austsaint

One of the funniest five minutes of my life. Thanks Griggsey.

Couldn't have put it better - Mane is a terrific player; looking forward to Elia and Mane combining with Mane hovering around Pelle.

Is this so? With the FFP requirements on Chelsea for the expensive purchase they made - great work by SFC if the case. Been a great player for us this season; love his runs down the flank and he really has a good cross in his kit bag.

I cannot remember seeing Davis at 20 - but I've seen Shaw at 18; Chambers at 18, Reed at 19, Targett at 19, Barkley at 19 etc and they all have a immediate quality of class/ability in a defined position. Shaw's speed, strength and touch; Chamber's athleticism; Reed's tenacity and defensive instinct - I don't see any such quality with JWP, and Rasiak-9s assessment is brutal but very close to the mark.

It's not a popular view on here, but we really did look better when he was out injured. The observation of JWP running alongside an attacking player and not tackling - as with the lead up to Shelvey's goal is demoralising to watch. If you take the corners and free kicks out of his game he is a complete luxury.

Nail on head for me - after Reed came off, Shelvey waltzed past JWP twice, hitting the woodwork then hitting the net. Our midfield was very leaky from that point.

The Echo is saying the Club offered him a long term deal making him one of the better payed players in the squad, yet he's off. Maybe it is about regular game time for Cork.

Any tips for the gallops?

I wouldn't lose sleep if I never saw JWP in a Saints shirt again, but it's not going to happen. Tadic is a class act down on form; JWP is a lovely young lad trading on youth, "potential" and a pretty good dead ball delivery.

The feeling that Clyney will go in the summer is irresistable - Clyne and Morgan gone in June. Disappointing but I'm sure the replacements, given the big revenue their sales will bring, are already figured out.

Touche, quite funny. On a serious note, given that Morgan seems nailed on to leave in the Summer, Clyney is the one I worry most about losing at seasons' end even if a combined kitty of 50 mill or so would buy decent replacements.

That first paragraph is a bit tough me old Wes. There are many ex-pat supporters living outside of the UK for employment or family reasons who still have a genuine love for the Club. I watch every game live on the box (usually in the middle of the night with three kids fast asleep) and have made three trips back to the UK in recent times to take in a Saints game. The EPL, and the Club for that matter are global interests, and not every non-plastic supporter can remain in the UK.

I admit I'm not a big fan of JWP, but the assist stats you list there seem misleading. Going purely on memory (dangerous thing) JWP's open play assists were the one/one with Sadio a few weeks back and the lovely through ball for Elia on Saturday - otherwise I assume he has been credited with assists from corners, free kicks or crosses. As someone else mentioned he just doesn't seem to have the presence or quick feet to play off Pelle; as a box to box midfielder he doesn't or can't at this stage burst forward with the ball at his feet like Barkley, Ramsey or even our own Steve Davis and clearly the holding role is not for him either. After 70 or so first team appearances he still hasn't got a clear position to occupy whereas Harry Reed, with his combative, high energy style has immediately put down a marker as a DM.

Yes, but most of our midfield have been guilty of that on the odd occasion - Vic, Morgan, JWP. One of the things I like about SD's game is that ability to burst out of defensive mid-field at speed before making a penetrating pass; if someone like JWP is to be his successor it's a quality he needs to add to his game.

But he hasn't got the quick feet and first touch of Lallana and I can't see him improving in that area. His strengths as I see them are dead ball delivery and the occasional killer pass, a couple of which have resulted in goals. I'd like to see him take defenders on now and again rather than the safe water carrier passes which often slow our attack down. He has got time on his side and is improving, but has a lot to prove on the pitch to match the boom being put on him by many.

Hilarious OP - A quiet achiever is "Davo", and we immediately saw his value once he was moved forward in midfield Saturday.

I thought we rode our luck at times today but given the context of three hard away games and so much travel this was an outstanding performance and result. We, looked better when Corky came on and held midfield with the excellent Harry Reed allowing Davis to move forward. Elia outstanding, back four solid and Pelle had his moments. Nice assist from JWP for the first goal but I still can't see a nailed on role/position for him in the team. He doesn't have the pace to play out wide; isn't really suited playing in the hole behind Pelle and doesn't have the defensive game to hold in midfield. By contrast, Reed has all the skills and tenacity to become a regular holding midfielder.

Agree. I still cannot see a lot to JWP's game besides dead ball delivery, which is excellent.

I probably haven't. Thanks for clearing that up Vectis. I am actually Scottish born myself, but have lived in Australia for a long time. In any event, we probably agree Steve Davis is a terrific footballer.

He really is a gifted, committed professional. Can I be among the first to ask the question; as an Irishman, how is it SD speaks with a Scottish accent?

Six foot 2 - not that little. Great reward for a good squad player.

He got an extraordinary amount of bend on the shot; it was a thing of great beauty. A stunning goal.

The 12m fee we paid for him looks a snip now! Easily one of the best DM going around anywhere.

Big Vic outstanding in holding that midfield together; Gardos was good if lucky to only be subbed and not sent off; Davis had a good second half; Forster kept us in it at times when the game was tight. Special mention for Harry Reed, terrier like and a bit more technical skill about him than RK gives him credit for. How much grumpier can Mr Wenger get?