austsaint

Composed, calm, skilful and has courage too. Seems to have developed a great understanding with Jose as well. Would be hard on either to be replaced by a new acquisition on current form.

Try the Wilton Arms in Belgravia. Nice little Pub in a back street - quite close to Knightsbridge and Hyde Park corner tube stations. Really good Guinness - I watched the Saints v Fulham 2/2 draw there back in October.

Of course he wasn't responsible for the third goal today, and it's a bit harsh to say he should have stopped the second given he was obscured. It's just that he looks so shaky for large parts of most games he plays. I thought he had probably played his last game following the Arsenal debacle and then after the recent Fulham game with the error leading to Berbatov's goal and the close thing when the ball nearly went through his legs into the net, I thought that might be the end for him. Is there no alternative at the moment?; - maybe Gazza is injured or sapped of confidence; Perhaps Boruc has burned his bridges at the Club - but it's got to be put right. I don't think most people highlighting KDs deficiencies are scapegoating him, it's just a glaringly obvious weakness in the team.

Chez, I admire your support for Kelvin, but he really is not up to the job. Maybe Gazza is "cooked" for the time being and the Boruc situation is a strange one, but if KD is the best we can do for the rest of the season then I fear our card is marked.

I'm sure you are right; if we go down, Shaw probably goes to the Gunners - sad really. It's a 50/50 thing the way I see it re staying in the Prem. Wouldn't be great to keep Shaw, whatever happens; a test for Cortese to be sure.

Just in case I'm one of those 50yo Nigels' in a cardigan, Barry.....let me say it's not the odd spelling mistake which leaves you open at times for a bit of a dig; more so the type of post you put up for view. The "moral compass" thread comes to mind as slightly all over the place in its content; not funny; hard to follow and more than a little pretentious. Hope this helps! By the way, on topic, the 40 something Nigel without the cardigan is doing a fair job in a tight and ruthless competition. Yes, the GK situation is wretched and we have been lucky not to be more exposed at CB, but if he keeps his job and keeps us up then I'd rate it up there with the achievements of the previous two seasons. That would leave 2013/14 to try and consolidate like a Stoke or a West Brom.

Have just watched the replay and our second half display was very encouraging - we would have been luckless not to take a point from the game. The defence was sound; especially the CBs...I assume Yoshida will pick up Walters on Saturday and Jose marking Kenwyne. Young Shaw showed flashes of class and poise; Clyne done over in the first half several times by the pace of their young left flanker. Midfield did its job with special mention to Morgan and Cork - I thought Puncheon had a good game with mostly good touch and looked creative and dangerous at times as did Gaston, who as others have mentioned looked more threatening when shifted behind the striker - not one of Ricky's best days but the 100 percent penalty record lives on and the left footed first time volley would have brought Craven Cottage down if it had stayed down. The mistake by Kelvin was a bad one; he really should have held on in that situation but otherwise he was rarely troubled. He is not the answer for the rest of the season though is he? Stoke will be hard...a similar result would do.

He did make a fine save early and generally looked safe - but the spilled catch which wedged between his feet in a very similar situation to Barts' nightmare v Blackpool is the thing which makes many nervous these days.

Agreed; though the nervousness associated with Boruc might be with supporters sitting adjacent to the Saints goal should he start. The lack of information about Boruc's situation and for that matter Gazza's fitness does create an anxiety if Kelvin is the only one available.

Is Kelvin likely to start today? I know he's a stalwart club legend, good bloke and a loyal servant but he makes me nervous and he looks "out of date" between the sticks these days.

Optimistically, we stay up this season after a nail biting second half of games and then follow a Stoke/West Brom. model - improve, at least a little - each following year.

I would nominate Henri Camara - only a loan I know; but what an attacking talent he was.

Judging by your "and none I know off" you are "to the left" then.

Hey Barry, are you a first year Diploma Of Professional Writing student?

Haven't read much comment about Kelvin's "Bart" moment. If the ball had slid over the line for their second would that have been full time on his career?

I was a little perplexed at Villa's demolition of Liverpool when we barely threatened them (Liv.) a couple of weeks ago. It's a worrying formline - isn't it ?

Have always rated ND as a fast, skillful winger with an eye for goal. It's a shame he is still not a Saint, his form over the past two seasons has been first class. I thought his post=goal reaction and friendly handshakes with several old team mates at full time showed a bit of class too.

Someone likened him to Henri Camara which is a good call. I'll be very happy if he measures up to that standard.

I don't want to dump on Kelvin - a great player and stalwart for the club, however if he was an outfield player he surely would be dropped from the team after the first four matches. It's a test for Nigel's nerve.

I'm sure others have made this observation in earlier posts but on a deflating day for SFC I thought Fonte had one of his best games for the club. Oh, and Ramirez....a ray of hope for games to come.

Kelvin can be an excellent asset to the club as a Goalkeeping coach or similar but we need a better keeper - and soon.

Pleased for Punch - he is showing a lot of character to go with his undoubted talent.

Didn't Kenwyne Jones do something similar to us 5 or so years back?

Glasgow Saint has an obsession about putting down Guly.

Red card was harsh :-)