macca155

Wasn't it terrible, I always look forward to Spurs, nice ground, but that was as you say horrific. Loads around us went in for a beer couldn't stay out there. Never known it be like that before.

When it works its brilliant but that is rare these days. Opposition managers seem to find it easy these days to neuter Saints. I think the clue is that nobody else tries to play this way.

If we are worried about Leeds, then we are in trouble. They have been weakened and Saints were better last year. Supposedly our team has been strengthened. Reading the posts there seems to be a real concensus about the team required. If Ralph ignores that he is in trouble. I'd go back 4 KWP Stephens Salusu Perraud Obviously AWB should be in Stephens's place but I'm not sure he should be blooded in the current circumstances. I do not want to see Bendarek or Dejnepo anywhere near that team. The ultimate wind up will be Mccarthy in goal, it will get ugly then but I can't see even Ralph doing that.

Great post, sums it up. When a new manager comes in, and I think it's when now, he'll need to work some magic fast. The only saving grace is that there are other desperate clubs around this year.

He isn't going to be sacked after one game, that's ridiculous. The club are trying to build a team, it won't happen overnight. In a way it would easier if we were in the Championship, get some momentum like Brentford. As it is the team is on a horrific losing run, and the fan's patience is stretched beyond all reason. I made a big mistake and looked at the last 10 (real) results. 1-4, 1-4, 1-2, 0-3, 1-2, 2-2, 0-2, 1-0, 0-6, 1-1 Smacks of a team that has lost faith in the manager to me. Ralph has to conjure up a few wins to get some confidence growing, and some hope. Otherwise SR will have no choice.

I said similar a while ago. Our fans will have to be patient. Lavia had a good game, it was his debut for goodness sake and he is 18/19. Basuma will need picking up after that mauling. Didn't expect anything but a Spurs win. In the end it was more emphatic than I expected, but other teams will lose there. Saints's battles are elsewhere. Leeds is a whole different game, need to be up for that. The issue with Ralph is that his team selections just seem to go against common sense. He said Armstrong had scored goals. One, a tap in, in a friendly. He was as anonymous today as in pre season. Not playing Adams was a self inflicted weakening of the team. Oh and Long scored today .... brilliant.

Their 1st goal was class,no stopping that, as was ours. 2nd was down to Bendarek losing his man Dyer of all people. Ralph put him on the pitch. Third goal was terrible but at least he was there trying. I'm sure Djenepo had a great view, having lost the ball and put Salisu in that position. Ralph put him on the pitch and he was terrible. 4th goal Djenepo lost ball and man. Stephens gets some crap on here which is nonsense. As soon as he came on the defense was tightened up. His body slam on a Spurs player was a rare highlight. I'm not for a minute saying he should start but as a back up he's way better than he's given credit for. We aren't owned by BP so it has to be that way. Ralph needed KWP on the left. Put Stephens or Valery at RB. That's what other teams would do. Ben White an immediate example. Obviously Adams up front. Armstrong is a busted flush, even for me now. All that is down to Ralph. I'm still 55/45 with him, but boy he is making it hard.

Well that was fun ... not. Pretty grim performance all round. Spurs are a better side but they aren't unbeatable. If you have a decent game plan then you have a chance. The fact we had a 1 0 lead but didn't know what to do with it, is scandalous. The good thing about being in the stadium is, you miss loads. None of us saw the OG ... Good. However we did see close up the interaction between Djneppo and the other players. They were not happy with him one bit. Lots of verbal. I don't want to see him at LB again. Stephens looked the best of the defence. Take from that what you will. Expected to lose we did, forget it move on and get a result against Leeds. Long way to go.

I'm here and trust me Armstrong and Djneppo are the problem. Both lacklustre and out of position. Spurs relentlessly attacking the left side. Romeu struggling so slow. Rest look OK, lots of positives not a disaster by any means. Bring on Lyanco and Adams that will help. It's too hot 🔥 melting in the sun

I'd agree on Valery he's there to mark Son. I'd have Lyanco over Bendarek. I have stopped trusting him these days.

Goodness knows what will happen Saturday. I've got to get back into a match day routine, definitely not match fit yet and it's Spurs, fabulous stadium but nightmare to get away from. It is a free hit as we'll all be expecting a defeat but we thought that last season, what a night, won't forget that for a long time. Problem is Saints are notorious bad starters and Spurs will be keen to lay down a marker as they've top 3 illusions to match this year. This game won't really impact on the season, most bottom 10 teams will lose at Spurs so anything is a bonus. The issue will be that most teams will probably get 6 points out of Bournemouth. That's where the pressure will be. Last season Saints were going fine until losing to Norwich, then it all spiraled a bit. I expect Ralph will play it relatively safe and hope for a draw. I reckon he'll start with Big Baz KWP Bendarek Lyanco Salisu Peraud Aribo JWP Romeu S Armstrong Adams No idea on formation ... fluid is my guess. Everybody run around a lot. That pretty much guarantees a different team then Could see Bella-Kotchap in for Bendarek but Kane and Son are probably not the best pair to debut against. Djneppo may get the nod over Peraud but equally reckless against their frontline. What will be more interesting will be how Ralph uses the 5 subs. That will be a big thing this year in the PL, it may allow Ralph to sustain a high energy press for 90 minutes if he has the squad. I think we'll see Lavia, Valery, Redmond, A Armstrong on to maintain the press. Anyway here we go again. COYS

Things are quiet at the moment, but they usually are. Clubs want to buy, but agents holding out for best deals. Once the season starts the dominoes will start to tumble. I bet Southampton will start looking a lot more attractive to the likes of Dembele, once all the berths at top 7 have been taken. At the moment the situation with strikers at Saints is critical. Just 3 to choose from, one young and unproven, one has zero form, the other Leeds want. Definitely need transfer action in that dept.

By recently I mean then of last season and our pre season. Probably longer.

That was dire, how could they miss

Lyanco is way better at interceptions, he has other faults but I'd prefer him to Bendarek who has looked decidedly iffy recently.

How much was he £12 million ... a steal great player

Aribo ..... class

Good to see Armstrong score. Don't care how or when, need him to be confident

Watching Romeu being asked to run box to box is painful. I've seen him chasing after whippet like Monaco players too many times. He is far better when they are running at him.

On him quite quick, he could reasonably expect his defenders to stop the shot. But yes again.

Not with me but I'd play him further back. His best moves are the quick long passes in midfield.

Quite aggressive so far seen worse performances. Finishing remains woeful

Whilst I'd rather see Bazunu play, I do get why Mccarthy is being given game time. We are one injury away from relying on him. He is coming back from injury himself, and clearly lacks confidence. He has to be given game time. Very much the B team tonight, he says without conviction 😲

Nobody is pretending the quality is anywhere near the men's game. That isn't the point, but in the context of the competition they are playing, it was a good performance. I would agree the big take away is the fact that they shot frequently, and quickly. That back heel was utter filth, she nutmegged two players by hitting it so quickly. They were expecting her to turn, and were undone by her speed of thought. I don't care what the perceived standard is, that made me jump and shout.

No one expected that least of all the goalie, great stuff.