RobM

I enjoyed today more than any other game of the season so far, as it was truly competitive. The atmosphere was excellent, the result superb and yet another clean sheet was the icing on the cake! It was also excellent to see some much-improved performances, namely Lallana who was as good as I've seen him, Wanyama who clearly put his boots on the right feet this week (for 90-mins too!) and Rickie, who's all-round game was fantastic, an unselfish performance for the team! It's a strange feeling though, going into the next game, away at Man Utd, feeling positive of a result!

I couldn't disagree more and it's truly sad if this is your honest opinion of Saints fans... SaintsWeb users perhaps, but absolutely not Saints fans as a whole. Fox will be remembered alongside players such as Chaplow, Sharp, Hammond, Barnard and many others I could list who we owe a huge amount to, who we will have respect for and will remember what they did for us, but at the same time appreciate the fact they aren't good enough to play in the Premiership. Fox was poor today, so poor in fact Davis had to help him deal with Dyer on too many occasions. Fox watched the game pass him by, backed off and watched players pass him by and too often watched the ball pass him by. It's not his fault he's picked though, nor his fault he was found out by Swansea and they tried to make the most of it. It's entirely possible to be critical of a players performance and still remember and respect what they've done for us over the years. Step away from an internet forum and you'll find more people able to do so.

It's JRod for me. He will run all game long, constantly putting them under pressure and not giving them the time they need. So long as we have Big Vic and Morgan behind to press forward a bit and do the tough stuff, defensively we should be OK.

If we're ever going to reach the dizzy heights we all wish for, we'll have to get used to having players like Gaston on the bench. In fact, that should be the minimum we expect.

Attackers win games, defenders win championships... or something like that. Wanyama has been a massive part of this defensive improvement. We just need to coach his bad passing out of him and convince him that sometimes simple is better. Lovren is the player of the season so far, just superb and incredibly assured and composed. His timing and decision making are fantastic, some of his challenges could have easily resulted in bookings if they weren't perfectly timed, but he nails it every time. He and Fonte have formed an excellent partnership and Fonte himself looks a lot more confident and controlled than last season (where is was often a liability!).

He did a good job today, just not an exciting 'heroic' job that makes fans excited. He covered a lot - when Wanyama was out of position he covered him, a few minutes later he did the same for Lallana, then he's straight back in the middle. His passing was simple and effective, his defending did a job. Nothing outstanding and a few passes went astray, but it's harsh to be too critical of him, we would have been caught out a few times if it weren't for him (well, as caught out as was likely against such a weak team).

They would have also been lying, as he isn't playing.

With five internationals in the team, that 'reserve' squad really shouldn't struggle against Bristol City. City are a decent team and always managed to get one over on us, but that team we've put out should be more than good enough. And if Ramirez doesn't shine, there is no hope for him...

Davis looked a real threat yesterday, as he is willing to get the ball and run with it, but also keep running and get into dangerous places. He really suits our playing style in a way Lambert doesn't seem to at the moment. I know they naturally play different positions, but Davis did all the things we would hope a No.10 to do.

All of this. Best CB since Killer and best CB partnership since Killer and Claus. And to top it all of, he seems a genuinely top bloke, he cares, he gets involved with the fans (via Twitter especially) and seems to enjoy being here.

To be fair to JRod, some of the balls that were put through to him were pretty desperate. Second half especially they were all too heavy and often aimed at the far post, leaving him no chance of doing anything useful.

It's an interesting point, because neither are proven at this level, but Lee's attitude and professionalism has earned him a place in the squad. The same hasn't happened to Sharp. Could this be an insight into different attitudes of players at the club?

I too think he could do well for us in the Prem. He was clearly a misfit at times in the Championship, as his movement was never understood by those around him. He'd make some intelligent runs and get into some good spaces, but rarely would anybody notice.

This forums a ****ing joke.

You're showing your ignorance here, it's perfectly legal and within the rules to negotiate with a player before a fee has been agreed, so long as a deal in principle has been agreed and the selling club have given you permission to speak with the player (or his agent). It was well publicised this last week with the Bale deal in fact. You don't have to agree everything, not even the fee, before you can be given permission to speak with the player. I thought you'd know this, being so well connected.

I think he'll do well in the EPL. There, I said it. He has excellent vision and movement and his link-up play looked excellent at times. The problem was he was on a different wavelength to everyone else, so it didn't work for him. Now with more technically-able players in the team it could well work. He's also able to run at players and has a bit of pace about him.

I've got a blue and yellow rosette somewhere, it's not in great condition but it's still nice to have. Was given to me by a family member, along with a ball signed by the squad from the late 80's / early 90's (I've never worked it out properly).

I fear there is a big chance of Osvaldo getting sent off in this game. I can't imagine he'll take kindly to the tactics WHam rely on, kicking at heels and falling over at the slightest gust of wind. His temper will need to remain firmly under control and they'll know this.

Good on him! Better that, which was funny, than a bunch of chavs giving the w@nker sign (Sunderland) or a bunch of chavs shouting and screaming so you couldn't hear any news (every other team). This kid was funny, having the time of his life and was no harm to anybody at all.

Yes, I have for the same reason - AJS screwed up so I went to PLP. It works instantly and seems a more reliable choice than AJS.

You should, I think there would be some serious entertainment value in you doing so. On this forum people are starting to 'get' your WUM/B.S. thread starting and sarcasm, but it'll be brand new to Not606 and watching the reaction could be fun Do it!

No, it doesn't seem to be. As you can tell from reading the recent posts in this thread, simply changing browsers on the same PC locks you out of your account. Doing it on an entirely different PC and internet connection will surely block you.

Same problems here, had to contact their support for advice and to get my account unlocked. Fortunately I only paid for one month, so I've not lost a great deal of money. The warnings about the unreliability seem to have been well founded. I signed up with PremierLeaguePass instead. Got straight on (with Overplay SmartDNS), excellent quality and faultless service.

Let's say we get £10m and then next week, Wanyama gets injured. How good would that £10m seem then?

We need to keep Cork. Wanyama is going to pick up cards and injuries, he doesn't hold back. We need quality competition and cover and it's a long season, especially with a cup run thrown in. Cork doesn't seem the sort of player to run and take the easy option at the first chance, so I hope he isn't interested and wants to fight for his place. I wouldn't see that as choosing money over football, I'd see that as not taking the easy option. If he were third choice for the position he and Wanyama are competing for it would be different, but he isn't.