I think everyone would like to integrate Boufal, the money we paid for him. Quite how you do that when everytime he plays a couple of times, he gets a knock that puts him out of action for 3 or 4 weeks, is the problem.
I wonder if we didn’t rush his recovery a bit, to get him playing after we first signed him and we’re going to have to wait until next season to see him truly fit.
You lose form, but you NEVER lose your ability. FF is a class keeper, who has had a tough time. I am glad we stuck by him as a club, even if some of the ‘supporters’ have not (quite a few on here). Very happy for him, and let’s hope he stays fit in the future.
He was a little hit and miss!
Fun fact; Fabrice Fernandes middle name is ‘Fibonacci’.
Far to many F’s!
FFixed it fff you
Almost.
Hm… I wouldn’t go too crazy. Consistency is the key to being a good goalkeeper and I’m afraid I, and many others, will need to see a bit more from him than the odd good game here and there before we’re convinced. Did very well today though and for that he deserves his credit.
Boufal is the reincarnation of FF for me. Beats his man, goes back for a 2nd go, beats him again, one more? Nah, the moment has gone and he has been closed down.
Can’t agree, @sfcsim .
He’s a good keeper, had a great game yesterday and seems to be coming off his line a bit more of late.
Perhaps this has coincided with us getting another deputy in during the window, and him being given constructive criticism of his deficiencies?
BUT, as churlish as this might seem, everything he saved today (I think) was within his enormous span - save for that header back across him where he had to change direction.
Even though he had a good game, many of his saves and punches went straight back into the danger area. Also, the save he made by diving at the feet of Morrison (was it?), looked like he was running through treacle to get there.
As I say, that will come across more churlishly than I intend because, as I said during the match, he was excellent and kept us in it today.
I’m simply taking issue with you calling him a great keeper. I think he’s great when the ball is within reach of his frame and average when it isn’t.
Yes I thought he came off his line more. He is obviously on a learning curve with it but I thought maybe Puel had given an instruction given the Palace game and the size advantage WBA had at corners
Great turnout at the Pub, really entertaining game and great performance by Saints.
Classie & PEH did what you expect of quality squad players, stepped up and putin a shift, Long did that Long thing BUT while carrying no clear Goal threat he caused their CB’s grief with his runs and created space for others.
I liked thge little dinked ball into the left edge of the box for Redmond & Tadic to run onto in the 1st half - seemed to be a clear training ground move, should have got more reward for it.
Yes we should (and would with Gabbi) been out of sight by HT.
Towards the end of 2nd half felt Jordie & PEH started to feel the90 minutes a bit, was in fact really surprised to see JWP go off (our more experienced & match fit midfielder tbh) think the running out of steam was as influential a factor in the last 10 minutes or so as having the nippers on, although Josh does need to learn that sometimes he has to stand up and hold onto the ball in those situations.
Considering the players we had standing at the end (in terms of experience/match fitness) thought it was a fantastic result.
We all know how superb OR has been this year but for me Maya is starting to push for recognition in player of the season because he has simply stepped up so well and, on this display, Caceres will again be kept out of the team by young Jack Stephens.
Forster is a fine keeper, always has been. His PROBLEM is that he is such a woos, wimp, mouse. He is the type of person who’d apologise for getting in your way getting out of a lift that you wanted to get into. Undoubted ability, but someone somewhere needs to start toughening him up - “get him out of his shell”. Ability not an issue - DOMINANCE and at least some AGGRESSION (or even a touch of assertiveness?) are now needed.
Best will in the world don’t see us getting get anything from Citeh next week without Manolo, so an important 3 points sets up another year for the legendary Dubai Saints 40 Points Party.
(And respect to the Cherry who brought his deckchair down the pub yesterday and watched the game with us - he “Thoroughly enjoyed a cracking game”, then had to watch Chelsea take his lot to pieces in the 1st 20 minutes - we weren’t TOO harsh on him)
Oh shit Davis out for a while then
@AdamBlackmore: Claude Puel told me last night he’s “sure Steven Davis can return before end of season” - said he was lucky not to break a bone. #saintsfc
I do feel I am going round in circles with this, so not going to debate with other fans on here. But he does more with his communication with his back 4 than most other premier league keeps. You cannot under estimate how important this is. Even more so with the ‘weaker’ centre backs we have compared to what we did have.
It just seems that some are willing him to make a mistake, so he can be blamed ‘scapegoat’. Come on, someone was blaming him for not getting near penalties… really, seriously?
I will leave this here, as a qualified goalkeeper coach (all be it only level 2) and say, he had a serious injury, that he has not fully recovered from, but we needed him back. The managers always pick him, I have faith in this and always support the players that pull on the shirt. They are professionals, picked by professionals.
This was me and I stand by it. He commits too early and this inevitably allows for an easier kick. Watch them back and I struggle to see how anyone can say otherwise. I’m not saying I expect him to save them, just making an observation.
Dont read too much in to that though. That point was aimed at how we had ridden our luck against Bournemouth.
His size has been discussed on here and I feel that plays a factor. At 6’ 7" and probably 18 stone (?) he is naturally not going to be the most agile when compared to a slighter build like De Gea or Lloris. Again, not a criticism, just an observation. Having a large frame benefits him when saving efforts from closer range that are within reach.
People were saying that he came for crosses more against WBA, due to their approach and every player being over 6’. He needs to do that more I believe.
Whether he was playing through an injury or not, it is clear that he was going through a tough patch and was off form. He appeared to be 3rd choice for England recently as well. He was clearly feeling a bit sorry for himself because after the Anfield semifinal he said something along the lines of needing a bit of luck that hadn’t gone for him prior to that.
I said at the time that he needs to make a match winning save to boost his confidence. When on form he is great. He is ‘the wall’. When things aren’t going for him though he is far less influential.
I can also assure you I’m not willing him to make a mistake or jeer him for a shit kick though. There’s something fundamentally counter productive in that. Anybody who actually does that is a nob and would be better off supporting Man Utd or doing something else equally plastic.
Because my general outlook is on the pessimistic side of realism, I take zero pleasure in being proved right. I’d much rather be pleasantly surprised and therefore at times wrong.
Now we’ve reached 40 points I’m going to enjoy the rest of the season and look forward to next. No doubt the summer will be interesting though!
COYS 
Just want to give Puel a shout. This season has been a bit hit and miss but with a full preseason, a bit more transfer activity and a return to fitness by our key players and next year could be full of interesting possibilities!
This has just come up on the telly again complete match highlights so I think I will watch us beat the Baggies once again 
… 
