macca155

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.

Counting all the money he'll have I suspect.

I doubt Ralph will be sacked now. They'll want to sort out the back room staff first. Plus it will happen when they have a suitable person aka 'Frank' available At the moment Ralph is toast for many because we are losing games. The players are knackered, struggling, and there doesn't appear to be a regular line up. Its perm 11 from 20. The strategy seems so one dimensional as well. On the other hand Ralph has overseen some great runs so he can do it. Given some investment can Ralph find more consistency. Add a GK, decent CH and a back up to Romeu to that squad and it would be interesting to see how Saints performed. With exception of Puel I've always been pretty patient with managers, but this is testing me.

I thought Redmond actually put a reasonable shift in. Good defensively but just doesn't offer anything going forward. Adams was poor, constantly lost the ball. He had exactly the same chance as Zaha but messed it up. Taken off too late. Agree on Tella it looks like he is being coached into Redmond Mark 2. We could all see what was coming. Palace could sense a winner and went for it. They were bigger, faster, and more committed as the game entered the final quarter. That is when Ralph should have locked it down, taken the draw. Now ridiculously we are looking over our shoulder.

Quite right, positive mental attitude always essential with Saints. It just feels a little more precarious at the moment. Probably just me having the wobbles.

It's easy to criticise but a draw is a good result against a side who are well drilled, and have caused plenty of other sides problems. However Saints were improved after the enforced change of Tino (I hope he's ok). That begs a legitimate question on Ralph's selections this year. The fact remains that Saints look spineless (or headless to be more accurate) at the back and toothless up front. The summer works are obvious. As often said the League table doesn't lie and Saints are probably in the right place. There have been good games .... I'm sure I remember a few😲, but the way their form can drop off a cliff is alarming. How much longer can Saints survive like this? With Utd needing to replace half their team in the summer, odds are that JWP will be off. He deserves that move, so no problem as far as I am concerned but that will leave a big hole. So all in all, good result today. Feels a hell of a lot better than Thursday but I can't help feeling that it asks more questions than it answers.

They better kick on 2nd half, or I shall have major resentment like @Monk. That is principally brought on by the fact that I'm stumping up for our season tickets this week. Ralph's job will be on the line if this run continues. I think everyone's patience is wearing thin.

No one really .... KWP was ok, that's about it.

Agree with nearly all that but you could change Bendarek/Salisu for Stephens/Lyanco, and I contend not notice much difference. Same in other positions, there lies our problem. Those who are auto selections, all play in the same position! Broja should be used as a sub. He'll go back to Chelsea so we best use our own resources and plan for next year. Perhaps Smallbone for Romeu. The fact that I am hoping for a draw against Brighton is tragic.

A tad harsh, I didn't think he was the worse yesterday. However he didn't add much either.

You are right the bar is getting higher every year. Newcastle have now made it a top 7 to contend with. That's 14 games where even a point will be hard fought for. West Ham have a 50,000+ paying customers. They are bigger and I suspect will become the 8th. Leicester have owners prepared to spend much more than ours. You can add Wolves and Villa to that list as well. If Everton survive I can't see them being garbage next year either. That means the league of teams that are genuine peers of Saints, is becoming smaller every year. Probably 8 rising to 10 with a couple from the list above having an off season. That doesn't mean Saints can't survive, or even flourish but more investment is definitely required and perhaps a different approach.

Oh this is terrible, have to do better

When you look at the difference between KWP, Forster, Perraud, and the others you can see where the problems lie. Woeful tonight