AWAY TO WEST HAM

Well Saints are safe now......... a couple of wins to finish the season would be nice and would probably see us climb higher up the table. It's probably going to be a lot down to attitude, which teams will most want the wins.

I would be surprised if we get anything from the game as suspect the players will be in relaxed mode so may not have the intensity required. Little point risking Vestergard but would expect Yoshida to start, would be happy with a 5 3 2 with Long and Redmond up front. Expect a defeat by a couple of goals but not that worried, expect 3 points from Huddersfield game. Will be going to this game as missed most away games as the ones we would have gone to earlier in the season didn't bother as Hughes the manager

I wouldn't bank on 3 points against Huddersfield...... I think that's another one that could go wrong.

The vibes are telling me that both these games will be draws......

Disappointing but predictable result, especially with the team selection. Think Ralph would have already made his mind up on some he started but think he wanted to prove a point to others at the club. He showed the squad is full of mediocre players who need to be shifted on. Forster, Stephens, Elyounoussie proved really simply not good enough, Armstrong only just about acceptable. Stephens tries and plays well in parts but loses concentration, Forster made a couple of reasonable saves but just to slow and Elyounoussie is proving to be one of our worst, and there have been a few, recent buys. Offers nothing going forward doesn't seem capable of defending or tackling and cannot pass so when he is on the pitch we really are down to 10 men.

We started quite brightly so thought maybe we would be okay but made far to many errors. This time Valery from no danger Valery gave the ball away and the ball slipped through for them to score, Forster didn't really had much chance with goal. Rest of the half we huffed and puffed but rarely looked like scoring, Ings was poor again and defence was constantly panicking. Stephens and Bedanek as a pairing are a disaster. Second half Redmond started for Ings and immediately gave us a cutting edge creating problems and for the first 20 minutes looked like we might salvage a draw with Redmonds shot tipped over a couple more shots blocked and corners causing them problems. But then went to sleep, gave the ball away in midfield attack down the left Forster should have done better with initial ball in and ended up simple tap in, third goal again gave the ball away and shot across Forster, okay no defence but he was slow to get down.

Certainly wont be going back to West Hams ground in a hurry, terrible atmosphere, not like their old ground, treat away fans poorly as stewards are simply rent a steward and force you to walk miles to get back to tube station. Norwich looks a much more attractive visit next season.

Forster 5 we don't want him as our back up. we want a back up that puts pressure on the no 1 and think McCarthy may leave
Valaery 5 MOTM last week very poor this week poor passing and gave the ball away a lot.
Stephens 5 some decent blocks early on but just loses concentration
Bedanek 5 needs a more experienced CH alongside him, shows when with Yoshi a better player than today
Bertrand 5 , Bertie should have worn his shades and swimming trunks as clearly on the beach
Lemina 5 gave the ball away and subbed after 70 minutes, would happily sell him if we can get a decent fee
Hojberg 5 not very effective but the two in front of him were poor
Armstrong 5 another disappointing game, think he plays better when further forward and if we paly a lone striker
Elouys 4 he is awful, he wasn't subbed but that must be so RH could show to Wee Ross and Gao what a terrible buy.
Ings 5 pretty ineffective again and doesn't want to shoot
Long 5 he did run around as usual and could have had a penalty but he had the chance to shoot and didn't tried to win the penalty.

Subs

Redmond 7 did make a difference and showed what a good season he has had.
Ward Prowse 5 didn't really have much chance to change things, would have been better if he had replaced Elousyi

Thanks Matty.

Thanks Matty....... I was wondering why Forster had suddenly been elevated to the team but your explanation makes sense.

It's annoying that we have still to fork out the fee for Ings..... and maybe we should be thinking about letting him go already!! I don't suppose there is any get-out clause so we could let him go back to Liverpool.

I don't think there is a get out clause for Ings (another cracking deal by good old Les) but wouldn't be surprised if we sell him next year a so long as no serious injuries will always be a club willing to take a chance at around £15m. Maybe with some decent pre season training he will prove stronger next year but think one of those unfortunate players that will always pick up injuries.