nta786

If I'm spending £500m on something I would do my own research plus use respected advisors, not look at what the media tells me. We can put a positive spin on us too - a famed academy and only recently as 5 years ago a good decent scouting system in place. Plus, we are based in the South, near London, and have been a consistent PL club. Just because someone is overpaying for Leeds for £400m doesn't mean they will become amazing.

I can't say I'm overly excited, but I appreciate he is better than what we have and in truth anything might be better than the performances McCarthy has been putting out recently. Out of interest, which player would excite you? We can't sign a first team level keeper atm, this is a more than adequate stopgap, and if he is better than Harry Lewis it is a win-win.

Have you also seen our recent performances. I have no doubt that we will dominate them in the first hour of the game, but sadly that means nothing because at best we will have a 1 goal lead. Then the opposition barely need to enter our box and we look fragile in the 6 yard box, Aubameyang will find space to ricochet one in off Romeu's arse.

Ali Dia also only got a 1 month contract. Welcome aboard - not expecting much in truth but he comes with a decent career.

The draw for the 3rd Round takes place at c. 7pm today, live on BBC/ITV apparently. What would we like? The numbers for the draw above - PL clubs shaded in blue. We are ball number 37. Kidderminster Harriers at home please. If not, I wouldn't mind Charlton away!

In this league it is difficult to move forward when your net spend is practically nil. The results are somewhat disappointing, but for as long as we are above the drop zone comfortably, Ralph's job won't come under any pressure at all. I think we just need to get used to this. I don't think he is a bad manager, just a slightly above average one who has found his level with us. I don't think he will ever manage the PL top 6, but I can see him doing well for a Leipzig/Frankfurt or something after a stint with us, and I can see him taking a German team into the top 4. Ultimately, he is here because a PL manager salary is still higher than the majority of clubs in other domestic leagues.

Yep agree with this. I think part of that problem is exacerbated by our transfers. Other clubs buy a Jonny Evans, a Craig Dawson, a Gary Cahill etc etc, defensive players who don't entirely need pace but have a leadership quality picked up over the years that can galvanise and organise a team. We bought Theo Walcott ffs whose ability is waning.

I think we will make Arsenal look like world beaters in this game. Aubameyang might have been quiet all season but I have no doubt he will pop up with a goal or two in this game. Is Bednarek missing? If so, we have to play Stephens. Lewis Tino - Stephens - Lyanco - KWP Redmond - JWP - Diallo - Tella C.Adams - Broja For the love of God though, Ralph needs to take Tino off around the 60/70th minute and bring Perraud on. Nothing wrong with Tino starting, but the poor lad is only 19 and looks visibly fatigued, I'm worried we are over playing him and the fixtures are coming thick and fast. Arsenal 3-1 Southampton my final prediction.

I think this just confirms how mentally fragile we are but also the lack of nous in seeing games out. Any other team, if the GK is injured, would waste time or the GK will be on the floor or would signal an injury, anything to take the sting out of the game. Our bunch of nice guys though allow the opposition to take the free kick in a dangerous position. So frustrating.

Look, that goal we conceded, is JWP’s fault unless Ralph instructed that, in which case all I have to say is WTF. However, Ralph really is to blame for the game management today. Why he didn’t make the 3rd sub or switch it up I do not know. The PL is full of world class managers now and unfortunately Ralph is just being found lacking. Anything to stem the flow by putting Perraud or Diallo on could have made the difference. Let’s reverse the situation, had we been Brighton, down to 10 men away from home 1-0 down, Ralph would have sung praises for “battling and keeping it down to just 1”... It really is a bitter pill to swallow tonight, in other circumstances 1-1 is fine but not in the manner today, that feels like a loss. However, we march on, I’m not calling for Ralph’s head but seeing the same mistakes over and over again is disappointing.

FUCK OFF

They have 10 men and they lost their best attacking player. If we don’t see this out it’s a disgrace

“1-0 and your walking home”

Salisu now misses Arsenal next weekend. Silly but incredibly harsh I thought

Come on Ralph, make some changes now Maybe get Diallo/Stephens on, show some flexibility

Everyone has largely played well don’t get me wrong but think we should make a sub or two Djenepo would have been ideal but he’s not even in squad. I don’t fancy Theo on, so I’d like Elyounoussi on for Tella at least. Another 5-10 mins later I’d put Armstrong on for Broja

Nathan Redmond has become the first ever Saints player to assist in 4 consecutive home games according to the commentator.

Broja can take a leaf out of Lukaku’s book who spent loans at Everton/West Brom for example. Give us a season or two, get 15-30 PL goals + minutes and he can go back to Chelsea a better player. Hopefully we can just receive a nice sum/profit!

HT: Southampton 1-0 Brighton. Definitely fair reflection on game

So Duffy possibly should be off, we need to target him second half.

BROJAAAA

We are definitely being ran like a seaside B&B

Potter doesn’t need to be a genius here. Just needs to survive our first half onslaught because we need about 10 chances to score 1. With all the energy saved they can win the 2nd half convincingly.