UP FOR THE CUP AGAIN.....

After 3 games in 8 days its time to rest some of our key players.

That is not being disrespectful to the FA cup, the Premier League and Sky have done that by having such a stupid fixture pile up the week before the 3rd round. though no doubt some prat pundit will say something, probably Merson who must be the thickest pundit on all channels

I would play

Kelvin
Targett
Gardos
Fonte
McCarthy
JWP
Schniederlin
Reed
Hesketh
Isgrove
Long

Subs
Cropper, Wanyama, Gape, Seager, Mane (if fit and still here) McQueen and any other youngster

I don't think RK will rest as many as that, especially as the next league game is a week away. I'd say maybe 2 or 3 changes.

I think in midfield and defence we can rotate in some good youngsters who would be playing in Championship if we had loaned them out but gain by being in the squad but up front we are so reliant on Pelle that I would give him a rest. Its a shame JRod and Gallgaher are still injured as would be obvious game form them but with them still out for several weeks up front is an area we are short in depth.

I suspect RK will make fewer changes but I would he happy if he chooses to at least rest Toby, Pelle and Wanyama from starting 11

Hmmmm.....Saints rarely do things the easy way.....

Disappointed that the likes of Reed, Targett, McCarthy and Isgrove did not get to start as would have brought more energy to the side at the off and a few youngsters with something to prove in amongst more senior pros for me would have been a better starting 11. Also fail to see why we started Tadic
as was never going to be a game he would do well in.

Will have little choice now for the replay as both away games at Man U and Newcastle are important games if we are serious about Europe, what I hope he doesn't do is think with a Home tie next against Palace FA cup is a better bet as only 6 games. I would hope the 4 above who are unlikely to feature against man U start against Ipswich in the replay with Seager on the bench. I would also consider 5-3-2 for at least one game as we looked not only solid against Everton and Palace but Long and Pelle together worked

Can Saints win the replay?

I have a feeling this will be really close and could well go to extra time or even penalties. I hope Koeman has been holding penalty training sessions......

If its penalties hope Tadic doesn't take one!

has to play some of the youngsters and expect Targett, McCarthy, Reed to start, Isgrove, Seagar, Gape, and Hesketh if fit to feature on the bench.

well through to the 4th round but at a cost with Wanyama picking up an injury which means the midfield is beginning to look a bit thin and with Toby, Schneiderlin now Vic all injured at the same time it is not looking good. to be honest if Schneiderlin had been fit I wonder if he may well have rested Wanyama but had guess his choices were limited.

Would look for a midfield of 4 against Newcastle with JWP, Reed, Davis and Cork,

Pretty terrible game but we're through.......

Again they got the pricing aspect right, just £12 adult so going to go to this one but do not mind if I see a few of the kids play

I reckon we can call this a successful season if we finish top 4 and reach the cup-final!

sorry guys, half way through report when lost it through pressing wrong button, so an abridged version

Bottom line poor performance by saints , showed we need additional players and injury to Long shows how desperate we are for another striker with JRod and Gallagher no where returning.

Cork had a terrible game maybe contract negotiations playing on his mind and to be fair probably rusty but doubt saints feel any need now to up the offer.

he wasn't the only one though. Gardos had a nightmare subbed at half time though I would have kept on as the midfield was the main problem. Taid was hopeless not in the game until last 10 minute and Elia did little. think the formation of 3 up front Pelle and Tadic/Elia or Mane leave the midfield weak. Can get away with that with Wanyama and Schniederlin but yesterday Davis and JWP also had poor games, Davis gave the ball away on numerous occasions.

Forster was fault with first goal, should have done better on third and general poor. Saints had shots that went close from Davis and JWP when 2 - 2, also had a few chances towards the end, Long made a difference when he came on and still why Koeman doesn't start Long and Pelle more often. based on second half we probably deserved a draw but we were awful defensively in the first half and no doubt Yoshida will start against Swansea.

Forster 5 poor game and our coaching staff do not seem to be improving him, he has to start owning the 6 yard box
Clyne 6 didn't get forward much
Gardos 5 positioning was poor, subbed at half time but no cover from midfield
Fonte 7 motm for me, only one who looked like wanted to win and made most blocks, tackles
Bertrand 6 defensively first half poor but made second goal and did okay at Centre half for 2nd half
Cork 5 couldn't get into the game, lost the ball and unable to make a tackle stick
Davis 5 gave the ball away far to often
JWP 6 frustrating as he had chances to score and he does need to step up, with Big Vic and Schneiderlin come back he goes to the bench
Tadic 4 what is so frustrating he had the ability but lately he seems like isn't bothered and bottles out so many times
Elia 6 pretty anonymous for most of the game, would like to see him more central off Pelle running at centre backs as opposed full backs
Pelle 6 took goal well, no protection from Moss(ref who is totally unfit for a top league ref)

Subs
Targett 6 came on for Gardos going LB , did okay but not as attacking as Bertrand
Long 6 started to cause problems before injured
Seagar 6 at least showed some energy.

Sounds pretty terrible Matty.......I hope it was a one-off and won't affect league form. At least Swansea had a bad result too so their confidence should hav been knocked a bit too.

Thanks for the report Matty. Yoshida should be back by now as Japan out of Asian Cup, so hopefully some more competition for places.

Time to think about the Cups again, with tonight's visit to MK Dons. Not really too bothered about the competition.....but do really hope Saints get a decent win (without injuries of course). I am worried that a defeat (maybe even a draw) could do a lot of damage to their confidence.

Well no complaints with that result, goals for J Rod and long and even an appearance from Gaston😀. Villa at home so a good chance to progress. Think lots of clubs do take seriously, 12 of last 16 are premiership clubs. Still gone further than spuds!

Villa at St Mary's on Wednesday. With Villa on a poor run, is this going to be as straight-forward as it looks....or are we going to mess it up??

Well, Saints are through......and face a quarter-final at home to Liverpool

Sorry Guys been busy with work and working in London a lot lately so getting home late and falling asleep!

Couldn't go but mate said first half poor much better second half, Caulker didn't impress and Targett still susceptible to being caught out of position but a good result and no reason why we cannot beat Liverpool at St Marys. Will be a tough game but one that is winnable

Now that we are within a sniff of Wembley, it is important we get through on Wednesday. Can we beat Liverpool?

My vibes are pretty good, hope I'm right.

Let's hope you are on the money Mike. 1-0 be sufficient.

Well, Pete, the '1' was right......pity about the rest of the scoreline

Total shite by the sounds of it.