trousers

Yep, I agree. Clear as day how much difference having a reliable goalscorer makes to an overall mediocre squad (stating the bleedin' obvious I know).

Our squad for that game...

I was a fully paid up member of the Ralph fan club and gave him the benefit of the doubt many times, but it was clear in the latter stages of last season that his heart wasn't in it any more, and it was the right time for him to go. Yes, he was hampered by poor decisions from above but it certainly is blinkered not to see he had his own faults too.

I appreciate I'm entering conspiracy theory territory here but I've been pondering if there's a viable scenario whereby it's somehow Sport Republic's plan to get us relegated with a view to coming back stronger in a season or two.... Or, maybe they see the "buy future stars cheap, sell them high" strategy being a more viable operating model in the championship rather than the premier league...? As I say, very much a bonkers train of thought on my part, and I'm not being overly serious (I think?!), but trying to apply some logic and understanding to what's been happening at the higher echelons of the club in recent times naturally leads one down the bizarre thinking path. Or maybe there is a rational explanation for what's occuring and I'm simply missing the obvious?

Why do people keep trotting out this non sequitur? I used to give Ralph the benefit of the doubt, possibly more than one time too often, but even I knew it was time for him to step down. Just because we've seemingly employed someone worse doesn't render the decision to part company with the previous incumbent wrong per se.

I've always been an optimist (foolhardy stance for a Saints supporter, I know) but I now can't see us avoiding relegation this season. Never thought I'd hear myself say that before the halfway stage of the season. Looks like the broken clock brigade will get to play their "told you so" cards this year.

We look much better when Stu Armstrong is playing...

"Nathan Jones, what a wanker" ringing out loud and clear...

Ralph hardly played him latterly either, so not just a Jones thing to be fair

And equally happy to concede a corner for the same reason

Out of curiosity, why would a Saints fan watch Luton Town regularly...?

JWP should have dinked that over the wall given the Forest player running back to the line. Poor decision making.

Both teams have had a very good goalscoring chance so "lucky not to be 1-1" would be a more accurate reflection...

Poor shot from Adams

Forest with the worst away record in the league this season.... we know what happens next....

I'm counting about 36 wristbands 😂 Edit: Actually, a tad disingenous there....

Lightshow here: http://tennews.live/daily/news/Southampton04a2/ or here: http://motornews.live/novo/events/Southampton-s3/

Yeah, just realised. I'll still like to see the back of AMN though. Waste of space.

Don't get me started...

I know I sound like a scratched record but what on earth has happened to Stu over the last year or so to turn him from a regular starter, and one of our best players, into a bit-part player in a mediocre squad. Surely someone knows the answer?

Bit awkward when one of said friends is one's mother....

I thought it might be Latin for 'Attention Seeker' but it turns out that's 'Operam Quaesitor'. Oh well, back to the drawing board....