HOME TO NEWCASTLE

Newcastle will be fighting for their lives, and I think the outcome of this may depend on whether some of our team have the interest and enthusiasm to put in a fight. Up front in particular, we have a number of players up for a place and I hope Koeman will pick those who are most hungry. If team selection were down to me I would be looking at leaving out Mane, Tadic and (possibly) Pelle.

Lost first report I hate ipdads.

God start saint nearly went in front with a flick following a corner, took the lead when long played a one two to waltz through the centre of Newcastle defence to put saints in front. Second goal a bit of a comedy of errors, ball to Tadic should have been cut out by Jamatt who slipped leaving Tadic free his ball to long was poorly controlled but fell nicely for Pelle who from edge of box placed in far corner.

Saints third in second half from a short corner to mane who ran along byline, pulled back for Fonte whose shot was blocked but fell to Wanyam who controlled and fired into far corner. Didn't keep a clean sheet when we allowed Townsend to cut in from right ran across box and fired into top corner with Forster well beaten. Then a short period when Newcastle looked to have more confidence but didn't last long and saints finished the stronger side with Mane going close and JRod on for last 10 minutes..

Forster 6 not much to do, Cple of times didn't pick the ball up when easy to do and caused some panic
Martina 6 worked hard but positional play dubious
Fonte 7 some important blocks and good covering
Virgil 7 solid performance though not the hardest day he will have
Bertrand 6 solid not great going forward
Classie 6 plenty of energy and some decent set pieces
Wanyama 6 won the ball well but gave it away a few times
Tadic 4 Koemans faith in him mystifies me, totally ineffective no support to defence
Mane 6 his pace was a problem though the end product wasn't great
Long 7 took after an hour as got clobbered in first half, great first goal and inadvertent assist on second
Pelle 5 took his goal well but why selected over Austin.

Subs
Ward prowes 5 on for long, pretty ineffective
Romeau 6 came on for Classie, had a couple of goal attempts made plenty of tackles. Did more in 20 min than Tadic in 80.
JRod only on for 10 minutes but showed a couple of good bursts of speed

Thanks Matty, yet another brilliant report

Will be better when I go and buy a laptop! May have been harsh on Tadic as he did have hand in second goal and a few decent passes but no effort , think a 5 as opposed 4. I would still let him go in summer as we can buy better.