macca155

Became too good to keep as a back up, but not good enough to replace Bertrand. Right decision but annoying.

This,that decision is incomprehensible. He had experience, knew the drill and by now would be established in the team. Certainly better than the current shambles.

We really shouldn't be debating about Stephens. He is experienced, certainly not useless, and he is needed. That doesn't mean he is the chosen one, far from it. I've always liked his attitude but something is amiss this year, we can all see that. If he does get a chance at RB, then it is going to be last chance saloon. Playing him in midfield is very risky, it could work, but I don't think he has the pace for that position. He would be a strong enforcer there so it isn't without merits. However, Jankewitz has to be given another chance. He is the future. We'll probably lose so make it a low key game for Alex. Chance for him to establish himself. Whatever happens, it needs to be a step towards a season long solution. No more patchwork.

Need whatever experience we have left on the pitch. These are desperate times. I'd go Stephens at RB and give Jankewitz another chance in midfield. If he's struggling Stephens can move into midfield. Jack may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he has more good Prem games under his belt than bad. We need him at the moment. For me Forster Stephens Vestergaard Salisu Bertrand Djenepo JWP Jankewitz Armstrong Adams Ings Keeping Redmond as impact sub (all we have) It will be a variation on that unless KWP is back. Everton are 11/10 to win. Those are cracking odds. However betting on the opposition is going down a bad road. There lies ruin.

Look i was trying to find some small bit of comfort, sadly you are right.

For all our moaning about VAR and the Ref's decisions. Leeds needed no help from either to slot away three good goals. There is the difference sadly. They absorbed our early assault, put the midfield under pressure, exposed our gaps, and weaker players. Just as every team has done recently. Ralph has to review his tactics.

JWP apparent drop in form has probably got more to do with midfield being over run time and time again. He's a very good player but football is a team game. One player cannot compensate for the number of gaps the team has. He is run ragged.

Marriner is one of the better refs. He got both decisions right .... just. I hate VAR just the officials decide and then we can shout at them. Tella doing well, let's have a decent 2nd half please.

Sorry but he really wasn't, he gave the ball away a lot today. Whether that was just Chelsea pressing well or something amiss I guess we'll never know.

Spot on, Redmond played Ralph's game for 93 minutes and did a good job. Ings and Minamino drifted in and out of the game. However when you score great goals you're allowed to do that. Romeu had a very iffy game, he is clearly nursing an injury. Late to the tackle and frequently gave the ball away, which is unusual. Bendarek struggled at RB but put a shift in, Stephens may possibly (I said possibly before you all start) be an option there. Salisu is 21 for goodness sake, Saints have a winner there.

Well it's him or Ramsey and in our current predicament I'd take experience every time. He is ok, certainly doesn't deserve the ridiculous nonsense some fans throw at him. He can do a job there and that's what is required now. In fairness the defence looks a little stronger now that we have Salisu in contention. My major point was that it doesn't matter who you have at the back, if you keep giving the ball away in midfield and have players committed upfield, you will concede goals. Every team (including Saints) have predatory attackers who only need a few sniffs at goal. The Premier league is all about keeping attackers away from goal scoring opportunities. If they do venture into danger zone, zonal marking is employed to snuff out any threat. That's why the football is so boring these days. A back 4 of KWP, Bendarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand, guarded by JWP, Armstrong, Diallo, and Romeu can play that game as well as anyone. However add in injuries and fitness issues, it is no surprise that the team ships goals. I'm so looking forward to the Chelsea game.

21 points from 15 games, 12 really as 3 of those are against top 4. Can't see 7 wins but once the players get over this slump. There should be a few wins to enjoy.

Stephens at RB is the best option. I'm guessing KWP is out for the majority of the remaining matches so someone needs to slot in and be a regular. Not perfect obviously, but won't be a disaster. He'll need Redmond or Armstrong in front of him because he doesn't have the attacking prowness of a regular full back. Nevertheless he is an experienced defender and that's what we need right now. Bigger issue for me is adapting the game plan to ensure the midfield can last the game. That is where the problems all start. Fatigue sets in, possession lost, players out of position, defence under pressure. It seems to happen every game. Take a hard fought draw on this one.

Worthy point. Hoedt and Carillo were busted flushes. Poor buys and have struggled elsewhere. No problem really, kissing frogs and all that, it happens Boufel I rate, shame he went. Boy could we use him now. Lemina not doing it at Fulham. Just not EPL standard attitude wise. However would be useful right now as a temporary option whilst Diallo recovers. Mo just too slow, we all saw that straight away. Good player otherwise. JWP is the same but he compensates elsewhere. All cones down to wages really. Had to clear the books.

2 goal keepers good plan and I'm not joking. Forster only uses his legs anyway, so that would actually be feasible. Doubt we could afford the bribe to play 12 so guess Adams drops out. Such is our perilous state, that what would normally be a classic bit of annoying pedantry, worthy of derision, is actually a reasonable observation. 73/74 and 88 were terrible. This slump is becoming alarming. How did we beat Liverpool! Being serious, Forster to play and Stephens or Ramsey at RB. I don't fancy 3 at the back, too much bad karma.

No of course not, he is hamstrung with too small a squad, a bad run on VAR (that will change), nasty injury list, and some difficult transfer windows. Nevertheless he does have a talented group of players to work with when fit. Old Roy isn't particularly my cup of tea but there is no way this would be happening under his watch. Somehow Ralph needs to keep the verve and build resilience. "Re-watching games from the last 5 years could be interesting, I'd imagine you will see exactly the same traits in all of them under 3 or 4 different managers. I don't think I could put myself through that though." God can you imagine, bad enough the first time

I think Romeu in particular was struggling (which put pressure on JWP), we all know that if he collects a card early doors he is stuffed for the game. That's one of the reasons Traore moved to the centre as Romeu couldn't tackle him 'robustly'. Could whine and groan all day, but nothing changes the unpalatable fact that this team, in any formation, simply cannot hang onto a lead. That is down to the manager, under his system the players seem to lack mental toughness, and after 70 minutes are running on empty. He has to address this and for goodness sake sort out the player's tendency to pass back or sideways when under pressure. I've said this a few times, but other teams have worked us out. That doesn't mean Saints aren't a threat, far from it, but if the opposing manager can neutralise our tactics by shifting personal around, then it is time to look at how the team is set up. If anybody calls for Ralph's head then they should be forced to watch a Match from 2017/18. I like the man, and I like his football, but he'll be hurting the same as us and has to resolve this. I wonder if he needs some support, someone who isn't a yes man. The likes of Ferguson, Terry, or Woodgate are very experienced and couldn't give a flying **** for anyone's reputation. I'm convinced someone of that ilk as Assistant Manager would make a big difference.

Good half, remember it is a team game. I get Redmond annoys people, I'm shouting at the TV as well, however he is pulling their defence all over the place. Personally I think Romeu is struggling a little. That is more of an issue than Redmond fluffing a few shots. Possibly an early sub required.

Redmond isn't useless, that's a bit OTT. Agree on Forster, can only think its a wages thing

But that's the point. I don't think he had a bad game, he did the job asked of him. Had he scored it he probably would have been named MOTM. Big if of course but strikers walk that line He's being used in the Walcott position, I presume Ralph has a system and players have to play within it. For Ralph Redmond is the best fit. He defends well from his position and when on form droves forward. However he needs to up his game in final third, he can't keep killing attacks. Minimano will hopefully show him the way.

Go strong, it is an important game. They will throw the kitchen sink at us. McCarthy (I'd prefer Forster but McCarthy is no 1 for Ralph) KWP, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand Romeu, JWP, Armstrong, Minamino Adams, Ings Looks a strong side, Tella and Salisu to get game time if the game goes our way. The only caveat is whether Redmond plays, usual poor finishing tonight but he worked hard and occupied their defence. He's a Ralph style player. Things look brighter than a few days ago.

WhilstI think Forster deserves the No1 slot at the moment, his wages are sky high. The club will want rid asap. McCarthy will keep his place.

No need for that. When we've needed him he has stepped up and will continue to do so. Obviously not first choice, but a club like Saints will struggle to have better as 4th choice. He's been OK, I really don't get the hate on here.

Ralph says Mohammed Salisu is also “fit and available to play.” This feels horribly like the run up to Jankewitz's debut. Big hype, where the hell is he .... red card within 2 minutes ....Gulp I guess if he doesn't play Thursday, we are unlikely to see him this season. Let's just get it over and done with. Oh and maybe cut him some slack. Two nervous, out of form teams face each other on Thursday. Should be interesting.

I thought that, he had a good game. Touch and go not sending Bendarek off mind.