austsaint

Really pleased to read this. I hope JP can be a great contributor for Saints for the rest of the season and beyond. There's also a good feeling about the "redemption" factor of his comeback - my respect for NC goes up too; no matter what his motivation was he has shown a willingness to move on and build a bridge for the club's benefit.

Interesting thoughts. Many have commented that Nicola is not a patient man but is certainly ambitious, yet the net result of the transfer windows so far (especially given our position on the table and injury list) points to either too much patience; not enough ambition or a lack of capital to pull it off.

Fair call - but in the medium to longer term we need a better player than he; don't you think?

Maybe that's harsh S-Clarke - but of all the Saints games i've seen (admittedly only Sky TV, streams and Player highlights and replays) Dan Harding looks out of his depth. He has no right foot at all; looks lightweight in the challenge; hoofs the ball often even when not under pressure; bottles many tackles and challenges and his crossing of the ball is much inferior to DF. I also cannot forget his decision to meekly give away that corner at Fratton leading to their goal.

Cannot agree about Harding. He doesn't cut it at LB let alone right. A League 1 player at best.

How did you rate Harding's performance then???

Depleted side or not we were out-skilled, out-muscled and out-enthused. Probably unfair to single a couple out but a back four with Harding and Martin is just not up to it. Hoiveldt was good as was Fox. Why didn't Richardson start instead of Harding?

Agreed. Dickson's a decent player I'd have ahead of Harding any day of the week. This is one decision I think Nigel has got wrong.

I predict this will be a good signing and a shrewd piece of business. Have seen him play several internationals including the win over Australia - skilled, sharp and with an eye for goal. Good stuff.

Having just seen the highlights on Player - am I the only one that thinks Kelvin should have held on to the first shot from distance which led to their goal?

I"ts absurd of course - but didn't he score some great goals for us in the "dark days" when he was already past his best.

need You're right about the success of the club being built on team spirit and purpose this season - but; as a dip in performance and results have started the need for an injection of talent is urgent - spirit and purpose are no longer enough - and JP has it, and he's our player on an existing contract, Though he's been a dill in the past there's no evidence he has bad mouthed the club. Bring him back.

I'd take him back in a flash - if he demonstrates some contrition and NA can smoke the peace pipe we would have a potent attacking player to help us to the Prem.

He has really fitted in - times a tackle well and he was good against Pompey.

He had a poor game - no doubting that. By "over-criticized" I mean that Guly's poorer games or mistakes seem to be pounced upon while poor games and errors from players like Hammond (who was very good today) are largely overlooked. But we've all got fixed ideas about players - I admit I can't abide Harding as a Championship player - I see him as a ball watching, panicky light weight and probably nothing he could do in the future would change that assessment.

Yes, but he is massively over-criticized, which is puzzling. He did not play well today, granted - a scrapping derby was never going to be his style of game in the same way that it suited someone like Hammond. The responsibility for conceding the equalizer shouldn't be leveled at Guly shutting it down at the near post - have a look what happened in the lead up. Harding tamely conceded the corner when he could easily have cleared into touch or upfield, and one of our defenders (Fonte I think) was beaten to the first header from the resultant corner.

I agree. Harding had time to clear the ball without conceding a corner - the subbing of Fox seemed strange to me - he was doing the job.

A lot of criticism of Guly for not shutting out their goal, but Harding had no need to concede the corner in the lead up - he had time to at least hook it away for a throw.

Yep, live into Brisbane (Oz) at 11pm - for me the most nerve wracking game since Man U relegated us with the Van Nistleroy goal 5 or 6 years ago.

1 Lambert 2 Lallana 3 Guly

Fair comment. The beard is a bit naff, isn't it.

I agree, totally. I thought Adam had a good first half but really faded out after half time.

Chapel End, as a matter of interest, how did you rate Adam's game and recent form?

That's a very hard marking of Guly's card - he was easily our most creative player on the day.

Interesting article - spot on with the observation of Saints not pressing Blackpool players in possession consistently. The only real spell of intensity was the lead up to our first goal when Adam pressed hard to dispossess and set up Ricky. Pleased to see people outside the club can see the qualities of Guly too.