Francis1947

I agree with many of the points you make regarding Ralph and the players we have here in our club. I believe this summer and the season that will follow will be our most crucial for many years. We will find out how different our new owners are with regards to investment compared to our last one. Any regular Saints supporter clearly knows that we desperately need a new goalkeeper, a new central defender, a replacement for Romeo who is starting to falter and.....above anything else a forward who can score 10-12 goals a season. All hard to find I know and what half a dozen other premier league clubs are looking for too. My problem with your conclusions regarding staying with Ralph, is that even if we are able to improve the side significantly, the likeliehood in my mind is that Ralph cannot and will not change his strategy regarding managing the side. I think that all managers have a finite time at a club before it's time to move on. In my humble opinion I think that time has come for Ralph now. Who we would replace him with is another very difficult problem. We here are all Saints fans. I have been on since I first attended the Dell with my old Dad in 1959. We have had some great times. But mostly we have got used to feedin off scraps. After 3 and a half years of Ralph, here we are bloody 15th in the league. We have avoided relegation by the skin of our teeth. Where is the progress under Ralphs tenure ? Thet has been none in my opinion. We have always depended each and every season for many years that 2 out of the 3 promoted clubs would go straight down again and 1 establshed club would have a bad season. I fear that might not happen next year. So for me , it's time for change.....and tactics....with hopefully some new signings. I am a Saints fan. Its the hope that kills you isn't it !!!

I am 74 years of age and not prone to losing it. However, this bizarre team selection has done it for me. None of this nonsense by Ralph makes any snse or logic to me anymore. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt still and sort of back him but his has got to stop now. You can question the reasoning and logic behind many of thos teams make up. 1. If the reason Broja has not been selected because he knows he wont be here next season, then why is Djenepo on the bench when they announced they are looking for offers for him this summer ? 2. Why is A Armstrong now selected when being utterly ignored all season. You have to feel sorry for this bloke to be put in such a situation today. 3. Why is Romeo now selected today but not against Liverpool. All of us who attended that match saw how desperately out of touch Diallo was that almost from the firts minute. And Ralph left him on until we went 2-1 down. 4. Why is Elynoussi selected again when he offered almost nothing against Liverpool. 5. Stu Armstrong has had a pretty poor end of season. I admit his form has dropped off....BUT....he is in my opinion, almost the only player we have who can create and beat an opponent. So play the bloke just in case he can create something. So he doesn't play against Liverpool but now gets selected against Leicester. Please someone explain why ? 6. So Broja isnt selected. Our next best strike is Ache Adams. He has limitations we all know....but why Armstrong....now, finally....gets picked ahead of him. 7. And finally why Walcott on the bench aagain and not a young guy....just to test a young guy today in the final match. THAT might make sense !. I've had my fill with Ralph with his selections where the team is changed significantly every match. His strategy is poor. He is never pro-active re subs. He only uses subs when we are losing. That's my 2 penneth. Apologies for the minor rant. I've had enough. Please go Ralph. We need change now and you have been paid handsomey in the last 3 and a half years and most of us have been supportive and sympathetic.

Good God, that was dross this afternoon. Lots of people here now calling for Ralph to go. I still cannot make my mind up.....mostly becuase if we do let him go in the summer, who do we get in to replace. My main gripe with him is the selection process, game after game. To play Long this afternoon against a side who were lower in the league than us, at home.....is uttely inexplicable. Please explain Ralph what the thinking and logic here was ! What the heck did we sign Armstrong for if he isn't selected againts Crystal Palace. And why is Broja now excluded ? We have all seen the drop off in form over the last couple of weeks but to my mind, he presents much more of a threat of actually scoring a goal than Long. The team now look jaded and tired. And may I make a further point. I have been a Saints and a football fan for over 60 years. I have also been a great supporter of rugby, both league and union for the same length of time. On Friday night I made the journey to Frankln Gardens Northampton to see my other Saints team play Harlequins. It was in front of a full house of 15,000 and it was a pulsating match that Northampton Saints won by 1 point. The commitment,courage skill and determination shown on that pitch last night by both teams would shame many of the players who trotted out in a Saints shirt this afternoon. Now I know that Northampton Saints and Harlequins have a chance of making the play offs and had a reason to lift their game. Harlequins were much the better side and were winning with 5 minutes to play. But you could see the Saints players didn't or couldnt accept that. Through sheer strenght of will, they made play afer play, marching further up the pitch, were awarded a penalty and Grayson slotted it over and they won by 1 point. It was magnificent to watch I have never seen a Saints football team have that same strenght of will and resolve to do that ! I will continue to support both of my "Saints teams " .

No, I did perfectly understand that my vote for KWP is for " player of the year " I clearly put in my first post that he has been " commited,brave and skilled all season " And in my opinion, he has shown those qualities more than any other player in a Saints shirt. Now added to his playing excellence on the pitch , I also added that.....in my opinion again.....he seems a good young lad who tries his darndest and just gets on with it without moaning or griping. Important qualities to me. Hope that has clarified things for you

Wihout doubt for me it's KWP. He has been committed,brave and skilled all season. Rarely gets injured, never feigns injury, doesn't seem to mouth off to officials, team mates etc. Just gets on with it and I think gives his all whether playing at RB or LB. I think we all know some payers who would have gone into a big sulk for being messed around and playing out of position. He seems a good honest likeable young guy too and the great worry for me now is whether we can keep hold of him this summer. Tells you alot about experts in football doesn't it that the " Special One " when manager at Spurs did not see his potential. The only other 2 runners in the field for me are Romeu and our captain Ward-Prowse. Both great professionals who have been superb for most of the season. But KWP gets my vote.

Being a Saints fan for over 60 years now, I along with many others have come to expect this sort of result and performance from a Southampton team. However, I think after a morning to reflect ,what galls and irritates me most of all was the make up of the side last night against Burnley. We all understood what Ralph was doing against Arsenal with 3 centre backs and abandoning the high press. The previous 6 or so results demanded that against a top 6 side.....and it worked. Somewhat fortuitiosly but it worked But for him to play the same side against Burnley with just Broja up front was quite simply inexplicable. It was an utter shambles and I switched off with 10 minutes to go because my Missus of 50 years came in to see what I was shouting and moaning about. Don't think I have ever cut short a Saints match before ! To go 2-0 down and not to change the side quickly enough was just bizarre. Why not put Tella on along with Adams ! He could have brought a bit of pace to the side. There was nothing to lose surely. And then to replace our best player, KWP with another right back !....what was the thinking and strategy there ? I think the most alarming statistic thats someeone pointed out here....and one I wasn't aware of....is that this season, we have lost to the bottom 4 sides. The only side in the Premiership to do so. Isn't that interesting and significant. Up to now, I have been a supporter of Ralphs although sometimes reluctantly. But last night was a new low for me. I think he is a sgood man and a decent enough Manager with limited resources. But you now have to question severely, his tactics, his team selections, his constant " tinkering " with the side, his seemingly inability to adapt and change when things are clearly going wrong. Where to go from here ? I have no idea. I think I'm fed up and will be quite glad now for the season to end. Just my 2 pennies worth.

I think tomorrows match and the make up of the side that Ralph puts out will be a watermark on his relationship and connection to the fans. I have been a Saints fan over over 60 years and in my opinion, this match is the most important one we have faced in some seasons now. We are all Saints fans here and are used to " success ".....or our version of it. Success to us is to survive in the Premiership each and every year and try to hang on to some of our more important players. This is our chance of going to Wembley. We are clearly safe from relegation now so a chance like this doesn't come round too often. If he has any rapport with the fans, he must put out his strongest side. Now all of us have our own views on what that is but I think someone else put on this post that we can all agree that 8 players should be included. The options in my opinion are Redmond or Elynoussi, Stephens or Bednarek and where Walker-Peters plays.....either right back....my choice with Peraud at left back balancing the side.....or Livramento at right back and W-P moving across. If he now decides to " tinker " with this side with Tella, Smallbone, Diallo etc I will be upset. Also Forster must play . All in my humble opinion of course. The sounds coming out of St.Marys and Ralphs utterances regarding this match are worrying so we shall see what the side is when it is announced tomorrow. I have always been a very firm supporter of Ralph and all is doing at our club. Exasperated sometimes by his selections, strategy, substitutions and tactics. But always been able to give him the benefit of the doubt because I believe he is a good man and a good manager and the best we can hope for. However, if he " tinkers " with our side tomorrow....I won't forgive him.

Just to add to the confusion about this. In the last 5 minutes ( about 17.30 ) Sky have now switched the Saints v Brentford match to 10. 30 pm. So not live now. I wonder what happened there re Skys contrctual obligations in showing " live " matches.

To anyone in the know, could you please confirm that the Brentford match will be on Sky Sports starting at 21.00. If it is, then my intention is to not tune in to Adam Blackmmore and Dave Merrington on the live Radio Solent broadcast and resist all reports of the match and then watch at 9 pm. Am I correct in thinking this is a most unusual thing for Sky Sports.....to show a match 75 minutes after it has started and will ,in effect, still be playing ? My great worry is that I don't listen to the match on radio.....which I incidentally quite enjoy.....and then find at 9 pm that some contractual obligation prevents Sky from broadcasting the Saints match. First World problem I realise but as a Saints fan of over 60 years it would be a buggar to miss out after holding my nerve for 75 mins.😇 A " What ever happened to the Likely Lads " episode comes to mind !

That is a good point. Hadn't thought of that ! However, surely a Physio could have just trotted around to check on the pretext that he had an injury and he was investigating. I think that sometimes our side have no " nouse ". You see time and time again sides come to St.Marys who time waste, have pretend injuries etc. May I make another point. Could not one of the more senior members of the side taken some responsibilty here and got a amessage to Ralph to say that McCarthy might just be needed to be replaced.

I accept what you are saying to a certain extent but players sometimes want to stay on the pitch when they know they probably shouldn't. Don't want to give up their firts team place.....maybe out of the side , they could lose some bonuses. All very commendable but a decision in making a replacement.lays with the Manager surely. A cluee to how severe the injury was was surely that Lyanco was taking the goal kicks. And I think my main point of my post was my disappointment in Ralphs public criticism of McCarthy after the match. I'm Old School and I don't think that is the way things should be done by a Manager.

I am quite ambivalent about Ralph but what happened yesterday with McCarthy was I believe, truly bizarre. Ralph has been impressive in some things and extremely weak and questionable about others since he arrived. However, I am truly at a loss with regards to how he re-acted to the injury to McCarthy. From his post match interview, he intimated tha he knew McCarthy had a problem but was unaware of its severity. He has many staff with him on the bench, including a dedicated goalkeeping coach. Why on earth didn't he send one of those guys to behind the goal to have a word with McCarthy and find out what the actual problem was. That is called managing the situation and it's one of the things he paid the big bucks for. What happened yesterday was amateurish and humiliating for our club. Watching the match on Sky, it looked as though KWP had a word with McCarthy before the free kick to ask if he wanted him on he line. McCarthy seemed to decline but then Ward-Prowse seemed to suddenly panic and take it on himself to rush back to the goal line before the kick was taken. And then, he seeme to realise that he had made a bad decision and then rushed back to try and get the offside ! In watching Saints for over 60 years that was one of the more unusual things I have ever seen on the football pitch ! And then for our Manager to publicly criticise McCarthy is totally unacceptable. That is weak and rather cowardly and not semething I would hve expected from Ralph as I believe he is a man of principle. Yesterday, I believe, was a defining moment in our season. All the frailities and weaknesses that we have seen time and time again.....the failure to score a second goal, the way Ralph seems incapable of reacting when the match turns against us or the opposing Manager changes the system, the falling away in our performance in almost every second half, the lack of any leadership on the pitch. I'm extremely disappointed in the comments Ralph made about McCarthy in the interview. This stuff should stay in the Dressing Room or on the training pitch on Monday morning . It seems to me that he was covering his back and is not a good sign for the morale of the side . This could be very difficult next few weeks in my opinion. Just my 2 cents worth.

Yes really. You have an opinion on the standard and integrity of referees in the Premiership and I have mine ok. These guys are human beings, they make mistakes, they do get swayed by certain players, crowds, particular Coaches and Managers on the touchline. However to make a judgement that some referees are corrupt is incorrect in my opinion.

Tamesaint. You make a good point there. Did anyone see an actual foul committed there ? I certainly didn't. I think a reasonable tackle was made there but the Liverpool player went down, appealed to the linesman, Klopp went berserk on the touchline....and the referee was pressured in giving the foul.

I watched the Man.City v Leicester City match last night on the TV. It was won by a pretty special goal scored by Vincent Kompany. However, in the first half, David Silva,a wonderful player and a bloke not known as being particuarly aggressive, was booked....rightfully so in my opinion, by the referee Mike Dean, for a pretty poor tackle. In the second half, Silva made two more pretty poor challenges and although the fouls were called by Dean, Silva was not shown a second yellow card which would have meant an automatic red and Man City down to 10 men. My argument here is that there is clearly a different mind set in the way certain clubs ....i.e, the top 6....and certain players are treated by Premiership referees. We have a combative midfield player and captain in Pierre Hojberg. Throughout the season he makes some very determined tackles and in my opinion on some of them, he is rightfully shown a yellow card for the more reckless ones. He also now has a reputation which is important to my mind on how referees react. My argument is that if Hojberg had made that first tackle playing for Saints and with Dean officiating , he would have rightfully been shown a yellow card. However, in my opinion, if he had then gone on to make either of the other 2 fouls that Silva made in last nights match, Dean would have definitely shown him a second yellow and therefore an automatic read and a sending off. I'm not saying that Dean or any other Premiership referee is corrupt. Of course they are not. I think the standard of officiating in the Premiership is decent enough and they all try to do their job honestly. My argument is that there is a mind set amongst referees regarding the top clubs and players and the top coaches like Guardiola and Klopp. If Dean had issued a second yellow to Silva, he would have been aware of the the anger and criticism that would have come down on him from the clubs and the media....especially Sky !.....and I think it altered the way he made his decision. In my opinion....and it is just my opinion.... Dean would have known that if those incidents involving Silva had occurred in a different match, with a different player and a different club....i.e. A club like Saints or any other in the Premiership other than the big six, he wouldn't have been subjected to the anything like the intimidation and the opprobium and he would have made a different decision. All in my opinion of course. I don't post much although I have been a Saints fan for nigh on 60 years so flame away !

Badger Thankyou for your kind response to my post. I will try to post again and share my memories of wonderful times spent watching the Saints at the Dell from about 1959 onwards up to now at St.Marys. The game of football was very different then....as were the crowds. Saints were renowned as a very skilful attacking side....especially at the Dell. When Stuart Williams was signed , he was the current Welsh International left back. A big signing for us at the time although he was in the twilight of his playing career. Our right back was Tommy Traynor. Full backs in those days were big and strong and not considered an attacking threat. There only job was to nullify their opposing winger....by fair means and foul. The tackles that rained in then would not be allowed today ! I believe Tommy Traynor retired and became a publican in Swaythling. He was replaced by a bloke called Joe Kirkup....who was quickly replaced by the great Dennis Hollywood. He was probably considered one of the first " modern " full backs who not only was a wonderful defender but had an attacking threat to his game as well. I do remember he had a wonderful cultured left peg ! I need to start a new thread about football at the Dell in the 1960's if anyone is interested. But can I end with 2 stories that illustrate how the game has changed. If my memory serves me correctly, a full house at the Dell meant that 29,000 people had crammed in. All standing on the terraces. I was about 11 years old and attended each game with my Father who had been a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy in WW2. One afternoon against Leicester City a young bloke called out loudly using the " F " word and to a man about 100 Saints fans....all men in those days.....turned around to tell him off ! And he apologised and shut up. Last story ! One evening in the early 60's a mate and I attended an evening match at the Dell against Huddersfield Town. In those days most visiting teams stayed at the Polygon Hotel before the match and then walked the streets to the Dell. About 6 pm we were walking towards the Dell past the Polygon and out of the hotel came the Huddersfield players. Amongst them was Ray Wilson. It was before he was transferred to Everton, one of the great sides in the old Div 1 in those days. This was pre 1966 but he was already an England international and very famous. My mate asked for his autograph and Ray duly signed. However my mate who was a cheeky sod , pretended not to be able to read what Wilson had written and looked at Wilsons scribble and said...." what the hell is that " Wilson clearly was pretty aggrieved and annoyed and replied....." can't you bloody read son " !!!! We had a chuckle and went in through the turnstiles. We went on to win that evening and Wilson didn't have too great a game against Terry Paine ,so the two of us always thought that we had played our own small part in upsetting Wilson and helping Saints win . Happy Days Frank

I have followed this list for many years with a great deal of interest but I haven't posted ever for many reasons. However, with the recollection of George Kirby by a previous poster, I just felt I had to contribute and reply. I am 71 years of age and been a Saints fan for over 60 years. I can remember the signing of George Kirby from....I believe....Plymouth. This was from another age of football, where tackles and physical contact was part and parcel of the professional game and referees allowed it. If memory serves me correctly, we were in some trouble in the old Div 1. Ted Bates was our Manager. In the space of a few weeks Kirby was signed from Plymouth, Stuart Williams, a Welsh international full back was signed and Dave Burnside, a beautifully cultured inside forward ( There was such a thing in those days ! ) from WBA. Those signings transformed our season and we climbed out of trouble.I believe Tony Knapp, an England U 23 international was already in our side and captain. The side included Cliff Huxford, our defensive wing half and bloke with the biggest thighs I have ever seen on a football pitch and Ken Wimshurst, the attacking wing half. All sides played with a set up like that in those days. Anyhows, with Terry Paine on one wing....before he was capped....and Johnny Sydenham on the other, we scored a hatfull of goals that season and the next. George Kirby was big and strong and was a great header of the ball. Alongside him was wee Georgie O'brien who was a natural goal poacher. The two scored many goals for the Saints as it was a great combination of power and strength and speed and guile. I do remember one one mid week match at the Dell under floodlights....I believe it was against WBA....where the ball was put into the box and Kirby headed the ball and the keeper into the net !.....and the goal was allowed by the referee ! How times have changed now where the slightest nudge on the keeper and the Ref blows up. Also I believe our keeper was a bloke called Ron Reynolds who wore contact lenses....a most unusual thing in the 1960's !! Under the floodlights my Dad and I used to watch him on the edge of the box, trying to follow the play and constantly trying to adjust his vision when the ball was on it's way into the box. It didn't give you alot of confidence !!!!! A long time ago at the Dell....but very happy times. Oh, how the game has changed ! Frank