Ralph Fastenbüttl

I become more impressed by Nathan every time I hear him speak. I can even tolerate the repeated use of religious terminology because I find he engenders a real feeling of respect. You'd think the WC break has come at the perfect time for us. I almost find it hard to believe we won't be a better team come Jan - I guess the question is whether the players are good enough to avoid relegation. Personally I reckon they are.

Honestly, I think Nathan comes across really well in this press conference. Makes me feel better about things.

Of course - they can clearly see all of it. But they have obviously arrived at a wildly different conclusion to you. They've put all their professional resources into choosing a manager and have decided he's the fella. And you've decided he's not based on... erm, I dunno, you tell me - his boring name, some comments on a forum and a couple of GIFs? Time will tell who was right, I guess.

Evan by the standards of this board, many of the reactions here are FUCKING BOGGLING. We knew fuck all about this bloke before our frantic Googling yet we're all suddenly expert enough to predict precisely how terrible a job he'll do for us. Give the dude a fucking chance! SR have undoubtedly made mistakes with Ralph, but they DO have a track record of good managerial appointments. Let's at least give anyone new the chance to fuck up before we write them off. Saying all of that, though, I personally find the overt Christianity element a real turn off. Anyone who attributes fortunes to the whim of a beardy man in the sky and not to planning and players should surely have their sanity realistically questioned because that's the definition of mental. But I'll forgive him his fairytales and make believe if he can get something out of our current squad. However, this alone has made wading through the swamp of this thread totally worth it. 'Solid gold throbber'. Proper snorted my tea.

What are SR waiting for at this point? Who is left who thinks the time has not come to try something new? Saints have become extraordinarily tedious. Please can we just call time on the Ralph era and look ahead to something different?

What are SR waiting for at this point? Who is left who thinks the time has not come to try something new? Saints have become extraordinarily tedious. Please can we just call time on the Ralph era and look ahead to something different?

This is an awesome idea, although the downside is that Che will also come away thinking that Bill Gates is microchipping the world through vaccines and that Ralph is a lizard being mind controlled by George Soros.

Things could have been different. Gakpo could have chosen to sign with us. Lavia and Bella-Kotchap could have remained injury free. But we are where we are and we just have to admit that things aren't working and clearly won't improve. I'm genuinely very sorry to say it, but the owners MUST replace the manager. And sooner rather than later.

You're right - Poch was clearly the better manager, but the manner in which the club ditched Nigel always bothered me. We were improving, and there were very real signs that he was turning things around. Plus, as the man who guided us to the Prem, I honestly thought Nigel deserved a season in the top flight. Add to that that Poch clearly had no problems negotiating behind Nigel's back, as he was ready to go the moment the trigger was pulled, in contrast to, say, Strachan, who reportedly refused to discuss the job while Stuart Gray was still in place.

I honestly think there's plenty of talent in the squad, but it's drowning under Ralph. Poch would obviously be a dream appointment but it's never gonna happen. Ditto for Frank. I'd take Benitez for sure. I could see Stankovic happening, too. Hell, I'd take Selles right now tbh. Koeman's free at the moment, isn't he? For me Dyche, Bielsa, Ole and Rodgers are a big no thanks, although perhaps I'm being unfair with the latter as he's clearly had fantastic spells. I wouldn't be mad keen on Tuchel - Chelsea's attack completely died under him. Whiff of the Jose about him? I had a nightmare once that we re-appointed Mark Hughes and in his first presser he said he returned due to "unfinished business".

You lot are routinely far too harsh on Ralph, but I've gotta hold my hands up and admit that I'm done. The squad has improved but the players have not and Ralph has certainly not. Time's up. We need a change. I really hope it's done tonight.

I really have had enough of this now. Sorry Ralph, it's definitely time.

https://www.football365.com/news/opinion-pochettino-shaped-carrot-southampton-hasenhuttl-sack

Not sure whether "Poch is rubbish" or "Poch might come back to Saints" is the crazier take? Both are effing bonkers.

Yeah, I'm the same really. I don't wanna be talking down a player who has clearly worked very hard and had a solid start to the season, but he definitely high among the names I've wanted out over the last couple of seasons. Still, I'll be delighted if he proves me wrong - and all he's gotta do to manage it is keep up what he's currently doing. Good luck, lad.

Blackmore has called BS on this I believe. Although personally, the thought of bringing Ross in to take Elyounoussi's place does not upset me.

Like, do you think someone's sitting here behind the keyboard with news of an exciting transfer but hasn't thought to share it because no-one's asked the question?

Well no of course not - it's just random dweebs wading in there and changing it as they see fit. It has all the authority of a peach yoghurt.

Check out the history of Gakpo's Wikipedia page. Some fucker has just waded in there and changed his current club to Southampton. It's a bloodbath. Regardless, I reckon this one is going our way. £34m. Never thought we'd see such a thing.

I spat out my tea at this! Plus, I'm totally here for Edozie's gangly, flappy arms:

Lavia's hamstring pull/tweak might be the end of Romeu's hopes of a move, unless we're actually gonna sign another CM.

Adam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

19. NINETEEN. Madness.

Redmond off to Galatasaray, I see folk saying. £3m. I know he gets a lot of hate on here but I think a lot of it is unfair. Sure, he's perhaps fallen short of his full potential and yes, he's off the boil more than he should be, but for £10m I reckon he's been a great servant for Saints. He's scored some great goals over the six years we've had him and leaves us with a lot of highlights and memories. Best of luck, dude #foreverasaint

I'd add a goal scoring CF to that list but yeah, agreed.