lickierambert

Went to the game yesterday. Whoever decided that we should bat first needs their head examining. Rain overnight, humid morning but with a good forecast for the rest of the day. That's screaming out to bowl first, especially having failed to defend 330 the other night. I wonder if the Glamorgan game was playing on their minds. It's also pretty evident that we've still got a weak white ball attack. Abbott's great but I'm not sure he's really a great white ball bowler. Dawson was tidy as ever but Edwards and Crane looked unthreatening. Unfortunately with those two you are going to leak runs and if the ball's not doing much, you're onto a hiding for nothing. They could have chased 370 yesterday, let alone 270. As for the batting, the first hour and a half was embarrassing. Fair play to Bailey and Abbott for saving face. The less said about Vince, Alsop and McManus' shots the better. I really want to give the youngsters a chance but McManus has to be the weakest one-day keeper batsman in the group. I don't know about their various fitness/health issues but Carberry and Topley have to find a way into the side.

The way the Hull players speak about Silva is exactly the same way our players spoke about Poch when he first turned up. I'd be delighted to have him here

He was Arsenalified in record time, wasn't he?

Very good win with 5 of our best players missing

Couldn't put it better myself. Such a weird season

If his instagram is anything to go by, he's currently doing some running work in the gym. I'm not sure it's in anyone's interests to rush him back for a couple of pointless games at the end of the season so we may have seen the last of him in a Saints shirt

West Ham vs Fleetwood in a half full taxpayers stadium next season would be funny

Do you think we'll gamble with both Topley and Edwards given they've not bowled much pre-season? I'd say Wheal is more likely to play. Also, who drops out when Bailey gets back? Adams looks the most likely but then does Dawson or Roussow open?

Lambert, always Lambert.

Puel showing what he can do with a full week on the training ground. His English is improving as well which can only help

Oh, happy days

Has anyone ever scored 5 in their first 3 games for us?

Proud of the team. Life isn't fair. CB situation cost us

Stephens and JWP start

Boufal will be on the bench so Gabbi, Tadic and Redmond. If Boufal has only just started training again, he won't start

9 places are nailed on-the only debatable ones are the 2nd centre back and whether JWP or Hoj plays as the 3rd CM. I'll go with JWP

I don't know what the greater gamble is. Playing a completely not match fit Caceres or the rookie Stephens. At the moment I'm leaning towards Caceres. I've got a horrible feeling Stephens could freeze and get completely bullied by Zlatan

I note that Kyle Abbott didn't get picked up in the IPL auction, so will be available for the whole season now

I can't remember the last time a player of ours came back early from a major injury. We always seem to have Arsenalitis, where '2 months' means nearer 5 or 6 As much as I'd love us to be trolling Utd over VVD, I simply don't believe it

We sure as hell aren't going to start playing four attacking players now. We're going to play on the break as we did at Liverpool and to think otherwise is naïve. Davis for Boufal and I think you've got the team

Newcastle-Guaranteed 3 points at home. Excellent comedy value Brighton- Local. I also like Chris Hughton Leeds-Too many small boring clubs in the PL as a result of 00's financial excesses. They'd shake things up and create some atmosphere

I think they would have played even without this. Just seems too much of a gamble to send someone into a final without any game time

I think I'd play the same team, with maybe Hojbjerg for JWP. I worry for Stephens v Ibra but we've got a great chance.

Yes but we also need width and creativity. I would also create a Talented Winger And Tantalising Supplier unit to help. It's understaffed at the minute due to long term sickness

We really, desperately need him. This is exactly the kind of signing Reed and co sneer at as well: panic buying