kitch

Who do you think would have been in the right place to slide that in? My point is we don't have players who often have that instinct to be in the right place at the right time, AND manage to finish it.

Regards the 'lazy' snubs, I think it's because of his demeanour. He never looks like he's busting a gut, even when he is. There was a moment in a game the other day, I forget which, where he'd come on as a sub and had a lung-buster to chase down a ball to the opponent's byline. It didn't *look* like he was pushing it at first glance, but look more closely and you can see he was. I think he gives off the impression of someone who's playing at a canter, and couple that with the fact that he's still young and learning where to be in order to gain that extra yard, it's probably why fans think he looks lazy. I don't think he is, especially given he's surrounded by the likes of Arma and Fraser, who've got shorter gear ratios than him, and go everywhere at 8000rpm! Mara looks about 6ft to me, and I can't remember many that tall who look like they're darting around trying to win everything. Think back to Pelle or even SRL...they never 'looked' like they were busting a gut, despite the fact they clearly were. Another thing for me is that of all the goals he's scored, there are none where I think that I could see one of the other players here managing the same finish (with the exception of the one against Walsall, which was a textbook Che Adams goal IMO). Otherwise the one against City in the cup, or the one at the back post the other day - I still don't believe we have other players here who would have finished against City like that, or would have been in the right place to slide home against Blackburn. I think there's a serious player in there, but my gut feeling is we won't see it here. You could be the most able-flying bird in nature, but if you get kicked out the nest before you're ready, you'll fall to the floor. Some players take longer than others to get there, and I don't think the fans here (or the demands of the league) can afford to wait. I hope he stays, though, because his mum is fit.

POTS: KWP is like having a cheat code in the Champ. Otherwise Janny B & Arma so far, for me. THB also in with a shout. Most improved: Edozie, Bazunu (and if they carry on the way they are, Aribo & Mara, though need a run of meaningful appearances from the latter, not 5 mins here and there).

Of course she'd say that, she's a pompey fan!

I already liked RM, but I like him even more now. Got it spot on, IMO. Acknowledge that Sunak's a fan, make him welcome, wish him a good time etc like any other fan (and I'm sure he is a genuine fan, no issue with that) but steer the conversation away from politics as you don't see eye-to-eye on them, and you're not there to discuss that anyway. Job done.

Deffo some complacency there. Probably hard to stay focused when you're so clearly dominating. I suggest they stop and look at the scoreboard every now and then, because like you say, they should have been out of sight if Adams could finish. (He did well with his goal, no doubts on that one). Smallbone & Charles, however...don't want to see them in midfield at the same time again for a while. No creativity at all. Badly needed Aribo or Stuey to start with one or the other, but appreciate Downes was out so not an ideal lineup anyway. More like Swansea, less like tonight, but keep it going Saints.

Being lucky to win games when even you've made errors or not played well is the mark of a team that wins things. I'll take that all day long. Thought Mara's cameo was hugely encouraging. He's looked good each time he's come on recently. Some lovely skill tonight, unlucky not to score. Still convinced there's a big player there. Lovely finish from Alcaraz too, and I've really been impressed with Bednarek recently. Hasn't put a foot wrong for ages now. Baz? Bah, it happens. He's young, as long as he learns from it, no problem. Onwards.

Che Adams is fucking toilet.

Still remain convinced there's a player in there. Ask yourselves how many of our other attackers would have been on the end of that cross on Saturday? Che would've been stood still in the box watching it. Only AA possibly would have met that, but even then I'm not convinced. He gets bit parts, with 5min cameos here and there, which for a 21yr old trying to find his feet is a pretty rough deal. I think he just needs to adapt to the pace of the game here, and he won't do that on the bench. Thought he was solid when he came on against Blackburn, though he should have put that one-on-one away, but that's again that's a lack of match sharpness and confidence.

Jesus, that's some guy. Makes you feel proud to support the same club as him.

I just wanted to say if you came up with "Who needs Rodriguez, we've got your back four" and "We are Southampton, we don't need to score!" years ago when Everton came down and scored two own goals, I personally thank you!

What actually kicked that off, then? Alcaraz getting involved cos Burger started on Holgate?

There's nothing to be gained by trying to analyse last night. Only thing I took out of it was the number of times in the second half one of our creative players (normally Stu or Alcaraz) wandered into the opposing half looking to start something, before hanging onto the ball for what seemed like 4 hours while they desperately looked around for someone to move it to. How can a team that's set up with 5 attackers have no options in the final third?! Leicester weren't sat deep or anything (they didn't need to). Were players hiding? Were they in the wrong positions? All the shit that's gone on over the past couple of years, and last night it looked like nobody at the club had learned a thing. Credit to Baz, thought it'd be 5 or 6 if it weren't for him.

Was just thinking that!

He did. He liked Ings, too.

#maraIN

Strikes me that if we actually feed him with the service he needs, he'll bag tonnes of goals in the Champ, but he's never had it. He always looks like a fish up a tree. I think he'll go to Werder Bremmen personally. Arma will be up top tomorrow with Alcaraz, Fraser and Stu behind him IMO. Have a nasty feeling this is when the unbeaten streak ends. Sunderland will want blood if we're pinching two of their best players, and it's a damage limitation match for Russell as he doesn't have all the pegs in the right holes yet. Hope I'm talking complete shite though.

Can't figure Mara out. He's frustrating. Clearly has a lot of talent and potential, but figuring out a way to unlock it seems tricky. He's had three different managers here, and if Russ doesn't see it then I'm happy to trust the process. Things like the finish against City in the cup though...none of our other strikers (since Ings) would have managed that. Cool as you like.

I wonder how Wolves fans will feel about signing the striker who (if my memory serves me right) managed while playing against them to miss an open goal on the goal line by handballing instead of heading? I can see Wolves going down tbh. I think their party is over now.

He literally is no. 9 😆 (yeah I know what you meant!)

You see him more as a 10?

Are you forgetting Arma there?

Gotta be Millwall and Leeds.

This is a valid point. People are weighing up £15m for a striker with poor finishing generally (though with other decent attributes) in his last year of contract vs. the riches we'd gain from promotion...completely overlooking the fact that we aren't guaranteed promotion with or without him, and could easily finish outside the top 6/7 and still see him go at the end of the season on a free. I quite like him, but I think he's easily replaceable. My only worry is will the club actually manage it this time.

Serious question...who the fuck would eat raw chicken liver, and why?!