Hawkswood

It's coming. He has to change this

Was watching the Manchester Derby earlier when they announced a premiership manager had been sacked. Actually had a bit of a sulk when they said it was at Wolves. Oh well. We stumble on.

Ha !!! This type of snide comment is exactly the reason I rarely get involved on here. Okay, to be clear, AGAIN, the ONLY reason I posted that comment, as I had previously stated, was because there had been about a dozen or so people commenting on here in the last week about whether Poch would come back. Clearly I was being incredibly ignorant when I thought it might be of interest to those people that I had heard, straight from the ex premier league managers mouth - the one involved in these queries - that he had thought himself too big for the job here. I apologise for having this information and sharing it. I shan't be doing it again. But you made your little comment and got a few laughs so I'm sure that made you feel good about yourself. Enjoy your weekend dude.

Bit unnecessary mate

Yes, am aware of this but it's been mentioned a few times on here by various people in the last few days so just wanted to share what I was told.

Okay, I spoke to a friend of mine who us still in contact with him. I contacted him a few days ago mainly cos of the conversations on here and I jokingly asked my friend if he was still in contact with him and if so would he fancy coming back here. He replied : and this is straight from the horses mouth, " He sees himself as too big for us these days "". Now I know nothing is ever concrete in football bit this is straight from Poch. I could easily be wrong and anything could happen but he can't be more unequivocal than that. I loved Poch. Possibly my favourite manager we've had in the last 38 years that I've supported Saints, but it ain't gonna happen.

Yeah I agree with this now. I was a fan for a long time but that started to change in the middle of last season. I try and put myself in his shoes sometimes and see what he sees, in terms of player selection. Part of me thinks that he's waiting a few weeks to bed the new players in before he throws them in ( I'm not saying I agree with this). But maybe he isn't, I obviously don't know what he sees. What I find inexcusable is his continued selection in the first 11 is AA and especially Ely. How he can't see what is blindingly obvious to everyone else worries me a little. Maybe he's trying to build his confidence? I don't really know but whatever it is it's to the detriment of our performances. I'm repeating what I wrote last season, I'll be happy if he turns it round but I can't see it and will be grateful to him for keeping us up during a turbulent period.

I've only got one post left so must use wisely. I knew you'd pick me up on the lack of cover centrally but I think the point I was trying to get across was that if we had picked the right players and wouldn't be so afraid to attack we wouldn't have the nightmare that was last nights performance. Taken the players i mentioned into account, why couldnt Mara play as front man and Adams drop a little deeper. Djenepo could double up on the left and defend when needs be. We know he can do it. Stu and Aribo can also drop a little. Like other people have mentioned, if we have our best players on the pitch ( can't believe I even have to say that) then I don't think it would be so glaringly obvious that we don't have that forward that we desperately need. That's mainly the point I was trying to make but I do take your point also, we'd have to balance the middle and I can't see Ralph dropping JWP any time soon.

I think there's no doubt as everyone can see that we needed a forward but I don't think we'd even be having this conversation if we went with a more adventurous line up. I imagine with Adams and Mara as a front pairing and being supported by Aribo, Stu and either Edozie on the right or Djenepo on the left we would be talking about a different outcome. They were there to be attacked.

Yup. Both crap and frustrating.

Urgh.....can't believe what I'm seeing after the transfer window we had. Can't believe we're all still seeing this terrible football, these terrible, clueless line ups. Why is Ralph so afraid to put out an attacking line up. We've got at least three players in the starting line up that shouldn't be anywhere near it. It was forgivable in previous seasons as we didn't have better options but now we do. There are NO excuses for deciding on that starting 11 unless the manager really doesn't know his best 11. Awful awful awful. I've always been a fan of Ralph but there are no more excuses anymore.

Anyone else think Elyounoussi holds some sort of incriminating evidence over Ralph?

Fair enough. I suppose I was thinking more unsung. Just quietly went about it

Surprised more people didn't mention Steve davis

Very fine post mate. Actually my 12 year old nephew is autistic, very very bright kid but will always struggle socially. I suppose if MLG does come back and resumes his old traits it might be worthwhile, in a tactile way, asking him politely if he realises what he says comes out the way it does. Might be a chance for us all to learn something. I mean, I won't say anything cos I never do. I'll leave that to Turkish.

I know I don't post very often on here but I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed the last 48 ish hours on here, starting from the Chelsea game, through to the Gakpo saga ( and it was a saga) all the way through deadline day. I started watching skysports at work but i found it so irritating that I just sat on saintsweb instead. Some of you are hilarious. Thanks all for the entertainment. Genuinely. Regarding the squad, most of us see the same things. Shame we couldn't get that top notch forward, it would be such a rarity for us, but we are SO much stronger everywhere else. It's genuinely thrilling to feel that my club, after so many years of nonsense, is starting to run like a top flight club in terms of its intention to purchase some actual genuine talent. And finally, on to the real saga of saintsweb. The MLG situation. Ive never been one to " pile on ' to him. Neither have I ever attempted to engage him in conversation, for reasons that are surely obvious to most people but I can't help but notice that the site is a much calmer more pleasant place. I'm not sure why he chooses to approach people in the manner he does. Maybe he just doesn't realise how condescending his comments sound but there's no doubt if he can rein that in a little then he's an interesting contributor. Otherwise........there's really no loss. As I say, the place is more harmonious without him. A couple of people even apologised to each other if their comments were misconstrued !! Love that. Anyway, it's been a great week so far to be a saints fan. I think we deserve a bit of cheer. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

I did ask that but he said that if that amount is met he is allowed to leave.

Forgot to mention, I'm mates with a good mate of his agent so not quite first hand but he has no reason to BS me. After that take what you want from the info.

FYI for everyone. His agent says he is a two year project with us ( expected) and also, here comes the bad bit - he has a 40m buy out. Apparently one of the terms of the deal which is I suppose the way we operate now so let's enjoy him for the next two seasons. If he lasts that long !

In all honesty, it would clearly be preferable to sell him but if a loan is what it takes to keep him away from the starting 11 then I'm totally up for that.

Yup, exactly

no worries mate, decent of you to apologise, I realise how these messages can come across in the wrong way. Take it easy. Up the Saints

Fwiw my friend, I didn't realise he'd left him out for much of pre season. Just responding to the last match.

Blimey, alright mate. Slightly more aggressive response than was needed.

Yeah but there's chasing, and then there's chasing. How much would we really be chasing a pre season friendly ? Especially if he sees Che starting next week. Tbh, I think the whole article, for many reasons, is nonsense.