austsaint

One point out of a possible 24 is the reality. That's perilously close to a meltdown.

I believe Bristol City have beaten us to the prized signature of Nigel Pearson. Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes????

The way I look at players like Vokins and Valery is if Harry Reed was considered not good enough to be playing first team Football for Saints (different positions I know) there's no way those two were ever going to make the grade. The real issue with the two full backs is they should have been replaced and covered long before now.

Yes, he probably has been our best player still - and as you say, even if Diallo was fit and Romeu in better form, JWP probably gets the nod because of the deadball skills. It is noticeable how often the midfield has been well beaten in the past two months or so. Oh, and I really don't think JWP could be described as a midfield warrior - though his run of consecutive games is impressive and a testament to his fitness.

Shroppie, I know you're a big fan of JWP, but his performances over the last 7 or 8 games (outfield play that is) have been mediocre, and appears to be why we have been outplayed in midfield in most games lately - though Romeu too hasn't been at his best since the injury. It's not weak trolling to point that out.

I don't think you can fluke the movement, composure, eye for a pass, reading of the game, athleticism and robustness that we've seen from Salisu already. He and Diallo strike me as the best bits of business Saints have done for a long time.

Couldn't agree more. There's been a lot of bigging up of Forster in the wake of the 9-0 and a couple of McCarthy faux pas'. Cast your minds back and remember just how bad FF was for us, time and again. I wish him no will ill and he probably deserves to keep the Cup jersey, but let's not get carried away with the russian roulette of penalty stats and a few quiet evenings in the FA Cup.

No argument there...onwards and upwards. And the Cup run dream lives on too!

Yes indeed, I'm not meaning to big Fulham up, even though if I was a supporter, I'd give them a good chance of surviving....not at our expense though. I think it's reasonable to have a nervousness about Saints returning to a better run of results......which leads to the possibility of the unwanted flop over the line into a 16th or 17th place finish. Hope I'm not sounding a bit like Dalek!!

Except that Fulham are in a good vein of form and playing some attractive Football. While no one should be worried about relegation, the prospect (real) of finishing 17th after topping the table briefly early season is a demoralising prospect. I'm hoping that KWP and Diallo returning will lift things, because our two CM's look out on their feet at the moment. The big plus is the emergence of Salisu - he with the return of injured players gives hope for a comfortable 40 points plus finish.

Very tidy additions. Probably the best recruitment since the days of Paul Mitchell.

It would be hard on Bednarek, yet as things stand you would have to guess he will be the unlucky one when KWP returns.

Ralph really can't drop Salisu after today. He's done a "Diallo"....played himself into the best 11.

Thought Salisu's performance was the most encouraging part of the match; that and finally getting off 29 points! He and Vestergaard looked the best CB combination we've fielded for quite a while. Chelsea dominated midfield and young Mount was unstoppable in the second half, but it was a well earned point. Breaking the run of losses and getting to 30 points felt like a win.

I have been reluctant to criticise JWP this season, even though there have been many games including today where he has been distinctly average and hardly leadership material. His dead ball delivery is so good that many seem to be blinded by the limitations of his outfield game. Yes, his work rate and energy are also first class, but the percentage of static, safe, unadventurous passes often means it is left to Romeo to initiate quick movement and attacking passes from midfield. JWP has improved immensely over the past 18 months or so but he should also be put under the microscope for the downturn in our style of play and form, just as the regular scapegoats are. Having said all that, I don't doubt that JWP must be feeling the effects of the workload he has had to carry. He could certainly do with a freshen up and a seat in the stands for a game or two.

Yes, he was standing at his near post but the shot beat McCarthy on his right hand side towards the far post. Have to laugh at those saying Forster would have saved it! Totally frustrating 2nd half set in motion by that absurd penalty call against Bertrand. Very disappointed in Minamino and Djenepo. Thought Redmond did ok and that volley from Ings deserved to earn something for Saints. We may not be relegated, but in this form, 17th is looking a possibility!

I'm struggling to understand the chorus call for Forster to replace McCarthy. Yes, he now has four consecutive clean sheets, but incredibly has barely been called upon. There was the block (with his leg) against Liverpool but otherwise, nothing needed. Statistically he is doing well but performance wise he hasn't needed to wash his kit.

A very solid debut given all the lead up problems. Once he settled you could see many of the attributes needed - strong, quite quick, very good in the air, good reading and anticipation of the play and a very cultured left foot. Salisu is going to repay the patience - worth waiting for.

Incredible how little Forster has been asked to do in those three recent games. While McCarthy has made a few errors of late, he's still an acre in front of FF in my book.

Indeed. Non-League games?

A small but significant consolation in the wake of Old Trafford. At the very least Dean should be demoted to the Championship for a while....ie the rest of his officiating life!

Absolutely this. The "did it on purpose' and personal abuse merchants are way out of order. If it had been a 28yo experienced player rather than a 19yo, there would be some grounds for being unforgiving. He would have been fired up, nervous and keen to make an impression.......just happened to be a reckless, brain fade impression! I hope he stays at the Club; learns a painful lesson and gets the chance for redemption.

Made me laugh.

It did look terrible at first sight, yes. But it did take a deflection of a Man U player. As you say, the poor kid shouldn't have been put in the furnace in the first place.