BallBoy

The other thing we need is wholehearted support from the crowd. Those of us of a certain age will remember the nail biting relegation battles we endured. Younger supporters have only known the relative success of promotions and Premier league football. I hope we are all up for it. We have no entitlement.

I have only been able to read the article because I am a subscriber so I cannot attach it. In short it says that Ralph is on borrowed time but his departure is not imminent. There is no replacement identified but they are looking (as most clubs do). Much is made of the change of leadership and ownership. It suggests that Ralph struggles to relate to players outside of the 1st team regulars (my own opinion is that he is struggling with them too). "They" hope he can learn to work with his new coaching team but there are concerns here too. The piece is written by the Telegraph Chief Football Writer, Sam Wallace and someone called John Percy. It is an opinion piece with no sources or quotes. Nevertheless, the fact that it is in the Telegraph lends it weight. My feeling is that the newspaper has sources but are unable to quote them. I suspect it will take a massive improvement in results to save Ralph.

Born and raised in Southampton but, in 2018, we made our big move to Scotland. No going back now but I love it here in a little village called Kirkhill, near Inverness. I also love being a Saints fan through thick and thin. Nothing plastic about me. Trips back to Southampton are rare. Came back in February and luckily managed to squeeze in 3 home games. Almost 3 wins but that would have been very "unsaintsy". Was amazed to see a Portsmouth FC sticker on the back of a car here in my village. Had a bit of banter with the owner and no it wasn't just an unfortunate buy. He really is an exiled Pompey fan. Have to respect his loyalty. Fortunately he lives at the other end of the village so we are socially distanced by geography and league position! Wherever I am I still follow my team by whatever means I can.

Just want to say that the Wales players and staff showed real class as they applauded the Ukraine fans after the game. Good to see.

This is just an observation. I am not saying it solves or resolves anything. Ralph is as good as any Saints manager I have known at improving individual players. He likes to take relatively raw players and then coach them to be better. Ward-Prowse and Walker-Peters are the obvious examples. He sees what they can do and plays to their strengths. To a lesser extent the same is true of Salisu, Livramento, Broja and even Romeu. I notice, however, that he also sometimes brings those same players down to earth by dropping them if they fall even slightly below that standard. As I say - just my own observation.

Le Tiss has given me some of my greatest memories in football. A genius on the pitch. That is all I choose to remember him by.

Cretins. Good riddance.

Going back to the original question: Micky Channon testimonial 1976 - 2 days after the cup final. Magical and easily the loudest. The stands were rocking.

Can't think of a team I would rather beat.

One of the best games I ever saw. Justice done in the end as Armstrong popped up with the winner. Fabulous game when we had a fantastic team.

Do we really have to have half time?

Just feel we are light in midfield again. 2 proper midfielders and 2 wingers. Just my opinion.

Stick or twist?

Poor defending. Poor goalkeeping and missed chances. Just when we were on a bit of a roll. After 55 years of supporting this club why am I not surprised? Really need to be more clinical at both ends. I like Walcott as a person but, as others have said, he offers very very little now.

I agree that Tino could play anywhere and be better than most that we currently play in midfield. With JWP out surely this is the moment to play him in midfield with Romeo, Armstrong + one other. Perraud and KWP in their natural positions. Is that too obvious?

Classic. We wait 6 games for the one we are supposed to be able to win. We don't turn up.

Genuinely worried about Stuart Armstrong. Didn't Ralph say no new injury worries. Too many of our senior players seem to be voting with their feet.

Matty and Bally. Two very different kinds of genius.

Very disappointed with that line up. No KWP. No Vesty. No Redmond. No Adams. No Tella. A full week to prepare for our first game. This should be a dress rehearsal.

Yet another insipid performance to finish our season. I am not anti Ralph but he doesn't seem able to lift the players. My biggest worry is can we hold on to our better players? Seriously, if you were Ings, Vest or JWP and a better offer came along - would you stay? It is a worry. The flip side of that is even IF we get a shedload of money who would come to us. I am not sure we can rely on the academy as we have in previous years.

That just feels so much better.

Not sure what to hope for tonight. Fulham win: we stay above Burnley. Burnley win: guaranteed safety. I would like to think it doesn't matter because we will go on a winning streak anyway.

Surely we will appeal that red.

Team looks seriously unbalanced (again).

Not really on topic but I am delighted he is gone (again). He is an odious character who has to belittle and punish others in order to support his own ego. West Ham (with their odious owners) would deserve him.