Forester

Conserve energy for Brighton and protect those returning from injury. Forster Stephens, Bednarek, Vest, Salisu, Bertrand Redmond, Jank, JWP, Djenepo Adams

Really believe that Ralph needs to think about this week in totality, with three games followed by the international break. Won’t be popular with some fans but priorities in order for me are: 1. Do not lose to Brighton. Maintain, or stretch, the gap. 2. Try to beat Sheffield United today. 3. Try to get anything from City midweek. As a result I would try to play following 4222 in both Saturday games: Forster KWP, Bednarek, Vest, Bertrand Diallo, JWP Armstrong, Redmond Ings, Minamino Then for midweek I would go 541 (or 343 in possession) and try to protect one or two. So.. Forster Stephens, Vest, Bednarek, Salisu, Betrand Djenepo, Jankowicz, JWP, Teller Adams

I think the major divide between fans on this topic is not whether or not people think the football is currently poor and the results are worse. That is obvious. Instead the divide I think is between people who feel that 2020 was a genuinely outstanding year, with Saints racking up the equivalent of top four points, and therefore see potential in Ralph to again hit heights when he has a fit squad again, and those who don’t either recognise this, don’t believe he is capable of getting the team to rise again and/or doesn’t deserve patience and support. And I haven’t even mentioned FA Cup quarter final looming. I am firmly in the former camp and find it bizarre that a matter of nine weeks ago no body would question Ralph, and yet suddenly he needs to be sacked. If you had a couple of poor months at work off the back of high performance I imagine you would hope that your bosses didn’t think you had suddenly become worthy of ditching. I accept that things can’t go on forever, but as an absolute minimum he should be given the next six games, including four fixtures against our relegation rivals and a cup quarter final. If we lost all of that we would indeed be in a precarious position, probably needing eight points from seven games. But I don’t think we will.

For what it is worth I think Ryan has been one of our very best all time Premier League players. Has been consistently one of the country’s top full backs for seven seasons, played under five managers and has been undisputed first choice under all of them. Enjoy him while you can

My flippant response would be “it hasn’t, wait until end of season”! More seriously if we get to cup final and finish say twelfth upwards then yes. If we win the cup I would say it would be one of our greatest ever. My post earlier was all about looking at the WHOLE season, not a sub section of it, as well as the circumstances.

Putting aside some of the more caustic comments this has actually been a good thread. For what it is worth Whitey had strong views back in the day in Puel which I always felt was unfair, but he has been consistent. For my part 8th and a cup final (achieved by beating Premier League opposition all the way, away from home, and not conceding a goal including Liverpool) was at the very least a good season. To do so without Mane, Pelle, and for half the season Fonte and VVD was even more impressive, as was having to handle the highest number of fixtures (because of Europe and cup run) in our Premier League history. What did for Puel is that, apart from COViD seasons, we had a record three home games in May at the end of a record long season and failed to score a goal. It turned many fans who I think over reacted to what was, I fully agree, a turgid end of season (albeit one of those was a draw against Manure). What we can all agree I am sure is that he was replaced by the most inept manager in our history, and yes I recall the Branfoot days! So what does all this have to do with today? It’s good to be reminded that you have to look at a whole season and weigh up the pros as well as the cons. I think the COVID factors behind pre season and match schedule, combined with injuries as bad as we have known for years, have to be factored in. Ralph thoroughly deserves patience and backing. And also, be careful what you wish for!

Forster Stephens, Bednarek, Vest, Bertrand Jank (assuming no Romeu), JWP Redmond, Armstrong Ings, Minamimo Mina knows where back of net is but looks too lightweight to play in one of the minefield positions so would like to see him up too with Ings for this game

No, would take a Sheffield United 2020 run of form to get sucked in. However as others have said we need to finish the season with a bit of style or it can easily bleed into next season

This

I recall Stephens played full back earlier in the season and we kept a clean sheet. Think it was to cover Bertrand. I don’t think he was particularly culpable up at Newcastle where the main offender was Bednarek, aided and abetted by McCarthy.

Firstly I hate whinging about decisions and try to avoid it as over the season you win some and lose some. But today two decisions made a major impact on the result. No question, and it is dishonest to ignore the significance of that today. Turning to us, and it is also one eyed to ignore just how well we played first half. We played some terrific stuff, and yes that included playing out from the back, and really needed to find that second goal which would have been a deserved return on that first half. It was inevitable that Wolves would not be so subservient second half and we aren’t killing teams off when we have them under the pump. But the second half was night and day, even ignoring the VAR horror show. I don’t think overall we defended poorly today, but I do agree it is time to give Forster a run in the team. It is important that as a manager you don’t have your favourites and the stats say FF should start. Finally I don’t think things are as parlous as some on here make out. The cup wins against Arsenal and Wolves should not be air brushed out of a fair assessment of 2021, we are in quarter finals against only Championship team left in competition, and are comfortably safe. No need to reach for the pistol and whiskey.

I would go for this, other than Bednarek for Salisu. But I think Ralph will revert to Alex

Excellent performance, look at the match stats which back that statement up. Thought everyone worked their socks off including Redmond, Moussa and Teller who don’t get much praise on here. Armstrong outstanding, thought Salisu looked quick and good recovery defender but was lucky not to be punished for couple of errors. He will improve though, as Vest has. Final word for Bednarek after a horrible couple of weeks, back to his solid best tonight.

Ok here are the positives: Vest is back and Romeu is back. Two beautiful goals. Now the negatives. Alex. A shadow of the 2020 version so far this year. Assuming Forster plays well in cup he needs to keep his place. Bednarek needs withdrawing from front line and psychologically rewiring. Salisu to play Thursday alongside Vest. And one thing not being spoken about, we have gone seven league and cup games without EITHER striker scoring. Worryingly they are beginning to look like players who know they have no competition for places. Is Ings contract issue weighing on his mind? Finally why did Ralph not bring Moussa on for Bednarek when Newcastle went down to ten men? We didn’t need four defenders for so long

Tonight is one for calm heads at the club. The decision to loan out two defenders that have both featured in the first team over the last week looks even more bizarre. We play a struggling Newcastle side in four days time, who have just lost at home tonight, and need to not let this dominate thinking. Draw strength from what happened after Leicester last season. However the difference is we are now horrendously stretched for saturday’s match. The French lad looked like a bunny caught in the headlights when he came on and yet may have to play centre back. Only option is Ramsay centre back and JWP right back, but then you have zero holding midfielders. What a mess

Totally different types of player, which itself is very handy and gives Ralph tactical flexibility when both are fit along with JWP

Lots of pessimism but easy to overlook that in recent years we have been unusually lucky with injuries. Most teams will have one month where they are pretty short. Good news is that it sounds like Redmond, Vest and Romeu are all likely to be available in Feb, and Bertrand is one match ban. I would give both Valery and Vokins an opportunity to shine, and if we lose so be it it’s not the end of the world. 29 points halfway, with Leeds to play twice, is a very good position

While everyone remembers the Lamberts, Pelles, Manes etc if you check the record books our top eight finishes were built on bedrock of clean sheets with us being frequently in the top four or five teams on goals conceded. Like many other teams without huge budgets that sneak a Euros slot it’s unrealistic to expect to win games three or four, and so lots of 1-0 wins are the difference between say 10th or 11th versus top six or cup win. Great credit to Ralph for completely transforming our defensive game barely without spending any money.

Blimey, chin up son!

Agree with this. Bednarek for me was outstanding.

A good clean sheet, Fulham one shot on target all game, and while disappointed not to win the game I feel that taking out Vest and Romeu meant that we would all have been delighted not to concede before the start of the game. To be fair thought Fulham were one of the very few teams to match Saints’ workload this season hence it all feeling a bit frenetic and scrappy. As they say, if you can’t win it don’t lose it

Cavani made massive difference but in all honesty our half time lead flattered us and McCarthy kept things competitive in that match. Didn’t create much from open play. Need to put disappointment into perspective though, we would all have been thrilled with this points haul at this stage of season and some very winnable games coming up. I am always looking at the half way point of the season to really judge where we are, and looking at the fixtures it’s very possible we could pick up another four or five wins before we play anyone else a second time. Anything over 30 points at the midway would be excellent and have us in for a real shout if European football.

Very good point against a team that I think are certs for top half finish again. Not at our best, but in a way more pleasing to avoid defeat given this.

Felt we looked so fluid in possession yesterday, which given changes necessary is seriously impressive. Spine of the team looking excellent from keeper through to Adams.

Alex Valery, Vest, Bednarek, KWP JWP, Romeu Armstrong, Theo Long, Adams