switters

It was the same last season, except that time they did score with every attack - surely that was worse, for one! I thought we were really bad for first 25 mins but grew into the half a bit. The goal was against run of play but we had improved by that point. Showed some decent battle in the 2nd, shame we couldn't hold on for much needed win but a point is more than everyone expected.

This is a bit unbecoming from Sanchez. But we do really need this point..

oh Westwood. you could've made a mockery of us all.

Showing some battle, which is nice. I'd have Gabby on for Gestede for the counter possibilities.

How in the hell?! Villa level defending by Southampton there

Ah **** sake, finally get a decent cross in and Gestede shows his composure

2 very lucky escapes. How many warnings do we need? Very much fear floodgates will open once one of these go in.

Okore's first match for months alongside Lescott - I fear for us! Need our midfield 3 to be much, much better than they were vs Watford. On paper, Southampton look stronger in every position

If he's not starting, hope he watches Sadio Mane closely today - that's the kind of player he should model himself on.

The way we played injury time summed us up. 10 minutes to chase an equaliser that might've been a turning point in fortunes and we just made wrong decision every time we got on the ball and failed to get anything into their box despite their comedy sub keeper Hard to have any hope now.

Ah look at these Watford words removed wasting time now by starting fights. Ref needs to be adding this up but won't.

Well we should have 8 mins added time to equalise.. miracle on?

Ain't over though. Still goals in this game. Watford look shaky whenever we get ball in box.

How in the....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Nyom, I think? Right back. He has been good. Pacy and positionally aware.

Time to get Gestede on for Gil and have him pressuring Gomes when the ball comes in.

Failing to clear lines properly has been our biggest fault today. That cost the first and could have cost more. Think they gotta be a bit more route one when it comes to getting the ball out of danger areas.

Yeah I'd agree with that. Gil the least effective of the front 3 in the first half. Other option would be bring on Adama/Bacuna for one of the midfield 3 and have them on the right to allow Gil to play more central where he can be more effective. But for now it's keep it the same and see if we can continue where we left off the first half.

WOOHOO! Needed that so badly. Now can we go on and win this one? Pleeeeeeeeease.

They got some dangerous forward players, but they've been a long way from great.

And then Sanchez almost cost another. Watford know they just gotta press quickly and we will make mistakes.

**** Sanchez having one of his shockers. Failed the clearance for the first and almost cost another. We're doing okay going forward, getting ball in box and having some chances at least. Game not over yet, but have to get the next goal.

A 0-0 that feels like a win! Very impressed with the team and the manager - he started the exact team I wanted to see and he made sensible proactive changes which kept us competitive and with one bit of luck we even could've snuck it. Considering the vast gulf in form and in resources, we did incredibly well to match City today. City should have scored twice and you can say it's luck but it's also them failing to convert two headers from point blank range. Generally kept De Bruyne and Sterling quiet, and Toure was invisible when he usually scores against us Unlike most weeks this season where picking MOTM is trying to work out who was least bad, today there are several candidates. Richards and Sanchez really held the spine together, Gil was the best player on pitch first half, Veretout put in a promising performance (esp considering how few minutes he's had lately) and the fullbacks stuck to their task well against tough opponents. The re-animated Zog had good impact and even the much maligned Guzan and Clark played their part with some crucial moments. I'd probably go with Richards overall.

Think Zoggy is doing some very smart timewasting here. Good work.

Rather nice to see proactive substitutions that make sense with what's happening on the pitch, rather than desperate/confusing tactical switch 2 mins after going behind.