dedlock

He is simply class, he has shown an ability to read the game and think ahead that no other midfielder has shown. Some of his misplaced passes are merely a consequence of thinking ahead,as others become accustomed to his play they will anticipate the pass. I hope the injury is not serious.He has improved game on game and he is now central to the way we play.

What was pleasing about the goal was the maturity Gray showed at the end of his dazzling run.In the past he might have gone for goal himself,yesterday he showed composure and awareness,playing a perfectly weighted pass to Riyad. It resulted in a stunning, exquisitely worked goal.

It seems to be the end of the season that Saints fans moaned about boring tactics etc. In addition to losing better players they also lost their best defender,Van Dijk, to injury. I agree it is important this has been resolved promptly, avoiding further disruption to our season. A positive reaction from the players to build on the last two results is now required. Puel will have done his homework before interview but he will now be able to assess the squad first hand with time before the January window opens.

As I posted in the match thread, the clean sheet is the only positive thing about today. Shakey is left with limited options in midfield but he seems to lack tactical awareness , flexibility or adaptability. Unless we secure 2 wins in October the owners have to consider a change. My preference would be to bring in a tactically adept coach/ manager to work alongside CS but it may require a complete change should performances continue and results reflect that.

Shakey is clearly a good coach and a good number 2. Like other posters I am surprised that he was offered the full time job, rather than being retained as assistant manager with anew,higher profile manager brought in. That could still happen. Shakey has not had the best of luck with injuries ,particularly in midfield, and he has not been helped by the Silva fiasco. He has to address the weaknesses in MF with the available,fit personnel. We have played 4 of what are expected to be the top 5 or 6 teams in our first six games. We always knew that it would be a tough start. Four points is a poor return and we could and should have at least 2 or 3 more. The next 3-5 games are key, if we do not get the wins and climb the table by early November Shakey's future will look decidedly shakey.

Wow indeed. Rehabilitation in football and with the owners?!

I am yet to be convinced. In the summer I thought that Shakey and the coaching team should be kept but with a high profile manager brought in. Now he has the job he should have time to show whether he can adapt from being a number 2 to becoming the boss. He is learning on the job. To play the teams we have has been a very tough start. We have performed well without the results, other than Brighton,which,ironically, was a lacklustre performance. Other than Liverpool we have a run of games which should provide better results. I doubt that the owners are prone to kneejerk reactions and,even if results don't go our way, he will be allowed time to show what he is capable of. I am glad Woy is now employed but that still leaves the possibility of Big Sam should Shakey fail. I hope he succeeds!

Maybe that's why Craig has got into tic tac.

The game time HB gets in the championship will be invaluable experience. After MK franchise in league one he has made a step to the level above and will,hopefully,be ready to advance further as part of our squad next season. He will be carefully managed and monitored. Whilst it's great to see "one of our own " play with the first team he needs to be ready and able to compete at the top level. As we have seen with Chilwell and Gray that can take time.

Iborra looked calm and tidy. He had one error in the first half but recovered well, he probably won't get that chance inPL, otherwise he looked composed and capable.

He is a unit but for such a well built player he is very good with the ball. The surges into midfield will add a dimension to our game. His size and strength look like it will be difficult to knock him off. Brighton offered him the opportunity to make those forward runs,next week will be a different challenge.

The OP assumes this will happen. In light of the delay and pending litigation I have doubts. I hope we have alternatives waiting in the wings.

The first team squad on OS includes Elliott Moore and Harvey Barnes with squad numbers

He showed determination for both goals, following up for the first. The second was a good team goal with contributions from Albrighton and Chilwell before Musa's mazy run and one-two with DD.His sprint into the box for the return show he has developed an understanding with team mates.Hopefully there is more to come. I'm surprised Leo started rather than Musa. Playing 3 in midfield means we need pace up front, if Musa can maintain this form it gives CR another option to JV.

He panicked a couple times today but was generally solid. His role differed with the switch to 4-2-3-1.He was the more defensive of the 2, Drinky seemed to have more freedom. Looking at his performances over the season so far he has improved and looks a good prospect. His reading of the game will improve with more games.

EC and N'G are hard acts to follow! Amartey was never first choice for the role,nor was Mendy,pre injury if we believe what was said in the summer. After Spurs away we will be better able to judge. Hull was a game we should not have lost but Manure,Liverpool and Chelsea away yielded only 2 points last season.

I posted earlier about Amartey's potential if bhe can perform more consistently. My one reservation is whether he can spot the risks posed by the opposition, he has yet to show this against better teams.

Amartey has been inconsistent, maybe lack of experience or taking time to settle in the team. Yesterday he was in 'no mans land' too often,unable to make a challenge. It is clear that against the better teams away an extra body in midfield is needed,particularly as most play a variation on 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with 3 in the middle. Amartey has shown promise in other games and will be a decent prospect if he can iron out the inconsistency,show better awareness and concentration.

Quality goal and brought a good save from De Gea from a similar position. He is a promising player but Mahrez ,with all those assists and goals last season,PFA player of the season, has not become a bad player overnight.

Rather than moan about supposed penalties Koeman should be more concerned that Mane didn't score what should have been a certain goal,had he not hit Simpson or why he failed to pass to his teammate who would have had a tap-in.

I was accused of sour grapes by a settee Arsenal fan for suggesting I didn't like their play-acting! I suspect we'll have to get accustomed to similar nonsense in Europe next season.

We all knew that the way the fixtures fell December would be tough,as will end of season. Last season,end of season was a lot easier for the great escape.Ultimately, you can only play the next team.In August would we have expected 29 points by the end of November? . Despite that late season run we were mocked by the media for appointing the 'tinkerman' who had managed Greece to a loss against Faroe Isles.How many of theses pundits/'experts' could envisage us surviving let alone thriving? CR and the team may have exceeded expectations but ain't it great,enjoy the ride!

As previous posters have said the men on the post seems pretty basic. Our defence at corners was all over the place yesterday.Having watched MOTD Soton's 2nd goal looked offside but City's defence was AWOL. What is particularly baffling is that for 4 years we were managed by a former no nonsense CB. CR and Benetti are both former defenders and,as CR keeps telling us, he is Italian and wants a clean sheet.Despite this we have been vunerable in defence but particularly at corners.When will the coaching staff sort it out?

Don't know when we play Bournemouth again but the old chant for Maxi Gradel demands a change,especially after the early clatter on Riyad. Particularly the ending needs to be altered to "...If I catch you messing with my wife.."or similar

Lackzo & Bori