Charlie Wayman

I am not as sure as the author that Southampton will drop out of the race for the top 4. While it is likely that other teams can work out ways of dealing with our tactics on paper and in training they will only have one or two chances of putting their theories into practice. As we have just witnessed, Newcastle admitted that they knew beforehand what they were up against but when the time came they had no idea in practice of how to deal with us on the pitch.

That's not at all what I said. Personally I couldn't care less about these things. I was making a more general point that many fans on this thread are concerned about this particular situation. That doesn't mean they want to know intimate details of any personal issues the player may or may not have. For the club to stay silent in these circumstances only adds to the unease. If they've bought yet another bum steer then call it by its name.

Of course fans have a right to be concerned about the non-appearance of Salisu bearing in mind how much he cost and how much his arrival was hyped by the media and the club. By refusing to address these concerns the club will only heighten speculation and mistrust. The club are in a good place at the moment with fans beginning to believe that the right people with the right ideas are in charge of matters both on and off the pitch and that we have entered a new era of openness and transparency especially in football matters. It is not a good idea to put this new sense of togetherness and trust under strain through carelessness in communication.

What absolute crap is England at the moment. If Saints had played them last night we'd have won about 6-0. Southgate is way past his sell-by date but then again who would be able to turn this load of dross into a decent team. ...and don't get me started on that foul-mouthed Grealish character. He must be the best player in the Premier League when it comes to falling over when hit by sudden gust of wind or firing useless crosses into the box.

It's very good news, he's had Covid and can't get injured again if not playing. Be careful what you wish for.

Quite mean spirited comment from you and wide of the mark. The lad has played - what? - two games since he arrived and has adapted at an astonishing pace to Hasenhüttl's methods when you consider the expensive over-hyped young - now - fringe players who are still struggling to get up to speed. Stand on the naughty step!

No sign of Bertie in training pics.

It seems to me that bringing on subs often is far more disruptive than helpful, when rhythm and cohesion and automatism invariably collapses. An exception seems to be if a sub is made early on when the new player has a chance to settle and get up to speed and it is obvious that the player being subbed is having a mare that is affecting the team's whole performance. Who in their right mind would want to sub five players?

He is very slight of build but not lacking in courage. He seems to get wiped out by sadistic opposition RB's in pretty much every game he plays. We need to get him in the gym 6/8 hrs a day and on a high protein diet to beef him up. The stronger he becomes the better he will resist injury. He looks like a player for sure.

Yes, I had the same evil thought. What are we like eh?

Yep, despite the snide swipes at Liddle the article is fairly on the money, ok superficial in some respects but generally complimentary.

Assuming the BioNtec vaccine is made available to most older fans next spring, we should be getting back to some form of normality by the 2021-22 season. It will be interesting to see what happens to our performances when the stadium re-opens for next season.

Hear! Hear! Well said Sir.

We are about to become the football world's favourite shopping centre once again.

What is wrong with Stevens? Every time gets the ball he stops play and then passes backwards. He's driving me mad. Get him off, surely we have somebody who could do better than this?

Long is useless as a goal scorer, we need somebody more reliable in there and it has to be Theo Walcott. Our style is to start fast, press high and score early goals and so putting pressure on the oppo's before we start to tire. Long should come on at 70 minutes to stretch them in the final third when we have retreated into a more defensive frame of mind. We must score early and use people who know where the net is and how to hit it. Long seems unable to hit a barn door with a banjo these days.

It is possible that Gao has changed his mind. With Saints playing well and hitting the high notes, our value as a club must be rising by the day. Of course he would want out of a relegation haunted team with no money available to improve matters but a winning team attracting attention presents a whole new set of possibilities for him. Maybe his £200m is looking a bit more affordable.

Just suppose Theo Walcott plays in the striker role, plays well and scores a few goals whilst Ingsy is away what then?

Hardly good news even so, there are a lot of games during the next six weeks. His on-pitch leadership will be as big a miss as his goals.

This is why we run an Academy and try to find the best emerging talent before it becomes seasoned professionals beyond our means

So how do you know we could do better if you have no idea who we should buy. Utterly vacuous statement.

People need to keep the faith, we are playing very well indeed with a high degree of automatism. The Ward Prowse - Romeu midfield partnership has dominated most games and is intact for this game. If Ings has to sit this one out it may not be such a big miss as most on here seem to fear, goals are coming from all parts of the team and an Adams & Walcott strike force will frighten their defence. We will miss Bertie's authority and craft on the left so Redmond will need to stay focused and step up but JWP should be able to provide the service he needs leaving Vokins to concentrate on his defensive duties. With luck Bednarek will start, the thought of Stevens sows a seed of doubt in my mind as he didn't exactly cover himself in glory on Sunday and didn't cover KWP at all which surely is one of the duties of the RCB in our set-up. It seems to me that it would be unlucky in the extreme for us to lose all three of the injured trio. It might happen but chances are one of them at least will be OK for Friday. Fingers crossed that Bednarek makes it as arguably his absence could be the worst loss of the three. My forecast for last Sunday was 4-0 win for Saints (well it was at one stage until we dozed off) so I am staying optimistic for a 2-0 win on Friday.

Squiilionaires don't drive their own cars they have chauffeurs

What was the point of sitting back second half, taking our foot off the gas and be satisfied with defending a 4 goal lead. Strange tactics indeed. Great win nevertheless and JWP simply outstanding today. Stevens has completely lost it, KWP needs cover in our system with full backs charging forward and simply didn't get any after Brednatrek departed. Three key players injured, not a co-incidence Villa are a dirty side and Grealish is just a foul mouthed lout.

Let's be honest, there isn't much competition for his place unless Dan N'Lundulu comes good.