UpweySaint

This. Still work to go to improve key areas of the squad but on the surface a lot of the moves around player trading and staffing seem sensible. Sport Republic so actively pursuing other clubs also fits with this and gives a clear sense of direction where previously there had been an element of drift and stagnation - appreciate some may not support the multi club model.

Aren't stripes meant to be slimming? 😉

Fair point. 'Loyalty' in football is a funny concept and gets banded about a lot without much real consideration. Either way I hope our aftercare has improved from those days - football is ultimately a business but I think most of our want our club to try to demonstrate good values where possible.

Seconded. He wasn't particularly a billy big boll*cks about moving on and never claimed to be a die-hard saints fan. So long as he hasn't burnt bridges behind closed doors I don't see any issue with him returning - he is well suited to us and it doesn't look like Villa fancy him so there should be a deal to be had. For the right price I would take him back. Ideal scenario we shift Armstrong and Long then bring Ings +1 with potential in. Ings and Adams are a decent pairing but we would need some cover without going OTT - in a crisis Redmond or possibly one of the academy boys could go up top.

Satisfied at the outset for sure but it's been a frustrating season at times. Not much between the sides today but you fancy Leicester have more quality and potential game changers.

Big summer ahead. I waver on if Ralph is the right man for us but the squad needs a fairly significant overhaul. I felt bad for McCarthy getting stick but his distribution was abysmal, he has patches of good form here and there but if we go into next year with him as our no1 without serious competition I have real concerns.

While I agree what is to say this lad isn't good enough? He's looked good when I've seen him for Ireland.

It's been coming for sure. We've been too sloppy in possession - goal aside not one of Romeu's best games so far.

Possibly a little harsh on my part and maybe a little snap in the cold light of day. I do agree we have largely punched above our weight under Ralph but some of his decisions recently have left me scratching my head - Valery getting games (whatever the question is he's not the answer), Adams being dropped, Redmond being bombed ... Always willing to be proved to know f*ck all about football though, the West Ham cup game was a classic for that, hoping we can avoid a total collapse for the rest of the season and we go into the summer with some of the positivity we've had earlier in the season.

I agree with the sentiment but that was a dire watch and we seem to be drifting since our good run earlier in the year. I just don't get what the plan was today and that worries me more than us playing a high press and suffering the occasional spanking to top class opposition. Investment in the playing squad is needed in the summer but we've been at our best when we have a clear way of playing and it seems to have gone missing. I worry if Ralph/his ability to progress the players has gone stale which I say with a heavy heart because he's up there with my favourite saints managers and is a classy bloke. When Valery is starting over Salisu I just don't get what Ralph is thinking ...

I was about to post the only saving grace was that we were only 1-0 at half time ... The tactics are wrong. We look really uncomfortable in this shape and Burnley are strolling through us with no pressure on the ball. I have no clue what our plan is today and it looks like the players don't either. Where the f*ck has the press gone?!? Yes Burnley want it more but I'm gutted for any who have travelled to watch us go through the motions. The team selection is wrong. Our back three is dreadful. I don't like when players are written off but, Norwich aside, this has to be one of the least convincing CB set ups I've seen in the league all season. What have Adams and Salisu done to not be starting? In a game crying out for physicality neither are playing. Is Broja arsed? We're not creating much but he looks a shadow on the player from a few months ago. Romeu should have scored one or both of his chances - both very good. Question marks about the second goal but frankly we're lucky they've not hit three or four so it'd be sour grapes to whinge about it too much. We need to look at ourselves and do something much different in the second half. I have so much time for Ralph and stepping away I'll probably want him to be given a well backed transfer window to see what he can do but I'm starting to think his time may be coming to an end. Yes he needs to be adaptable but we are at our best playing front foot, high press football. I can't see how this set up fits with what we're trying to do and it doesn't seem geared up to any particular threat Burnley offer.

I'm a big Ralph fan usually but what is going on with our tactics today? We're making Burnley look like Brazil, being carved apart far too easily and players seem to be nowhere near Burney counterparts.

That is beyond soft! Dean currently pitching wood at the opportunity to give City a pen.

Stephens miss kick and the deflection gives Fraser no chance. Bugger! We've started the game well and we may not be dead and buried just yet. If we chase the game and get smashed it's a one off cup tie at least ...

Frustrating game. Not bad as some on here would have you believe but some poor defending and just not enough cutting edge up to, de ja vu ... it does stick in the throat that Newcastle blagged to get the game called off and it's their blood money signings with the goals but we can only look at ourselves and what we need to do. Let's hope we can get back on track against Watford and end the season in the top half. Still lots of positives to take from the season and we are heading back in the right direction for sure. Agree with others that Perraud should be in the side on current form. Tino still has the world at his feet and his time will come but he's not hit the same heights since his injury.

Shocking left wing woke snowflake stuff that being opposed to people being killed or imprisoned for their sexuality ... one big commie conspiracy right?!? Not sure why you feel so threatened by 'these people' as you label them but suggest it doesn't really impact on your match going experience so surely you can just ignore it even if you don't agree with it?

Agreed with those wanting to hear a bit more from/about Crocker and the 'big picture' planning around the club. A broader piece on what some of the backroom team do might be interesting too, something like a 'typical day' at the club and who does what.

This one is up and running now - http://weakstreams.com/soccer-streams/premier-league/southampton-vs-everton/52796/?sport=soccer Bit behind I think but quality wise it's okay...

How the f**k is that not a foul?!? In what f*cking world is that not?!? Joke of a decision.

Said the actress to the bishop ...

His 'team of the week' is mostly a list of who scored at the weekend and always feels half arsed. No doubting Laporte is a top defender but there is no question who the most impressive CB was at the weekend - admittedly Salisu had a lot more work to get through. I actually think as CB's go Salisu has been pretty consistent this season. He plays aggressively and gets tight to attackers so there are always going to be times he over commits but he seems to be worth the risks for the amount of times it comes good. I love having him in the side - absolute ball magnet (probably says something about his positioning and decision making) and think he's certainly one who could progress to the top level.

So much for VAR being used for 'clear and obvious' errors. It took them an eternity to make the decision and it was subjective at best. We may as well be playing rugby if this is how they're going to officiate games.

I suppose it's subjective. Either way it gives Obafemi a chance to go down and the ref a decision to make irrespective of actual level of contact. Daft on a yellow.

I think it was really soft but Valery has a grab at Obafemi on a yellow and Obafemi has made the most of it. It gives the ref a decision to make and we've seen them given before and will again. Valery is really hit and miss but his decision making is often found lacking.

This. Seeing Brentford play us off the park in the cup (last year?) and having our asses handed to us by Sisto and co (do we relaunch the sign Sisto bandwagon now?) really showed how clubs could box clever to punch above their weight. We're never going to be one of the big, moneyed clubs and it's good to have some hope we can still punch above our weight now and then otherwise plodding along in the 'just good enough not to go down' club can get a little tiresome. There is a lot to like about Brentford as a club/fanbase and hopefully we can both sneak into the top half of the table with dreams of another European tour feeling like less of a pipedream - I only managed some of the home fixtures and would love to see Saints away in Europe in my lifetime!