What is JWP's position?
Did he mark anyone?
Did he complete a tackle? (without bear hugs).
Is he supposed to be a holding mf?
Is he an attacking mf?

Let me save you some time. Don't know. No. No. Don't know. Don't know.

I see he actually managed to get a cross on one of our bonces for a change, that's something I suppose.

-4

The rest of the team made up for him and did a good job despite his aimless jogging.

-3

What does JWP offer apart from backwards & sideways passing? Give Smallbone a chance in his place. But no you can't drop or sub JWP.

-3

I never understood how he got in front of Reed, especially as Prowse is a skate.

-3

Another good game. Unfortunate that we give them two half-soft goals. I believe we did enough to win.
I´m so glad to see McCarthy have improved. He punches crosses away again and again, stops shots from distance and looks better in one-on-one situations and just looks quite confident! I always liked him to be honest, but admit that he has lacked something when it comes to - among other things - crosses.
His left arm save after 10 minutes vs Martial (bad, bad ball loss from JWP) was SO important and SO skillful.
Adams still has plenty to learn, obviously. His first touch a.o.t. But I like him.
Armstrong is just awesome. Ings likewise.
KWP struggled a little bit when they scored both goals, but still like him a lot.
Romeu is a rock.
Bertrand loves to play football again and shows his class.. I credit Ralph for that.
Redmond should have scored 5-10 minutes from time but for a worldy from De Gea. Played well, did Redmond, although I still don´t always understand his choices with the ball.
Stephens & Bednarek did well,
and great use of his body, when Michael 'the middlewight boxer' equalilized. Very happy for him, scoring such a great equalizer 6 minutes into injury time - at Old effing Trafford.

Well done Saints!

5

More Possession
More Shots
More Shots On Target
More Corners

We were the away team against a top 5 team that will probably qualify for the Champions League. Well done lads.
54 Points is now possible !!

NB - Nick, Man Utd made 4 subs, not that it really matters, but Williams and McTominay also came on.

2

Given the quality of the game an average rating of 6.7 is pathetic.
4.8 for Mulder who had minutes and did nothing wrong! Bizarre.

0

B.t.w. thanks for another good article, Nick; my Man of the Match goes to Danny Ings for his incredible work rate all over the pitch, control of the ball, team spirit enhancement, danger in both build-up and finishing and his confidence and cleverness. The man remarkably rarely loses the ball, and he is on the ball quite a lot every game!
Also I´d like to emphasize: great substitution by Ralph, bringing on Obafemi and asking Smallbone to play in Romeus no. 6 position - as defensive midfielder, where Will did very well in his running, positioning and ball control in our so important and so well-rehearsed/trained/executed short passing up the field. Very enjoyable to watch how cool, brave and exciting a team we have actually become. I credit Ralph for that , of course. So happy that he extended his contract with us for four years. Way to go, Ralph. He is an exciting manager, and I believe the players respect and like him a lot.
As far as Smallbone is concerned, he has been added to the A squad to stay there, it looks. Very useful squad player with a lot af potential, and for his age he certainly always looks calm, cool and collected.
If Adams improves after having tasted PL football for one season...., because he needs to, to help Ings and the team scoring goals, I don´t really think we need to be desperate to bring in more than one or two, maximum three new players in the transfer window (depending on any departing Saints players, of course and depending on whether Ralph wellcomes back a player like Harrison Reed, who has done very well at Fulham). As always a lot of other "ifs", of course, but I am delighted with the way we have improved, and I´m sure I share this feeling and positivism with a lot of you guys, fellow Saints fans.

1

Our epic battle with Everton for 12th place is going to go to the wire...

4

Lucky to get a point with the starting 11. Ward Prowse let us down again with missed chances. Dead ball specialist? Hojbjerg is a joke.

5