Piran

I've often wondered this - does anyone ever look at other teams' boards? Particularly in-match threads? Are other teams subject to the same hysteria and criticism that Saints players are blessed with, often within minutes of the kick-off and before any sort of pattern of play has developed, by their own 'supporters'? I know I'm old, and not really au fait with the real meaning behind this social media stuff - perhaps they're all just trying to wind me up - but is it a general trait amongst football fans on forums everywhere?

I would disagree with that. And as for the Pimp (above), I hardly think West Ham's transfer dealings are something to be envious of. Sure, they've made plenty, but you don't have to look far into their purchases to find some expensive failures. Ditto Wolves. Ditto Everton. Ditto Leicester. All teams that would be classed as mid-table, despite the aspirations of their supporters. As for Sports Republic, a lot of assumptions appear to be made by many on here based on what??? I think many would prefer meaningless bullshit, in the form of clickbait 'rumours' to actual news. It's still less than a year, and I believe there are signs of progress. Not many of us could afford to buy them out, so why not support them, and see where it takes us? Come on, you Saints!

Why change it? Infantino himself called it "The best WC ever" this year, and I'm inclined to agree with him, even as someone who has followed it since 1958, and was opposed to Qatar and all the shenanigans beforehand. There is plenty of room for as many teams as you want in the preliminary and qualifying rounds, but keep the finals as they have been this year. Anything that allows the possibility of Germany going home early, anyway!

I think this topic has seen some good debate, especialy early on, and it's good to see different viewpoints being acknowledged without the nasty rancour that often takes over other discussions. It's okay to have an opinion other than one matching your own! For me, I hope we never get relegated. I know it's not much fun losing more than winning, but there is interest in seeing MY team pitched against some of the best football teams in the world, and make no mistake, the Premier League has many of the world's best players and managers in it at the moment. I have also enjoyed thw World Cup, and marvelled at the organisation of many of the teams, so perhaps it's just me and a love of football, rather than a blind desire to just see Saints winning. For what it's worth, I believe that Saints will survive this season. I have no opinion on Nathan Jones, either way; I know very ittle about him, but my prediction is based on seeing some very good young players coming to terms with a new league, and a couple returning from injury, plus (I hope) a bit of a shake-up up front.

A lot of chat here about the pundits - take my advice, don't do it! For a long long time now, I tune in for kick-off, put the kettle on at half time, and tune out when the match is over. I know you have to listen to the drivel of the commentary, but I have my own eyes and brain, and don't need the opinions of a couple of arseholes to tell me what's going on. As for the football, I have found a lot of it great, and very intereting to view.

Yes, I'm afraid it is. In my opinion, at least. I know there have been a couple of exceptions (against Spain and England, for starters), but I think it has been noticable just how organised defences have been at this WC, especially the so-called lesser teams. Many games have only seen goals when players are tiring, or have just made substitutions, and before those subs become accustomed to the pace or formations. The same could be said about the PL, too.

You have to be of a similar age to me (74) to understand the significance of those, particularly Gilchrist's goal at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup semi-final. The Cup was everything then, and stood behind that goal, the realisation that WE were going to Wembley for the Cup Final! There had been loads of build-up, mostly around the showman that was Malcolm Allison and his bloody hat! Happy days!

Source?

I have made it clear in the past that I'm a fan of Armstrong, and I agree that much of the above is true, particularly re. the confidence bit, but I see a player who spent much of this season clearly playing to instructions. Perhaps Jones will get more from him, especially because he may know more about him from his Blackburn days, where he was obviously a dangerous forward.

Is it the majority of the forum who wanted Ralph gone? Or the majority of the forum who are unhappy with the potential replacement? Or just the noisy attention seekers? You know what they say about empty vessels... Whether anyone on here likes it, or not, SR are the ones making the appointment, and if that's their choice, the only way to change that choice would be to buy them out. I wonder if they would listen to offers?

Don't know how true it is, but a report yesterday said that Saints had agreed to talk with Jones, only after Luton's game this evening. If he is the next manager, you can bet a pound that he will have someone he trusts to watch and report, even if he is not there himself.

I hope Ralph stays. I take no notice of unattributed rumours, and as for his honest assessment that a club of Saints size will lose 10 - 15 games a season, in a league as strong as the present Premier League, well, yes, so what? I believe the present squad will improve remarkably after the World Cup break, with the experience they are gaining all the time, returning injured players, and I expect the club to reinforce the forward line in January, and hopefully, the midfield too.

My view is similar to both of these. I have said before that I believe Diallo should be further forward. He's a decent player in my opinion, but not a defensive midfielder. I would also give Maitland-Niles a bit longer to settle in; he looked totally out of place for his first couple of games, but looks to be improving. Saints, and I, miss Romeo, but I think it was the right move to let him go this year. NEVER play less than 3 men in midfield! It's the root of our problems, IMO.

Yes.

Not many on this forum!