GGalpin

Watched them today as my partner's a Villa fan. Boro were beyond dreadful and toothless. If they go up I'll be mightily shocked. Still think it'll be Norwich and Leeds to go up automatically with either of Sheffield Utd or Villa to get in via the playoffs for me.

Kind of the point isn't it, really. For the mainstream media catering for everyone Tottenham losing is a far bigger story than Saints beating them, especially given Poch's post-match comments, but for Southampton focused stuff we're obviously the main talking point. It's why TSP and the like are very good as they go into far more detail

What exactly are we getting from this guy?

Wouldn't say that with much confidence considering Dortmund have won just once in seven. Hopefully you're right; preferably they win 3-0 in 90 minutes so it goes to extra time...

On the Total Saints Podcast (after the Cardiff game), Simon Peach gave an enormous hint that basically Cedric was being a very big pain in the backside. Get the idea people want cover, but in the situation we're in it's better to have the toxic people out.

Only one out of that lot I could see us winning is Brighton, who are quietly in a rather horrendous run of form. Not a lot is being said about them but they're on the slide. Saying that they have four of the bottom eight to come at home including us, so should see them over the line. But I'd hope we can get something there, would make things easier. Bournemouth possibly, don't see us getting much of out the others.

Think he'd leave his boyhood club, wearing the armband, when he has a shot of getting them back into the Premier League at 32 whilst he's home settled, for a chance to be on the bench with us under a manager's whose style of play doesn't suit him? I wouldn't if I was him

Same here, if anyone has one going. Working in London in the morning so happy to collect outside ground etc.

He was; got a feeling he's an Arsenal fan, too.

Not too bothered as long as the manager is happy with the squad. Still think we have enough to stay up and easier to have a complete overhaul in the summer; would've liked another forward added, admittedly.

They released four youth players, loaned out none and broke their transfer record to bring back Andre Ayew on £70k a week. But you know, agendas and all that...

You were worrying about not having a striker in for the Palace game, and yet you would be all okay with giving Austin to Burnley when we have them coming up this weekend and would potentially strengthen a relegation rival? Righto...

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2019-01-28/press-conference-part-one-ralph-hasenhuttl-previews-crystal-palace-premier-league-1819 -13:45 on here.

Just been booked for a clumsy challenge

I really struggle to see Villa as being genuinely interested. They've got plenty of forward options (so much so Bolasie was sent back), and are known to want defenders and a CM, not strikers. Also part of the reason why they sent Bolasie back is they've changed to targeting young players with resale value (McGinn, Abraham, El Ghazi etc). So if they're not buying Bolasie, 29 and on large wages, I really don't see them signing Austin, 29 and on large wages. But then stranger things have happened. Wolves might be a different case, seeing as they seem to be in the market for strikers, and perhaps Villa are being used to speed up interest from Wolves.

https://twitter.com/Ngoppejammeja/status/1088753094522036224 Cedric has arrived in Milan...

Inter are struggling FFP-wise somewhat, so are looking at loans for this month. Hopefully it'll be an obligation to buy.

Inter supposedly interested in Cedric (Di Marzio) https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/inter-su-cedric-soares-del-southampton-per-la-difesa

Watch a fair bit of Villa as my partner is a STH at Villa Park. Bolasie really didn't do much, and was often 2/3rd choice in the pecking order; certainly didn't look like a player anyone in the Premier League should be after.

There was also this interview where he gave off the impression he couldn't understand why he was behind Virgil Van Dijk in the pecking order... https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wesley-hoedt-ready-to-come-in-from-the-cold-at-southampton-5tb2wb6xw

He says here: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/06/ralph-hasenhuttl-southampton-premier-league-rb-leipzig his preferred formation is 4222, but doesn't mind playing 433 or 343. Think the 343/352 suits the squad at the moment, primarily because the centre backs aren't good enough to play just two of them, but we could do with a large overhaul in the summer so just as well back this guy's preferred way of playing.

Thought Lemina had already been sold..?

Isn't that because Valery is a defender whereas Johnson is naturally a winger?

Very much enjoy his pressers, both as a fan and on a work basis. Have to listen to a fair few pressers and he's definitely near the top of the managers list in that regard (not quite at Neil Warnock level for that just yet ) as you know you're going to get 2/3 really decent lines out of him. Probably the first since Koeman I'll actually sit and listen to the full conference as a fan too.

Rough summary here: Charlie has a fantastic finish. Sometimes he has problems with our high pressing and our intensive runs against the ball. If he has a chance though it is mainly a goal. For me it is a question when to put him on the pitch. If I put him in for 30 minutes he is fresh and he can put his pressure more on the game.