macca155

I voted no but that was with absolutely zero knowledge of him, and that is the main issue. His lack of experience is glaring, and will make it hard for him to win over fans and players. Thanks to Ralph he doesn't have the luxury of a honeymoon period. He'll need to get crucial points from Brighton, Fulham, Forest Everton, Villa, and Brentford in January. That takes Saints to 21 games. He'll need at least 10 from 18 points to give a reasonable launch pad for survival. We can also be certain the other teams will be looking to bury Saints as its a proper dog eat dog season. If he doesn't get near that mark then real panic will set in. So much depends on those games and the January transfers. It is an incredible leap of faith to see him succeed. Too much of a gamble imo, but I really hope it pays off.

I just knew I'd leave out someone Morgan?? My point was that with our desperate striker resources, the manager needs to try all options. Seriously can't do any worse.

I'd imagine it will be a reasonably strong side. A Armstrong Mara and Aribo need game time. Diallo needs to prove a point and Lyanco loves a cup game. Presumably Mccarthy in goal. Something like Mccarthy Payne Lyanco Ćaleta-Car Peraud Elyounoussi JWP Diallo Djenepo Mara Aribo/Armstrong Not a weak side considering the opposition. No idea of system .... who does! Key for me is seeing who Ballard or Dibling come on. We need to use either of those two asap.

You're not helping 😲

Potter had European experience and was a hot prospect. Still a gamble for Brighton but Jones feels like a real risk. One thing the board haven't considered is that in these days of instant social media, they have to take the fan's with them. Just imagine the scenes after a couple of bad defeats. What a mess.

Totally or maybe Sturrock. Either way this has disaster written all over it.. His playing and coaching career was lower leagues. The guy won't have the respect of the players and fans. Do 't do it Saints.... please. I'm not doubting his potential, the guy clearly has something but he'd need to be the type they appoint once relegated. Earn his spurs so to speak. I'm suddenly feeling warm and fuzzy for Dyche or good old Roy.

Whether we get relegated or not will depend on some decent signings in January. The defence is sorted and that needs to be celebrated. However the midfield is a car crash. Every opposition manager has pushed JWP back and ensured that our midfield is dominated. On the infrequent occasions Saints do get the ball to the forwards they simply cannot finish. Che Adams is ok imo. His work rate is excellent, but he needs quality support up front. Maybe Ballard and Dibling are worth a go. Ralph's tactics don't help, but above all else we need squad improvements. A midfield general and a striker are absolutely essential. We seem to have too many players in some positions and gaps elsewhere. All a bit of a mess and this year no-one is conveniently lying down and accepting relegation.

What are you talking about, Lyanco has been ok, one error but otherwise coping with being stretched. It's 3 another back that's the problem. Bazuna has made some good saves, he couldn't do much with the goal. Elsewhere there are serious problems. midfield non existent, as usual.

Great performance, zero confidence at the start. Seemed to be waiting for Arsenal to rip them apart as per the pre match billing. Turning point was Lyanco's 'cough' collision with Martinelli and Saka's booking. That seemed to knock Arsenal enough for Saints to get a grip on the game. Diallo in particular seemed to be enjoying more time to disrupt. I thought he played well. In the 2nd half they built on that and after a sublime goal I thought they would actually win it. Lyanco and Mo were superb, really bossed their side of the pitch. I think Arsenal were scared of Lyanco as they gave him a very wide berth. Put it this way any 50 50 challenge quickly became 70 30 when he was involved. I really think he is worth playing in midfield on occasion, such a dominant influence. Ref was good for us, but let's be honest if that was reversed we'd be shouting foul. Anyway who cares we've suffered too often. The league is ridiculously tight, nobody is prepared to lie down meekly this year.

Adams has been immense tonight

Good results tonight, if Saints manage a good win tomorrow, morale will be much improved. If is doing a lot of work there.

I meant that, Romeu wasn't the same player last year. Maybe Lyanco is worth trying in that roll.

Good question if you ever get an answer, let's us know. I guess (nothing more) that our current set up relies on a defending the ball deeper,and less press so that we aren't caught out. Can't say I'm a fan, our best player JWP has to cover so much ground and has no support. Once Armstrong came on he had more freedom. Begs another question.

In the first half he played deep and as we sit back these days he had time to set up attacks. However in the 1st half Saints were stronger and intercepted well. In the 2nd half he pushed forward, still had loads of room. His goal was classic Rice, he had time to move, look, set, pick a spot and shoot. No way would Romeu have allowed that.

Well that was fun ... Certainly better in the first half but the danger signs were there. You simply cannot give a player like Rice that much room. He ran the midfield and they made sure that JWP had no time or space. 2nd half was poor, 4 subs is ridiculous. Aribo is a good player but he was played in a weird position, and just couldn't get into the game. One point would be OK normally, but in our present predicament it needed to be 3. Desperate stuff

Seems like a big risk for Chelsea. The guy was Head of Youth recruitment at City. Other than bringing across some decent City youngsters, he hasn't had time to do much here. Leaking to the press was idiotic. Just upsets everyone. Take the job and leave at the end of the season. I'm more concerned at the level of turbulence in the club. Starting to look very unstable.

No but you feel better, does at least mean they aren't taking a spanking lying down.

Bloody hell you're right, so conditioned to us playing youngsters I spout the linea again.... embarrassed myself there. Agree on Bazuna, he's on a hiding to nothing. KWP seems to have too much work to do and is clearly being stretched.

Being 2 0 down at half time is bad news in any game. I refuse to do the it is ok against City routine. Yes we expect to lose but I expect to see City players argueing and limping bit. At least let them know they are in a game. This is where playing youngsters really shows. Utd were 4 down at half time so we are at least in good company.

This has been the issue every game. Armstrong and Aribo are lost today, totally bypassed

Look City are an incredibly good team. These players pass so quickly, and they are lethal up front. I've totally accepted a hammering today and just want to see a disciplined performance from Saints with nobody hiding. So far nothing unexpected, but every Saints pass is hurried, desperate, or backwards. If we had Haarland up front he'd never see the ball. Somehow have to find a way of linking the midfield with the front two.

KWP taking a big lump out of Foden. Bit naughty

Well Maitland Niles can go back to Arsenal. I'd have Diallo any day. He really was poor today. Just have to hope that there is a manager out there who can get a tune out of this team. They are all over the place at the moment. Ralph needs to be pushed upstairs. JWP simply isn't as good playing deep as he is playing further forward. He also needs support. I lost count of how often our players had the ball in space and had no one to pass to. Cue a backwards pass to maintain possession, or a hopeful 30 yd plus pass. I actually thought Adams worked hard today, and got himself into some good positions. However as a striker he has to score. The table remains very tight and it is early days. A win today would have us level with Liverpool. No need to panic but it needs sorting asap.

Can't vote in this poll as there isn't a 'an undecided' option. As much as that annoys some, it is where a lot of us are still. Every time Saints hit a low and calls for Ralph to go reach a crescendo, somehow the team seems to raise its game and beat a notable side. Thus stopping any momentum. The Villa and Wolves games were dreadful. Ralph said as much in his post match comments. Sacking a manager is a precarious decision, there needs to be a decent candidate waiting. Otherwise the club is gambling on the usual suspects. A run of reasoable results up until the world cup will calm things down. I'd even accept some boring draws, just stop the rot. That gives the club chance to buy a striker in January and a replacement for Oriel. Young teams need patience, sacking your manager is hardly going to help. Ralph has a small window now to sort things out. If he doesn't then clearly he is history. Problem is I've been saying this for ages. Elements of Groundhog day.

Minor wobble, I still think we have enough to stay up but totally agree very unpredictable