SaintAndy14

It might sound silly, but I'd rather play them next than another relegation contender as we can't (or rather, won't) match the sides near the bottom for effort and determination.

First smile in the last hour and a half! Thank you.

If Tadic is taking them then there's nothing to practice - long and loopy.

Long's already offered more than any other player...

This.

I think that 1st half performance can be summed up by the fact that we don't even know what to do when we get a throw-in - Bertrand stands there for 10secs with the ball above his head while a few players jog around going nowhere being marked. Clueless, spineless, pathetic. It's been a long time since I was embarrassed supporting Saints.

With the Fonte/Toby debate above, how about a back 3 with wing-backs? Something like: Boruc/FF Toby/Fonte/VVD - CBs Clyne/Bertrand - WBs (attacking) Morgan/Wanyama - CM Mane/Lallana - Inside Forwards Lambert - CF With Mane and Lallana is Inside Forwards, cutting in on their stronger foot (although both two-footed), it would allow Clyne and Bertrand to regularly bomb forward to the byline. We would have 3 solid CBs and protection in front with those 2 CMs. Wow, I'm getting too into this! Like a Football Manager dream team.

I think Carrillo starting is mainly to add a bit of extra height/strength at set-pieces - defensively as much as offensively.

I think it's clear that Stoke will set up the same way as they did last week away to Leicester - organised, men behind the ball, pressing regularly and hard to break down. We will play into their hands with plenty of possession but going nowhere with it. JWP could break the record for the amount of sideways/backward passes if he starts. Certainly can't see there being many goals in this. If OAP Crouch scores against us again then it will be a new low this season.

Thanks Shroppie.

Quick q for those more knowledgeable than I am - how many tickets do you expect us to receive (Man City had the entire stand behind the goal, didn't they?) and do you think we will sell out quickly? I went years back (early 2014, I think - Morgan put us 2-1 up before Maloney equalised) and I seem to remember us having the majority of the stand behind the goal for that Championship match. Took a decent number up for a League game, but it was a 3pm Sat.

Struck down with the flu this weekend - staying awake was a huge challenge during that 1st half. How long until the big boys come on up top for Burnley and cause chaos in our box?

This. What's the point in supporting a football team if you don't want to win trophies? As Paul Wotton said after the JPT Final, "If you don't want days like these then you shouldn't be playing football!" Or something similar.

What a strike Son! Wow, we needed that!

Except for the two or three occasions when Long made a great run and he could have put him through, yet he chose to continue to hold on to the ball and was forced out wide/lost the ball. There's no doubt that the lad has exceptional talent and I like his direct, positive running and unpredictability, but I thought there were times this evening (particularly the above when he could have attempted to put Long through) when his decision-making let him down. As a result, I certainly wouldn't call his performance 'excellent'.

Agreed. Looked good and encouraging to see a GK coming quickly off his line to sweep up! Hopefully won't be dropped.

Same. And the stewards telling us to sit down before we'd even had a chance to stand up. Thank you for creating this thread - a bright spot in a forum full of doom and gloom at the moment!

Seems very flat at SMS today. Nervy atmosphere I'm sure and not much to get excited about. Redmond is so frustrating to watch, regularly makes the wrong decisions. Hard to see why he keeps getting regular opportunities.

Excellent!

On the positive side(!), at least that goal on HT might mean we actually try to attack a little in the 2nd half. Watching another half of 11 behind the ball is not an inspiring thought.

I agree, he irritates me now. Not playing half as well as he did last season prior to the injury, and doesn't look as though he wants to be there. Fed up of his negative body language and shrugging/putting his hands out every time a player does something that he doesn't approve of. He reminds me of the talented kid at school who knows he's good and gets annoyed at how others are not as good as him. If we get a huge offer, sell please.

Will they want to make a change to their kit?

That was an impressive half. Everyone very organised and know their roles well. Kompany having a shocker both on the pitch and in the air where Long is beating him regularly. Much better both tactically and in terms of personnel in the last 1.5 matches. Hope yet! Only negative is Redmond - Boufal on for him, hopefully.

Thanks guys for the above links.

Anyone got another working stream other than this Ripple one?