UpweySaint

Shocked to see samuel eto still in there! a world class finisher still but never in the top 100 in the world these days!

For many of us it's simple, money. I prefer live games, love them, but as a student it's a rare luxury. I still want to watch saints as often as I can though even if it is with a dodgy canadian stream. More realistic pricing, even for cup games etc would entice the likes of myself into the stadium more often.

No worries! All have to be wrong now and then. Common sense yes but it is still relatively new to the English game, I remember a few years back people were baffled by the Europeanisation with directors of football becoming commonplace! Now it does seem baffling that one man should be in charge of the first team and all it's dealings without more background planning going on.

I will admit I've been sceptical about a lot of the top down management and called for more pragmatism but sometimes we have to concede we were wrong and others know best. I hope people keep some faith though with the way we are doing things even if we have a blip! The way the academy boys have looked so seamless on coming into the first team is proof enough for me we're doing plenty right!

Some good points. I think a great deal of it comes down to having a style of play. We know how we play and it is taught through the academy. Given time I imagine Moyes will sort them out and build a team he wants playing his way. Just look at some of the football Everton played last year without the massive resources (albeit with less pressure!). Perhaps a little cheeky of Savage but always nice to get plaudits and I am shocked to say I think Utd could learn a lot from the way we do things!

http://nutjob.eu/njtvx28.html seems okay so far though robbie earle (what a blast from the past!) seems confused by our line up ...

I think we can look at today as a bit of a gift really. With our injuries and citys form any other result would be brilliant. gives some of the fringe players a chance to show their worth without too much pressure while osvaldo might well be buzzing after his goal midweek. I'l go for a plucky 2-2 with Osvaldo scoring a worldie

Ok Luke is potentially world class no doubt but potential is not always met. Let's just say he suffers a serious injury or even a series of niggling ones. Personally though it comes down to who else we could realistically get as well as taking into account what it impact selling him has on the rest of the side. There is a point when the money on offer is simply too good to refuse but, for me, it would have to be pretty astronomical in terms of fee.

Surely it depends who is officiating?!

I clearly did not call him a flash in the pan. He had not reached his prolific potential in his time with us. He showed potential and, after leaving, went on to realise this potential. MLT could be class when surrounded by even better players but, as all the tactical analysis suggests, our high press only works when everyone presses. No doubt Le Tiss would be a fantastic addition to ANY side if he could fit into our set-up without changes to accommodate him is debatable.

Niemi for Boruc Anders for JWP Past that i'm not sure. Would love MLT but it'd require a change of formation to accommodate for him, Theo showed flashes of his talent before he left us so not sure he's a fair pick, Shearer again the same as Theo. In HIS prime I'd take him all day long but for his time with us maybe not.

If nothing else it is a good negotiating tool. If our starting position trying to make a deal if "we have mega bucks and need x player" his price automatically rockets. If we go into talks with a we can take it or leave it position hopefully we will be in a strong position to make a good deal should the opportunity arise. We can have no plans to move into the market but I am sure there are players whose availability would bring us, and most top clubs, in.

Too soon for JWP and Shaw and don't feel Rodriguez or Clyne will come into the thinking until post Brazil however the future looks very bright and nice to see people taking notice of our players!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1847036-charting-the-evolution-of-england-new-boy-jay-rodriguez An interesting article hopefully!

Hindsight is a lovely thing aint it! I stand by my conviction that having a variety of players allows us to play different systems when or if required with players with more natural width being something we dont have. Also, to be fair, most of us suggested signing what Hodgson has called "wide forwards" such as Ince who could play out wide in a four or in a front three.

Cliche but had Colbacks tackle been anywhere else on the pitch ...he's got Chambers arm and has pulled him down, a foul for sure, how much of one is speculative.

Not exactly a worldie but they all count, maybe worth chucking Lallana on and going for it!

Have to say it is good to see how much depth we have, even if we don't get the win here we have looked more then competitive against a near full-strength sunderland side. Stand out is Cork so far, no surprises but Reed (I think it's Reed! The feed isn't fantastic and he's not exactly as recognizable as others yet!) looks promising and Chambers looks assured, good to see him kicking on.

Good to see Cork still looking class! Gaston movement off the ball good finish not so ... hope he gets another chance soon and pings it in, could do with the confidence.

http://nutjob.eu/njtvx17.html best of the lot for me chaps

Wont get into the wrongs and rights of what we've done but I would like to weigh in on the whole "it wouldn't make a difference if we dropped prices" issue. For me, personally, it would. I find that between travel and tickets football is a very expensive pass time for those on a student budget! It would be great to see the club give a little back to our fans to show appreciation for our following (ok im a optimist!).

Richards has barely played! In terms of form no contest but ability and experience? For me, at this time, Richards. Young though I will give you, the lad is dross!

I'd suggest a touch of saints tinted specs is at play but for sure Hodgson could do worse then having Clyne in his squad to see how he stacks up (though personally I think Richards, if he could get a run of injury free games, is the best of the bunch at for England). Cleverly I think some of the criticism goes too far, sure there is a bit of big club thinking in him making the England squad (on current form and with his lack of game time he shouldn't be in!) but I think he is a talented player who's development is stifled by sitting on a utd bench. In an everton, wba, swansea or even saints side I firmly think he has enough ability to blossom into international material (though I don't believe he is there yet and, as it stands, I would certainly take our AL to the world cup over him!).

Cheers pal!

I fancy people are being a touch too black and white about this. Progress in the cup could help build momentum for the league while on the other hand a good league finish this year might help us solidify the gains we have made and have a crack at trophies year on year if we build on the side (ifs and maybes for sure but thats sort of the point!). My own opinion is, as much as I would love a cup run, I am prouder of our reputation for bringing through the academy talents and, if that means giving them experience in the cups, so be it.