AWAY TO BURNLEY

Can Saints stop the slide from becoming a nosedive and get a win on Saturday?

if Mane plays then for me the answer is no. At least don't think Vokes is fit yet as remember Vokes and Ings causing our defence problems in the cup match a couple of years ago.

Hopefully Toby or Morgan will be fit and would have thought Reed should be given a chance if not. Want to see a clean sheet for a change which means tightening the midfield.

just leaving for Burnley, bloody cold!

Will follow up tomorrow with scores but another disappointing performance, yet again defensive errors giving away goals and to many chances going begging, missed penalty, Wanyama heading over an open goal, Mane again looking poor and back to falling over when the wind blows, hate that in any player, opposition or saints. Far to reliant on Pelle and simply over run by a pretty basic Burnley who fought for everything, that should have been obvious, and we simply failed to take chances when we were on top.

Only bright side was return of JWP, if the plan was for him to play but he played an hour and at least seemed to be able to bring Tadic into play and got his side of midfield moving.

based on Saturdays play and think Pelle is banned now for Tuesday I cannot see us beating Sheff Utd.

Thanks Matty, pity your long trip couldn't have got a good result for you to watch. I look forward to seeing your player ratings.

What worried me most, I think, was seeing Koeman saying after the game that Saints had played well!! I thought they gave a very poor display.

Thanks guys, I await your full report Matty. BTW, what prompted you to go all the way to Burnley in the cold ?

Pete - My mate wants to do some away games and never been to Burnley before, not the best reasons but beat Christmas shopping!


Forster 6 made a good close in save but again stranded to the line for crosses,
Cline 6 poor first half got more second but poor clearance lead to goal, unlucky with shot towards the end thought it was in.,
Fonte 6 struggled with Ings
Toby 6 did okay but struggled a little in the conditions
Bertrand 6 earned the penalty, could be really good if he didn't have Mane in front of him.
Davies 6 does not get forward enough since returning from injury
Wanyama 6 broke up play well but caught a couple of times on the ball and should have scored at the end with free header
Hesketh 6 some decent runs and looks a bit like lallana though needs to beef up a bit, unlucky with booking and then gets fouled and injured.
Tadic 5 missed penalty and off the pace again but still has the creativity, he needs Schniederlin or Cork to play.
Mane 5 falls over if the wind blows and hasn't got a clue at the moment, needs to be rested for a few games so he can sit and watch what others do.
Pelle 6, does try but getting poor service, shame about his booking but Clattenberg again proves what a complete to**er by not dealing with Boyd.

Subs
Ward Prowse 7 one bright spot was JWP, brought some intelligence to the passing game, I would like him to take penalties
Long 5 looking like a real waste of money just doesn't seem bothered.

we had chances again, the penalty, great shot from clyne looked in all the way to last second, wanyama missed an easy header at the end, Pelle couple of shots that went wide or over.

first half we were poor, second for a 15 minute spell bossed the game score then and would have won comfortably but scoring goals a major problem. Need Schneiderlin and Cork back, we have looked best when we have Schneiderlin/Cork/JWP/Wanyama/Davis filling at least 3 of the midfield places , that gives Tadic space to have time on the ball and leave mane on the bench.

Ings looked a decent prospect, good touch, controlled the ball and willing to create space and shoot, he would be a great acquisition and would look to get him in january

Thanks for that Matty.

Hopefully Ings impressed Koeman enough to make him want to sign him.

The next time Saints get a penalty there will be terrific pressure on whoever takes it. It would be good if we can get a penalty (and score from it) against Sheffield United tomorrow.

Thanks Matty, it's all clear now. I too despise Christmas shopping ... I probably should get a start on that soon.