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Barring freak scorelines, Saints are now assured of finishing in 8th, 9th or 10th. I wonder who of the current squad (and manager) will still be at St Marys in August.

well now 10th is lowest position we can finish which I think says a lot about the other clubs. Actually think might see some goals in this one but can see ending up a draw, 2 - 2..

a real guessing game who will be there next season and may depend on who is manager. If Puel stays think Virgil, JRod, Long, Classie and Bertrand will be gone. Expect a bid for Cedric but club will look to resist, cannot afford to let both full backs go as well as Virgil As well as some fringe players, Isgrove, Reed (Not Les unfortunately who looks to be consolidating his position before any takeover), Martina, Gardos, Gazzaniga and Taylor so space for any youngsters coming through, unfortunately there are many that merit being in the first team squad. I would also look to sell Tadic, just think he has a negative impact on overall team play. That should mean at least 6 new signings

It looks more like Puel will be sacked, Inter Milan supposedly interested so Les Reed may want to let him go for some money. For me they MUST get rid of Black, he was never good enough for a premiership club, creates friction wherever he has been aqnd speaking French is no reason to employ a coach.

The more I think about it, I reckon Claude will be going. If it was intended to keep him.....or even to consider it.....surely Krueger would have come out and said he was staying rather than leave a question-mark hanging over it!!

Certainly seems to be more likely he will be going than staying. Don't know if takeover has any influence on the decision. Problem is who else is better, Silva seems a possible but he didn't keep Hull up and their style wasn't great, though maybe didn't have the players. Don't want Ranieri, Leicester was a fluke, mention of Steve Bruce which doesn't excite me and please not Woy.

guess its never dull, well apart from the football

Well at least a few months break from the poor football on offer from Puel. Same old story I am afraid no tactical awareness, no plan B and yet again crazy substitution decisions. Three shots in first half says it all, Redmond was unlucky with a chip that clipped the bar though think if he had kept on ground would have beaten goalie. Service to Austin was poor, Tadic as he has been in recent games poor and blaming others for his mistakes, Redmond dreadful. Goal conceded typical deep cross, Forster rooted to his line to allow Crouch a header back. Stephens and Yoshida had played well individually but do not for me work as a pairing, the goal was similar to ones against Man City and Arsenal.

Team ran out of ideas in second half and Puel subs made worse Tadic off was correct decision to bring on Gabbadini but he then takes off Austin. Why cant he just play 2 up front, we were 1 down with 20 minutes to go. That for me sums up the stubborn streak in Puel which will be why he gets sacked. We did have chances second half and Butland showed why a better goalie than Forster more agile and braver. Gabbadini should have scored but allowed Butland to save and he had a couple of blocked shots. We had a free kick just outside box. no Ward Prowse as subbed. Davies goes to take. Why not Gabbadini, or Boufal who can bend a ball, Bertrand who has a good left foot no we leave to a player who has never looked to bend the ball, I predicted a low kick straight into the wall. I hate being right but went exactly where knew it would

Todays game

Forster 5 doesn't come for crosses and another mix up where he should have collected the ball but hesitated and nearly cost a goal
Cedric 6 not his best game
Stephens 7 another decent display and second half made a couple of decent funs forward
Yoshida 7 as an individual did well a few good recovery tackles
Bertrand 6 rarely seen going forward
Romeau 7 another all round good display
Davies 5 just doesn't have the pace and to many misplaced passes
Ward Prowse 5 looked isolated wide right position doesn't suit him but Puel sticks him out there.
Tadic 5 for me a passenger in the side lately
Austin 6 worked hard no service
Redmond 4 pretty awful

Season

Forster 5.5
Bertrand 6.5
Virgil 8.0
Stephens 6.5
Yoshida 6.5
Cedric 7.0
Targett 6.5
McQueen 6.5
Romeau 8.0
Davies 5.5 (Squad player only next year)
Ward Prowse 6.5
Hojberg 6.0 (Has potential)
Tadic 5.5
Redmond 5.5 (Poor start decent middle poor finish)
Gabbadini 6.5 (give him service he will score)
Austin 6.0
Sims 6.0
Boufal 5.5 (could improve with experience so would make exception and keep)
Reed 5.0 Failed to take his chance

5.5 and under get rid, 6.0/6.5 stay as squad player, 7.0 match day squad

Thanks Matty, once again.

I don't think the club will sack Claude unless they beleve there is a better replacement available. I had not heard of Tino, Koeman or Puel before Saints took them on......so I dare say they have names on their radar that would be new to me. Might Emery be a possibility now??

Going on your season ratings, it doesn't look as though you rate many as being good enough to be in the matchday squad then!!

We were extremely lucky the last day's results fell our way or we would certainly not have finished in 8th.

Thanks once again Matty. Both you and Mike enjoy your summer.

well at least staying 8th will provide the compensation to pay off Claude