macca155

Just back and whilst the equaliser was sickening, the point was the least Saints deserved. Our club is broken at the moment. The fans struggled to raise any enthusiasm, a defeat was expected. The warm up was decidedly average (no decent coaches starting to tell). The players looked a bit nervous and lacklustre, to be expected I guess. However a much better performance all round, and should give a much needed confidence boost for the upcoming vital matches. We all know this team isn't very good. Reasonable up front but weak elsewhere. However collectively as a team they can play well and it showed today. Just need more of that against Watford, West Ham, and Norwich. Stephens played well and is showing leadership, 4 at the back was an improvement, JWP was better in a central role, and Bertrand looked committed. Boufel was fab he needs longer on the pitch. The negative for me was Holberg. Huge commitment , love that, big team player, but he seems to have become a weak part of the midfield. The ball seems to move away from him at the moment. He has played better so maybe this is a symptom of the missing coaches. Its early days and a few wins will do wonders. I will actually watch MOTD tonight. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

I get the feeling that some of Ralph's bizarre selections are down pressure from the owner. Not playing obvious people in their positions, or the better player, seems to indicate that they are being sold in January to reduce the wage bill. How else could the omission of McCarthy, Cedric, Bertrand, Leminna (who we need) be explained. Our defence is weak but has zero support from midfield. The team is nervous, slow, and bereft of ideas. Armstrong and Lemina were exactly what we needed. Fast forward looking players. One is played at RB the other is loaned out..... ridiculous. If you have problems at the back stabilise and sort it out professionally. Stephen's is clearly a DM, yes he'll be a bit slow but he has the edge on Romeo. My team would be. McCarthy Cedric Danso Vestergaard Bertrand Holberg Stephens Armstrong Lemina Boufel Ings Redmond And hope the ref can't count. That team would not concede the number of goals we are currently shipping. Principally because the ball would be pushed forward faster and the opposition will be on the back foot. It's interesting reading the whole thread as there seems to be a consistent view. Need to hold on to that. We aren't 't relegated yet, long way from it, a bit of fight stability,courage, and a couple of wins and things will look a lot better. Carry on with the same nonsense and Saints are down.

He has a point, stakes are high for us negliable for them. Could be an uncomfortable night. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Not the best of games but a workmanlike performance. Saints were finding their way a bit in the 1st half but had surrendered midfield so struggled to create chances. 2nd half much better, goal was well taken and and some unbelievable misses from Ings, Long and Romeo. JWP had three free kicks on the right hand side which he struggles with. When Boufel finally won a free kick on the left hand side at perfect JWP distance we all expected a 2nd goal. I even had my video out. For some inexplicable reason Boufel took it himself .... straight at the wall. JWP was absolutely fuming, that must not happen again, you don't get many chances like that. Difficult to judge the defence as Fulham offered nothing but Dansu was very good and totally bossed everything. He can actually head a ball that is going to make a difference. Cedric was Cedric some nice touches but he gave the ball away pretty frequently and they targetted him with high balls. Twice Dansu came across to rescue him. I though PEH did very well at LB but he doesn't get forward as he doesn't have the pace but defensively none shall pass. I thought Romeu had a quite game, he seems to get caught in possession quite often and his passes never seem to reach their intended target as they should. The injuries meant we didn't see Armstrong who I expected to come on as he has looked very bright recently. A win is a win and breeds confidence so onwards we go.

I thought he made quite an impact when he came on Saturday. Yes Liverpool were tiring but he pushed Robertson back and he was their danger man (along with 8 others). Defo worth a run in the team

Don't underestimate the weather, really grim. Reminded me of Cardiff last year. There are some battered Saints fans on the last train out of Dodge city. Burnley played better and we gifted them three goals. Simple as that. Stephens was ok, don't get all the hate but Vestergaard was woeful. How does he let the ball bounce over him.... twice. Completely beaten in midfield and they had Cork who did nothing. The attack will score goals when they see the ball quicker and more often. The defence will concede less when they aren't under such constant pressure. Now how on earth are we getting home. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

"Carrillo our worst ever signing?" I'm just going to put Saul and Dixon on the table and leave them there smelling

All round to yours then on 14th September[emoji3] Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Absolutely somebody to rival Romeo for cards and to protect our academy fledglings, Case was so important to the development of our youngsters. I noticed Dale Stephens at Brighton had a bit of that about him but I suspect we cannot afford him.

It's illegal to show actual footage of the game

Forster looking much better err that's about it. I don't think Mo is having a bad game, he loves all the twists and moves and can deliver a good cross but he is just too slow. That's relative of course, in the flesh he'll be pretty quick, but in the Premier league if you are fractionally late to the breakdown or with a pass then the opposition will punish you. Look how effective Long and Redmond are at interceptions and closing down, that is all down to pace. Overall Saints just look weaker and off the pace, so looking forward to the 2nd half!

Saints aren't going down, forget that. Much easier run in and a better side than Cardiff, Burnley, or Brighton. Last 20 mins was hard work yesterday. Squeaky bum time as Brighton threw everything at us. That was always going to happen, as they are fighting for survival now. I thought Stephens did well when he came on. Quite a few important interceptions. He has had a rough few months so good to rebuild his confidence. We are an injury away from needing him. Armstrong had a great game as did all the midfielders. Romeo put his body on the line in every tackle. Unsung hero. Gallagher was told to be a nuisance and he was. I rate Dale Stephens and he actually had to do some work for the last 15 mins. However standout for me was Sims. Only on the pitch for a short while but he looked the business, and was causing a lot of problems. So next year buy Dale Stephens (or similar) one or two strikers, a back up RB and we are sorted. Maybe RH will take a look at Carillo. I feel a lot better than a few weeks ago. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Doh wishful thinking, i meant Barnes Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Just watched MOTD as was out avoiding football this pm. The editor seems to have a different perspective to many posters. We had chances, defended like Fulham for 20 mins but overall it seemed exactly what was expected. We beat them they beat us, honours even move on. Shame Stephens is struggling I had high hopes of him. Yoshi is a hardened pro, even if error prone, we need him back. My god we need a striker. Why on earth sell Gabbi and when he was why not call back Carillo, he wasn't that bad. Play Gallagher or Adams, just roll the dice. Lots of must win games now. Bet they end up as draws. I'm not afraid of the Championship, it is a fun league. A bit of a deep clean can be useful. Still not inevitable other teams are as rubbish as us. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Not sure I agree with some of their suppositions, they certainly shouldn't be going anywhere near a bookmaker. It is a bit like timeform in horse racing, if it was that easy we would all be rich. They have Saints on 38 points, so that is 14 points from from the next 12 games. That is 3 wins and 2 draws. I'd like to think they will come from Arsenal, Fulham, Brighton, Wolves, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Huddersfield but it would need a dramatic turnaround on the seasons form to achieve that. I really cannot see that happening as we have no new players to provide an option. What is required is a backs against the wall first don't lose mentality. Aim to beat Bournemouth, Fulham, Huddersfield, and scrape another 5 draws. Looking to the positive Saints's away form is way better than their home form. This bodes well for Brighton, Newcastle, and West Ham games. The Watford game will be tagged on to the end of the season and they will be on their holidays. Some big games this week Cardiff/ Everton, Newcastle / Burnley, Leicester/ Brighton Things will be a lot clearer by next week that is for certain.

I must admit i wasn't sure about the leadership aspect. Have to wait 10 years to find out Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Bertie is one our jewels and I don't blame RH one bit for being cautious about his return. Targett is a more than decent option so there is no rush. I think we have just been told the truth. Bertrand certainly comes across as intelligent and a leader, aa much as you can tell from a distance. He probably has his eyes on management in the future. For that he needs a stable career and a club that will look after him and support him with coaching qualifications. A quiet professional purposeful career is the name of the game for him. Que big transfer to Everton! Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Yep that is crucial. Keep them in the mix. Obviously want a win and I think Saints will edge it as long as they ride their luck and be brave. On reflection I'd have Gallagher up front. He has to be an option now if Ings is injured. Chaz is better off the bench.... a relative statement obviously. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Of course this isn't a must win game. There are13 games left for goodness sake. 7 of those are more than possible wins. On top of this there are 5 other teams in the brown sticky stuff with us. It is perm one from 6. On top of that Saints have the easiest run in and are unbeaten in 2019. This sort of scenario usually means 35 points is enough. Remaining unbeaten is crucial. Saturday's game is not must win but certainly avoid a Cardiff win and we seem quite good at that. Ralph will play it safe with hopefully some names to have a run out. McCarthy Valery Bendarek Stephens Vestergaard Targett JWP PEH Romeou Redmond Austin Hopefully subs will be Gunn Yoshida Bertrand Lemina Gallagher Armstrong Long Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Good grief bit noisy on here. Why do people have to get personal, just opinions. I'm sure there a few of us on here who have refed a bit and trust me in real time you don't get the chance for that level of analysis. Neither do you look to equalise decisions, no ref wants to go down that road. There lies madness. If you make a mistake you just try to ensure there are no more. The first was a pen clear as day. I can only assume the ref felt the ball had been kicked further away than it actually was. Poor decision, it happens move on with the game. Barnes should be serving a 3 match ban for his outburst disgraceful. That really is something refs should stamp on. 2nd was obviously handball. Why wasn't Bendarek or Vestergaard on Crouch. He is known for those shenanigans. A bit daft from Stephens he needs to concentrate more and avoid these brain farts, rest of his game is improving. Ref should have blown for the shirt tug, however they let so many go these days it isn't surprising. His matcj report won 't make easy reading. I really hope VAR never arrives, it will kill debates like this. It is half the fun. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Cedric was a real problem at RB. Constantly targetted and exposed by opposition managers. He was just physically too short and too easily pushed off the ball. I'm pleased for him that he has a new challenge at Inter but for me Valery is an improvement. Stephens can play RB if necessary as can Targett. It's all good nothing to see.RB position can be sorted in the summer. What we do need is another CB and or striker. Not vital but it would be useful. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Never doubted Vestergaard

Wouldn't do any worse although harsh on Redmond he played ok today certainly a constant source of problems. McCarthy made some good saves as well so no need for Gunn at the moment. Hughes lost that game because of three reasons. - Playing Austin from the start, he simply cannot lead the line, love his passion but he is an impact sub nothing more. Today he lost the ball time and time again and they scored from two of these occasions. Yoshida was horribly exposed and was sucked into the midfield, allowing Fulham to spread the ball wide and that was that. - Playing Cedric, he is easily beaten at the far post, every large centre forward knows it and he is targeted every game. Stephens or Bendarek would do better and maybe play Cedric further forward. - The players are simply not fit enough. At one point Redmond broke from our half having dispossessed a Fulham player, he charged up the wing great opportunity we thought, no Fulham players near him. by the time he reached halfway into the Fulham half he had to stop, not one of our players was anywhere near him and he was forced to pass backwards. Austin should have put in a lung busting run to get in the box. Hughes is responsible for those decisions and it hurt to see Ranairi in their dugout as we could have had him. We have good players Lemina, Holberg, Yoshida, Gabbadini, Redmond, Armstrong, and McCarthy, were all better than their opposite numbers but if you don't have the other 4 players to support them you have a problem. That should be it for Hughes but I hope they have someone decent to replace him and not a stop gap. Great day out, I enjoyed the pub, the walk, and the sailing/rowing.Shame about the footie. Oh well bring on Utd.

Holberg may have had an iffy game but remains one of the first on the teamsheet for me. I thought Yoshida and Gabbadini were really good today. They showed what we've been missing. Scandelous that a proven international defender has been benched. I'm gutted JWP's form has dipped. For a while last year it looked like he was going to cement a place. However now he simply doesn't seem to be at PL standard. I suspect its because he hasn't had a run of games, he needs a decent loan abroad at a good level to get some confidence back. I thought it was harsh on Stephens to be dropped. I'd have him over Cedric any day. Relegation isn't a cert plenty of time to resolve that but some players need to be rested. More than anything they need a win just to boost their confidence. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Hes had a good game a bit more quality like that would help matters