Tom28

I think people are still viewing JWP this season through the lens of prior seasons. His performances this season have been much improved from last season - in virtually every statistical category (passing percentage, passes per game, distance per game, tackles, chances created, interceptions even aerial duels won). He deserves his place and he's going to be an excellent player for us for years. To think that he's still only 22 is pretty incredible. I like him in a central role personally but in the formation and style Puel plays it gives him the opportunity to make runs into those inside right channels where he's able to put in some great crosses. For me, he's a definite starter ahead of Clasie and Hojbjerg.

Hassen, Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand Romeu JWP Davis Tadic Gabba Redmond Subs: Forster, Caceres, McQueen, Hojbjerg, Boufal, Long, JRod.

I'd like to see the diamond again now we have Gabbiadini and Boufal. Boufal as the false nine at the top of the diamond, Gabbiadini and Long split wider playing in the channels. Cedric and Bertrand providing the width. There are goals in that team. JWP has goals in him. Davis does too. Boufal we know can create things out of nothing. And I think Long and Gabbiadini look our best source of goals up top at the moment with Austin out. Forster needs a rest mentally. Hassen Cedric Stephens Yoshida Bertrand Romeu Davis JWP Boufal Long Gabbiadini Subs: Forster, Martina, Clasie, Redmond, PEH, JRod, Sims Left out - Tadic, McQueen, Gardos, Reed, Taylor Injured: VVD, Targett, Austin, Pied, Hesketh, McCarthy

Bought some this morning for my folks and their friends - there's a glitch on the ticketing system - 2 of the 4 qualify for concession price but they've all been given the concession price and the order has all gone through successfully. So basically, two have got tickets half price. Anyone else stumbled across this issue?

The JRod rumours come out every window. Nothing to see; it's just the papers and online sites making stuff up. Nothing to see or worry about.

I can't be bothered to pick apart your post, but you're just wrong and you don't know anything about the player.

Do you watch football? Danny Rose has been phenomenal this season. There's a strong case that he'd be in player of the season shortlists at this point. It kills me to say it because I hate Spurs, but Danny Rose has been the best left back in the league by a long long way.

SSN Breaking News: Jose Fonte will not be signing for Liverpool this January, according to Sky sources. We have been told there is no interest from the Reds in the Southampton centre-back and he is not a target.

Forster Cedric Stephens VVD McQueen Romeu Hojbjerg JWP Redmond Long Sims Subs: Lewis, Bertrand, Yoshida, Reed, Clasie, JRod, Tadic Time to see if Stephens is ready in his preferred position.

You clearly don't know the people (melts) on this forum very well!! The majority use this forum as some sort of weird toddler group therapy for adults every time we lose a game. There's a minority that I would class as almost masochistic; they seem to enjoy it when we lose and they're in pain. I now use this forum to have a laugh and cheer me up after a defeat. That's pretty much the only time I'll come on here now. After two or three defeats in a row, they really start to up the vitriol. "Oooh Puel out, Puel out...". Keep it going lads. You'll all feel better soon. Let it out. FWIW, we should have been 1 or 2 up today. Same problem we've had for much of the season - we can't stick the ball in the net when we are on top. We need a goal scoring striker in January and I'd bet we'll see a vast improvement in results. Puel has done a decent job managing the fixture congestion all season. The squad will be better for it later in the season and next season.

Which is basically what I said in my original post. I'm no happy clapper; I opened my post by saying the performance against Hapoel wasn't good enough. But the negativity/expectation of some people on here is mental

Charlie Wayman and St Marco..... Anything to say today? Thought not.

1) We have gone further in the League Cup than last season. 2) We have gone further in the Europa League this season than last season. 3) Despite playing 8 more games at this stage than last season, we're only 3 points worse off in the league than we were after 14 games last season.

Hi Charlie, How are you? You seem a little disgruntled. Can you help me with something? I'm a little blinded by these pink-tinged specs my daughter gave me, but I was under the impression we had improved season on season for the past 6 years, yet you say we are locked in a downward spiral (although you called it a 'spirral' I think that's what you meant). I'm struggling to put the two together. Also, perhaps you can help me with this one too? You say that me being an apologist will "ensure we will remain locked into this downward spirral". Suppose I stop being an apologist and join your doom brigade, tell me, how will that make the situation any better? Will Saints' fortunes suddenly turn around? Thanks, Tom

Firstly, let's get this out of the way: last night's performance simply wasn't good enough and we all know that. However, I can't understand the fickleness of some fans on here. We win, and Puel is a genius that is building a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts that is bringing on the academy into the first team. We lose, and he's a clueless, dour manager that needs to go. There's no middle ground with some people. Let's look at this with a positive spin: - We are in the semi final of the League Cup - the furthest we have gone for many years - We have played in the Europa League group stages and came a few inches away from qualifying for the knockout round (if that Yoshida header goes in). - We beat Inter Milan in a competitive European match - We are 12th in the league, in touching distance of 6th (and yes I know we are also in touching distance of 17th too) - Given that most of the teams around us have played 30-40% fewer games than us so far, that league position is pretty solid in my opinion and will only improve as our fixture congestion eases - We have seen the emergence of two talents from the academy this season in McQueen and Sims, plus solid appearances from Hesketh, Stephens and Olomola. The pathway to the first team is back open and that's something we should all be positive about. - We've achieved all that with basically one in form (but still unfit) striker, our new star-signing missing for much of the season and yet to properly make an impact, and significant injuries to our second choice full backs (as well as our first choice full backs missing significant time). The performance last night looked like a tired performance to me, as did Saturdays. I think that is understandable - we've played more games than any other premier league side apart from Man Utd (although I've not heard Puel use that as an excuse once so fair play to him for that - caveat: I zone out listening to his pressers so he may have used that as an excuse....). After the Bournemouth game we have 10 days rest to the next match and when we start again, there're no more Thursday night fixtures. If we have not improved in the league, and we are out the League and FA Cups come Febraury, March or April time, by all means re-post this back at me and call me out on it but I think we'll all see an improvement not only towards the end of this season, but also next season. Chin up everyone - it's really not that bad.

So annoying coming on this site. I come on here because there is occasionally some useful insight, discussion and news. But, far too many melts. We suffer our first defeat in 9/10 games to the best team in the division right now, and suddenly 3 or 4 of the players that have been integral to that unbeaten run are now suddenly not good enough. Behave yourselves.

McQueen (rather than Martina twice!)

McQueen (rather than Martina twice!)

Martina, VVD, Martina, Romeu, Austin all looked knackered at the end today. I'd give all five the night off. McCarthy Valery Stephens Yoshida Vokins Reed JWP Hojbjerg JRod Boufal Hesketh Subs: Forster, Bakary, Fonte, Davis, Clasie, Olomola, Sims/Isgrove

Martina, VVD, Martina, Romeu, Austin all looked knackered at the end today. I'd give all five the night off. McCarthy Valery Stephens Yoshida Vokins Reed JWP Hojbjerg JRod Boufal Hesketh Subs: Forster, Bakary, Fonte, Davis, Clasie, Olomola, Sims/Isgrove

Can't find too many I disagree with there. Only change I'd make is Fuchs replacing Monreal at left back. Possibly Hugo Lloris or Schmeichel in place of De Gea. I think VVD does get in ahead of Huth and Morgan. His stats are phenomenal. Really close call for POTY between Vardy and Mahrez. Both have a combination of 27 goals and assists. I'd just give it to Vardy. Potentially, no City, Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool or Arsenal players in there at all which would be amazing.

Lots of optimism on here, with predictions of wins and draws. Depends which Saints side turn up - we seem to be either really good or really bad lately; and even managed both in the Liverpool game. Would be great to win but I just can't see it, especially with Long out. Pelle against Huth and Morgan is what Leicester would prefer. Forster Cedric Fonte VVD Bertrand Targett Clasie Wanyama Davis Mane Pelle Subs: Davis, Martina, JWP, Romeu, Tadic, Jrod, Austin

Who would be affected by Brexit, should it happen? Ones that spring to mind are: Romeu Juanmi Van Dijk (hasn't played enough games yet for the Dutch although that should change soon) Fonte? Has he played enough? Cedric? Has he played enough? Tadic - now that he has quit international football Gardos Next question would be; how will Brexit affect transfer policy this summer??

I think this is one signing you can put in the "Black Box Success" column. The famed Black Box takes some stick on here, but be honest, who thought Shane Long would be as good a signing as he has turned out to be? Watching Shane Long from afar when he was at other clubs, my overall assessment was "average pro, works hard, fairly decent finisher, bit of a pest for defenders". Now being able to watch him regularly, he has a number of additional attributes I wouldn't have previously associated with him, which I can only assume the black box will have identified. Things such as his ability in the air (he wins so many headers against much taller defenders), how clever his runs are, and his speed (he has to be one of the fastest in the squad). The other main perception I had that has changed is that I'd always considered him to be purely a number 9, but turns out he's a lot more versatile. Great signing.

Forster, Cedric, Fonte, VVD, Bertrand, Targett, Clasie, Romeu, Davis, JWP, Long. Get back to basics and be solid. We lost the midfield battle last night and in the second half against Chelsea which forced our wing backs into a back 5 and gave us no outlet. On paper, this team probably looks to most people as negative, but I think it would allow us to control possession and play more positively down the flanks. With Pelle, Mane, Tadic out of form, Austin injured, and JRod not fit, this lineup gives us the best chance of winning IMO.