Fair enough, I can't quite see De Gea conceding three goals in a big game like this, but we could conceivably get beat.

You need the defence to be on top form today. Are you expecting Shaw to start?

Either him or Blind at left back would do for me, as I have full confidence in both of them to perform well in that position.

I wasn't that nervous this morning because I'd have been happy with a draw but I am now listening to the current City score. If it stays like this, we really have to try and take advantage, but it's traditionally one of our toughest away fixtures.


Blind for me. Shaw looked a bit rusty last game. Because dilemna for me is whether to play Mata or not. He was on fire Thursday.

The only result that is acceptable today is a win, as another draw would keep a gap between us and the teams chasing for the top positions, and that is just not what is needed, even at this early stage.

I like Blind, he is very underrated, but he is fantastic, so yeah I wouldn't mind seeing him in the side.

Mata would be very handy to have in the side, plus he will have the extra bit of motivation of wanting to do well at his old club.

Well it is Blind and not Shaw who starts.

Lingard in for Young, no Rooney at all (injury) and Mata on the bench.

We continue to get chances to close the gap, yet will we?

Today is a must win game.

No it isn't.

We will be between 3 and 6 points off the top at the end of what was a tricky week for us, with 87 further points available. Hopefully we can get the three but in the grand scheme of things, it's not a 'must win'.

Good ol' Saints!

Fine, if you wish to pass up yet more chances to close the gap to the sides above us, personally I don't wish to, I want us to get as close to them as possible, and that can only be done via winning today's game, and not drawing it (or even getting beat).

Bet you wish you'd gone with Luke after all then.... Blind was asleep!

Now we have made it that bit harder to get a win, deary me.

Not the way to start such an important match.

Well the positives are that it's still early doors and if I could pick us to go one down to any team in the top six and still get a result, I'd pick this current Chelsea team. Their defence can be got at.. We are buggerred if they score next, mind.

Fellaini and Pogba are not working in midfield.

Blind & Smalling are all over the place. This is going to be a long old afternoon!

So frustrating, dropped points at Anfield, and getting beat here, after the result against Stoke, our league form is not looking pretty, huge pressure now on the Burnley game.

Oh dear.

Draw is absolutely the best to hope for here now.

In Smallings defence, I think Sky called that one wrong. Smalling was wrong-footed because the ball deflected off Herrera. At least that's what it looked like to me.

Such a poor start. Don't think I've seen us crumble this bad in such a short space of time

Looks like it's going to be just one league win in six now bar an amazing comeback, not good.

Not watching been working, blame is all Smalling a d some to Blind. This doesn't sound pretty.

The team look so flat footed and out of energy. Jose needs to give them a big shake at half time and tell them to wake up!

Still optimistic that if we can hold them from scoring again before half time, we can turn this around.

Simply too many changes in the team. Regardless of who we just beat, the team played well together. Granted Rooney could not play but that was the only change needed.

If you mean win, I think that's beyond us. Too many of our players are having mares. If I could change the whole team, I'd only leave Herrera and one or two others on.

But yes, we're not completely out of this yet if they don't score again.

I would be hugely suprised if Jose changes the team at HT

Don't know why we didn't stick with the bulk of the team we set up with on Thursday.

They actually played as a team.

Ibra is isolated. Pogba and Fellaini don't work together. Blind isn't a full time defender, let alone left back!!!

It's going to be a stressful second half if something doesn't change.