macca155

Right positives, Stephens will at least go down fighting and will give a damm. Redmond Armstrong and Minimano in midfield is a seriously attacking lineup so should give Leicester something to worry about. They'll be seriously pissed if they don't win this.

Also why Minimano. We aren't buying him, he hasn't shone that much. I guess he can at least score and will occupy their defence a little.

Now I like Jack Stephens, does his job. We know what we get with him. As a 4th choice CH he is OK, but wtf is he doing at LB. Madness when Salisu was the one bright spot from the last dismal game. Stephens for Bendarek I could accept. Mix it up a bit, but not this

Yep you make your own luck, any Prem side from Sheffield to City should have the ability to adjust and hold out for 30 minutes. Not Custer's last stand just sensible controlled football. Exactly like Leicester did to Saints on Sunday, when Rodger's saw that his team were tiring and that Saints had suddenly decided to actually play a bit, he adjusted both personnel and tactics. Nothing major but it did the trick. In contrast Saints just fell apart, it really is sad to see. Bale was always going to have a 'moment' so a draw would have been creditable and a stepping stone to progress. The squad is paper thin so Ralph has a tough job, we all know that, but glaring errors as you have identified are making it tough to cut him some slack. Why on earth he didn't leave a system that was working alone is anybody's guess. Minimano for Ings was an easy swap. Then Redmond for a tiring Walcott for the last ten or so minutes. That would have allowed Diallo to come on for Armstrong if necessary, I get the feeling that he can fit into a tight system but isn't experienced enough to play the more expansive role JWP and Romeu are capable of. Oh well going forward you have to take the crumbs of positivity and build from there. Forster is our best goalie .... play him, I doubt Bale would have chipped him quite so easily. Salisu is looking good, pretty much MOTM for Saints imo and he was up against Bale. Raw he may be but he is at least improving Armstrong has held on to his form that is at least something Tella seems to be forging a place ... just JWP is knackered needs a rest err that's it

Totally this, Djenepo was a loose cannon and you can see the other players don't trust him. Diallo is a youngster, plenty of promise but that Spurs midfield is strong, he was never going to make an impact. Squad needs a major overhaul, doesn't have to be major signings. Just needs experience and depth.

If there is a threat it will come from WBA. However it really isn't a credible one. Saints are 75/1 to be relegated, whilst WBA are 1/8. Yes weird things can happen but even our shambolic team can squeeze a few points out of the remaining 6 games. Great we survive probably 16th or 17th. Next season, without something changing, we will be almost dead certs to be relegated. I remain hopeful that the powers to be at the club recognise this as well.

1 0 up with 30 mins to go. Team is tiring, Spurs are stirring. You have to make a substitution for Ings. Surely that is time to pack the midfield and go one up front. But no Tella who had supported Salisu is moved up front. Last time he touches the ball. What happened next? Answers on a postcard. Clue it involved Bale. Very frustrating

Went into this game expecting a loss. The first 30 mins gave hope, a lot actually, but inevitably the team collapsed in the 2nd half. I thought Salisu looked decent, handled Bale as best he could, but Bale even at 50% is a handful for any defender. Diallo, Djenepo and Redmond, deserved to be replaced. Walcott is off his game, and should really have made way for Minimano in the 2nd half. Playing McCarthy over Forster, was unnecessary. Tactics are simply no good, the team has to last 90 mins. Subs were poor but that's all we have. Should Ralph go? I guess it would depend on whether there is an alternative and new players. Can't see even our owner putting up with this much longer.

Totally this, from 30 mins on the players don't have the energy to play a Premier league game.

Tella is totally shot ... sub him

Right use this to go after the game

This has been on the cards since Leicester muscled in on their little club. Wolves, West Ham, even Saints (occasionally) have upset things. Their American owners simply cannot allow their investment to be undermined. Get ready for franchises to be moved around. Personally I'd say let them go and chuck them out of the Prem at the same time. Good riddance.

This is Saints's 6th semi final in my football time, and I am outraged that I cannot go. Totally understand why of course but still disappointed. By now I'd be well into a lunchtime beer, and eyeing up a dodgy burger. So not fair, watching on TV just isn't the same. Still need to make the best of it. Should be a good game. If Saints turn up they can easily match Leicester. Equally it could be hide behind the sofa time. FA cup semi finals are notoriously difficult to predict. I admire the optimism of those trying. Please no penalties, I really couldn't cope.

I really wouldn't make predictions for the semi final based on that dross last night. Players will definitely step up a notch, but will it be enough. Let's hope they have it in them. Leicester aren't unbeatable, and Saints aren't some weak 2nd div team. If this game was being played in October Saints would be equal odds at least. Same players just need the same spirit.

That's hard to argue against M'Lord. You are right the buck stops with him. If this form continues he will be a goner. I was trying to search for why we are in this situation. We've had some great wins these last few years, so there is hope with Ralph. Question is will we see that again. Personally I think we might if he has some decent support. Won't happen of course, football needs immediate results. He needs some wins and fast. So do we!!!

After recent performances it is certainly justified to start having doubts about Ralph. However this is definitely not the right time to even start considering a change. The commentator got it spot on when he said 'when their lights are all shining, Saints are mesmerising to watch, but that hasn't happened often recently' or something like that. Ralph's team can be amazing and a nightmare to play against. However this is becoming increasingly rare, as managers find tactics that neutralise our threat. The lack of a different approach suggests he needs coaching support. The apparent refusal to use subs, suggests a lack of faith in the squad or critical indecision. I still believe we have a good manager but boy does he need support.

Conceding 5 goals to Spurs at the start of the season, should have set alarm bells ringing. Yet here we are 7 months later, and absolutely no improvement. That is the fault of the manager and his assistants. The club needs a coaching and player shake up. The current methodology is clearly ineffective, and easily countered by other managers. Starting to get niggling doubts about Ralph.

Well its not over yet but a shocking performance so far. All the issues are in midfield, JWP and Diallo don't seem to be able to control things.

OMG we won

Saving it for the semi final

Its going to be one of those games

Oh no .... desperate

My God we are so shot as fans. Zero confidence. Burnley going right at us at the moment. Just need to be patient, chances will come we need to take them

That was a pen can't argue with that

Can't say there was anything in your post to argue with. I didn't like your analogy with Newcastle. Not that it wasn't spot on. I just didn't like it😯 I think the season has to be looked at as a whole. In November we looked world beaters, now we look terrible. However if we gain a few points soon, it will simply be an average season. The inconvenient truth is that either the club is bought soon, or this decline will continue.