HOME TO WEST BROM.....

With visit to Everton on Monday looming Saints really need the 3 points from this one to stay in the top half. I am sure Puel will rotate for all he is worth......

Well he certainly rotated again yet for the game which was our most winnable he sent out probably our weakest team, the guy is clueless. After losing to spurs he should have put out his best side instead he replaced 3 of the back 4, played Boufal and Tadic in front 3 meaning midfield would inevitably be over run. As I said last time players seem to have no confidence in the manager, he subbed Hojberg who after a dodgy start was doing okay in second half who went off in a real strop kicked out and went straight down tunnel. Frustration borne out of having to battle in a midfield of 3 and getting no support from Tadic or Boufal. He brought on J Rod which meant we went to just 2 midfield players, Davies and Romeau yet despite being behind at this stage WBA showed not real intent so we could easily have gone 3 at the back and strengthened the midfield. The he did sub Martina, who was pretty poor, brought on Ward Prowse so thought at last a change in his approach but no he played Ward Prowse at RB, and Prowsey struggled, Just don't understand this guy.

Again took the lead in a pretty turgid first half thanks to one decent corner from Tadic, about his sole contribution and a good header by Long. Then within 2 minutes concede another soft goal no one able to tackle and Forster slow to get down just pushed into net. In the first half we had at least three occasions where we worked good opportunities, good ball into box and no one there to follow up. Despite supposedly have in 3 up front they all end up playing wide, the midfield do not get forward but as only 3 of them you can understand why, they cannot be up and down all the game. Boufal same as before a bit more effort but delays his final ball as cannot do the simple stuff.

Second WBA goal was again just down to poor defending, Forster was at fault this time as a good finish but didn't make much of an effort, McCarthy when fit should start and we really should look at the coaching set up, all mostly Reeds ex mates, Watson and Hunter he worked with before neither seem to be improving either our goalies or youngsters.

Sims came on at the end for Tadic but with just 18 minutes left, to little to late. Key point could have been end of first half, WBA LB who had been booked for persistent fouling, committed another one then took Long out as we built pressure, a yellow card any day of the week bottled by ref and as you would expect Pulis subbed him at half time. they should have been down to 10 men yet no hesitation in sending of Virgil, we are easy target for referees, our approach of not appealing anything is doing us no good at all.

The club are in trouble but believe Reed is so arrogant and complacent he wont see it, " we just need to give the manager time" "no need to panic", no point wasting money in January transfer window, will be the usual tripe spouted while the bank balance continues to grow. Virgils sending off was one borne purely out of frustration, he is totally fed up so keeping him in January will now be an issue, 4 weeks ago that was not the case but Puels rotation has cost us a place in Europa Cup, and dropping down the table.

Forster 5 badly in need of some form, might help if we picked our best back 4 and kept them there and a strong midfield
Martina 4 poor defensively and so slow going forward whenever he got the ball he slowed us down, championship player
Yoshida 5 didn't take his chance made a few errors but might have been better if he had Cedric next to him.
Virgil 6 not great for him at least he will get a rest now
MacQueen 6 not as positive as before but then not getting a run yet could easily play in the midfield with Bertrand at LB
Romeau 7 battled as usual
Davies 7 thought he had a good game trying to prompt and lead just had no support
Hojberg 6 made quite a few errors giving the ball away but is being played to deep, he is an attacking midfield player being used in a defensive set up.
Tadic 4 one corner and that was it, gave the ball away so easily not able to tackle hopeless
Long 6 didn't do much but at least scored and needs matches
Boufal 5 nice trickery which lead to nothing, only left on as guess everyone, Puel included hopes for a piece of magic

Subs
JRod 5 didn't look like scoring but should start with Long
Ward Prowse 5 struggled at RB, though why there
Sims 5 tried but again to late to have any real impact.

Thanks Matty. I'm a bit depressed after reading that, but chin up - things will improve (I hope).

Thanks Matty. I suppose Saints may make a signing or 2 this month, but guess they will be squad players to help with rotation. Worrying that Van Dyke and Fonte (and maybe more) want out.

Forster is not looking at all confident at the moment.....and sometimes gives the appearance that he can't be bothered, which seems strange as he has stated his intention of becoming England's number 1 keeper in 2017.

I can't really see Puel making a success of this job but of course he is no danger of being sacked as this would make it look like an error by Reed in the appointment. Whether he stays for next season probably depends on the finishing position come May.