NEWCASTLE AT ST MARY'S

We really must win this....... but I am not feeling confident. I am worried too many Saints players will come out thinking they are better than Newcastle, will take it easy and mess things up.

Like you Mike definitely a must win game for saints and like you our players will be up for the fight, Hughes should be starting Romeau, play 2 up front and not 3 with a stronger midfield. Not optimistic but will go for for a 1- 1 draw.

If we don't win then they really should replace Hughes but also make a statement of intent and put Reed on gardening leave and away from the day to day management of the club. The first is possible the second which I think is the most critical won't happen as Reed and Kruger effectively run the club and like pigs at the trough are not going anywhere until they have emptied the trough. Both are useless, selfish and responsible for the state of the club. You would think Gao would have some intelligence to see this but it seems not, how he made his money I have no idea but then it would seem probably in some dubious manner where business intelligence wasn't needed.

Well another home game we should have won and another game where Hughes stuck with the same tactics that have failed miserably all season. Ironically on Solent being interviewed after the match he said about doing things differently, sign of madness doing the same thing that fails over and over again yet he persists in Ings Redmond and Austin. Austin was pretty poor summed it all up in the second half when Ings had a great chance in the box just for Austin to try and take if off him and waste one of our few chances. Hojberg missing as he had flu which at least meant Romeau got a game but think from the way Hughes spoke the minute Hojberg is fit Romeau will be out. We had a great chance to take the lead early on when a shot bounced kindly to Elysou who showed the complete lack of composure running through out the team and shot straight at the goalie when he had a simple pass across to Austin for a tap in. Just sums up our season, no team spirit or trust in anyone. Austin had a shot which drew a save from their goalie at the near post but never really looked like going in. Redmond had a shot that went over but at least he hit early when previously always wanted another touch, also played on the right with Elouysi on left but just that Elouysi is a decent buy, though it does take time to settle but Hughes seems to favour him over Arnstrong. Lemina then nearly gave us the goal just before halftime with a neat flick that hit the post then right on the stroke of half time Stephens had a header that their goalie got down low to palm away right as the whistle went.

Similar pattern for second half, Austin had the ball in the net but clear contact with the goalie and those challenges will never be allowed. Then came Austin's great tackle on Ings before he went off for Gabbadini. Pretty much one way traffic without us creating clear cut chances, Stephens headed wide Redmond and Lemina had shots over. Ward Prowse put in a great free kick delivery that somehow eluded all out players then Long had a great chance at the end when Cedric cut the ball back to Long probably around the penalty spot but he showed why he has hardly scored any goals with a fairly weak effort that didn't even need the goalie to make a save.

So another 2 points thrown away, Ings won goal of the month for October, not a surprise as the only player to have scored in the month! Despite our appalling goal scoring record Gallagher, Obefemi don't get a look in for a place on the bench our youngsters get no look in with Hughes and aI would rather they were giving a chance then keep sticking with Austin and Long. The only good news was Newcastle do look poor and can see them going down, plus Weatherspoons beer prices make a nice change from London prices, 2 pints in London after work on Thursday was £14, 4 pints in Ocean Village £9.80, something to smile about.


McCarthy 6 didn't have a shot to save, a few kicks were a bit wayward
Cedric 6 a couple of decent crosses but that was it.
Hoedt 6 didn't have much to do but his distribution is poor week in week out.
Stephens 6 solid enough but again not much to worry about.
Bertrand 6 looks like playing with himself all the time, shame Targett doesn't get a chance.
Romeau 6 did a good job breaking up play but rarely gets forward.
Lemina 7 MOTM for me, won numerous challenges, gave it his all much better than Chelsea game.
Elyousi 5 pretty ineffective, maybe a lack of confidence but doesn't look like scoring.
Redmond 6 didn't do much first half bit better second half and did have a couple of shots where at least he did shoot early.
Ings 6 can't fault his effort but he desperately needs some support
Austin 4 his only role should be as an impact sub but I would rather have Obefemi which at least has pace.

Subs

Gabbadini 5 odd flashes but again didn't look like scoring
Ward prowse 6 at least put in some decent set ball deliveries
Long 5 a great chance wasted at the end.

Thanks Matty. I like beer comparisons.

Thanks Matty....... but that Bertrand should be doing that on the pitch in front of everybody!!

Hopefully he might get arrested then Targett would get a game