Brumsaint

More than anything, I want us to show that we can score goals. All the clean sheets are great, but we are relying on marginal penalty calls, or JWP's free kicks as pretty much the only way we look like scoring at the moment. Ings is a big miss, but we mustn't rush him back. Long looked awful yesterday. Every run he made in behind was offside and I don't remember him collecting a pass and finding a team mate once in the whole match. I would either play N'Lundulu or Walcott up front, but if whatever RH goes for isn't working and we don't look like scoring, I would like him to try using substitutes this time. Diallo has shown he can be trusted, but Romeu will come back tomorrow. Am I right in thinking Prowsey's 3 yellow cards will be wiped come the new year, so we don't need to worrying about a possible suspension unless he's booked in both the next two matches? Fingers crossed that something clicks in attack and we get to celebrate a win!

I was concerned that it would be a worse result when I knew we'd be without the key players. Stephens didn't do much wrong, although he didn't dominate as much as Vestergaard, obviously. Diallo also didn't do a bad job and improved as the game went on. I suggested Long from the start. I was so wrong when I thought he might get into the game better in that case and I found it so hard to believe that Ralph didn't change things earlier. As many have already said, the subs were a joke. Long should have been taken off around 55 minutes at the latest, with Djenepo coming on and Walcott playing up front. N'Lundulu should also have been given a chance if we hadn't improved, so that he got at least 20 minutes, rather than coming on in added time! We can score without Ings, but not if we don't learn from our mistakes! I hope we put up a better performance against Wet Sham and get back to scoring ways at the very least, because three games without scoring would start to be very worrying.

I would like to see this team: McCarthy KWP Bednarek Vestergaard Vokins JWP Diallo Armstrong Walcott Adams Long Subs: Forster, Stephens, Salisu, Bertrand, Smallbone, Redmond, Djenepo, Nlundulu, Tella I just have a feeling that if Long is given a chance from the start, he might come good and create more space for Che. Bertrand looks like he needs a rest and there are two games in three days. Let's have another look at what Vokins can do before the window opens. Hopefully, Armstrong will come back stronger after being tested. I know this is unlikely to be the lineup that Ralph selects, but it feels to me that it would be good to rotate a little, but without losing too much "automatism".

Theo was fantastic yesterday, and I thought he still looked full of running at the end - his chasing back was superb. KWP also had one of his best games and that made the contrast with the left wing even starker. I was rooting for Redders to start, but when he replaced Moussa, I couldn't quite believe my eyes that it was the same player who came on and scored last weekend. Che did brilliantly in the middle of the park battling to keep and win possession, but he had no service where it hurts and we seemed to be relying on luck - for the ball to bounce kindly, rather than creating any clear cut chances. I thought City defended very well, but we lacked a cutting edge at the end of some very good build up. Danny hasn't looked himself, even before the injury, so I hope they look after him and get him properly fit, rather than rushing him back again. Jannik was almost faultless once again and his passing was fantastic. I just wish we had a couple of other players who could pick a forward pass nearly as well as him. It was really disappointing to get nothing from the game, but if you don't even test the keeper, you can't really expect too much. Onwards to a couple of very winnable games that will show whether we can sustain a push for European places.

I saw that we were linked to Zinchenko, but he looks more likely to go to Wolves, so that may just be agent talk to make it look like there's a bidding war. I am disappointed that Ralph doesn't trust Vokins, as I've been impressed with him whenever I've seen him play, but obviously Ralph has seen more. If we can get Williams, or someone else in on loan, that would be good, but I reckon any permanent signings will wait until the summer. As well as most of the team played yesterday, we didn't really look like scoring, despite all the pressure around their box. Redmond had an absolute mare when he came on and if teams have worked out how to stop Vestegaard getting on the end of Prowsey's set pieces, there's nobody else who seems able to. I really hope a lack of quality back up strikers doesn't become an issue.

I would like to see Redmond and Walcott playing as the number tens. Much as I would like to see Diallo given a chance, I don't think this is the right game. The only other position I would question, assuming that there are no injuries, is whether Ings should play from the start or come off the bench. I just hope everyone has the legs to be on top of their game at the end of a busy week!

I think people are being overly harsh on Djenepo. He didn't have a great game, but he gave Bertrand a lot of support in keeping Traore and Semedo quiet, as well as playing Bertrand in really well a few times when he was overlapping. More goal threat and attacking intent with the ball would make a real difference, but he didn't give the ball away any more than other players - Romeu was most guilty of that today, I thought and JWP played a lot of backwards balls when he didn't need to IMO, some of which put us in more trouble. I thought we were a bit flat overall, but Wolves did press really well and didn't give much room at all. McCarthy definitely MOTM, but I would have liked to see Diallo come on a bit earlier and Nlundulu or Tella instead of Long. Can't be too disappointed with a point away at Wolves when not playing at our best, though.

Kameron Ledwidge was spoken of as a star of the future at one time. Anyone seen him play? https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2017/oct/03/next-generation-2017-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs

He still has time to get his career back, but what a horrific time of it he's had! Didn't he also have a really bad injury that held him back when he was younger? Fingers crossed for him, anyway.

These are exciting times because of how much Ralph is getting out of the players. We have a really strong first 11, but I am worried about squad depth, so need to be convinced that Ralph's magic touch is improving the whole squad and bringing them all up a few levels. If the likes of Diallo, Smallbone, Obafemi, Tella, Djenepo, Valery, Vokins and Salisu can come into the first team and play as well as the players they replace we will have an exciting season! Despite our much vaunted promotion of youth and signing of young players, only three of the starting eleven against Everton were under 25 (Adams, KWP and Bednarek), so we do have a good amount of experience to help the younger players, which is a positive in my opinion. I absolutely agree with Ralph that we don't need to fear any team and can go toe to toe with the best now. We made Everton look poor and can take a lot of confidence from that. In terms of the Digne red card, I think it was more intentional than not. He tried to take KWP down once, failed so made sure he got him the second time while holding his hands up to protest his innocence. That's why there was such an angry reaction from the Saints players.

I will hold my hands up and say I was really worried about him being a starter last season, as I didn't think he could do the high energy game required, but have been totally proved wrong. He's had good periods playing for us before, but Ralph really seems to have brought out the best in him. Sign him up for a new deal, please.

If we didn't need the game for our first 11 to build fitness and match sharpness, I'd like to see some youngsters playing, but unless there's a risk of injury, I can't see anyone apart from McCarthy being "rested".

A few things that I consider have been highlighted after that performance: Salisu will play with Stephens once he's fit enough and has adapted to the way Ralph wants him to play. Taking Bednarek off for tactical reasons at half time was a surprising move, but hints at where he sees the problem in defence being. The manager doesn't really trust any of his options off the bench to be game changers. Boufal looks likely to be sold, he left it very late to bring on Djenepo, there was no CM at all, Tella is young and lacks experience while Shlong and Obafemi can run and chase, but are unlikely to unpick a packed defence, especially when the service from midfield is so poor. Hopefully, that means reinforcements will be brought in. Tactically, the two number tens are not really wingers, so it's essential that the full backs run in behind and get decent crosses in. They were both pushed very far up the pitch yesterday, making us very vulnerable to counter attacks with fast wingers and we know a lot of teams will have been looking at that. Bertrand's crossing was also awful from what I saw, so must improve if our strikers are to thrive. The international break and one player missing through injury certainly had an impact, but this was a shadow of the team we saw in July, so why was everyone else looking so off the pace? Has some complacency crept in? The players definitely looked short of match practice and we were all surprised that more friendlies were arranged. I hope it's not going to take too long to get them back up to speed and fit.

I guess this line up shows who definitely won't be in the squad for tomorrow from the youth team: https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1304404647105433600

Does anyone know whether Slattery might be given a chance in the team this year? I see he played for the U23s against Wycombe today and came close to scoring with a free kick. It was a shame to see him disappear off on loan after showing promise in 2018-19.

So we do have Boufal and Djenepo both playing, with Valery at RB and Ward Prowse in midfield. Ralph has gone for players in their natural positions! 3 defenders and no wide players on the bench, though, which indicates there's not anyone else who's rated very highly by the management in the U23s, I'd say.

I'm hoping that we manage to turn things around this week, but Armstrong will be a big loss IMO. I want players to play in their best positions, but I'm not sure about playing both Boufal and Djenepo. If we don't do that, it would mean either playing Adams, or one of the full backs in a more attacking role, such as Valery or Vokins, or playing JWP further forward with Romeu coming into CM.

My hope is that whatever happens in terms of player transfers over the next 8 months, we have Ralph in charge and happy with the squad he has, so that we can start the season the front foot. That said, this is my take: GK - don't expect any changes for first & second choice, but would like FF to be shipped out even if for a token fee. If KWP does well over the rest of the season, I'd be very surprised if the move isn't made permanent. I hope that Valery rises to the challenge to trying to take the first team spot, too. I'd like to see Vokins given a few more games to see whether he's ready to push for a first team spot. Unless Bertrand signs a new deal, we may well be looking for someone else. CB is definitely a problem, as after Stephens and Bednarek, the rest don't seem to have Ralph's confidence. I fully expect Romeu to leave in the summer and if Hojbjerg doesn't sign his new contract, he'll be sold, so we will need to sign replacements. Unless someone leaves, I don't expect they'll bring in any more forwards or wingers. Will anyone buy Carillo, Lemina or Moi? I bloody hope so, but am not holding my breath for the fees for the three of them to do more than cover the cost of one decent incoming player.

While those stats look pretty convincing, I'm pretty sure that Cedric was not the only factor in our upturn in form. We started playing 442 (or whatever you want to call it) with players playing in their favoured positions and a big upturn in form all over the pitch. If Valery had been fit, he could well have played just as much of a part. I'm glad Cedric's form picked up with everyone else's, but we will be OK without him.

I wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution, but if we're to challenge for Europe, rather than be in relegation scraps, we need better players. I think we should try to use Danso and see if he's capable of playing in this league. I thought he was brought in as a CB, so we need to know whether he can play there against decent opposition, or get someone else. I assume with all the rumours we are looking for someone else already.

Ok, fair enough. That I understand. He should not be played at RB ever!

I was there today and really don't get the hatred for JWP. He looked awful at RB, but I thought actually played best as CM for the last few minutes. He didn't have his best game today, but doesn't deserve the flak he gets. Boufal has a lot of skills, but was a liability when he was on. He drifted away from the right side and left us really vulnerable to attacks, especially when JWP was there, but he also lost the ball far too easily quite a few times considering how little he was on the pitch. If he's started instead of JWP, we could well have lost. The one I really don't understand is why Gunn is still starting. What has McCarthy done to not get in ahead of him? Heart in the mouth whenever the ball goes near Angus at the moment. VAR should have ruled out the pen, but was right about the other two. The ref was truly awful and we could easily have won today. We need to score more than one goal to do that, though. We need someone else to take chances.

I'd like to see: McCarthy Cedric Yoshida Danso Bertrand Romeu Armstrong Djenepo Boufal Obafemi Long and have a strong bench in case they're needed.

In terms of the chances of selling players, this is my take on it: Forster - would need to be prepared to take a massive wage drop. Even then, uncertain as a 3-0 defeat was his first appearance in nearly 2 years. McCarthy - I'd rather not sell him, but seeing he's out of the first team, there might be interest. Cedric - not sure whether we'd get the kind of money we hope, but sellable. Stephens - doubt there'd be a big fee, but championship teams might take him off our hands. Hoedt - we'll take a huge loss, but someone might be mad enough to take him on the continent. Yoshida - don't want to lose him and we wouldn't get much, but plenty of teams would take him. Jones - was expecting him to feature after coming back from loan. Maybe we'll see him against Huddersfield? Otherwise, put him out on loan again. Targett - could have sold him for a good fee last summer. Glad we didn't and hope we keep him unless RH thinks Vokins is ready to play more of a part. Romeu - makes the team look more solid when he plays, so wouldn't sell, unless RH sees an upgrade available. Lemina - has been a huge disappointment considering how good he can look. Would cash in if we can. Reed - would like to see him given a chance. Definitely would attract interest in championship if not. Clasie - doubt we'll get much of a fee, but Holland seems most likely destination McQueen - terrible injury record, so unlikely to get much of a fee. Hesketh - was hoping he'd be given a chance this season. Has been good on loan and hope he can impress in pre-season rather than being sold. Boufal - hasn't done much on lan this season to justify a big fee. We'll see if he is given a chance in pre-season, or whether anyone's prepared to buy him. Moi - another terrible buy. We would be lucky to give him away. Austin - not suited to our style and goalscoring record not great recently, but would still attract interest possibly. Carillo - unlikely to recoup much of the ridiculous amount we spent on him, but can't see him coming back into the first team. Need to shift and move on. Gallagher - despite our woes up front hasn't been given a chance this season, which indicates he never will, as he's been fit as far as I know. Long - until his recent form, I assumed he'd be going, but now reckon RH may keep him. Not worth much in transfer fee, anyway. Ings - if we can cancel the £20m transfer and invest that money in someone else instead, it would be as good as selling someone IMO. I didn't even comment on Gunn, Bertrand, Vestegaard, Bednarek, Valery, Hojbjerg, JWP, Armstrong, Redmond, Sims or Obafemi, as I don't see any chance of them leaving. We need a big clear out when you look at the (lack of) quality overall. How brave will the club be?

When I saw Bednarek up for that corner I thought "**** we're going for it, hope we don't regret this!" Then Salah picked the ball up and ran in a straight line with nobody challenging him until he stuck it away and I just felt sick. I suppose it's good that we don't just settle for a point against title challengers, but a point would have been a great result and we lost it through poor decisions on defending at the end of the game. We didn't really look like scoring in the second half, but neither did they until we presented it to them. Ralph's done an amazing job to take us this far with the squad we have, but the attacking options need a complete overhaul in order to compete for a top half place, let alone Europe.