woodsaint1

The problem with playing three CBs is that you often find at least one, maybe even two of them arent marking anybody for periods. Teams very rarely these days play two strikers right up on top of the CBs. They're dropping into midfield or pulling wide to try and move the CBs about. With these players dropping into the gaps it puts more pressure on our midfield and wing backs as CBs are reluctant to be pulled way out of position, even in a three. It also doesnt help our press when you're sacrificing a midfielder/attacker who is needed to initiate the press, for the sake of another CB. With the midfield getting overun we find ourselves sitting deeper with the three CBs which doesnt play to our strengths or counter our weaknesses. I could understand if our CBs lacked the pace or physicality to go man for man at the back, but Salisu and ABK are both quick and very physical to deal with most threats. With Lavia offering protection that could be a very useful trio in a 4222. As has already been pointed out, we shouldnt be adapting the system to suit the new players, it should be the other way round. The new players in the squad would probably be more comfortable with the 4222 as opposed to a 532. Regardless of formation, we need to get much better at the basics for dealing with crosses and set pieces. The first Leeds goal was as easy as they come. Rodrigo makes the run across the front, and although there seemed to be communication from Salisu to Bednarek (perhaps too late) to pass him on, Bednarek doesnt react and its an easy goal.

Hence my use of the word "suggested"

How do we know that Selles was behind the formation change as suggested on here? Do we have lip readers and body lanaguage experts in our SWF midst

Kouyate. Some good signings in there, but they will struggle to build cohesion and continuity with such wholesale changes. Im sure some of the players who helped get them promoted and who now find themselves on the bench will be a bit pissed too. They'll not be as bad as Fulham that season, but I think they will still be in the relegation picture come March/April next year

Think its becoming apparent from these first two games what our current best line up and formation is. Hopefully Ralph is starting to wise up to it as well. It definitely doesnt involve a five at the back. Great credit to the team. Could have packed it in after going 2-0 down, but they showed great resilience, coupled with the correct change in formation and substitutions. Aribo, Mara and AA all had great impact. Lavia looked very good again, KWP is looking like our best player. ABK is still very raw but has many great attributes. Plenty of endeavour from Che, never stopped competing for balls and creating space for others. Not bad for a player who is on the move and not interested 🤔. Big few weeks in the window however. We desperately need more if we dont want to be in a relegation fight all season. Ideally two strikers (Delap and Kaladjzic would be my preference), no.10 and another CB (although this is dependent on Bednarek and Stephens moving on which I dont think is likely).

Hope not. Despised the prick since his 99th minute goal and celebration against us

Tactical masterclass from Ralph, great point all things considering. Hopefully thats the 5 at the back gone forever never to return

Great ball Mara

One shot on target last weekend was it?

You should just be thankful we're in the PL

And what if he starts on Saturday? Does that mean the manager still doesnt like him?

Think we can safely say that Jack Stephens is one. Charlie Austin's mate and barely getting a sniff these days

Lost the dressing room or pissed off a few players who've leaked the story? Either way this is terrible preparation for Saturday. Also likely no way back for Ralph unless we go on a winning run

Lol he may not be far off the mark, but he really is a bitter prick Talksport is a showcase for dickheads

Good signing. Its ok we've got Djenepo, Redmond and Elyounoussi 🙃

The negativity is justified. The final third of last season was an absolute disgrace. Slate wiped clean to start this season but then Saturday was groundhog day. Same defensive mistakes, same sloppiness, same throwing away leads and topped off with the likes of Valery, Djenepo and AA up top by himself in the starting lineup. Can call us bed wetters or whatever but supporters have every reason to feel annoyed. The first 8 games of this season should be Ralph reinterviewing for his job. He may plead for more time with the younger signings but you dont get time in the PL. If we're not in double figures points wise by then he has to go, simple as that

That guy that was playing CB for us in the first game of the season? No way couldnt be 🤦🏽‍♂️

Not sure I agree. There was that period at the end of 20/21 season where he was given some gametime by Ralph and looked easily our best winger (not much competition I admit). Was unplayable in the win away to Sheff Utd and contributed quite a bit during the run in where he also scored against Fulham. He has plenty of qualities and only just turned 23. A loan is definitely best for his development at this stage

This rumour has been denied on multiple occasions now. Good news all the same. Also 'confident' of adding another attacker

He was always likely to go to Leipzig. That Red Bull route is well established, and tbh much better for his career progression. Going to Man Utd at his age and at this stage would have been a disaster

If Adams want to leave or we're considering dealing him, we need to get a replacement or two in before that happens. If that means keeping the interested clubs waiting until deadline day then so be it. If we let him leave now then clubs will know that we're in desperate need of a striker and will just hard ball us with ridiculous asking prices. Would rather Adams stayed. I still think he is good asset with his goals/hold up play and on his day he can be excellent. That being said if by the end of the window we've replaced him/Broja with the likes of Kaladjzic and Delap, then I've no issue with selling him for 15-20m

To be fair Bednarek's best performances have probably been in a Poland shirt when hes had the experienced Kamil Glik beside him. Although he doesnt have much competition as Poland arent exactly flush for CBs. You've also failed to mention that Lyanco was a Brazil u23 international and voted the 2nd best player in the 2019 Toulon tournament (after Douglas Luiz) which Brazil won. Personally I'd put them on equal footing. Good squad players to step in occasionally but neither should be starters if we want to improve defensively

I want it to work out for Ralph, but if we dont have at least 7 points after the Brentford game in early September (7th game), then he has to go. Act early and get a replacement in sharpish. Its been well documented that we have an ever-developing shortlist of suitable managerial candidates, so it shouldnt take long. I fear that we'll stutter along with the occasional glimmer of hope, followed by the odd shocker, but Ralph will remain. Then while still in the relegation picture come March, we'll go on our annual winless run to finish the season. Its only the first game of the season and yes I expected Spurs to beat us comfortably, but it was just typical Saints under Ralph. Go in front, play some decent stuff and then capitulate to hand them the easy win. Ralph can do nothing about Salisu's brain fart, but he sure as hell can do something about team selection. I appreciate that players can play their way into contention during pre-season but Valery as a CB option and Armstrong up top by himself was just mind boggling. Neither to me set the world on fire in pre-season games and just look at the problems Che caused Spurs last season. If either starts against Leeds then Ralph has just lost the plot. Djenepo is another who needs to be dropped if Perraud is deemed ready. Also to go with two defensive mids in front of a back 5 was painfully negative. I honestly wouldnt put it past Ralph sticking with the same for Leeds.

They still have to be good players obviously. Most people could see that Theo Walcott was a spent force in his last two seasons at Everton. Not our recruitment team though

Exactly this. Although if the team starts to succeed then we'll lose the best players anyways. The biggest flaw of our recruitment ('investment') strategy imo is the clear refusal to target players who are deemed too old or have no resale value. We're restricting ourselves in the transfer market, missing out on valuable experience which can only help our young squad and potentially missing out on players on a free or cut price