Holmes_and_Watson

SR came across as smug, when they indicated that we'd be getting a forward in, if not two. I believe they were also prepping for getting shot of Adams. Instead, we got no one up front, brought in kids and moved on Romeu. Deprived of firepower, Ralph also had to adjust with Selles on board. No guarantee he would have turned it round. But the investment didn't solve the issues, and he's had more PL points than any of his successors.

I liked him a lot when he made appearances for Villa in the Cup, as a teenager. Although I hadn't followed his development, his getting some goals last season was promising. I was pleased when we signed him, and good to see him get a couple of goals. In our current set up, getting goals can be opportunistic and despite the system.

Big Sam and Little Sam combo PL survival.

Since they took over with us in the PL, and we're in it now, what's the 10 year goal of this plan? Since they've gone through various styles and recruitment strategies, it would appear to be a distant goal, than any methodical way of getting there. We'll have heard loads of new owners saying that they want to be in the PL/ Championship in 5 years. The vast majority of them sell up before getting anywhere close.

If the results continue like this, it's hard to see any manager surviving. But that could have been said a number of games ago. The last International break, for example. As noted, despite talks of projects and styles, they've dumped a number of them already. So:- Is their data showing them that if it wasn't for individual errors, we'd be a lot better off? Sort of a skewed Brighton approach, where you have to hold your nose and pretend there's not major issues in how they're set up to make those errors. Does RM's contract come with clauses? He gets X number of games, or we pay out more. Or we pay less, but only after Y number of games. With everyone waiting for that, thinking we'd have got more points under any scenario. SR's succession plan is waiting for another manager to agree terms. I'd be expecting a German/ Spanish/ Scandinavian manager with an outstanding record with an Under 10s team, who is renowned for getting the squad to weave baskets for the local area. So terms shouldn't be that hard. Except SR went for the cheaper Sellers option, having spent loads on getting Nathan. They may be in the same boat here. SR are willing to take the hit of relegation. They'd be looking for some improvements to at least beat Derby's record. If that happens, they give RM next season to further clear out the squad and bounce back. With the obvious flaws of having massive financial impact, redundancies, PSR, and no guarantee of coming back up. It's just taking Lallana longer to grow out the right length of facial hair and pick out a pullover?

Just imagine how things might have turned out for us, had Dragan said it was the height of stupidity to Rasmus. We would have ended up with a different owner, but it wouldn't have been SR.

Nathan started off saying how brave he was taking over for a first game he hadn't much time before. He started to discount it as the number of defeats crept up.

I think they thought RalphBall was working when they bought Saints. That would be the flagship to base other clubs around. Instead, RalphBall was busted when they bought us, and they're finding out that keeping a club in the PL with their plan isn't financially sustainable for their model. They may end up with a multi club model, just based in different leagues.

If a player is put out there, then there's not a decision to be made. Instead, RM's data tells him teams that have a man out there, are more vulnerable in the box. So, they stop putting a man out there. Which encourages teams to take advantage of it, undermining the original data. But hey, just blame a player for having to juggle choices in the last seconds of a game, rather than just stop it at source. Leicester were picking off a few of RM's pet things, such as closing off that central one touch passing to beat the press.

You're not free for the rest of the season are you? RM just needs that reinforcement of his genius to get it to sink in. This. Supporters complain about trendy, hipster approaches. Back in the old days, a player might not see the ball before Friday, to keep him hungry. How much better than to drop a player for a season, freeze him out of first team minutes and have the club do it's level best to get rid of him. Sule surely couldn't have been hungrier or sharper to do well. That's all on the player. Rasmus even called to make sure he was broken, before being sent on. I remember that Will comment when he came on. The familiar more than the capable for that role yesterday. Fraser coming on was actually to give us an out to support, as well as doubling up. Trying to replicate the Suga/KWP balance. Even though it was completely the wrong thing to be thinking about as Leicester overran us.

Hopefully another link to be on the career path for some of their players in years to come.

I can understand why RM reaches some of his decisions, even as they show up the issues we all see. RM looks at the likes of Will, Fraser and Jack as versatile players he can ask to do any number of things. They are no doubt good behind the scenes and do well for RM in training. There's then a number of in game decisions being made. RM has to replace an injured player, a player who he feels is fading fast (arguable with some managers who make subs at certain times), or wants to shore things up. Winks was beginning to run things yesterday for example so RM was looking to freshen things up by stretching the game with a TP focal and get fresh, focused legs in midfield. Suga had taken a knock and both he and Fernandes were on a booking. He's not been pleased with AA for missing a chance a while back, or Les for a previous performance. He looks to the players he trusts more in Ryan and Will to come on and do a job. Except, that neither are specialists in what they're being asked to do. They are not the talented, versatile players, Barca or Man City have, who RM loves to model his systems on. Combined, he brings on entirely the wrong players for the situation. Looking to link up midfield and attack, while having some control? That's Lallana. Looking to physically shore things up? That's Les, with Aribo helping in blocking out Winks. Stop an attacking team cutting in from wide? Martin was right to double up, but didn't pick the clearly best player to do it, in Taylor. Instead we got a player who isn't remotely a DM and an attacking midfielder who is a wing back, when we're well on top, if not for shoehorning and novelty value. RM has to realise that in such a powerful, physical, pacey league putting make shift players into roles, when they can't do it, is taking a risk that's down to him. TP and Sule were both frozen out. So expecting something to click there is an ask. TP looked huffing very quickly. Sule did what he always did. AA has been pushed down the pecking order, so he's not coming on. We miss that work rate, endeavour and added defensive work. RM brought Sule on for counter attacking pace. But AA offers much more. RM can moan about someone not being on a penalty spot for the winner. But there were plenty of manager led decisions that need to be addressed too. Perhaps having the right players on the park for the job would have stopped that, and the other goals.

For this one, it's an unexpected cost. He's going to have to wait, as it's not getting to him any quicker either way. If, and only if, you're fully satisfied with the work, the £750 with the rest to come is perfectly reasonable. Considering him rushing you is a red flag to shoddy tradespeople, I'd be of a mind to delay until it's all there for a single payment. As above, check the work as best you can. Timescales of a week would be perfectly reasonable. As GL said, it gives you a decent chance, and some weather, to see if there are any issues. Phone calls chasing it over a weekend are dodgy. Don't forget to share all your experiences on the trading websites too.

Before today's match, he was asked what would be a good season for him. RM replied "still being the Southampton manager." The interviewer then stated "because that would mean you stayed in the PL." I didn't catch the response to see if RM had that as a deliverable. But then, there's being competitive and getting relegated, and stranded without a hope and getting relegated. That will probably decide how long this tenure is going to be.

This.

Martin will talk about energy levels, or getting a specific role on with Will. But RM's subs lost whatever momentum we had today, and we were well beaten after he made them.

The third goal was entirely tactical. We know we don't mark the edge of the box. All our opponents do too. It is no surprise that they practice ways of taking advantage of it. We've seen it happen, and RM has persisted with it. We had the odd near thing through Archer early on second half. Leicester continued to push. A combination of their better fitness (noticeable as it went on), individual talent and physical power paid off. Our lack of tempo, game management and brittleness let them do it. I didn't think much of our bench before kick off today. Leicester brought on a game changer. Sadly. so did we, just in the opposite way. Taylor okay, TP a bit of a huffing lump with no support, and no idea why RM has turned to Sule now, having frozen him out. Will was anonymous at best, and offered no respite to the side. Such a disappointment even if we were letting it be an open game first half. We're not strong, fit or coached well enough to shore up a lead.

Fraser done for the first, sent off for the second. Baffling that we didn't get the blatant pen at the other end.

Quite an open half. Leicester had more of the ball. But we worked very hard to minimise their chances. Even that meant one of their efforts of the inside of the post, and us picking up a few bookings. We had an early goal and one off the bar. That second finally gives us a game with a gap. The Manning and KWP partnership has worked well, so points to RM for that. Leicester have sussed that long central out ball of ours. Fortunately, Aribo has been a presence for us to hold it up. A goal and that one off the bar too for him. Dibling exciting going forward, if a little suss defensively. But pushes them back in a half where we've passed it about, but have looked to get forward quickly too. We've certainly got weak spots here, but hopefully can keep that tempo up second half.

Looks like the extra full back there to give strength in numbers, and a bit of fluidity between the defence and midfield. It looks as much like a belated "Here's how you can play Trent! 3 fullbacks!" appeal from Martin for the England job, as a normal set up. Here's hoping it's enough.

Silver

Ugh. 5 Live obsession on making ghost sounds over Ten Haag's job continue. They're saying that if they win, it's in spite of the manager. If they don't, it's his fault. They are saying they have no plan and, unlike every other team in the league including Saints, they don't have an identity. The Spurs boss came in for some light stick, before the West Ham goal. If you are a top 6 club, and don't win, the press panic button is pushed to give them something to discuss with all the depth of a puddle.

Sadly, it seems bailiffs haven't taken Jamie Vardy away to pay off his wife's legal bills. But here's hoping he, and Leicester, have stinkers and we get those points. I hope things are a bit better for you now too, Saint Pete.

Like any political party, they are rats fighting in a sack. As Biden had to get dragged away, the GOP went through changes, and lots of internal strife, when Trump got in last time. Those battles will have continued. But I think a lot of the think tanks, and string pullers, on the right see Trump as a great opportunity to increase their control. From Steve Bannon when he first got in, to Project 2025 this time out. Trump will be more concerned about ensuring his immunity and feathering his nest, only too happy to bring in people who perpetuate that. Neither party are great for swathes of people. I agree on tariffs, in that a trade war is horrible for everyone. That was one of the points that's come up talking to others. Along with it was getting business to be based in the US. A lot of people look back at years of seeing their livelihoods leaving the country. Despite the pain, they just want that to stop. The world, the technology may have moved on. The system their country operates under might have led to those problems. But hearing and seeing someone agree with them has been really popular.

Just can't imagine a club willing to take that injury record on, even on loan. Also, his rehabilitation would possibly have to be with us, for medical/ insurance purposes. Then, until TP was back in the frame it looked as though we were going to be depending on him a bit in the middle.