mrfahaji

I must say I saw a few highlights from their FA Cup game with Brentford and thought he looked impressive. I wouldn't go out on a limb and claim to know any more because lots of players can look good in one random game, but not only was he blessed with pace but seemed to have decent awareness of how to use it, not just running down blind alleys.

Was he though? Or was that just by Les Reed?

Hmmm I've quite liked him as an attacking option. He has always been quite direct, has a bit of pace (surprisingly) and has a good shot on him (and isn't afraid to shoot). However this was more noticable in the earlier part of the season when the rest of the team were all playing super cautiously. Now everyone is playing with a bit more confidence Armstrong doesn't necessarily stand out. I appreciate however that even attacking players have to be responsible when it comes to defending and it's no use having someone who is a liability and costs a goal every few games. Is that something that can be coached out/improved? Not sure, both United penalty (even though Rashford played for it) and Saturday was Armstrong being overzealous in his play. Seem to remember the Wolves one was him being weak/not committed (he was also pretty weak for the incident on Saturday).

Definitely have no recollection of that one. Interesting comment in the article though, "Saints will need to play like champions for the rest of the season to match their 60-point tally of 2014/15."

Have we lost to them at Dean Court in the PL yet? I thought we were unbeaten against them full stop, but maybe I've forgotten a match.

Shame not to hold on for a win - again! - but let's not forget that we also came from behind to lead as well. Ralph still has a few things to tweak in his own approach but god we are so much better to watch than we used to be. At least we have spells where we look a really good side, even if we also have moments (defensively mainly) where we look atrocious! I was really impressed with both Hojbjerg and JWP today. Hojbjerg has always been a bit sloppy and JWP has always been a bit too safe for my liking, but they seem to be - in general and particularly today - improving in those areas. We didn't even miss Romeu because they were both doing so well at winning the ball back and retaining possession.

Just thinking that...

It’s always so bloody easy for them

Great goal. Hojbjerg made up for a terrible pass a little before by recovering and starting the move. Redmond showed a good touch and calmness, while Ings showed great commitment on a day where he is clearly struggling to find any form. Key thing for me is that’s Valery didn’t have chance to think about his cross because he was under pressure. And obviously a brilliant header from Targett!

I recall Howe doing that at St Mary's before - when Puel was in charge, we were generally the better team, then Howe made a change with about half an hour to go (packed the midfield if I remember correctly) and we somehow clung on for a 0-0, which may also have been the Arter penalty miss match.

Pretty much sums up why we struggle. We seem to have to create so much in order to get one goal, yet our opponents manage to find the net as soon they have a sniff.

Pleased to see Fraser on the bench for them, he's usually a handful.

Presumably about the same standard as in matches.

Agree with this. And also coupled with the fact that when you are winning, especially late in the game (and usually only by 1 goal because you've been profligate during your good spell earlier), it's inevitable the other team are going to throw more at you. So on one hand you have that protective shield weakening, on the other it's when you need it most. I also feel that rather than our defending (i.e. tactics, shape) it's more on the defenders. I.e. they're not at a level where they can withstand sustained pressure without making a mistake. Bednarek and Yoshida have some matches where they do, but not every game, and Stephens is always a liability.

Nah, for that we would have to have been in the lead under Hughes...

Good point (probably) - even better then!

After Wolves I thought we needed another point. Obviously it's not quite as relaxed as if we'd hung on for 3 points today, but the fact that Cardiff need 7 points AND Brighton need 3 (or probably 4) points all while we fail to pick up anything at all means that point today was massive.

Not so sure about that, every year I think Watford are going to struggle and they always do ok! They seem to be quite an 'effective' team, a slightly more refined version of Burnley. What it does show though is how closely matched much of the league is, without a huge amount of genuine quality. Although I don't think Watford will necessarily struggle, there's no reason to think we shouldn't be able to do better than them.

Not only leaving one player back, but that was JWP. Firstly, why wasn’t he taken the corners, and secondly why are we using one of the slowest players ever as that covering player?! It’s on a level of strangeness that makes me question the calibre of everyone involved.

Yeah thank goodness we have so many better options

Have been hoping for that for a while. The opposite is a nightmare scenario.

Personally I think we need another point, that means that even 2 more Cardiff wins and 1 Brighton win wouldn’t be enough to catch us. Most likely we won’t need that point, but will be nice to get it ASAP just to properly relax

It's actually Captain Mainwaring. Yep, it shook me when I learnt that too... (I think the reason people are concerned is that they don't trust Chairman Gao to appoint the right replacement, but of course it might work out for the best)

Good point, makes it a bit less of a concern - could go either way but a lot better than just getting rid him now!

Why? Because he was Canadian? Or because his background was in hockey? Personally I was never that bothered by his drivel; sure, I'd have preferred it to be less waffly, but I also felt like things were turning to sh1t and Krueger was the guy in charge of spinning it. At least he actually faced questions, unlike Reed who resembled the Homer-Simpson-Walking-Back-Through-A-Hedge meme as soon as things started to go awry. If Reed and Krueger had both gone earlier in the season then I'd be less concerned than I am now, as since then things have improved significantly.