Simon3737

Fair points, but I think the truth is Everton are a more attractive proposition than us for most managers and always have been (even in that year when they were a disallowed Bolton goal from being relegated). When Liebherr and Cortese first took over, we paid much better than all the other League One teams (apparently) and Pardew was then seen as a Championship level manager taking a step-down, but Cortese made clear he was disappointed bigger names than Pardew weren’t interested. Money can’t buy everyone!

I thought the rumour on here was that Tuchel was Les’s first choice, but he turned us down. Not sure how Les can be blamed for that! Or do some on here think Les should have refused his rejection and forced him to join us?

Saucy! Didn’t notice that myself.

I thought he said that, but assumed I’d misheard. Never admit a mistake and you might just get away with it! Lol

IMHO: -----------------------------McCarthy--------------------------- Cedric-----------Van Dijk------------Yoshida----------Bertrand ------------------------------Romeu------------------------------ ------------------Lemina---------------Davis--------------------- ------------------------------Boufal ------------------------------ ---------Gabbiadini----------------------------Long-------------- I wasn’t convinced by Boufal before today, but he’s proven his worth and must now have the chance to start the next few games behind the striker(s). I’m delighted Redmond was finally dropped (for the first time ever at Saints when he’s been fit??) and his cameo today was nothing spectacular (unless you just enjoy watching players run fast). Tadic clearly has ability so I was willing to be patient for a while, but he’s had plenty of chances this season and needs to be dropped now. He’s improved slightly over the last few games, but he slows us down too much and seems to hate shooting. I’d stick with Gabbi and Long together, but encourage them to get wide more often (generally Gabbi right and Long left), leaving Boufal in the ‘False-9’ role sometimes. I don’t mean they should play as rigid wingers sticking to one side, just that they should get wide more often to compensate for the narrow midfield diamond. I have no idea if McCarthy is good enough to play regularly in the Premier League, but I think he deserves a chance now. Picking Forster every week is starting to get cruel. There must be something physically and/or psychologically wrong. My theory is he’s overdone the weight/strength training and needs to lose some muscle-mass to become more agile (he’ll never be that agile at his size, but he didn’t used to be this stiff).

I think he’d be ideal for us. He appears intelligent enough to realise moving to West Ham for a bit more money would be a bad move. I emphasise the word ‘appears’ though!

We all care! That’s why we’re reading a forum!

Firstly, if you watch the interview, he didn't actually rule out ever playing 2 strikers. He just explained that it's not as simple as thinking 2 strikers will inevitably score more than 1. Secondly, if you look at the history of football formations, I think the general trend has been to continually increase the number of midfielders. The following articles on the evolution of formations is very interesting IMHO. 1-2-7 anyone?... https://www.football-bible.com/soccer-info/old-football-formations.html https://www.football-bible.com/soccer-info/football-formations.html

For reasons of money and geography, I've never had a season ticket, but I understand you can choose your seat location when you buy it. Surely, it's not beyond the wit of man (person) for the season ticket holders on this forum who like to make some noise/sing/chant etc to agree on a section of the stadium for a 'kop' atmosphere starting next season and agree to all pick seats around there when you renew your season tickets next summer. ...or is it more complicated than I'm assuming?

The players look thrilled! I've heard Matt Targett has been a Brickhill Capital fan since he was 8.

Is this being filmed on an iPhone?

IMHO: ------------------------------Forster----------------------------- Cedric-----------Van Dijk-------------Hoedt----------Bertrand ------------------Romeu--------------Lemina------------------- ------------------------------Davis------------------------------- ----------Long/Gabbi---------------------------Tadic------------ ---------------------------Gabbi/Long---------------------------- Forster will have a massive test against Man United. I don’t expect a clean sheet, but if he lets in soft goals again, I think McCarthy deserves his chance at Stoke. I think Tadic deserves a chance playing left-side, but if he’s anonymous there, I’d give Sam McQueen a go at Stoke in that position.

Redmond reminds me of an over-excited todler who runs into a room, stops suddenly, forgets what he was doing and then just sits on the floor.

Agreed! I'm hoping the booers will have got it out of their systems now. I predict the next step will be a VVD interview on the website with the tenacious Paxman-esque Jordan Sibley where he'll come as close to apologising as a pampered millionaire prima-donna type can.

I'm not convinced Bertrand and Cedric would be that much more attacking as wing-backs than as full backs. I think 3 at the back behind Romeu, Lemina and Davis will just add one more defensive player which I don't think we need. McQueen would be a good left wing back, but no point dropping Bertrand.

Good performance, despite Redmond's 'usual contribution'. Gabbi very unlucky to get dropped. I think him and Long could play together as part of a front three. Could we get Redmond to just run fast up and down the touchline for 90 minutes? It would be no less effective and would let another player on the pitch? I'm hoping everyone who insisted on boing VVD has got it out of their system now! Clever management to re-introduce him in a low-key manner - for the last 5 (actually 10) minutes while winning in front of just 3,000 Saints fans.

IMHO... -----------------------------McCarthy--------------------------- Cedric-------------Stephens---------Hoedt-----------Bertrand -----------------Romeu-----------------Lemina----------------- -------------------------------Davis------------------------------ --------------Long------------------------Tadic/McQueen------- -----------------------------Gabbiadini---------------------------

Most of the following iconic logos have barely changed for many decades: http://www.complex.com/style/2013/03/the-50-most-iconic-brand-logos-of-all-time/hp The defence rests! (like most defences we're playing against at the moment ).

Love our badge. Never change it.

Iceland scored 2 goals against England. Are we that good?

If that's true, it explains a lot! Are there stats on when each of our U-23 and U-18 players joined us? I thought many of them were poached from other Academies, rather than joining aged 10 etc.

My hope is based on one of Pellegrino's interviews where he said he wanted to change things gradually. Maybe we're in transition from Puel's style to his. FWIW, I think he's being too slow to change things, but going 'full De Boer' clearly doesn't work! (not in 4 games anyway). I'm hoping this transitional mess is just a phase. Having said that, if he picks the same 11 again at Palace, the same tactics and we don't score again, my patience might run out!

Controversial suggestion, but maybe the most important common denominator is not Eric Black or Les Reed, so much as the 22 current players who spent a year being indoctrinated by Puel to play negative unambitious football. I hope Pellegrino nos realises his gradual change approach isn't working and starts making more ambitious changes so the players unlearn last years bad habits.

I think Forster, Redmond and Boufal are simply not good enough. Tadic is playing badly, but we know he can be good enough. Redmond and Boufal are simply not intelligent enough for Premier League football imho. The waste oportunities and slow down the whole team. I think Forster has something physically wrong. I used to work with someone with a trapped nerve in her back who walked like Fraser does. I've read about some players overdoing muscle build-up and losing flexibility, so maybe it's that. I'd be interested to hear what a physio says about him. McCarthy has to be tried at Palace surely. I think we missed Lemina today. We have to play with Romeu, Lemina, Davis and Gabbi as often as possible imho. It's the other 2 forward positions that are letting us down. I'm willing to give Tadic a chance on the left as some on here think he just can't play centre or right. Otherwise, I'd try Sam McQueen in front of Bertrand. I'd play Long on the right. For his pace and workrate, rather than clinical finishing. I think he could be similar to pre-injury JayRod and could be a good support for Gabbi.

Actually, McCarthy and Long!!