woodsaint1

I wouldnt say its been eye-opening as we have produced similar horrendous runs in previous seasons Our form from beating Liverpool in Jan 21 until the end of that season was probably worse. Our team is capable of an absolute horror show - the 9-0's, Chelsea and Villa this season which could have been much worse, which shows a mental fragility. Once it starts going bad we're incapable of stopping the bleeding. I think the same applies to our form, once we get on a bad run we find it difficult to arrest that slide. There had be signs this season that we had built up some much needed resilience - West Ham away, Spurs away and Spurs home all great examples where we dug in when we needed to. But that was short-lived. We are too rigid with our style of play that if things start to go wrong, we dont know what to do. That sits with the manager who needs to make us more versatile. There is also a serious lack of confidence amongst the players, probably damaged by what they experienced in recent seasons. When the system works and we're playing well, it has been a joy to watch at times. But you just know that another horror run is around the corner. Could you imagine if we had faced an injury crisis like Leeds or other teams have faced this season. We've been very fortunate to have our best team available every week and we're still putting this run of form together. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that Ralph has to go. We've become too stagnant and need a change in direction. A change to the spine of the team would be very welcome too as I'm not convinced this group of players would improve under a new manager - too many damaged goods/mentally scarred

Beginning to think Burnley could be favourites to go down again. Away to Spurs and Villa (who just chinned them) and Newcastle last game will be no gimme. After Chelsea, Leeds last two are Brighton and Brentford. Can see them picking up a win between those two which might just be enough

One plus about this shite Chelsea form is that it has pulled them back into the top 4 race. About a month or so ago they were coasting to 3rd. The Leeds game has now become a must win for them to solidify that top 4. It could have been a dead rubber, although they do have the FA Cup a few days after

That point at Leeds a few games ago looking so crucial. Had we lost that they would in touching distance of us

How can we be so jekyll and hyde? Some of the performances earlier in the season against City x2, West Ham (A), Spurs (A), United (A), Brentford (H) were probably the best I've seen under Ralph. But we have a prolonged, catastrophic run of form in us every single season. Thankfully it hasnt been mortal to our PL status, but it will eventually. Mentally weak players, no direction, too many mistakes. While the players should take alot of blame, it is managers responsibility to prevent this . Yes we're Southampton and we'll lose more than we win in a season, but runs of 1 win in 10,11,12,13 or whatever games is shambolic. We need to go in a new direction and hopefully the owners can see that too.

Blackmore needs to put it Ralph after the game. No dilly dallying round the subject

Remember seeing the fixtures and thinking here we can have a run at top 8. How foolish I was

Thank god Burnley two down

If we could secure a deal for Broja for around £15m then yes please. If we're talking £20m+ then we should explore other options. Another season long loan would be good but dont think Broja/Chelsea would be keen on that

Superb. Ross Wilson deserves a lot of credit for their recruitment, including game winner John Lundstram

Militao was down twice in the second half of ET for at least 2/3 minutes on each occasion and then the two subs for Madrid. Should have been at least 5, maybe 6 added on. And then he blew up early for some reason. Not to mention his reluctance to book Casemiro who committed about 10 fouls, 3 of which were blatant. Nothing dodgy at all lol. That being said the ref had no impact on the final result. Pen all day and Madrid just pulled it from the depths at the end. Unbelievable resilence (more of the same in the final please)

Leeds play Arsenal away and Chelsea home in their next two. Both still needing to cement a top 4 spot. Also to play a resurgent Brighton

Yes. We're safe and have been for weeks. Even if we dont pick up another single point, Leeds need 7 from 12, Burnley need 6 from 12 and Everton need 8/9 from 15. While 2 of these may happen, all three situations will not occur. Leeds looking doomed now with their run in

After all the talk after the takeover that we can now move for our targets earlier and dont need to rely on a sale first, cant wait for us to be in late July with very little business done. For once I'd like to see us move early in the window and show some intent

Tell us how you really feel 😂

Our run of results have been absymal, but even worse than that has been the manner of the defeats. Soundly beaten in pretty much all of them. Villa (A), Chelsea (H), Burnley (A), Newcastle (H), Watford (H) and today have to be up there with the worst performances I've seen in many a year. Villa, Chelsea and Burnley could also have been alot worse based on the chances we gifted those teams. Simply unacceptable from the players and management. 🤬

Dont blame him. Whilst hes hardly been knocking the door down with his previous performances, the three striking options ahead of him havent scored in forever and two of them will be leaving the club in 3 games time. If this stage of the season isnt the time to give a player who has 3 years left on his contract a go to build his confidence then I dont know when is. Hes probably hoping like most of us that Ralph will be gone in the summer. All of us likely to be disappointed though

The win was an absolute battering too 😂

So we finished last season in 15th with 43 points. That was with a paper thin squad and having to use the kids at times - which Ralph used as an excuse. I cant see us matching that with the remaining fixtures this season. He can have no excuses as he has had a bigger squad and injuries have been favourable to us. Simply not good enough. I've always supported Ralph even after the 9-0s and at other points when it was looking bad. I'm fed up now though

People still think we could get relegated. I know saints bring out the pessimist in us all, but thats desperate. Never mind Everton, I struggle to see Leeds getting to 40 points and even thats not enough with their GD

Down to 15th and its really difficult to see us picking up another point this season. Hopeless. Could easily finish 17th. We've steadily went backwards this season and for that reason I'm struggling to see why we should persist with Ralph. Let him bring his retirement forward.

One thing you can guarantee, Zaha getting wound up by JWP. Too easy for our James at times.

Sounds like 'clubman of the year' qualities as opposed to player of year

JWP. Not even close. Without his goals/assists we would be firmly in the shit. KWP and Broja 2nd and 3rd

Given the meltdown on here following the summer window I would say it has exceeded expectations. There were zero expectations on Tino and Broja given that their experience was limited to PL u23 and the Dutch league. Both started like a house on fire and tailed off as the season went on, but it was their first taste of PL football. Both 8/10. Perraud I think has been excellent at times. Moving to a new league and trying to get up to the pace/physicality demands was always going to be a challenge, especially when hes been in and out of the team. However he looks very promising, love his tenacity and work rate. 7/10 (if we had seen more of him maybe would have pushed 8/10) Lyanco has some quality about him and he wears his heart on his sleeve, but like all our CBs has a brainfart at least once or twice a game. Was an odd signing as he hasnt strengthened the position, just cluttered the CB squad options. We need to address this area in the summer. 5/10 Armstrong started well with the goals against Everton and Villa, but has really struggled since then (combined with having very little game time). We need to persevere as he will be our only striker outside Adams by the start of the window and deserves another season to prove himself. 4/10 Walcott. Less said the better. Waste of a squad position. Was a free but is likely on silly wages. 1/10 Overall I would give it a 6.5/10