DuncanRG

That half buries the argument that Pellegrino is ‘out of his depth’. This fixture is the deepest water you can get and he’s set us up brilliantly. More of the same please - maybe Tadic for Redmond at some point. It’ll get harder when they bring Silva on.

Unfortunately Austin's a lard who can't play three games a week. If he were fitter, he might be playing tonight.

Knew three at the back was coming. Delighted we've found space for Hojbjerg too - he and Lemina are gonna be key if we're going to escape the press and attack.

He also had a good game at theirs last season

These bits in the Echo openly defy the media training! “After that, I knew if I kept on going and doing what I do best, and I know I’m not allowed to say it, but Southampton FC wouldn’t be the club for me and I know eventually I’ll succeed somewhere else." “It’s just step by step and the most important thing right now is to play football and, if it’s not at Southampton, then it’s somewhere else. I know I’m not allowed to say it from a club perspective but this is how it is."

His use of the ball matters too.

He did say in one that 'the tank was empty' when he came off after 80 minutes. That doesn't scream 'two starts in four days' to me. I'm surprised Ward-Prowse played 90 minutes though. Thought we'd fancy his set piece ability given that's one of very few things resembling a weakness for City.

I find it so weird that people think he was chasing money. When he left, did any of us really think he wasn't good enough for United's first team? He went to go and play for one of the greatest clubs on earth, win trophies and make a lot of money in the process. The fact he left to get games at Everton, rather than sitting in the United reserves for big wages, should make it even clearer. If you're bitter whenever a good player leaves Saints then that's fine, but just say so instead of pretending he did anything wrong besides that tweet! It's not like he went to China for money (Pelle) or went at a risky, early stage in his career (Chambers).

I'd only sell if we have good attacking signings lined up and that's the only way to pay for them. Otherwise, we're in far too precarious a position to be selling any good players, let alone our best.

I'll be the first to say I have no idea how to set up against Man City. One moment which made me think today, though, was Yoshida coming on and us switching to three at the back. Was that a late bit of security in case Everton got back into it, or a (very) late run-out which points to a formation change on Wednesday?

The problem, as Sour Mash says, is that he doesn't do all that's required to win most games. Today, he was very effective against an open defence who gave us space to cross, which is great and exactly why he played. Must say I disgaree with this. It was noticeably quieter than usual at the start and when the equaliser went in people around me (Kingsland North) were suddenly berating players for the sorts of passes they were applauding at 1-0.

Really sad to see what's happened to him.

If you want to cite science, please read up. The articles in this thread are a good start.

Hope he’s physically up to starting three games this week. He needs that momentum but if he’s not up to chasing City for 90 minutes then unfortunately we need someone else in.

Boy, did we need that. Big response after Anfield with some lovely play, albeit helped from start to finish by Everton. Couldn’t believe how bad they were. Hojbjerg did very well with the freedom that he was given. Romeu will need to up his game to be sure of his place. I feel for Austin because he was never gonna start against City and is still the wrong option for that game, but I’m really pleased he could make the most of his chance today.

How many non-binary people do you know? I don’t know any, so it’s not really crossed my radar in personal conversation. That makes it quite easy to address if the issue comes up. You can rest easy knowing that the vast, vast majority of people will be happy with Mr and Ms. I don’t pretend the science is clear on this, only that it is pointing ever stronger away from the notion that there are two immutable genders.

Yes you can. Refer to people in the way they choose, just like you do when you use their names. I'm Duncan and I'd like it if you called me that. If you can manage to navigate the hundreds of thousands of names in the world then you can manage a pronoun, of which there are far fewer. It's good manners, simple as that.

Did you read the article I linked to? Here's another one, if you like.

I'd dispute that - look at the debate around public toilets - but it's not quite the point with this measure. It's the equivalent or you or I being asked to choose between Mrs or Ms, when neither applies. It's a simple matter of politeness.

Here's some science for you and anyone else believing it's as simple as two binary genders. It's a good read with background, case studies and a reminder that people are killed and kill themselves because others refuse to accept them.

Unfortunately not

Good news. People are entitled to be referred to as any or no gender and this will not affect anyone else in the slightest.

I'm aware of that and very glad. All I said was that fan reaction/atmosphere in the ground may have contributed to Puel's sacking, not policy towards anyone else. I doubt most fans give a monkeys about Black and Watson, if they even know who they are.

As a fanbase we could definitely do more to link up with the FSF and similar organisations to campaign for broader reform, safe standing etc. It's a shame we're not particularly active there, but I feel the same inertia as everyone on that front. As for Saints themselves, there are probably changes which could help in the long term to counter unforeseen issues, but I don't see how fan participation would help with any of our current problems, which are minor in the grand scheme of things. Fans don't know how to appoint a manager and it would be incredibly petulant to demand structural changes to the club because we've stopped being one of the best teams in the country. It's worth noting that it seems, from the outside, that fan discontent played a factor in Puel's sacking.

Indeed - just edited my post to reflect that. It may or may not make him a poor fit, but it doesn't make him an idiot.