Forester

Realistic to imagine we may be in top half going to Anfield

Spot on. Lessons 1,2 and 3 from our four top eight seasons: clean sheets win you games, clean sheets win you games, clean sheets win you games,……

Stepped off a plane with ten minutes to go so didn't see any of it but big cheers in customs at final whistle! Have said before clean sheets are the key dimension for any of the “non big six” (whatever that means these days) to finish in or around the European spots. Check the record books, everyone remembers the Manes and Pelles but reality is that our four top eight finishes were built on defensive prowess. Fair play to Ralph, we now look like a team who will average conceding one goal per game, and that really does deliver you points.

Think Le Tissier could have legitimately claimed to be best penalty taker in world at the time. Too young to have seen Ron Davies but know many people that think he was best in air. Have a look on YouTube for his four goals at Manure

Having re-read this I meant Stuart to play as one of the two tens, not Adam. Redmond has been excellent last few games, just not able to finish but good assists. Thought Tella was disappointing at Chelsea. I don’t disagree with you re the keepers, just think the overall goals conceded this season has been ok

McCarthy Tino, Bednarek, Salisu, KWP JWP, Romeu Armstrong (A), Moi Redmond, Adams I have been loyal to a few senior players here despite the impressive midweek performances of others. Would suggest McCarthy, Bednarek, Adams and JWP all need big performances to remain in team as genuine competition now as evident at Chelsea

This thread is a comedic classic!

Lottery of penalties, this was a very good draw having made nine changes. Our Achilles heel of ability to finish highlighted again, but very good performance with KWP for me stand out performer, and surprised but delighted to say that our back three looked excellent. Having travelled to Sheffield I feared the worse when saw Lyanco and Valery in line up but credit where due both were excellent as was Salisu. Amongst the doom and gloom, Ralph deserves credit in addressing defensive frailties from last season and we now look like a side than can average one goal conceded which gives us a chance of being competitive and what is more impressive is that this includes multiple defensive line ups so far this season. Just need to improve decision making in final third.

Forster KWP, Bednarek, Lyanco, Small Diallo, Romeu Teller, Armstrong (S) Armstrong (A), Adams

Away on holiday so watched on TV. For all the great things he did, Tino clearly at fault for first goal. Thought he played very well apart from that, as did Diallo who has looked full of energy these last two games. Disappointed not to win it but a point note end of the world. Watford game looks tougher after yesterday but if we win that then seven points from three games is what I was hoping for.

Thought Redmond was superb, he was everywhere working so hard and great for the assist. Top performances too from Salisu, Diallo and Moi. As per separate thread we are one point behind what I would have predicted based on fixture list and if we get at least four points from next two games I won’t be unhappy at all with first part of the season. Three clean sheets, with three different centre back pairings, is very encouraging too.

Sorry only just seen this! Bit of both, I was only one player out (Redmond)

Yep I think that is why it’s important to wait until Xmas before really understanding where we are at. Most people don’t have that much patience but after tomorrow we will have played four of last season’s top six already.

McCarthy Timo, Bednarek, Salisu, KWP JWP, Romeu, Moussa, Theo Armstrong (A), Tella

Having been greatly encouraged so far this season by picking up points in matches that we lost last season, this feels like a big disappointment and to an extent quite a worrying performance. By the latter I mean that the fears pre season that, while the squad has been improved, the first eleven has not, appeared vindicated. Above all else, while we look fairly solid defensively the great concern is “where are the goals coming from”? While being a firm fan of KWP, in a winnable home match it was a mistake not to play Perraud who is more capable of getting outside of an opponent and whipping in a dangerous left footed cross. It was also a mystery to me why Tella, who I thought looked dangerous midweek, was left on the bench at the expense of Long. Am concerned that Adams looks well short of confidence. JWP clearly not fully fit which Ralph has confirmed is due to stomach condition. All in all I suspect Ralph will have a few sleepless nights this week.

Agree with Redmond analysis, but can’t agree with Ralph comments. I would say he has come on leaps and bounds tactically this season, and every one of our points accumulated so far was a defeat in corresponding fixture last season. A strange day to call him into question

This is a very good point. The subs bench quality so far this season is incomparable to last couple of years

I think so far this season there are a number of positives to build on, and this was a decent point against a team that finished 6th last season and have been scoring for fun this season. Biggest plus for me so far has been to see Ralph play three formations already, and no longer appear to be a one club golfer. Bodes well for the season. Today was a properly impressive defensive performance with both centre backs looking proper top players, not often you say that about Saints defenders, and Perraud impressive both attacking and defensive. Clearly Broja was hugely impressive, but also Diallo did well coming on for a below par Romeu. Table won’t look great I suspect after next week but that is fine as we will have played three of last season’s top six in our first five games and will have either lost one or two games. Competition for places all over the pitch now with nobody (other than JWP?) certain of starting now. Feeling quite positive

Thoroughly enjoyed that after the white knuckle ride waiting for season tickets to arrive only yesterday! Haven’t see goals back yet, looked like McCarthy error from afar. Thought a point was fair, and should boost confidence. In my opinion the two biggest pluses were both connected with “righting a wrong”, namely - Finally Ralph shows tactical in-game management and astuteness, switches formation and avoids us caving in second half. It won’t always be the right thing to switch, and certainly not always at half time, but this would in my opinion have gained us several more points last season and surely will this one too. -Both centre backs who played 90 minuted were superb, with Stephens so pumped up he was immense. And both adapted well when Bednarek joined them second half. So I see glimpses in that we could get our goals conceded down from near,y two per game to nearer one which is the key stat for a club like us, per our four top eight finishes.

This is the team I would pick, but I will be amazed if Ralph switches formation Forster Bednarek, Stephens, Salisu KWP, JWP, Romeu, Perraud, AA, Che, SA Would feel like 541 out of possession, and 343 with the ball

None of our three have arrived. What a fecking shambles, over £2K spent and having to go down in person and queue to get season tickets

No idea is McCarthy called or failed to call for the first one. But what is clear is that unless you hear a very loud “keepers ball” scream you absolutely do not stop and assume. It looks to me like that is exactly what Salisu did which is criminally poor defending.

Not unrealistic at that price that we could get him AND Armstrong in. Pelle and Tadic were seen as risky signings from Eredivise at the time and both proved bargains

We had a great view of the non playing squad members in Itchen Stand and could see the moment when they learned just before kick off. Lots of surprised faces, club secretary came up to chat to some about 15 mins before kick off so I do believe those in the starting line up knew nothing. But Long definitely knew just before kick off and his face was a picture!

Enjoyed that, as I think most people in the stadium did. Particularly impressed with both centre backs and Diallo tonight. Diallo best player on pitch for second half. Suspect that Ralph will have four places to make a decision on for Everton, possibly dependent on how things look against Bilbao. Who to play in goal, who to play with Bednarek, who to partner Armstrong at 10 and who to play with Adams upfront.