Yuki

What superb news. Maya is a fantastic player and I am so happy for him and all Southampton fans who can enjoy his satisfying performances for more years.

Maya has a dogged personality and is on great form. He was withdrawn as he had a yellow card and had run a lot chasing the Hazard. He will be fine and in great form again on Thursday. Maya is my Saints Player of the Month for December. Superb.

Majestic from Maya today. Really excited if he travels this form to the Asia Cup. Japan certain to triumph, with Maya shining on big stage!

Tears of joy when MAYA scored! So happy. And for the win. MAYA man of the match.

I have been to both and the EPL support generally is quite similar to the J League in Japan. You have the general audience who await entertainment and then the fanatiks who build the atmosphere for everyone and lead the songs. They are the ones who make most of the noise and the others just cheer when there is a goal or close goal chance. I like my visits to St Mary's and always enjoy being part of the Saints family.

I think, with upmosts respects, that I know a little more than you. I do not (to my knowledge) identify this. I reject this slur. Disrespect and (ironically) lacking honour.

You are correctly in this instance. Honour in Japan has always been seen as a duty. The art of Seppuku which translates to English as "belly cutting" was an old form of punishment for the shamed Samurai seeking to hold his honour. Due to this noble formula and legend Japanese people seek to retain honour above almost everything else. On many football webboards in Japan the honour of Tadanari-San was questioned after he abandoned South Korea to play for Samurai Blue. Perhaps he suffered at Southampton as results of unsettled karuma (karma)? On the other side, Maya Yoshida is believed to be extremely honourable and is one of the pioneered Sports Athletes from Japan who has permeated well to other lands.

Thats the best starting XI from what is available. Most Championship sides will have a better bench this weekend though.

Maya is sure to play with Alderweld in midfield. Another opportunity for him to get the better of Lukaku. Despite Lukaku's physical prowse Maya is more brainy.

It will come. That is my belief.

That he is most certain better than Mayuka and is in adaption. He plays currently with fear of the boo-men which saddens me.

Im hope Mane plays. Then scores. Then the fans that have been abusive on this moderated webforum will be confused. They are not real fans. Come on you Saint men. Yuki.

Clyne displayed his honour tonight. Long meanwhile is no more than an EPL version of Chung Lee.

Thir Coach is from Chile, assistant from Argentina. Only one Coach from Manchester proper, which is Kidd, Brian.

This is a ridiculous thread. An poster Unbelievable Jeff, who many on here hold in high regard, said a couple of days ago that Clyne is honourable and will sign a new contract. Why the need for this negative posting when we already know it will not be true?

Mr Koeman disagrees with you. Maya will start and earn new contract over the next weeks.

I feel happy with Maya in the defence. Toby Alderweld has played well but Maya and Jose have more historic nous together.

Back home to watch this with the Japan Saints. Come on Maya, score a little goal for me!

Outstanding at running but poor on the ball. Maybe those who weren't at the game wouldn't have seen but Long was 'gone' about 5 mins before he came off, stopped tracking runners and just had to come off. Mahuka is crap, but hardly like Ron had a stack of options. He had to take Long off and Mayuka is all there is so can't see why anyone would say it was a poor sub. It was the only real sub.

Ings may have a piece of potential but would need to show more over the season to be a good signing for the Saints. Although it depends on which domain in the league standings you wish to maintain. If I suggested that Shinji Okazaki is a more rounded goalscorer and a better option you would mostly laugh at me. Yet if someone is a local support of the Club then their historic record is less important. Interesting.

Watching with the Kenyan Saints in Nairobi today. We are the Saints. Come on players, fans, staff and executives!

I just checked one of the busy Samurai Blue (Japan Football) chatrooms and there are two Seniors who say that Reed is known to be Kaitshu (long fingered).

In Japan, articles in praise of Les Reed are numerate. He is a much heralded Football Executive and is as known as most of the Southampton player, aside from Yoshida, Maya (for obvious rationale). Perhaps he is more lauded outside of England?

In Japan we call those with long fingers "kaitshu" which translate to English as "longy". Morgan definitely kaitshu.

Strange club. The other day Pochettino was saying at Southampton he was a Manager and at Spurs he is a Head Coach and is focus on the first team and has less broad responsibilities. Sounds like he is distances himself from the structure there.