derry

It took seven years, Administration, and a philantrophic billionaire to get us back up. I'd take the 0-9 every day of the week and no relegation. In any event who thinks we are going to get through the next round in either cup.

He obviously has had some good coaching from Kompany. His positional awareness and ability to come into the middle on the blindside is much improved. Unlike any of our other forwards he is lightning quick. His last two goals where he nipped in and pinched the ball as the opposing centreback chested it to the goalkeeper about three yards away. Last night a classic. Up on his own, wide on the left just inside his own half with two centre backs inside the halfway line one near, the other nearer the centre. He checked his run, stayed in his own half until the long through ball was played, burned the first defender cut inside, keeper and other defender closing down, feinted to shoot in one movement squared up the keeper and hit it into the corner from fifteen yards before the second defender could get a challenge in. We have had loads of chances this year and virtually all of them were atrociously missed. The way he is playing he is better than any forward in our first team squad and a damn sight quicker. Bring him back for the Cup.

Lyanco watched the cross coming in and could have cleaned out Lallana and the ball but did the Southampton press - stood three yards away flatfooted waiting to see what would happen next. Attack the ball you twat you're supposed to be a central defender FFS. We have no idea how to hunt in packs and play in triangles. We need to double bank on the touchlines and close off that route. The full backs need to defend first, the midfielders need to make up the pack and everybody needs to bust a gut to get back so kick the strollers out. It's bloody elementary Nathan so get it done.

Tonight Tella scored again. Came on as a sub on the hour. Yard inside his own half checked his run to stay onside took the long through ball in his stride, took the first defender out as he cut right goalside across him, then with the other defender and goalkeeper closing him down without breaking stride did a little feint opened the keeper and shot crisply iinto the corner.from about fifteen yards. 17 starts, 3 sub 8 goals 1 assist playing from the wing and coming into the centre when the play is on the other side. He Isn't the finished article but he could do a job for us He's better than anyone we've got on the books

I've watched Tella for Burnley a few times this season. He is quicker and better than anyone else in our current squad. A Armstrong, Elyonoussie, Djenepo aren't in the same class and he is getting his share of goals albeit for the top Championship side. Bring him back and while we are at it Bednarek would be better back here if we have sunk to playing Lyanco. All hands to the pump. The stronger we make the squad this month the better chance we will have.

You don't have to be a multi millionaire Premier manager to work it out. Pick the wrong team with no pace, discipline, shape or blend and the ratshit display is the result. Elyonoussie is a showboater lacking determination, steel and the courage to compete. Diallo has no idea, likewise Djenepo. Lyanco is another case of paying a budget fee for an ill disciplined, off the cuff defender that dives in, gets dragged out of position and drops his team in it with rash forward runs often losing the ball. We have better players than those like Stuart Armstrong not being picked. Those four players in the team were enough to destroy any chance of a providing a cohesive team against a cohesive team that couldn't believe their luck. The two full backs playing kamikaze football left acres of space behind them to be exploited. Neither play a disciplined defensive game. There is no chance of clean sheets. The defenders have to first and foremost defend. We aren't good enough to think of playing both full backs like wingers. JWP trotted along tracking March too far away, We need to defend in groups getting tight, snapping into the opponent with the ball, We were isolated and bypassed with no effort because we didn't defend as a team. It's all very well getting goal side but we need to recover the ball quickly as Guardiola's Manchester City and Barcelona sides did. The simple fact is the team selection was awful. We are not going to win another game unless we become a ball winning team all over the pitch. Dropping back without pressing hard doesn't cut it.

That match started badly at two o'clock when the team was announced. It was a clusterfuck waiting to happen and it happened. Lyanco, Diallo, Djenepo and Elyonoussi just aren't team players. Lyanco is a tackle away from a red card, erratic and creates no stability. Diallo tries to play off the cuff, doesn't pass, loses the ball or gives it away, can't tackle and just doesn't cover. Worse still he doesn't read the game. Elyonoussi is a lazy stroller that thinks a few showboat touches is enough. Djenepo tries hard but appears to have little idea of how to read or play the game. Bazunu should have saved the first but had no chance with the other two. McCarthy is not the answer. The first two down the left and the third from the right were down the side occupied by KWP who isn't getting tight. JWP is so out of confidence that there is no positivity from him. Adams was on his own up front he needs a partner. Edozie is a tyro but better than anyone else. Salisu was ok. Perrault gets caught forward like KWP. Play a back four, then they have to mainly defend not Kamikaze runs forward, sucking in the midfielders and creating big holes either side of the centrebacks.We need at least three proper new players, two attackers and a proper player/coach type leader organiser with a loud voice. We need to set up and be difficult to play against. S.Armstrong was a big improvement, swopping full backs made little difference, Aribo shows a tendency to trot back that needs to stop. Mara needs time on the field alongside Adams until hopefully we sign a couple of forwards who have got to be quick and have a goalscoring record. IMO Bazunu, KWP ABK MS Perrault. Until Liveramento is fit then look at it again. RL and JWP behind Edozie and S. Armstrong wide with Adams and Mara together, a non supported single striker doesn't work. It's all very well trying to pick players from the training ground but that is flawed. The deadwood will take us down, time to get ruthless.

We are getting the runaround It is a hopeless selection. Elyonoussi, Diallo and Lyanco are a waste of space. Stuart Armstrong, Bella-Kotcha and Aribo rediculously left out.

Firstly let me say against Lincoln The 69% possession came at a cost with the defenders and midfield indulging themselves in absolute garbage sideway and backwards putting up the percentage figures but often eventually giving the ball away and causing us problems caught on the break. If people are looking for a passing game this garbage isn't it. Lavia showed the way, win the ball and make incisive forward passes to attacking players breaking quickly and attacking the space behind defenders. The long ball wasn't a first reaction it was mostly because we were going backwards being pressed and eventually hitting it long. I have Adam Armstrong hiding whilst low on confidence. He needs taking out of the line and given a few games in the B team to try and rebuild his confidence, better still if he's that fragile try and swop him for Brereton with Blackburn. AMN was hopeless in possession and lethargic, better at fullback. I'm not a fan of Lyanco, I find him erratic and gives away too many fouls together with being caught in possession. Better he hits it long than being caught and giving goals away. I see KWP, BC, MS and Perrault as our best four. I don't like the way we play with three centre backs but if they do then CC rather than Lyanco. If Lavia isn't available maybe we should forget playing a holding midfelder unless maybe CC could sit in front of the back four or just play three midfielders, maybe JWP between Stuart Armstrong and Aribo with Edozie behind Adams and Mara. I'm wondering if Lyanco could play alongside Adams as another physical presence pending a proper striker touch wood. I'm not a fan of Djenepo, Diallo or Elyounoussi either. We have to get back to basics and make results all important. Playing Kamikaze in front of our own goal is a nightmare waiting to happen. If that means early long balls into a pushed up defence then so be it.

This is garbage. Two forwards, Two sideways midfielders, five defenders and a headless chicken and playing like it against a third division side. Go back to a 4-4-2, up the tempo and take Elyonoussi and Lyanco off. Give JWP and AMN a big kick up the backside neither rate a place and JWP is not improving.

Probably 1957/58 before TV and Saints in Division three. I've never seen a better goal anywhere, ever, Don Roper in the centre circle volleyed the ball so hard on a flat trajectory that it flew under the diving goalkeeper hit the steel net support at the back of the goal and rebounded down and out under the still airborne goalkeeper. I was behind the old dugout in the West Stand on the centre line. I've never seen a harder shot since, including the Great Bobby Charlton who had a rocket shot.

I know it's off the subject but I've remembered who his attitude reminds me of. Without the individual mannerisms and transparent blatant arrogance he reminded me of the great Brian Clough in his early years.

The signs were there of more dynamism with a higher tempo. Personally I think the manager did the right thing. In real time he had a look at 15 outfield players. He will be viewing plenty of videos. I'm sure he will have identifed the core and the surplus to requirement list. AMN, ABK, Caleta-Car,Salisu, Lyanco, Perraud, KWP, Livramento, Larios, Lavia, JWP, S. Armstrong, Edozie, Aribo, Adams possibly the core. Elyounoussi is a mystery, Shows some nice touches but shirks the hard yards. Doesn't make an effort to cover problems and can't tackle. I see him as a luxury we can't afford. I've had it with A.Armstrong but who's going to want him on his salary. Maybe swap him for Brereton-Diaz and send him back to Blackburn or a loan and subsidise the move. We have to get a couple of reliable goalscorers up front. Walcott looks neat and tidy but that's not enough. Mara, Djenepo,and Diallo are unreliable and on the fringe. I like the intent and the very close to the surface steely resolve. I don't think there will be any sub-hundred percenters allowed. I think we will see a totally different team after the World Cup.

SKY Nathan Jones has agreed to become Saints manager.

~That's because he kept playing El no Usey

That hotch potch of a team looks a clusterfuck in waiting. McCarthy does his near post get out of the way so I don't get hit in the face act. Giving him a new contract is a nonsense. So far 63% possession 3 shots , SW 37% possession 10 shots. I'm glad I can't see it. We can always bring on Walcott and Elyounoussi to rescue us. JWP must be revelling in it passing back to McCarthy and vice versa. At least he remembered to put the penalty away.

I welcomed him, respected him, even liked him, a very decent man. In short supply in football. However in football terms we had now lost our way and sadly his time had come. I would have liked to see a role for him in the club to allow him to recharge but it was not to be. Maybe a Ted Bates / Lawrie McMenemy role. I wish him all the best and hopefully another job that allows him the success he wished for but only intermittently achieved here. Best wishes and best of luck Ralph.

I always felt that he was a schizophrenic type of manager. He espoused playing a dynamic press getting a ball up to the forwards, if losing it get it back within 20 secs and get a shot in. When we did that we even got to the top of the league once. It was the in between periods that cost us. No press, boring turgid backwards and sideways going nowhere, few goals and poor results. Ok so the possession figures went up as the goals scored went down. And as against Newcastle hit four times on the break for a hammering with 56% possession and both full backs so far forward it pulled our centre backs out of position every time Newcastle counter attacked. Having said that, I rather liked the man. He appeared upright and honest. He wore his heart on his sleeve. What I couldn't get was his apparent loss of confidence, indulged favourites and consequently created bizarre team selection. If he had stuck with his original philosophies I think we would have been better for it.

I have no clue what work has been done with him since he arrived, or anyone else for that matter. We lack a moving presence in the goal area. Neither Adams or Armstrong make speculative runs into the goal area, often standing flatfooted waiting for something to break. Every time a ball is likely to arrive in the goalmouth they have to make a run towards the goal line/near post, Every time. Patently we have too many players playing off the cuff all with major positional failures e.g. KWP and Perrault rarely goal side on opponents breaks. Perrault yesterday behind the break for at least two goals against. A lot of coaching is needed. I don't think they are getting much if any. I wouldn't mind betting that every Guardiola player gets shown in great detail how to play until it's second nature. Adams uses one technique shoot hard and low. The opponents know this and goalkeepers are ready to block. Why isn't he feinting to shoot and committing the goalkeeper, ditto and dinking the ball, sometimes hit the ball higher. There is no variation which leads me to think there is no direction from coaches.

Personally I think we need three quick forward players who can score goals more than we need JWP. We need to finance that and letting JWP go will cover a lump of that and to top up I feel we should also unload Adams, A.Armstrong and Elyounoussi. Up to date each have fallen well short of a goal threat. Besides if the new manager believes in going direct and dispensing with sideways and backward sterile going nowhere possession JWP doesn't fit.

That was a clusterfuck. The manager has been given too much leeway. A bizarre team selection. What the hell is El no usey, Walcott and I dare to say it JWP the original Gareth Southgate backwards and sideways player being picked for. All the top sides know what the game is about so any likelihood of danger a cynical foul is committed early especially early in the move. What do we do, Elyounoussi has a little weak nibble at Almiron misses and lets him go. Ball and all into touch and no first goal. Patently it's down to the management we don't do ruthless, we must if we are to survive. Elyounoussi has started opponents goal scoring attacks by dwelling on the ball and sucking our full backs upfield then losing it for us to be hit on the break. We have to realise that fundamentally at our level full backs are defenders not wingers. We need to defend first. We don't need both full backs attacking especially combined with incompetent strikers. Keep a solid back four and Lavia in front. I think we should unload JWP asap and use the money to buy a couple of strikers. Do the same with Adams and A Armstrong. Cut our losses. They aren't going to get goals. I think we need a new manager together with a proven hardcore ruthless defensive coach. I am sick and tired of the stupid incompetence being shown both on and off the pitch. I'm amazed the new owners have waited this long. I just assume it may be to take advantage of the break and the transfer window at the end of it.

Gerrard was making the point that we were going more direct this season. I can see that RH's reaction was " I'll surprise him" The dumb twat was conned. His team selection of a team lacking balance and a poor midfield. El No usey was just that. Can't run, lightweight, doesn't make passes to runners, loses the ball in dangerous positions. A liability. Diallo again flatters to deceive. He isn't good enough in midfield. JWP reverted to type, sideways and backwards. No wonder Southgate picks him to fit into his sideways and backwards team. The manager needs a talking to. Failing that line up an alternative. We have some talented players. The defence isn't half bad. It might work to try KWP, ABK, Caleta-Car and Salisu as a back four. The midfield needs an anchor, Lavia if he can stay fit. Armstrong S, Aribo, JWP, AMN 2 from 4. Edozie has bags of pace and skill give him a go on the left. Adams with Mara on the right. We've then got a bunch of nearlies to fill in A Armstrong, Djenepo, Perrault, Larios, Diallo, Lyanco, even Walcott and Elyanoussi. That looks a lot better balanced than against Wolves and Villa. Get back to getting the ball up to the forwards quickly. And use the back four primarily as defenders, only occasional attackers. Definitely no more unbalanced slow garbage.

If we have got any sense we'll not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Just play fair with the club that sold us the talented young player for a reasonable price and co-operate with them regarding any high bid. Treat the parent club with respect so that we keep the flow going and make it plain we have no intention of taking advantage.

Of course it did but he was the one who had the chance to stop it in it's tracks but chickened out, from then on we weren't at the races outnumbered and hit on the break and a goal from a classic back post overload seconds later.

If anyone really wants to pin down who was really to blame for Wolves goal take a look at Elyanoussi's pathetic foot waving as he gave up on the tackle and lost the ball. He plays like a pussy, Closing down without any physical aggression. He only needed to crunch the Wolves player and Wolves were going nowhere. He should be taught how to tackle and if he lacks the balls get rid of him. If Hasenhuttl wants him to press he's living in cloud cuckoo land. Elyanoussi is a nice bloke but chicken.