austsaint

You're not biased! Any non-Saints fan (including Southgate) who has watched these two England games now knows what we lot have known for a couple of seasons......KWP is right up to International competition level; and has the left back, wing back versatility to strengthen his continued inclusion.

Take your point; and would have been a bit callous not to "nurse" him through a tough time in his personal life. Maybe he would be an ok back up for a first choice new keeper, yet at 34, after 8 seasons at the Club, it's probably the right time and best decision for both parties to part ways.

Exactly this. Some deserved redemption for him after several good performances of late - yet he's a seriously limited keeper and gave the impression for a long time that he was happy to sit on the bench and rake in the big wage rather than play Football elsewhere.

And should have had A.A. up front once Broja was rested/benched. Smallbone, Elyounoussi and Armstrong with Che up front was crazy against a struggling side. Smallbone gives no indication he is up to a starting place. KWP on the other hand gives every indication he is up to an England call up! I'm glad/relieved we've got the 35 points in the bank.

Yes, that little bit of confidence, swagger and luck has been missing v Villa and Newcastle - the pattern of getting stuck in a slump is also a worry. I can see the case for restoring Perraud and switching KWP...will Ralph? There's a case for giving A. Armstrong extended game time, certainly ahead of Shane Long.....maybe starting ahead of either Broja or Che. Maybe bench Elyounoussi in favour of Redmond or even Djenepo, even if Moi has paired well with Perraud previously. Also important for JWP to lift on his two recent subdued, conservative performances.

Please, stop it! You're reminding me of the Black Knight from the Monty Python sketch.

This seems to be an inconvenient truth/observable fact for Ralph to accept. While Tino is still playing ok - KWP is consistently our most creative attacking player as well as being sound defensively while Perraud has demonstrated he is right up to standard as a specialist LB. This was such a frustrating game to watch - sure, that little bit of luck wasn't there, but for long periods we didn't match the press and energy of Newcastle. Elyounoussi in particular was so wasteful with poor touch and passing. Ward-Prowse for the second consecutive game lacked his usual energy and reverted to a safe, conservative style of passing - while Romeu often took on the responsibility of taking the game on and passing progressively. I found his substitution baffling! Shane Long? There was more likelihood of Romeu creating or even scoring a goal than Long, despite the "hens teeth" goal v Everton - Ralph got that wrong in my view. Armstrong, KWP and Romeu, along with Salisu, easily our best tonight. It's a nightmare prospect.....Salisu being sold in the Summer!!!

If ever there was a player the Club should push the boat out for, it's this lad. 40m might not be enough though - if he's put on the market.

Quite so! I was one of the many critics of Ralph's starting 11 - and for the first 15 minutes it looked very shaky. From that point most of the "fringe" players grew into the match. Smallbone, Stephens, Valery, A. Armstrong and even Djenepo helped change the shape of the game. Only Long in my view looked a liability, yet he still had a couple of moments drawing fouls. You could hardly call Perraud a fringe player, and that goal had been coming judged on several other sweet strikes from distance lately. Once again Broja showed that the 25 million pound tag some on here are forecasting is likely well short of what's required. Well played Ward-Prowse, not only the emphatic penalty but held the midfield well and linked the play well. Redmond's cameo was good and Willy's late save compensated for some shaky moments.

Strange decision Ralph. I know you shouldn't pick out one player, and I know he scored a goal recently, but starting Long seems a crazy decision. If we lose this game decisively Ralph will have given up a lot of th goodwill he has earned in recent times.

Yes, he (Romeu) has been very good for most of his time at SFC. His controlled aggression and physical strength have long been recognised, but he's such a good passer of the ball and has that good first touch. KWP is such a good mover - quick, well balanced, evasive and a great touch with his passing. You have to feel sorry for Perraud, who has proven himself to be a genuine first team left back yet has these two talented young English full-backs consigning him to the bench.

Romeu and KWP have been headline acts for several games now. Their consistent excellence, backed up by Salisu, Livramento, Armstrong, JWP and Adams have paved the way for this purple patch which must be rivalling the run we had under Koeman.

You're a jury of one. The kid is, and will be class.

I don't know about that. His last two games have been less impressive; yet he is still highly influential and brings other attacking players into the game - especially since defenders are now paying him more attention. He definitely needs to work on his passing and link up play - but he's still a gem.......every day of the week! Will he be our gem next season though?

They probably do - but Mourinho and Levy didn't; which is laughable!

Yes, one of the many great things about watching that win today were the performances of Romeu and Armstrong - with their combined purchase price of 12m pounds. Best game I've seen from Armstrong, particularly first half. With the full backs playing high up the field, Armstrong's central midfield runs; his touch and passing, capped with the strike would usually make him a stand out mom. As it was, Romeu, and the second half efforts of KWP put them in the frame too. Add Adams, JWP, Elyounoussi, Salisu, TIno all as stand out performers and it made for a dominating win which is exactly what it looked like for all but 10 minutes. Everton's touted Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin were completely shut down by our back 4 - their midfield Allan, Gomes, Gordon undone by Romeu, JWP and Armstrong, and were left to commit cynical fouls. Romeu and JWP made so many quick, progressive passes today to willing runners which was such a contrast to the slow build up style of not long ago. Played them off the park today, a joy to watch. And full marks to a referee who let the game flow - only 15 fouls given in the match! And it was the only column the Toffees won all day....9-6.

Had a decent left foot from memory - and always seemed to score with headers at Upton Park.

Yeah. Of course Ward-Prowse and Romeu are playing well, but the emergence of Salisu and Broja, combined with the quality of our full-backs, all three of them, have lifted the side greatly.

No one I'd say. Two tremendous performances - had to dig in after United dominance early, but seesawing stuff thereafter.

You've summed things up so well - surely one of the most electrifying and satisfying Saints' performances for many years - at so many levels. First, that astounding opening 45 minutes where Saints sat Tottenham on their bottoms in most facets of the game - it could so easily have been out of sight at H/T. Then the feeling of dread and injustice when the Son goal goes in after the blatant foul on Broja which surely must have struck most supporters that our night was done in familiar, unlucky circumstances. To watch Conte carry on like he did - the aggression and the arrogance following on from the home fans howls at Forster on 66 minutes as he was perceived (in their eyes) to be wasting time in search of a 1-1 draw when in truth Saints played a brave, expansive attacking game for most of the night and made what followed with those two sublimely headed goals so wildly enjoyable. BBC gave their mom to Ward-Prowse - he played so well, but Romeu would be by choice, together, as a few on this forum predicted, they put Hojbjerg and Winks into the shade. It was incredible to see Spurs lack of appetite for the press! - they didn't apply it and they were rattled by our use of it - it was almost comical to watch their defence and midfield slowly crumble under the pressure. Perraud really announced himself tonight. He added some attacking run and pinpoint crossing to his grit and passion - and with KWP continuing to demonstrate what a classy RB he is it really gives Ralph a problem deciding where to fit Livramento in. Elynouissi - just as you're doubting he has what it takes at this level produces a game like that - particularly first half. Armstrongs run and industry returned tonight. Broja gave further suspicion to fears we may not be able to retain him. Adams played his role so well. Haven't mentioned Salisu, yet he was quietly imperious most of the game. Those who were lucky enough to have been at the ground must be walking on air tonight.

Slightly better than the oft heard "if I'm honest" though isn't it? I blame Pardew for that one. Btw, I'm an old boring twat as well!

Yep, the benefits of the new ownership should include a stronger stance on retaining our best players and a willingness to "break the bank" for the right player(s).

This is a bit different to the Bertrand deal though. From memory RB was 25 at the time, had been on loan at several other Clubs and while he looked a good player straight away for Saints, there weren't compelling reasons for Chelsea not to sell for the 10m or so fee. Broja's a 20 year old with unique attributes; the "world at his feet" and no certainty that Chelsea want to sell, let alone that other Clubs are interested.

Surely we would. If it got to that stage and 5m stood in the way of a deal, the new ownership would have to meet the 30m price.

Yes, your last sentence points up what Saints have lacked since the Koeman days. Salisu, KWP, JWP, Livramento, Broja...even Romeu and Adams are all players who could (or could soon) hold their own in a top 6 side. Just a tweak needed with a quality attacking midfielder and goalkeeper. Perhaps a CB too.