SambaMaverick

We really do have an awful squad. How have we spent tens of millions and gone backwards

Bazunu has let in 7.1 more goals than is expected of him through FBRef's post-shot expected goals metric. Yes, that is the worst in the league. The metric disregards external factors like the defence in front of him. It just focuses on the quality of the opponent's shot and his likelihood of saving it. Pickford, Kepa, and Alisson all at the top of the charts so that lines up with the eye test, and I've not been that impressed with Bazunu's shot-stopping at all. Sunday was perhaps the worst example.

Sounds like a class A freak

Half season tickets flying off the shelves as we speak

RWB, yes

For me: Baz Lyanco - Duje - Salisu AMN - JWP - Diallo - Perraud Stu - Elyounoussi Che

Good to hear the club actually taking action. Had a few kids whooping with joy around me but whatever, they're just kids. Hopefully they can manage to come up with a way to stamp this thing out at source.

Hopefully Semmens is on his way out, along with Toby Steele. Their comments at the fans forum really rubbed me the wrong way so hopefully SR can get someone in who is on the same page as the fans, at the very least.

If we're going to play hoofball then I wish Ralph would own it. Playing tippy tappy predictable shite in our own defensive third just invites more and more pressure. If we're going to lump it eventually, why not make it the first thing we do?

Stuff like this is why I'm completely numb to the prospect of relegation.

Has to be Sekou Mara. What intensity and drive he brought to the game!

We really are fucked if Walcott is the answer

I've never seen someone look as laxadasical as he did on his home debut against Everton. He looks crap. He's been given a few chances to wake up, smell the coffee and realise his career is on the line now but to me he just doesn't look bothered enough.

I don't think that's fair. We've turned a corner this season defensive-wise. Left-back still a problem area but I'd suggest it's more the midfield of JWP / Diallo which is hurting us at the moment.

Any other club and he'd have been gone about six times over by now. I mean what the fuck? We're not special, we're just another mid-table shower who have changed tack and are now a glorified B team for the big six. This club is going to the dogs.

Those are some gnarly scars.

Absolutely ridiculous. I'll be writing to the club about this. Between this and the swathes of away fans sitting in home sections when the big clubs come to town, this could just be the final nail in the coffin for my season ticket.

For anyone who wants to read: Ralph Hasenhuttl’s time at Southampton is coming to a close as the club consider the timing of the Austrian coach’s departure. Hasenhuttl, 55, has survived several setbacks since his appointment by the former Chinese-backed regime in December 2018 and has performed above expectations at times to keep Southampton in the Premier League. Nevertheless, a change of coach has been on the cards for some time at the club now under the management of Sport Republic, backed by the Serb telecommunications billionaire Dragan Solak. Southampton face champions Manchester City at the Etihad this weekend, an away fixture in which they secured a well-deserved draw last season. This time the pressure is much more acute with three successive defeats for Southampton and, with another likely, Hasenhuttl’s departure is drawing closer. Hasenhuttl has proved himself on many occasions to be an adept tactician and capable of pulling off occasional eye-catching victories over much stronger, wealthier opposition. There is a feeling that the club now needs change and requires a coach who can help develop a model of younger, developing talents. There is still no outright first choice to replace him, although alternatives have been discussed internally. Southampton have struggled at the start of the season, with just seven points from their first eight games, and while the objective, as ever, is survival there have been some concerning results – including Saturday’s home defeat to Everton. Their poor end to last season has also been taken into account, after 10 defeats in the final 13 matches. Hasenhuttl survived a summer review of the club's football operations, with the majority of his backroom staff leaving instead. Southampton are now run on the football side by the Sport Republic chief executive Rasmus Ankersen, formerly of Brentford, and Henrik Kraft, the chair of the same investment company. Ankersen was responsible for the negotiation of deals over the summer transfer window and Sport Republic recruited Joe Shields from Manchester City’s academy as head of their senior team recruitment programme. At the end of last season, the Sport Republic ownership sacked all three of Hasenhuttl’s key assistant coaches – Craig Fleming, Kelvin Davis and Dave Watson – and installed their own coaching team to work with the manager. There is an acceptance that Hasenhuttl has not always had the support around him that might have been expected for a Premier League manager because of the change at the club. He was appointed and supported by former sporting director Ross Wilson who later left for Rangers. He was then given the full backing of the chief executive Martin Semmens while the club was in the process of being sold by former Chinese owner Gao Jisheng. As a result of the changes Southampton have been through, many of those who backed Hasenhuttl originally are no longer in the key decision-making positions. Hasenhuttl has occasionally struggled to connect with players away from the training pitch, and that has been an issue – especially for those who have not been part of his plans. The club would also accept that he has had to contend with limited scope for recruitment. Managing relationships within the club with players and key staff will be vital for the new manager, who will have to work within the Southampton development system. The signing of young players, with scope to improve, such as Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Joe Aribo has thus far been vindicated by individual performances, if not the results of the team. Southampton are unable to compete with wealthier rivals in the league.

IMO, yes. Watkins is all fart and no shit.

He didn't play against them in either game.

Danny Ings, six-month loan, pay his wages, bosh, done. Providing Gerrard hasn't been sacked by then and his replacement doesn't wise up to the fact that he's a much better player than Watkins. Any other striker and we'd be paying through the nose and risking a Carrillo-lite situation.

It's frustating to watch, but I think Southgate is a pretty good tournament manager. No goals conceded from open play in the Euros, which is less than can be said about Ralph. I'm willing to go into the WC with an open mind.

Wank. I'd rather stand in that Queen queue with the other mongs than watch him play another game for us.

Moi, AA9, Diallo - useless, wouldn't get into any other side in the Premier League. Fact. JWP chasing shadows out there - has he really got it in him to be the fucker that Romeu was? AMN thrown under the bus - just the latest to suffer that fate. Bazunu performances are troubling. At least we looked semi-solid? ABK is such an upgrade on Bednarek it isn't true. As above, Everton feels like a big game. I think he'll be gone during the WC break.