macca155

Oh yes, history shows that a skillful youngster can soon be intimidated by a 'Vinnie Jones' type player. This is where players like Stephens are essential, he wouldn't stand for that and would make his feelings known. He may have limitations as a defender but his contribution to the team in other ways cannot be understated. The good thing is that gnarly spicy older players aren't as difficult to find as young promising hot shots. Problem is can they play in Ralph's team?

Looks a decent signing but our supporters are going to have to develop their 'being patient' skills. Younger players need time to bed in, find their feet etc etc. In particular they'll be susceptible to the vibes coming from the stands. Someone like Ings has been around and has a reservoir of achievements to fall back on, he isn't immune but probably able to take more flak. Armstrong is a case in question, I saw him away at Burnley and he looked on fire, didn't score but oozed confidence, and there wasn't a hint of needing two touches. Go forward 6 months and he looked broken, our management need to up their game to avoid this. Similarly playing Tino for 90 minutes full on, for the first half of the season was an error IMO. He was blowing on 65 minutes and personally I think he needed a bit more nurturing. Cue first game of the season and me shouting at a 16 yo to pull his finger out

Bale Scoring.mp4 Yep, we were in the Slovenian end (they were friendly but mental) along with half of Wales. Decided to film this free kick as .... well I'd seen Bale do this before. Hell of a game and I'm not even Welsh!

I saw the Wales Euro match there. Fabulous stadium, do you reckon we could buy that?

Totally agree and there is the issue, at the moment they are probably the pick of the bunch. I think that was clumsily my point.

At the moment I still feel that Stephens/Lyanco is our most effective partnership. That isn't saying much obviously but they seem to be calmer. I expect that to change asap as Salisu has to be Nov and needs to make that obvious It isn't too bad so far, like watching an early cup game. Good to see Diallo gives a shit, and clearly wants a place in the 1st team. Creating chances (sort of) but nobody up front to convert them. Pre season is all about fitness and systems. Blows some cobwebs away, get the new boys on board. Make zero assumptions. Having said that I thought Valery looks up for it. I'm convinced there is a player in there.

They'll get a striker, if they don't then we are relying on Walcott, Redmond, and some youngsters to back up Chez and Adam, not good! I suspect Delap is no1 target. Broja wasn't our player, love him to come back, but he's a long way from the finished article. They'll be other options Every team wants a 10+ striker, club will have to work hard to find one. KWP was always going to attract interest. I suspect either he goes or JWP to raise funds. Just have to accept that, it is the new way.

There is a reason other clubs want him, players that can regularly impact positively on a game remain rare. He needs more support in midfield. When he plays in midfield for England with Phillips, who I rate massively, he has a lot more room and plays further forward. That puts him on a position to put the ball on Kane's head or toe. £75 million is a good price. If he wants to go and then so be it. He deserves a go at CL football. If he stays play him further forward and buy a Calvert-Lewin type to bang the goals on. I miss Pelle and Lambert. The crucial point is that the club must have a replacement lined up, or a youngster ready to step up. Good test of the club's strategy.

Behave 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Leave it 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Oh absolutely that as well, taken as read, but he didn't have to sign, he could easily have opted for a quick move and equally quick buck. It feels like his intentions were honourable. A rarity these days.

That is the major worry, just have to hope the club get it right.

James WP absolutely deserves a move to CL club (or potential). I'm sure he signed that contract to ensure Saints get big money for him, which they obviously need. Good luck to him. Not really bothered where he goes, but Spurs seems a good fit. He needs game time and they won't want him on the bench. The horrible truth is that we'll get more impact out of £60million, than keeping him.

It does feel like that once players fail to make the 'run about' target, they are phased out. The impact of Alan Ball and Jimmy Case was immense but the game definitely had be adapted to what they would cope with. Klopp recognises that in the way he uses Milner and Henderson. DeSilva at Chelsea is another example. Using promising youngsters only gets you so far. The likes of Miller know exactly how to sort them out. We have to be smarter than that.

If McMenemy was in charge I suspect he'd have used Bale/Walcott/other old stagers a little more effectively. It isn't just about buying players, it's about blending them with existing players, and using them effectively. Not Ralph's no 1 skill it would seem. Making a 30+ player run around like a loony, rather than making use of their considerable experience, seems a bit one dimensional to me.

Klopp's 9 changes was a clear statement that if Saints allowed a soft win they would avoid a beating. The players were scared of Liverpool absolutely no fight or passion from the majority. I exempt Stephens, Lyanco, and Redmond they were ok but the rest ...... Ref had a sense of theatre and I don't blame him. If Saints weren't going to make the effort he wasn't going to dampen down on the low level fouls of Milner and co. The rest of the world wanted a Sunday show down. We should have busted a gut to spoil that party. Pep would be within his rights to ask questions. I didn't like McCarthy being booed that's not right ... ever, but I totally get it. Ralph should never have put him in that position, or any other, before some smart arse on here makes that quip. What a horrible and depressing end to the season after such hope at Spurs and West Ham. Lets just hope our new owners are ready to make the necessary changes.

Leeds have thankfully made this a more normal fixture. By that I mean a loss is on the cards, maybe even a nasty one. A draw will be celebrated like a win. Recent results suggest that. At least the pressure will be off a little. Less nerves from the fans, a bit more up and at them from the players. These next two games are not must win, but they are 'must have right attitude and tactics'. I really wasn't looking forward to this game. Stakes were too high and the players/Ralph certainly aren't feeling the love from the fans at the moment. It will probably still be grisly, but last home game vibes. Another year in the top division and an intriguing summer to look forward to.

Truth is job has been done this year, pretty much guarantees Ralph keeps his job. I can live with that (just about), but I expect to see some major changes to the coaching and playing staff. Otherwise we'll be in exactly the same position next year. Sooner than later our luck runs out.

Not one of us read that without a little nervous laugh.😲

Ha strategy genius me. OK add Romeu in.

Ask Northampton fans about improbable events! We are the most likely to survive which is reassuring but way too close for comfort. Should have targeted 2 points minimum from Brentford and Palace Get over the line and then worry about next season.

They may well respond positively if the trap door looks wider after tomorrow's results. He says hopefully. The same team (somehow) managed to draw against or beat City, Utd, WHU, Arse, Leicester and Spurs. So they are perfectly capable of grinding out a couple of draws. I'd go with Forster KWP Stephens Lyanco Perraud Romeu JWP Smallbone Adams Armstrong Pretty uninspiring side but crucially 3 in midfield. They need to be aggressive and up for a fight. Possibly 3 at the back with Salisu but they need to defend properly, whatever team plays.

Have you seen their reserves!

A real shame it's come to this. At times Ralph has sent out teams that have been breathtaking to watch. Those periods are sadly short lived. A change is required. The new owners need Saints in the EPL. Another season like this and Saints are down. So regardless of the cost he is toast. However could be down this year yet. Both Leeds and Everton could theoretically overtake Saints with their games in hand. Doubt it will happen but there are no more points coming our way. Ralph needed to set Saints up for a draw against Palace and Brentford. Just get us over the line. Now two spankings on the way and we have to hope those teams below us remain as crap as they've been all year. This was not the end of season we imagined in January.

Something fishy going on there, Rovers win 7 0 and go up on goals scored.