Saint Pete

Great stuff there Che, unlucky good save.

At this rate, they will struggle to make top 4 never mind keeping their title 😀

Yes, at his stage of career, doing a Van Dijk and having a sulk for 6 months or a season is not really an option if he wants a move to a top 4 team. And I honestly don't think he's the type either. He may kick up a bit in the summer if he knows a big team is interested but if made to stay he would knuckle down in my opinion because it's in his interest to do so. So if it's true his agent is asking for a release clause as low as £20m there is absolutely no reason for us to agree to that, definitely better to hold the line until the summer and see how much is offered for him. If the offer's big enough for a champs league quality striker he goes, if not he stays for the final year or signs the deal we are offering.

So for argument's sake, if Saints by some miracle did manage to finish top 4 this season and qualify for champs league - Would he then stay with us if there was another offer made from another champs league side involving much more £s for Danny Ings? Would be interesting, but I think in reality it is a bit about keeping his options open for more money as well as the playing ambition you mention. (I don't really blame him to be honest).

Yes, it was a great job given that many at the time thought we were taking a massive gamble/mistake committing to sign him permanently at all for £20m given his injury record. He only scored 7 goals in his first season as well so there were no guarantees at all that signing him for 3 years would work out as well as it has.

If he is fully fit then yes he would start. The suspicion would be it’s too soon for that to be the case. You are right about his importance to the team, which is why it’s sensible not to rush things and risk him being out for longer and more games. Suspect he will start on bench and come on for last half hour or so.

I don't disagree that Vestergaard's recent form has been excellent, especially his passing. I just don't think we have seen that from him for a long enough period yet (combined with being passably good on the defensive side which is essential for a CB) to know if this can be his permanent level or just a purple patch of confidence and form. I hope he can keep this level of form when he returns but we'll see.

Fair point though that not many would have been bemoaning Vestergaard being unavailable for selection just a few months ago when he was widely thought not good enough and far too slow for this league. So opinions of some at least must have changed? I'm not a massive Stephens fan but he was a regular in the side alongside Bednarek in our strong run at end of last season when he was consistently selected ahead of Vestergaard by Ralph. It's a shame Vestergaard is out as he has been in good form, but personally I don't see as huge a difference in quality of the 2 players as some are making out. Both are capable of decent performances, but also have clear defensive frailties which will ultimately probably mean they won't reach the very top level.

Possibly not but that was a shockingly bad refereeing decision. Goalkeeper clatters Burnley player who wasn’t even aware goalie was there, free kick to Leeds, goal disallowed! Er, how?

It's a fair question to ask today why Ralph didn't make subs much earlier. Pretty baffling given we weren't playing well and are in the busiest period of the season. I think I heard Ralph saying recently he was in favour of allowing 5 subs, very odd given he seems so reluctant to use the 3 he is allowed! Great manager on the whole, but his attitude towards subs has been strange on occasions.

In Ings case with his injury record and importance to the team, I would argue there is more reason to be risk averse than with others in the team.

I know it's easy in hindsight but seems a little daft to take the risk if this was a known issue. Especially given the number of games coming up and the fact Ings is not fully back up to speed after his last injury anyway.

1 minute stoppage time. Sympathy vote from the officials to Palace there.

7-0 now! And could easily have been a good few more.

He is sometimes rested though when we have these spells with lots of games so it's probably a case of rotation to avoid tiredness/injury rather than being dropped.

It’s been good not having Alan Smith on Sky again this week!

OK. I will allow myself a glance at the As it stands table now.

Great goal Redders!!

Ings really not on his game today, let’s be honest.

?? Don’t think we are playing poorly at all. Only thing missing is a bit more sharpness in the box.

Great vision from Adams there again to play Ings in.

Yep, I would be bringing Ings off now with game coming in midweek.

Good example there of how being brave on the ball at the back can draw in the opposition and give you space to then move forward. Good stuff.

Good half, very dominant but we need that second goal. Djenepo could be a useful sub today as Sheffield defenders tire. May be sensible to bring Ings off midway through 2nd half and not stretch him too much so soon after the injury.

I think he's been a good signing so far in the context of what Ralph would have been looking for from him. I think we wanted someone to give us more options in wide positions and up front and that's exactly what he's done. Nice that for once we signed someone ready to come into first team immediately and the amount of time he's spent on the pitch so far suggests Ralph has been happy with him. I would be surprised if we end up signing him permanently though, would think we would look for someone younger on lower wages in the summer.