Dman

Overreacting…. LOL

Hammered for this post at the time, but as time has gone on, it’s proven to be absolutely correct. Who’d have thought it, aye.

Could anyone do better? Based on the last year, absolutely they could. We had people genuinely arguing that our squad was better than villa, as an example (it’s was nonsense then as much as it is now). And when people have pointed out our 2 strikers are of championship quality; they get called a troll, Yet when we lose, we have a ‘terrible, terrible collection of players’. It feels like any excuse is made to deflect from the manager who continually puts out the same team, in the same formation using the same tactics, which just aren’t working. Many managers, just like Ralph did, would see us a good stepping stone to bigger things in the PL, so I don’t buy this ‘we couldn’t do better’ nonsense. It’s a weak argument. Imo, we need to go back to basics. Defend we’ll hit teams on the counter attack. If we don’t win, at least we don’t lose mentality. Sack this high press bollox off, it doesn’t work for the squad we have, continuing with it is absolute madness. here’s a list of available managers: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/trainer/verfuegbaretrainer/statistik Farve or valverde would be my choice, but unfortunately we’d likely end up with someone like Lampard who’d be absolutely no better at organising our weak defensive shape.

Get this weeks excuses in early then chaps…. Time for this clown to go.

He’s been pretty average for a few games now. Since the international Break where he has to withdraw due to injury. Ralph still continues to pick him though, despite having someone of KWP’s quality who’s being forced to play out of position.

Agreed. This whole Improving players stuff is a bit of a myth.

Exactly the sort of thing a cultist would say….

More than likely that American chancer. RedBull Is a non starter. I don’t know why people continue to bring this up when there has never even been a sniff of them being interested in us or any other premier league teams. If RedBull did take over, most would soon see past the franchise element once we start competing towards the top end of the league anyway. Look at Newcastle, you have full grown blokes walking round in headscarf’s etc. Personally, football is dead, completely dead. We’ve got states & some very questionable people owning clubs. The reality is, if you want to compete in this league, you’re gonna have to have an owner / business model which probably isn’t ideal. I.e a dodgy Russian, a state owned club or a franchise, like RB. Basically, after years of modern Premier Leauge football I’ve never felt more detached from the club, so I’d be happy for us to sell our soul if it brought success.

Wasn’t that because he was ‘injured’? For me, his performances have dropped also since? Naturally It’d have been very, very hard for him to maintain those levels we saw early season at his age. I think Duck is pretty much spot on in his assessment.

He was pretty shite last night, it’s fine to admit it. He’s a young lad who’s been continuously played with no rest and is started to get found out a tad for his defensively ability. I’ve no doubt he’s absolutely knackered, not just physically but mentally as well. The second goal he showed his immaturity and dived in allowing Maddison to cut in on his stronger foot. Compare that to the experience of Evans who done completely the opposite when broja had a chance late on, causing him to turn into trouble. It’s a real shame that our 2 best players play in the same position, but I think it’s time to give KWP a run out for a while. We’d certainly be no weaker.

I’ll link you to the top of this page, where WTFJM89, who has indicated in a previous post, that he is one of the founders, has stated: We're just one of the many groups that are working with the club to make sure that football continues to grow up a bit and become an atmosphere where people won't hurl any abuse, because at the end of the day, abuse of any kind is abuse. And surely we don't want ANY abuse at St Mary's. As I said, part of a hostile atmosphere is abuse towards the opposition players, fans and the officials, at times. If there objective is to educate and stop people shouting homophobic abuse, then fair enough, perhaps he should add further context to the above statement. That being said, I don’t really think it is needed as that sort of stuff is extremely rare at St Mary’s. when have I said that? I pointed out it aids a hostile environment, which adds a competitive environment. Wouldn’t expect you to understand though, it’s not something you can measure on a spreadsheet.

Disagree. Groups like this, who’s aim is to irradiate ‘all abuse’, will damage the already pathetic atmosphere we get at St Mary’s. Imo, aggression, hostility and abuse (within reason) has a place in football crowds as it creates an intimidating atmosphere and therefore a competitive advantage to the home side.

Fuck me, you really do post some shite.

That’s actually a really fair point about being defensive. I think it was the home games which gave him that defensive reputation. His style is great away from home where naturally teams will attack you a little more, but not great at home when teams look to sit back. Effectively causing both teams to cancel each other out. That being said, Leicester won the league doing exactly that. Had Puel had Gabbiadini from the start of the season, who knows how that season would have ended. He remains the only manager we had to get a tune out of him (he genuinely looked world class at times). I actually think the club learned a big lesson when they backed the players over Puel, with the benefit of hindsight, we should have fucked off Bertrand, Austin and co. Before the manager.

Puel’s team was frustrating to watch, in the main because we went from attacking / winning football with Poch and Koeman to Puel who was more defensively minded. Puel however was, imo, a much better ‘coach’ and tactically far better than Hassenhuttl. I wasn’t a fan of Puel, but if he’d been shown the loyalty and time that Ralph has, I suspect he’d have been seen as one of our better managers, along with Poch and Koeman. Given the choice of the 2 now, I think in our current situation, I’d pick Puel.

We won, what, like 2 games after the second 9-0. It’d have been almost impossible for anyone to have done any worse.

They won’t be too bothered about a loss to Liverpool as, as you said, it’s a bit of a free hit which were not expected to get anything from. However, if you think they’re not bothered about losing 4-0, and that first half performance then you’re deluded.

Sums up where I’m at

He’s not wrong though, is he.

Funny isn’t it, it makes you wonder why none of these football manager players have ever managed a real game of football.

In fairness they are. The fact we’ve only won a handful of games this year and are still in the league, sort of demonstrates that. But let’s not hide from the fact that we’ve been very poor for a long period of time, picked up again this season, but 5 tough fixtures to come which could make or break the season imo.

If Liverpool turn up, this could be a big one. A bit unlike city, they’re ruthless when the sense blood, as shown in the second half against Arsenal. Way to much for us to handle, but the only saving grace is that they have a big one the week after (Everton), which will hopefully mean if/when they’ve got the game won they’ll ease off and go into reservation mode for that one. A bit of a free hit in a sense that we’re not expected to win this one. Keep it to 3 or less with a respectable performance and move onto the next one. 434/441 for me. I don’t think we can give Trent and Robertson reign to bomb on and cross under no pressure. Keeper (flip a coin, literally. Both crap) Bednerak Lyanco Salisu Tino (although looks very tired) Romeu Jwp Kwp (Not seen anything to suggest the french lad is up to it). Anyone but Theo that’s fit x2 (will need discipline to track and press fullbacks) Broja (pace on the counter attack)

Sounds perfect for a big Amazon Depot….perhaps Bezos (Americans recently reported…?) is/was interested…? All makes sense to me.

Certainly makes yesterday’s result a tad more concerning. Could easily be in the bottom 3 after that run of games, which would put added pressure on the Christmas / new year fixtures, which it’s seems like we never tend to do all that well in. 6 points would be a great return, if I’m honest.

Not really. Some times managers can be good / not good fits at teams. I think Ralph is a good ‘coach’ and has a clear style he wants his teams to play. Personally, I don’t think that style is right for us. We’ve got too much of a soft under belly. Tactically he’s not all that flexible and makes questionable subs. I think Villa have the players that would suit his style, more so than us, and have funds to bring in others. Ive not changed my tune once. Just pointing out that Ralphs little bum boy crew will back him to the death.