sydenhamssocks

Howe is clearly a lovely fella and a good young coach who lives roughly within catchment!....but Can he guide us through our Europa league group stage adventure Maintain a top 6/7 place and qualify again Carry the respect required to keep our players smiling and motivated Be a draw for possible purchases I'm not sure he can...just yet. If Boscombe finish higher than us next season I'll say well done Eddie. They won't.

Exactly this ! Lot of people seeing Austen as Pelles direct replacement and who knows, he might be, but I think Austen could use Pelle as a foil and play off him better than anyone has so far. Plus I wish Jay Rod well but Can't count him in at the moment.

I agree it may not be perfect, but, you can only play what's in front of you, as they say. Watford have been decent recently, if they had an off night, fair enough. We took advantage. Just seemed like the players felt comfy with the set up in general which can only be good going forward. If it all falls apart v WBA then we're back to square one... Not for the first time this season.

DONT TINKER RONALD!! You may have stumbled on the answer !!!! Tonight's formation worked really well because the players selected to put it into practice complemented each almost perfectly. They all seemed to play with much more freedom and found the blend that's been missing recently. Everyone appeared comfortable with their own job and their awareness of covering for others appeared easier and Lots of chances created too ! Let this line up have a run and see what happens.

Saw Harrison Reed having a real good game up at Newcastle last season, only to be subbed and not really figure that much again.. Odd, thought he looked ready to stake a claim. Only Ronald knows the answer....or does he !!

Maybe he's at the wrong club playing a style of football that isnt suited to his attributes ?!?! Not everyone turns out to be a perfect fit and he might flourish along the lines that seem expected of him if he had different players around him playing a different system for a different coaching set up. I'm not suggesting he moves...just looking at another angle.

Everyone on here has there own favourites/formations etc, but based on what would seem to be the managers first choice side, this is effectively our second 11 (notwithstanding any younger players) Gazzaniga. Martina. Caulker. Yoshida. Target. Ward-Prowse. Romeu. Reed. Ramirez. Long. Juanmi Does that side show a depth of quality and not just numbers? I'm not sure it does. Not all of them bad but not all of them great. If the first 11 were unavailable. Don't think these guys would keep us where we'd like to be for very long. An unlikely scenario of course, but man for man they are almost all a step down from a fully fit on form first choice side.

Everyone on here has there own favourites/formations etc, but based on what would seem to be the managers first choice side, this is effectively our second 11 (notwithstanding any younger players) Gazzaniga. Martina. Caulker. Yoshida. Target. Ward-Prowse. Romeu. Reed. Ramirez. Long. Juanmi Does that side show a depth of quality and not just numbers? I'm not sure it does. Not all of them bad but not all of them great. If the first 11 were unavailable. Don't think these guys would keep us where we'd like to be for very long. An unlikely scenario of course, but man for man they are almost all a step down from a fully fit on form first choice side.

Not the first time then!

These are all recent purchases who arrived without the expectations that seem to be pitched at Van Dijk. Yes it does happen when a team is being built. It depends if you're building from the bottom up again or from a strong position already attained. The quality or readiness has to be higher if it's the latter.

Don't know what everyone is getting excited about. Seen him a fair bit. He's good and will develop, but he's not a world beater yet and won't be the almighty saviour anymore than Cedric,Romeu or Juanmi are.

100% this. Was at game and surprised at the line up. First game of the season. Away from home. Always a Difficult ground to go to (irrespective of Newcastles form). If this game had been at St Mary's then maybe that would have worked. Got out of jail really, but I suppose , if you ain't going win it, then don't lose it.. And we didn't!!

Fantastic! The least we deserve. Can't wait !!

BT Sport have the Europa league for the next 3 years.. Starting now!

Absolutely spot on ! It's the system that best suits the make up of the squad,which presumably is why Koeman brought in the players he did. Obviously having some flexibility within the squad to change the system if required is also necessary, but for me,the 3-5-2 gives us the best options.

Charlton set to make an offer !!

This. Exactly

The fact that he has been no loss to us whatsoever is clearly hard for his intellectually challenged little brain to compute! Dozy Git !!!

Made a great contribution to cause and enjoyed him self into the bargain. Hope things go well at Norwich All the best Jos and thank you!!!

His contract at Fiorentina had ended and he turned down a new one in order to seek a new club as a free agent. No transfer cash required I guess but a signing on fee straight in his pocket. Really like Boruc, an old style eccentric keeper...but the new broom sweeps on!!

They wished him Happy Birthday

Now that is Southampton FC !! Normal service has been resumed and a nice kit too,complete with black shorts...yeeeeees. Well done Saints !

It's been quite a story ! Cheers Rickie,it was a pleasure watching you in a Saints shirt. All the best sir !

Met Chris several times back then,really nice fella. Contrary to an earlier comment, I believe he was extremely disappointed to lose his job at the Dell. I was in touch with a northern based scout for the club at the time and remember him telling me so. Hope he's well though. Liked him, he didn't do to much wrong, but his departure marked the start of our great managerial merry go round !

Should have finished them off in the first half last week. Will do them this time and get a home draw in the quarters !!!