A great result for everyone. Valery sent off for silly fouls and such a pity because he was playing well. The team responded with some brave defending by all.
Did I just see Long being awarded a penalty and then scoring a goal (with a little help from Schmeichel's hand?
Sam Gallagher played a few minutes and I hope he can get a regular spot when fully fit.
A real nail biter for 45 minutes but what a great result, Well done Saints

9

Great win and RH´s Premier League statistics after seven matches, in which we have played five top-7 teams, are 3-1-3. Brilliant. Today he got team selection and formation right again playing 5-4-1. Only minus was a (2 yellow) red card for inexperienced Yan Valery late in the first half.
With McCarthy back in goal our defence was well organized throughout the match and battled hard enough to defend our first half lead sufficiently with good help from our battling 4-man midfield. Up front Shane Long battled tiredlessly on his own and he managed to get both a penalty and his first season goal.
This win is another great boost for the team (and fans), and it really looks like we have got the manager selection right this time.
Still no room for Hoedt in the match squad despite Yoshidas absence as Ramsay got the nod (on the bench). Good to see big Sam Gallagher back in action as he came on late in the second half for his first PL minutes this season.

Difficult to pick a man of the match but my vote goes to Shane Long.
WELL DONE SAINTS :-)

8

What a masterclass in how to play with 10 men while winning-well done Ralph, particularly in restoring McCarthy to the team but, more importantly, kudos to the 14, yes, even Valery, for the shift they put in today-please no criticism’s today guys!

9

Valery is a stupid tit and let his side down badly today. How he is picked head of Cedric is anybody's guess but it seems if Ralph doesn't like you much then you're as good as dead meat. Must assume that rumours of Cedric being sold off to raise cash must be true. Probably gone by the weekend and we'll have to rely on Ramsey.

Otherwise, the usual clueless suspects Ward Prowse & Long score lucky goals and so we are stuck with them until summer at least.

If this is what our football is coming down to then I won't be making many more trips into town this season.

-16

I cringed when I saw the starting line up, but so happy to be proved wrong!

5

Good stuff! Not too sure why JWP is coming in for so much stick on here. He put a shift in today. Solid penalty, remember we don't always score them. He still needs to bulk up and win tackles though.

Big improvement for everyone today. RH has got them drilled well. Why Romeu didn't play under Hughes is beyond me, he's a beast! Vestergaard, Targett and Stephens although not flawless all took steps forward. Shame that Valery showed his age.

Very happy with that. 2nd half was edge of the seat stuff and great to see Shane make me eat my words about him. A few new additions, increasing confidence and a manager with a system will see us turn a corner. Phew! COYR!

8

This is not the time to critizise anyone in the team, BUT I have to agree with SaintBrock in one thing (though I´d use other language) ¨about Valery letting down the team. He did, and for me his sending off is not the only negative thing I can say about him after having observed him in several games this season. He seems to be a kinda old school full back with limited skills going forward (including limited pace). But ok, he is physically strong and positions himself ok in most situations (NOT in the West Ham game) + he is quite good in the air for a full back with his height , but, till´ now, nothing special about him at all, apart from his age, in my book. I hope it will come :-)

My friend, who is a ManU supporter, tells me to give him time, which I will, of course. He compares him to ManU former right back Mike Duxbury, who played for ManU in the 80´es and 90´es. Duxbury entered the scene as a very young RB and was given plenty of time (30-40 games) by Ferguson to find his feet in the team and show what he could do and convince everybody (including England manager at the time, Bobby Robson).

0

For those that think Valery is poor the one certain fact is that Cedrid is a lot ,lot poorer and that makes Valery's future look very very bright

-1

A few hours of my life I'm not getting back

5

Redmond back to his 'I'm only going to pass at gunpoint' bolix.

1