the right man to take us forward. Don't automatically assume that if he keeps us up we'll feel we owe him one and reward him with a new contract. We do need a senior CB 'though very urgently to steady the back line and give the kids some breathing space and tuition. I'd go for Cahill who has dropped out of favour at the Bridge.

Looks like Hughes has put club above country and good for him. Ryan will go to the World Cup no doubt about that so a good rest before the next PL match will do us and England no harm at all.

Not the first time that Stephens has been nut-megged... bet that hurt this morning!

Yeah but how many other players having just been kicked in the nuts by his team-mate still have the presence of mind to run over and hug him for it.

Try, I guess it has a lot to do with Trevor Brooking!

You'll be amazed at the atmosphere when Chelsea come down here after Easter if Hughes pulls off a Cup win and beats the Hammers.

Right now we want positivity, a fresh start for all and minds fully focused on the job ahead that needs to be done. This is not the time to rake over the ashes of other people's failings or for self pity. No doubt Ryan (as captain designate) will have a few private conversations about life under the old regime but not sure what good that will do now that the old regime has been swept aside. They and we must move on.

If he walks the walk as well as he talks the talk this might just work! Seems to be good mates with Cedric which should help the lads confidence, didn't he try to sign him for Stoke a couple of years ago. Obviously they have met before on favourable terms. Imagine, a player choosing us over somebody else.

What positives can we take away from this then Les? World class Academy? My Rrse!