miserableoldgit

So how does that help Saints? Surely they need to know if he is staying or going to help with forward planning?

But we want to finish as high a possible and we want to play youngsters.....or something....

As it was for Koeman and Pochettino. I suppose they were shit as well?

Are you genuinely comparing what RH has achieved with MP???

Whilst I would enjoy the ride if a Sheik or Russian Oligarch came in and started throwing their money around buying over-priced players, which for a club such as ours can and in tears, I am not as down on Gao as many others are. OK, he doesn't pump in money from his own pockets but he doesn't take money out of the club, allows the board to get on with running the club (with, as Semmons says, all money that the club makes, going back in) and generally doesn't seem it interfere too much. I think that things could be a lot worse, but until anything "better" (whatever that is) comes along, we are where we are.

You mean like he was the first half of this season and the second half of last? Or are you just judging purely on the negative?

Beat you to the draw??😉

Even though we had a brilliant second half after "restart? From August to January? Nothing to do with the horrendous injuries that hit an already thin squad at the same time or some pretty big VAR cock ups (Aston Villa eg?). Ralph is certainly not perfect but as a supporter of many, many years standing, I can still see something in him and am confident that providing that he is given the right tools, he will be successful for us. Some on here are short-sighted and would have sacked Lawrie Mac after he got us relegated in 72/73.....

Presumably this also includes being superb in the first half of the season??

As someone who has regularly supported Saints since the 1950's, I have asked myself that question many, many times over the years. I'm still here.....

Wasn't he given MoM?

Not sure it it is true but I saw a WHU fan say today that they have had 5 of their last 8 reds rescinded. Shocking if it is true.

Never forgive him for his petulant foul on VVD.

I try to be positive but this is dreadful. WBA cutting through us like a hot knife through butter!

I think that these are exceptions which makes them stand out. In football there are arguments in virtually every match.

I've said this before, but I really don't understand how other sports (esp Rugby) can get it so right and football gets it so wrong.

I may be clutching at straws here, but does anyone think that Ralph has (unintentionally) dropped a few hints about possible changes at the club, during recent pressers? Some weeks ago he was talking about us having no money. Recently, however, he has been talking more openly about plans for next season and positions that he wants to fill. As I say, might be just me...

During the early "successful" part of the season we had a good settled back four of RB, JV, JB and KWP. When the injuries hit us, JB hardly played in a settled back four or position and of course was wrongly sent off at OT. I am not suggesting that he is World class but I think we need to cut a bit of slack. He is certainly not as bad as some on here make out.

errrr.....No

I have to be honest. I have been trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. He obviously isn't a natural finisher but I thought that when he played a bit deeper he was more effective although, of course, not world beating. Last night however, he was just dreadful. Could keep the ball, and his passing was uniformly awful. Not sure how many more chances he gets....

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12230696/dunk-goal-controversially-ruled-out-32

To me what summed it up was the end of season walk round the pitch after the last home game. For the first in my life I didn't stay for it.....and I have been watching Saints regularly since the mid 50's. I just couldn't be asked. I have always stayed before even in relegation seasons. There was so little actual entertainment during that season.

Genuine question. Does every free kick have the whistle blown before hand? Is it blown on very quickly taken free kick?