West end Saints

Our two 'experienced' players in this area are neither good enough, we are getting no where near enough assists from them. For me, Ely offers more than Stu Armstrong, however we needed to upgrade both. Their stats for last two seasons are telling: 22/23 Goals Ely 0 Stu 1 Assists Ely 1 Stu 0 Blocks / tackles / clearances / headed clearances / aerial battles won etc - Ely actually surprised me with decent stats and miles better than Stu. 21/22 Goals Ely 4 Stu 2 Assists Ely 2 Stu 0 Again defensive stats Ely miles better. When you add his work rate, and reasonable decision making you can see, with the lack of decent alternatives managers have Ely as one of the first names on the team sheet. If we are going for 4/2/2/2 formation I would hope that Alcarez and Orsic would be better but we don't seem happy to rely on them??? Other options are Theo, Aribo, Edozie or AA. I guess the point I'm making is despite his failings, Ely wouldn't be far off my 11 - unfortunately as others haven't proven to be better. I would like to see a midfield and forward set up of JWP / Lavia Orsic / Alcarez Onuachu / Sulemana With Mara / Edozie coming off the bench.

Maybe I was right, and the manager had an idea what he was doing!

Don't think we have won a league game this season without him starting

Huge over reaction without much though on this thread. 1) Salisu injured, clearly DCC not being considered so CB not my choice but understandable. 2) midfield (with 2 young players) totally lost their shape and threw the game last week. I like to watch Alcarez but can see the need to balance youth with experience (which was what most on here said we needed!) 3) Moi is hugely under rated, his decision making, moving ball when under pressure better than most we have available. If we are going 433, as many here wanted, who else could play along side JWP and Lavia? Can see the sense in him. 4) Stu is good, but I don't rate him in a midfield 4, or whatever the most defensive line of midfield is, as number 10, or one of attacking 3 is decent choice. 5) AMN, must be KWP isn't 100% so one of AMN or Bree, he's gone for experience, again shouldn't be surprise as in press conference Selles said we needed more experience and that was clear from Wolves. Not an easy fan pleasing team that many of us (including me) would have gone for, but 100% consistent with press conference and nothing ridiculously wrong with it

Personally love watching him and the city team

Because his team had stopped playing in his style, lost energy and motivation, as he had.

Like the vast majority on here I would fully support JM being appointed. Reasons being: 1) as above, seems to unite fans 2) often hard to judge managers as people have given the Strachen example 3) I liked Ralph but felt both his, and the team's energy went - one thing we will get JM positivity and energy. 4) no back 5 5) no learning curve for this league. Of the other options, opinions seem very split so feel, after the negativity with fans and media caused by Jones, feel anyone else (who we stand a chance of getting) would be significantly less supported by fans

Prob judging by my fading energy levels! Raneiri was 64 when he won the title, so shows that maturity isn't all bad! Average age of manager in premier league is currently 47

Bielsa will be 68 this summer. Sacked from Leeds as well. Benitez has a good pedigree, but hasn't done we in the last 8 (?) odd years. Would be great to get Poch but can't see us having a chance unless he is bored! Overseas managers are a real gamble so late in the season after the last gamble. JM is positive and likeable so maybe will bring the sprit that we have been missing, even if tactics are simple. Of realistic options think he looks best option. Gerrard maybe good, but will he have the positive energetic personality we need at this time?

I don't want anyone who would want to come here.....

Offical site gone

Should have: sacked him last week set team as Bazunu Bree, Salisu, ABK (or DCC) Perraud Lavia, JWP, Alcaraz, Edozie Onuachu, Sulemana Keep shape, bring on subs when attacking players tire. Would have done better with no manager!

I get your point but isn't as black and white as that. If we knew a defeat would definately mean a change to a good manager, in immediately and increase our chances to stay up, I can see the benefit of a defeat. However unfortunately we don't know that. Also a defeat to Wolves will cut us adrift for whoever is in charge. I'd opt for a win!

No first team players at all involved with B team today

Not defending him generally, performance or post match interview but there was nothing wrong with this comment. He was being asked about team spirit etc, training ground fights. He wasn't making deluded comments that everything is OK because of this, it came across that he can't criticise players for attitude and work rate.

All very true. Whilst obviously doubting his ability, and disliking his unnecessary comments, I do feel for anyone who is going through something like this. You can't blame him for wanting the job, and he wouldn't choose to do badly then crumble under pressure. The club need to think about team performance, but also is he going to get through this OK. I guess he, and the board, know fans are fickle. He hasn't built much credit (as was seen after three wins recently) but a clean sheet win on Saturday would ease some pressure. If we won 6 straight games (can't see it happening) talk of the sack would stop. He prob thinks there is chance he can do this. I always find it interesting that every manager would be sacked after a run of defeats, how long they last depends on expectations and any built up credit. A pundit was on radio saying Klopp wouldn't be sacked. Clearly he would (or would walk) if he keeps losing.

Dean Wilkins?

I know it won't happen but can't help dreaming of SR getting ambitious, offering Poch silly money and promise of backing to take us to Europe. Or even silly money to sort us out for 3 months. But won't happen. Or Bielsa come in, even if he wants to work with young players for rest of season, with Poch taking first team. I can dream.

Although will include periods when Ralph was doing decent job, think fair comparison would be similar amount of games, on prem in 2022

I found some of his selections strange, particularly the 3 CB and not starting Lavia. Newcastle use pace, particularly down their right so don't have a problem playing our fastest and best fullback there. Although KWP is primarily a RB some of his best games have been at LB. Once you decide to go with KWP @ LB then I can see the logic of Bree.

Maybe compared to Pep, but compared to most teams bet it is a long way down in relevance. Money What league European football Maybe fame of club to lesser degree These young overseas players won't care if its Dyche or Jones etc, what will matter is money, then money, then level they are playing at. Unfortunately we probably don't compare well for money, we can't offer European prospects, or high profile regular TV games that bigger clubs have, and we can't even guarantee staying up... So expect we lose before many even consider who manager is

Which one game? Man City? Everton? Accept it, it was a positive from Jones! Lavia a huge plus, but shape and type of passing improved changed ...along with a lot of remaining negatives

I do. Not saying is good, or was a high bar, but our midfield in latter days of Ralph was totally static and ponderous. No-where do I say it is great now, or anything close but I recognise an improvement. Under Ralph JWP was sat between the CBs playing possession football in our half. The use of JWP and change of tactic is obvious, the new lad from Argentina looks like he will play that way too. I disagree that it is more sluggish, I would say less (remember I didn't see Nottingham game and understand that was awful and totally lacking). I agree there clearly hasn't been an improvement in league form, goes without saying. I liked Ralph but it had reached the time for a change, he had lost his fight. I am not positive, far from it. We are looking towards relegation. However, I don't think that needs to lead to pathetic personal criticisms, failure to recognise the position we were in and any slight improvements.

I think there is a decent chance he will win fans over. I was fortunate to miss the forest and Brighton games but understand these were grim. However, the team is playing more positively, we pass more quickly and more attacking. He reacts better during the game than we had been for last few months. Defence looks a little tighter and fights harder. Midfield is a lot better. Unfortunately still awful upfront. I can understand the lack of a glamour name frustrating some (personally not that fussed as so many big names fail and vice versa). I get the disappointment with results. But the personal abuse, and failure to accept any positives is immature and embarrassing.

Sounds like they couldn't attract Bielsa and he has turned them down. (Gordan also not there for last 3 days)