trousers

Take the emotional element away from supporting a football team and, yep, relegation is ultimately inevitable for a club of our size at some point in time. Even if all 20 clubs were as good as the Man Citys and Arsenals of this world, 3 would still be relegated. As my pub landlord says on quiz nite: there's no shame in losing, someone has to lose. The trouble with this Saints team though is they can't even be arsed to answer all of the questions... and the team captain is asking the geography expert to answer the music questions... (Other analogies are available)

I blame those that welcomed his appointment in the first place...

If we're to believe what we're led to believe, not only had things become "stale" under Ralph but there was also a quorum of senior players that he had fallen out with (or visa versa). You can't keep a manager if he's lost a significant portion of the squad. As I say, that assumes what we're led to believe is true. But, as others have said, it's not the sacking of Ralph that has led to where we are today, it's the lack of a decent successor. (That, coupled with a mediocre squad of course)

Just to clarify, is this thread for 'useless former Saints' info or useless 'former Saints info'?

You missed the usual passive-aggressive ", right?" or ",yes?" off the end...

Team news

Anyone got a time machine....? https://fb.watch/jLXQS6svz6/

Which we'll probably get vs Man City. It's the lack of fight against the West Hams of this world that is so frustrating.

Very tight at the top

Some cracking games in store for this weekend to be fair though

Actually, looking again at that footage it looks like he didn't actually clock that it was the ref he was shoving as he's looking straight past him at the lino. He probably subconsciously thought it was another player trying to hold him back? (Yes, probably too much benefit of the doubt on my part and not looking to excuse it)

I tend to agree with that train of thought but then I think: why does it only seem like it's our players that can't be arsed, yet players in other teams seem to ignore the fact that "relegation doesn't really affect players" and still manage to "go balls out to win" when they don't need to?

My pleasure

Nah. Was a foul the other way

Get in! #Villa

7th Southampton (Bassett) Scout Group?

Fair point 👍

You weren't wrong there...

As long as we don't end up as woeful as that rancid 12 year old football club 20 miles down the road.

2-0

Assuming Livramento is an option (he travelled with the squad today) then I'd be inclined to start with: McCarthy Livramento - Bednarek - ABK - KWP JWP - Lavia - Alcaraz Walcott* - Adams - Sulemana *(Given the season is pretty much done and dusted, I would also be tempted give Doyle a crack of the whip instead of Walcott, on a nothing-to-lose basis, but zero chance of that happening of course as we continue to 'play it safe'...)

Wasn't it that tactic that earned us the 'record number of points lost from a winning position' accolade the last couple of seasons?

Nailed on "fighting performance" and a draw that gives everyone false hope again...