saintwbu

Absolutely superb. Real shame to concede because they didn’t trouble our defence at all the entire game, and even the goal wasn’t a result of our defence being breached, just a nicely placed shot from the edge of the area. Hojbjerg knew he owed us today and he was majestic, disciplined and was absolutely everywhere all game. Shame for Targett as I thought he started brilliantly, he’s got a hell of a cross on him. But so pleased for Prowsey again, gets so much stick (unfairly usually imo) but two goals in two games, 5 consecutive starts, really making himself a big part of this manager’s teams, and what a strike. Up the table we go!

I’m not sure he’s touched the ball until that shot has he?

Then it’s a bit fairer to make a judgement But my point is, after one or two appearances for a new foreign signing we’d be told it’s unfair to write them off yet, but with a youngster it seems much more acceptable. Both need time to adapt sometimes.

I have, but if you looked at how he was talked about after his first, second, third appearance i’m sure it would be as i’ve said ‘he’s still adapting’

He gets slated by most of the fan base like every other youth product you mean. If he was foreign he'd be getting the 'he's still adapting to the league' treatment. All these lads have either had a couple of lower league loan spells, or just played youth football up until this point in their careers, there is an adaptation period that should be allowed here too. Kayne Ramsay has gone from marking 16/17 year old academy products who may never make it as a pro, to marking Raheem Sterling in a couple of weeks. I'm no expert, but I'd imagine that takes some getting used to... Likewise with Sam, he's played about 3 Premier League games in his career, about 5 years ago, and has been injured for ages. I'm sure Ralph is absolutely livid that he didn't light the world up in his substitute appearance for our reserve team. Not one of our academy products has made a contribution worse than the worst moments of Hoedt, Cedric, Elyounoussi, Vestergaard this season. But none of those have been discarded by the manager after one mistake, so thankfully Ralph is aware that things don't happen overnight, and the best way for our academy products to improve and adapt, is to play them. Tyreke Johnson, Yan Valery, Callum Slattery, Matt Targett, Sam Gallagher, James Ward-Prowse, Kayne Ramsay, Marcus Barnes have all featured under Ralph, and we've picked up 10 points since his arrival and left the relegation zone, and only gone out of the cup on penalties. Personally, that makes it all the sweeter.

No one picking up on that comment about Obafemi? Would expect an 18 year old being brought into the first team ranks to be desperate to do everything to get an edge and stay fit as it may define his career! Be interesting to know in what way he doesn't look after himself.

Played a big part in our second goal if I remember rightly. Not bad, definitely got something.

On the plus side, we won’t have to listen to Danny Murphy commentate on any of our other games this season

Gunn has gone the wrong way for 10 penalties in a row from what I can recall. McCarthy solidly our best keeper.

Why what?

I like Targett, and think he was brilliant against Leicester. But god I can’t wait to see Bertrand in this system.

He’s also absolutely always an option for whoever has the ball. Many times in the last couple of years players have had nobody to pass to. There was a moment in particular on Saturday where Stephens had the ball at the back, and JWP was always an option, five yard pass to him, then back and gaps have opened. It happens constantly throughout the match, he never hides.

Albrighton went down like a sack of **** when Valery nudged him from behind, no foul was given, and then when Valery stupidly touched him again seconds later he did exactly the same thing. Very naive from Valery, but Albrighton, Chilwell and co. wanted him sent off and they got it. He’ll learn. Getting a load more stick for two silly, provoked yellows, than Hojbjerg for having been banned for 5 games this season through stupidity.

Well it's a good thing he basically got an assist for the second goal then to even it out

Will Valery’s ban apply to this game?

Played a part in two best defensive performances for a long time in Chelsea away and now today. Slattery very complimentary about his role against Derby too, where he was one of the few bright spots, saying he helped him through the game all the way. Deputised brilliantly for Hojbjerg and can definitely do a job in Ralph’s midfield. Great penalty too, and a great corner that Stephens nearly scored from. Also put that chance on a plate for Stephens against Derby last week with a great cross. Pleased for him, i’m a fan anyway.

All praise going in the right places, but I hope Targett gets plenty of praise tonight, I thought he was absolutely brilliant after taking a bit of a hammering a few times this season. He's not Bertrand, but today he was so much better at stopping the cross and not getting turned by his man too easily. Really good contribution. Actually thought Valery was having a good start, getting forward and more adventurous than normal. It would've been a new experience for him, having rattled Chilwell completely and the fans getting on him and booing and calling him a cheat - it's probably the first time he's had that at pro level. I've no doubt this could be a huge moment in his career, sink or swim type stuff. I'm sure with Ralph at the helm he will handle it just fine, thankfully the result will mean it's minimised. Overall, 10/10 performance, really pleased for Targett, Long and JWP who all get a lot of stick but were all a huge part of the performance today. 3 CB's great and Romeu absolutely flawless.

Would rather support Pompey than see that thuggy **** Andy Carroll play for my club. Gazzaniga wasn't very good in his time with us, regardless of how much potential he may have had. He's doing okay as a stand in for occasional games for Spurs, but that's all.

to be fair, maybe a compromise having had him for the Asia Games back in September?

And he plays regularly, without the technical ability needed to be impactive at this level. So that would suggest Joh Sims could be useful.

People seem to be saying he’s not good enough and he won’t make it, despite the fact that he has actually made a couple of decent contributions under Puel, and even under Pellegrino he looked bright in an absolutely dreadful team. A bad loan spell doesn’t mean everything. Some teams suit players better than others. Reading are ****e, I don’t consider that a fair playing field for a young winger trying to make his way.

A lot of people on here seem desperate for him not to make it for some reason. Physically made for the Premier League so I look forward to seeing him get his chance, like everyone else. Then people can write him off if he isn’t good enough.

JWP best player on the pitch at the moment. Slattery tidy but could’ve been very costly with that poor control. Vestegaard (who i’m normally a fan of) can’t control his feet today, awful. Moi is trying and not shying away from the ball, first touch normally good but second touch normally awful, very weird. Not much else of note!

Really excited to see what level of involvement the youngster's have today. Could anyone have imagined having Tyreke Johnson, Kayne Ramsay, Callum Slattery, Matt Targett, Marcus Barnes all potentially starting for us in any game this season if asked a few months ago? Today would've just been full of all the underperforming first teamers normally.

Never can I remember a player being so misused by us in my supporting life. It seems to be the right decision for all that he is leaving, but I'll be really sad to see him go. You only had to be at the Watford game this season to see him playing on the right wing and being our best player on the pitch, making the sort of passes he would love to receive but never does. As mentioned, clearly a confidence player who was shattered by the worst manager this club has ever had, and then never really given enough by Mark Hughes when he needed it. His two goals at the cup final will remain one of my greatest memories as a Saints fan, and his goal at Swansea is probably the best moment I've experienced at a live match, and potentially (if we stay up this season) could be the single most important goal in my supporting life and saved us from potential disaster both on and off the pitch. Thanks Gabbi, if it is goodbye - Appreciated by the majority of the fans, and a huge contribution to our club in a short space of time.