Saint Albert

That just about sums it up for me.

I was disappointed when Stoke sacked Hughes yesterday, because I assumed that their results will improve when they bring a new manager in. West Brom seem to be the only team so far this season not to experience a new manager bounce. Even Swansea got a win against Watford with their new guy, a Championship cast-off. Stoke, West Brom, Swansea etc supporters probably have the same attitude to Pellegrino, who at around 17% has just about the worst winning record of any Saints manager in PL history. Even Steve Wigley has a slightly better winning record. They will be disappointed if we fire him and bring in a competent replacement, because there’s a good chance our performances and results will improve. I imagine that a skate probably has the same attitude to Pellegrino as our relegation rivals - they want us to keep him, because they know that there’s a decent chance he’ll take us down if he stays. All this to say, the truth is probably the exact opposite of what you’re saying.

This Mail article suggests the fee for Theo is 25M, and Saints are balking at that amount... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5242769/Southampton-Walcott-balk-25m-asking-price.html

The Guardian leading with the anti-Pellegrino jeering from the away fans as well... https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/06/fulham-southampton-fa-cup-match-report

I get the impression that a lot of Saints supporters decided this fellow was awful last summer and are unwilling to revise their opinions on him. He played out of position against someone who is being touted for stardom. Bednarek played well today. The club tweeted some Bednarek stats after the game... https://mobile.twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/949746897429839872

He has four and a half years at Stoke, with three successive years in ninth place. He’s not my first choice, but he’s better than Pellegrino.

The Telegraph focus on the hostile attitude of the visiting fans towards Pellegrino in this match report... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/06/fulham-0-southampton-1-james-ward-prowse-strikes-ease-pressure/ This seems a little unfair on the visiting supporters. They were audibly supportive throughout. I felt sorry for Lemina when he came on to boos but I presume this was a reaction to Pellegrino taking the excellent Hojberg off rather than Lemina coming on. You could also hear the you don’t know what you’re doing chant on the telly.

I suspect that you are right.

Coutinho off to Barca according to the BBC... http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42580173

Watford have been patchy in the PL lately and seem a little out of sorts. This is a winnable away game.

Pellegrino really has to go before the damage is irreversible.

Great to see Saints win against a Championship side. We had several close goal scoring chances in that game particularly for Stephens and Hoj, and a penalty wrongly denied. Still, nothing tells me that Pellegrino knows what he’s doing and his tactics and subs remind me of his performance managing the Palace game. Taking off the wrong players (Boufal and Hoj). Bringing on Redmond. Sitting back and inviting pressure towards the end of the 2nd half to defend a one goal lead, against a Championship team.

FT: 0-1. Saints through to the next round. Does Pellegrino survive to fight another day? I hope not.

Away fans still in good voice after giving the manager some stick over his substitutions.

Gabbiadini plays in Redmond, a delightful Lemina backheel sets up Gabbiadini but he skies it.

Redmond looked unconvincing defending a Sessegnon cross. He loses out, the header goes well wide and Redmond yells at someone. Perhaps try jumping next time, Nathan.

Long off for Gabbiadini.

We’re sitting back now. Another Fulham attack put behind by Stephens.

It feels like Pellegrino is trying his best to scupper a decent second half effort with his subs. Gabbi about to come on for Long, according to the commentators. For me, Long’s put in another good shift.

I feel bad for Lemina there because he’s a good player. Pellegrino simply took the wrong player off. Hoj has been our best midfielder IMO.

Lemina on for Hoj. The sub is greeted with boos. Chants of you don’t know what you’re doing...

I’m looking at a replay of the last Saints opportunity...Long did well to flick a JWP corner to Stephens, who really should have scored. So close.

Decent chance for the equalizer with McCarthy down but it is smashed over.

Stephens with the header. Probably should have scored.

We’re still looking pretty comfortable. Here comes a corner and it hits the underside of the crossbar!!!