UpweySaint

Just because you use the word 'factually' does not make it any more than the opinion of a man who 'factually' has an inordinate number of posts dedicated to slating JWP. We get it, you don't rate it. Some on here do and others do not. Either way a lot of those with experience of the game at a top level rate him and his dead ball delivery. More than welcome to disagree but maybe keep from conflating your opinion with established and verifiable fact. Personally I think he had started to show the potential we all hoped he might fulfil as this season has progressed and believe he might develop into an international class player (hopefully while still playing for us!).

Most likely. I had him down as a Glasgow alter-ego personally.

Well you would. Nobody is surprised. Have you ever posted anything remotely positive about the club you allegedly support? Try and cheer up, we are currently in one of the better periods for saints in recent history. It's been a hell of a ride. We lost a league cup final in a closely fought contest and, in no small part, down to one dodgy decisions and a crossbars width. Is it really oh so bad on the good ship Southampton?

Good point but you could argue we had good returns on those you mention and were able to replace fairly adequately. Should VVD go (though I hope/believe we might get one more out of him) I can only imagine it would be for a serious amount of money!

If we had a game every two weeks throughout the season then yes, you are right, it would tell you 'all you need to know'. As we played an absurd amount of games over a short timespan with a considerable number of injuries then you're comparison sort of falls down. If Puel still rotates this much next season I will gladly rescind my words but you are talking out of your backside here.

Hate to be a total sucker for such things but the club does rather good PR videos. Gutted not to be going to this one but will have it on at work in a bookmakers in Portsmouth and my word will I be shouting about it should we beat the odds again and get a result in this one!

Le Tiss (had the pleasure of meeting him at a charity game as a nipper) Niemi, Beattie going back a little. Current lot either Tadic or VVD (though Boufal is an exciting watch!). Plenty of likeability amongst the squad mind. Honourable mention for Billy Sharp. Class act all around, scored against Pompey and played a big part in our final promotion push. Genuinely smile every time he flashes up on soccer saturday as having smashed in another.

Very good post. It may sound awful but, EFL cup aside, I am wishing this season away. I have fears but believe there are at least three sides worse than us but expect a bottom half finish (even if we have some kinder fixtures coming up). As others have suggested this season has felt like an unfortunate waste and, while we can't expect continued improvement, the season has promised much but failed to deliver. Not sure if I am alone but already thinking about the summer and how things could look next season. The optimist in me says only VVD leaves, we replace well with two good CBs,find a driving centre mid (think Davis with power and goals) and Puel has more time to develop his ideas with the squad. I don't know if I believe Puel can do better but I really do hope he can. We might also see Stephens, Sims, McQueen, Prowse and more as established, and effective, players in the first team.

Agreed on Clasie. Shows flashes with his ability to pick out the occasional top class ball but so rarely does he dictate play or the tempo of a match. Hate to say it but was enviously looking at Leroy Fer last night when he took the ball and drove forward with purpose from CM. I don't think Bertrand is the best solution, largely for the reasons you say, but I would not be against us using him at CB should it be required. I hope Gardos and Stephens can fill the void but have little faith in Gardos and feel that Stephens is going to be under a heavy burden for such a young lad. Targett does lack the pace of a Shaw, Bertrand or even McQueen and is unlikely to play the same sort of role of quickly overlapping and directly running at oppo full backs but the lad can cross, reads the game fairly well and can tackle. Understand you say right now he is not the answer (his injury obviously means as much either way!) but we may well find ourselves looking at the 'least worst' options should we have another injury at the back etc.

Wing backs don't necessarily mean defensive but agree it could be perceived that way though was picturing Bertrand as a makeshift CB in a back four. Respect your opinion on Targett. Though I think he is still developing I think he is decent enough now (especially when you consider it as a back up plan) and both he and McQueen could develop into good players for the first team. We did seem to accomodate Bertrand and McQueen in the same side last night when we switched to something akin to a 4-2-3-1 with McQueen as a wide player in the 3.

Equally gutted about the lack of CB but I suppose we could always see Bertrand cover and McQueen or Targett (when is he due back?) in at left back where we at least have decent options. Or, as somebody mentioned elsewhere, let's hope Jones is ready if called upon. He is young and inexperienced for a CB but often the best do start young. Whatever happens Reed has ballsed up. My other half suggested that maybe LR is a fan of these 'alternative facts' when it comes to replacing Fonte.

How about the kitman? Tea lady? Nope, sod it. Everyone out of good ship Southampton!

The high lofted kind that our big centre forward will challenge for all day ...

I'm not quite ready to join the Puel out crowd yet. We have played an absurd amount of games which no doubt has had an impact, we are having a mini injury crisis and the recruitment has been below par of late but jesus wept we are frustrating to watch at times this season! The Tadic/Cedric link up down the right looks decent but we lack anybody to hit in the box from our crosses while nobody in the midfield three drives beyond, or at least gets up with, Long. Playing keep ball is fine in itself but without direct movement to take advantage of the gaps when they are found it is rather sodding redundant. Oh well, cup final, new Italian, Boufal back and a second half that cannot be much worse!

We as a club produce good players, don't see any reason not to be proud of that. God knows how each of the players feel, imagine some are proud, McQueen comes to mind ... either way it's not really relevant. Some people are determined to be negative about everything and anything on here!

Probably in a minority. Our club doesn't have a cabinet full of trophies to be proud of but a lot of us are dead proud of our academy and those that come out of it both as players and people.

Pure bullsh*t thing to say by Reed, we all knew it, but it's an opinion I suppose ... Back to topic, none of us actually know what is going in with Fonte and/or Les. The only facts appear to be a transfer request has been submitted and Jose may leave in the window after serving the club well. Like it or not or strength has, largely, came from being able to replace and recruit well (some may point to examples where replacements have not been to scratch but, speaking generally we tend to do better than most at this). Thank you Jose. Who is next?

In. Rather disillusioned like many for similar reasons; style of football, hapoel game, lack of obvious passion (yes not all managers need to be raving loonies but a bit more oomph might be nice), comparisons with last season etc. Don't get me wrong if we were perilously close to relegation it might be prudent to gamble but replacing him would be a gamble. For every great escape there is a dramatic collapse. As long as we don't find ourselves in a relegation dog fight I am in favour of giving Puel time to get his own players in and settle his style of play (two seasons seems a fair chunk to judge - if we can afford the luxury of time). He may need time to adapt to the league and the players to his ideas - we all know our schedule has made this difficult. He does have a reputation for developing young talent which is massively important for us as a club and, for most, a genuine point of pride. As mentioned by others his only real signings were Pied (unlucky to be crocked so soon but we shall see ...) and Boufal (who looks like he may have some real magic).

Some of Theo's early games were a highlight for me. He would get on the ball and there would be a genuine sense of anticipation as he ran with electric pace, such a shame he has not become quite the player his early promise hinted at.

Points for the father Ted reference!

They are forwards. We play with three forwards rather than out and out strikers. It is quite common in world football right now and can work well.

Ha!

There is different opinions about how we play and what we do as a club which, of course, are to be respected. On the other hand there are some who find every negative they can and trot out 'we shouldn't ever sell anyone' at any opportunity. There are some people on this forum whose sole purpose is to act like bellends. Had not included you in my, admittedly a tad childish, dig. I don't agree with your view that we were crying out for a striker but can understand why you would feel that way. I hope Long and Rodriguez are both a goal away from finding their form. Often all it takes. Shame Jay's legitimate goal last night was chalked off.

Some real f**king bellends on here. We just went to the san siro and outplayed inter milan. We had a legitimate goal chalked off and watched a keeper pull a few worldies out of his locker. Yes disappointing not to win and we could be a little more clinical but Jesus wept some some of the trolling on here. We may still go through into the knock out rounds of European competition. Let that sink in, 6 years ago stadium MK, now here. Get a grip.

Tell her to enjoy herself and wave away, worry about the consequences later, Inter away may be once in a life time