SPURS AT ST MARY'S

Difficult to call this one. With recent developments, Tottenham could be a shambles.........or they could be really determined to show they can get back to winning ways.

the key will be the first gaol as spurs do not seem to have much confidence at the moment, if we can get in front early think we will win. They are still not a bad side though but the weather will be that conducive to playing decent football, I would probably start Rickie and Jrod upfront, definitely Fonte at CH, fancy Lallana to score tomorrow in a 2 nil win

Well knew it would be bad day when heard that Fox, Hoovield were playing in front of Gazziniga and said there and then we would need 3 goals to get a point and so it proved. The injuries are really hurting but that doesn't explain why Hoovield started with Fonte on the bench, if fit enough for the bench then should start and Shaw gets ill again, a throat infection, sorry but would expect him even half fit to be better than a fully fit Fox and want to see a bit more commitment. Then I am afraid you get to the goal keeping problem and Gazziniga showed every reason why I have said he is a liability, He fails to come and collect crosses and is rooted to his line, the team in general clearly have no confidence in him and that is showing through the whole team not just the back four. We could have gone with an emergency loan but Cortese and Pochintinto took no action, if they cannot see how inexperienced Gazziniga is and need games but not in the premiership then afraid they are not as clever as all the media hype made them. I simply cannot see us winning a game with him in goal he is that poor and every team will have him sussed. To then play with Fox and Hoovield in front of him for me is suicidal I would rather see a young CH, Stephens and Targett start.

Spurs were also there for the taking first half saints held the upper hand and lallana scored a great goal following a decent ball from Fox, who to be fair had an okay game, always beaten for pace but tired to stick to the basics. Could have been so different as saints carved out a great chance to go 2 up with some slick passing which saw lallana with a chance but he played to Rodrigues who tried to curl in the corner but was to high. Then gave them the first present of the day allowed Adebayour break, hit a poor pass out wide but no one challenged and he met the retrun deep cross and hooked in. Decent cross but any decent goalie would have come for the ball, like against City Gazziniga stayed rooted to his line and simply palmed the ball in. Still 1 - 1 half time and with our reserve side was quite optimistic.

All over the place second half with more and more frustration between Hoovield and Gazziniga moaning at each other. Their second gift was poor defending on right side, Davis should have made a tackle and Rose allowed to cut in and hit a low cross but not that difficult to deal with, Gazziniga doesn't hold it pushes onto Hoovield who continues his own goal tally, has anyone scored more Own Goals than him?

still came back and a good ball by Cork fed in lallana who when faced with lloris slipped the ball sideways to Lambert for a simple tap in. That should have been enough to tighten the midfield and take a grip but Pocintinto continued his odd decisions taking Cork of for Ward Prowse. While Cork had been out muscled on a few occasions he was providing some of our creative play, Davis was not having a great game plus that broke up the centre midfield with Morgan. Within a minute we concede an awful goal from a throw in, again timing of sub meant we were all over the place. Fox and Hoovield both failed to make tackles allowing Adebayour the freedom of the penalty area to score their third. Could have been more, Gazziniga failed to come out for ball eventually moving and just getting a touch, they then blasted over when free as well missing another sitter, mostly down to Hoovield who seemed disinterested.

We still could have equalised, Lorris made a good save coming out to lallana showing what a goalie is supposed to do coming quickly and decisively of his line, Gallagher who came on with 15 minutes left had a decent shot saved then right at the end in a scramble from a corner lambert had a great chance to equalise but hit his shot into the ground and bounced well over. Should have had a point with the chances but the way we defended we deserved nothing.

Ramirez came on for last 15 minutes and did show some flashes of decent touches but another luxury we cannot afford on the bench, sell him and invest the money in a top class goalie.

Also show what Wanyama brings to the team, all those moan about him should watch and learn when he isn't there, he sits in front of the back four and protects them, no one else does that job of breaking up play.

What do I want for Christmas , a goalie please   

Well said Matty, watching from my sofa, it looked like we were clearly second best. The only players who looked worth their place were Lallana a 9 from me, Chambers 8, Schneiderlin 7 and Lovren 6. Gazzaniga 4, Hooiveld 3, Fox 5, Cork 5, Davis 4, Rodriguez 3, Lambert 4, Ward-Prowse 3, Ramirez 5, Gallagher 5.

Three very tough games coming up.....it looks like our days in the top half of the table are coming to an end.

Nico and Tino may not want to spend in January but I think they are going to have to do something.

mike

your scores are about right, shame that both Lambert and Rodrigues had a poor game, hope they hadn't been out Saturday night! They will have to act now, even if just loans as quite clear we have players in the squad who cannot deliver at this level. seems odd that both Puncheon and Mayuka out on loan and certainly Puncheon would have been a good player on the bench yesterday to bring on.

still don't know why he took off Cork for Ward Prowse