Luka did really well yesterday although maybe another midfield would have tested him more. How many shoulder to chest "tackles" were there yesterday and all ignored. Luka is not the answer but Cheick + Luka/Hughes now that they are all fit would work.

Enjoying getting up later and not having someone who knows better than me (apart from the missus of course).

I think he played well yesterday however the first tick box on that assessment is for him not to disgrace himself or do something catastrophic which is a very low bar.

The game still looks slightly too quick for him and he shone when we were less ‘mobile’ as a team.

You never know, I don’t think it valid to write him off completely however one swallow and all of that jazz. If he does step up it will serve us well whilst the midfield is still under resourced. Interestingly, I couldn’t name one notable moment from either Hughes or Jairo when they come on which again is both a good but not inspiring take for me.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Good point AS.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

he did ok yesterday but he is no more than a benchwarmer in the prem nowadays . Three years ago he was the dogs goolies but he has lost 5 yards of pace and even his deadball set pieces no longer hit the mark . I feel sorry for him as it is not his fault he always tries his best and gives 100% ,its just his body says sorry mate no can do anymore,that is why i would be surprised if we got any money for him

I was at the game and it seems we watched different games or at least saw the game differently.
1. Ayew was not lazy. His work during the final 25 minutes or so enabled us to get the ball forward. Indeed, he won the corner for us that resulted in the last play of the game, not to mention a couple of fouls that helped us re-organize.
2. Edouard was virtually dead on his feet by 60-65 minutes - he had to come off for someone with fresh legs and energy. Several people in my area of the ground were calling for PV to make that change at least 10 minutes before he did. It was obvious Edouard had run himself into the ground. Our front 4/5 put a lot into the first half with the high press we put on Soton.
3. Luka needed defensive support towards the end of the 2nd half - not replacing. He got that support in the form of Hughes and then Riedewald and we saw the game out.

To answer your question, no.

Got caught on the ball again yesterday like he did for the first goal at Everton. Lying face down thumping the ground is not an appropriate response.

Passing abysmal, as evidenced by the Edouard booking.

Freekicks as dreadful as ever.

Too slow, sits too deep. Southampton bossing midfield until Hughes came on in the second half.

Good enough in his day, sadly that day is gone. Should have kept Kouyate, or made a better fist of bringing in Flynn Downes. Need 1 or 2 decent midfielders to replace Luka and the injury prone Jimmy Mac. Nobody currently in the academy who seems to be able to step up.