austsaint

A very optimistic forecast, but I so hope you're right. Our remaining games all look tricky, even Reading away.

It's not the blasting over from 10 yards which worries me about AL as much as the long periods where he goes missing and the weaknesses in his defensive game ie not tracking back enough to help out Clyne and Shaw. He should definitely be relieved of the captaincy role. I still maintain though that our best football this season has been when AL, RL, GR and JP have combined, even allowing for the improvement in J-Rod's game.

Let's hope he doesn't turn up at Anfield on match day.

Containing Suarez and Sturridge will be crucial. Omit Jos, Maya back to CB and Clyne returned to RB.

Certainly agree that AL wearing the {c} armband is largely ineffective - he doesn't look like an inspirational leader on the park. As for substitutions, the one I found strangest today was bringing JWP on, at his age and stage I can't see what he brings to a crucial scrap in tough conditions as we face a fight for survival, surely someone like Davis coming on would have given more to the side.

Much of our best creative Football this season has involved Ramirez, usually with Lallana, SRL or Punch involved too. For those inclined to question the Ramirez price tag in relation to performance how would you rate the value Rodriguez has given the club so far?

I know it takes a big budget to bolster a side in the window like Newcastle has - but as a means to ward off relegation worries it's looking like a better model than our approach.

We looked so much better when he came on today - lovely through ball for Gaston with his first touch.

The best Football played at home this season has involved Ricky, Adam, Gaston and Punch - I was very disappointed with Rodriguez today and hope he doesn't start v QPR.

After the 1st 5 minutes we have been run off the park - Lallana, Rodriguez, Davis quiet and ineffective. Geordies running riot down the flanks with both Shaw and Clyne massively exposed. Let's hope for a big turn around 2nd half.

Best keeper since Niemi - by quite a margin. If he had started the season for us (fit and well) we would be safe already.

It's a nightmare prospect.....going down and losing the nucleus of this developing team. Yet as it stands we are one of five teams staring at the abyss.

He was never going to live up to the hype surrounding his arrival but his performances were never as bad as many on this thread are making out. He won't be back after a month and will do well at any Championship level. I still remember the rubbishing of Nathan Dyer's ability when he left the Club yet he's proved many wrong.

I'm hoping Mayuka is named on the bench and plays a part in the second half to inject some pace and zip into our attack. In an ideal world we would be leading 1-0 when he comes on and we go on to win it 2-0 thus avenging the 2-0 defeat at home.

Do agree with you on this one Dell. The big picture vision is all and good but there is the "small" matter of staying in the Prem to realize it. I've got a feeling MP will get more out of Mayuka as the season draws on.

You two should get together for a pint, you've got so much in common.

First time for ages I wanted the extra time second half to extend. Second half great to watch - Yoshida good again; Cork a dynamo and best effort from Davis for quite a while. The table looks precarious but reproducing that last 45 minutes should see us safe.

Great posts by C.B. Fry, Frank's Cousin and Chapel End Charlie - should be sent to Nic's account.

I think Nigel will sit it out until the Summer. Bound to be a bit shattered by recent events.

Indeed. We looked like the away side in the second half and it was Moyes bringing on an extra striker, looking for the win. Still, a good point. Boruc, Morgan and Yoshida were great.

Makes the whole Gazza/Kelvin thing look ridiculous you mean.

.Comsaint, Thanks for the fitting video tribute. Just like the Man himself, professional, classy and full of Southampton spirit.

You really are one.

Good call; if SRL was more mobile he really would be an England candidate and I cannot imagine MP discarding him. I'll stick my neck out and say MP will get the best out of Mayuka who we have not seen the best of yet.

That's two Southampton Managers named Nigel who have been harshly treated in recent times. One of the discomforting things is if the season goes pear shaped and we are relegated, it could be Nigel Pearson's Leicester taking our place.