I’ve always been a Ralph supporter - I think he was a charismatic and positive appointment when the club was sinking fast post Pellegrino and Hughes. He’s overseen an improvement in the entire youth system (look at the recess upturn of the youth teams) after it being decimated post-pochettino. (koeman I’m looking at you here) under a horrifically constrained financial situation. The club with his appointment were operating on a longer-term project. We need that long term project to succeed to ensure the success and ability of the club to compete. short term appointments ala Hughes. (Or Big Sam, or Pardew et al) arent what we need longer term.
This will be the first summer of not (hopefully) being so constrained financially - allowing us to invest in a core group of players with the right skills to play Ralph’s system effectively. Particularly as they will have spent months identifying these players already. I believe it’s worth backing him this summer to see if the project can be taken to the next step - I’d hate to see the progress lost (and there has been progress) with the influx of a new guy and different ideas and priorities. I’d hate to see players bought that were unsuitable for a new manager (we’ve all been there - and we’re only (finally) coming to a point where we can change the squad wholesale and get rid of the underachievers))
BUT Ralph has to learn: he needs a replacement for Danny Rohl - a voice he must listen too. He has to learn to be responsive during games.
I too have lost patience with the bullshit team selections and adherence to tactics that just don’t suit our out of form players. There has to be more pragmatism in the short term.
it’s hard going into games feeling despondent about our chances. I too understand the frustration and anger that lots of our fans are feeling. The recent performances are not acceptable - and that should be made clear - to the players and to Ralph.
To be able to watch Saints without fear as soon as a goal goes in against us : fearing an imminent collapse would be great. Scoring goals also would be appreciated.
and for the love of god - sort out our back room staff. Defensive /set piece coach??!! That has to be a change in approach or personnel. We definitely don’t have a top tier coaching setup at the moment.
I think the club hierarchy need to be accountable for our current situation- but I don’t think this is the time to blink - my only caveat to this is if Ankersen (sp?) has a definite succession plan, with targets and a manager ready to go immediately. Then we have to trust them to take us forward.
