VectisSaint

Good post. On your question, we have a hell of a lot of first team players now who have no or little playbook experience. It is often said on here that this group of players are responsible for a lot that has gone on in the last year or so, but we signed 5 players in January and numerous last summer. There really aren't that many that have been here long term, and of those it includes JWP, KWP, two of our best players. Only KWP (and McCarthy) were in the starting XI for the Grim game (I think)

It did not take long to judge the penalty, the long time was taken looking at possible offsides, which would have made the handball irrelevant. There was not really much issue about the Lyanco handball. Really we should be thanking VAR for looking closely to see if there was any way the handball could be discounted. Clearly there was not really any doubt about the offsides. You are right that it took far far too long. What is completely wrong is to have VAR in some FA Cup games (those where a PL team is at home) and not others. The competition either has VAR or it doesn't. It is totally unacceptable to have this difference in some matches. Personally think VAR should be scrapped, especially for offside, but hey ho.

The first wasn't blatant. But it was clear on replay on TV, and with VAR that is what matters. Lyanco was a touch unlucky, he seemed to misjudge his header, but then he didn't actually need to do anything at all, he's just a clumsy poor footballer. As for the DCC penalty of course the Grimsby player went down like a sack of spuds, made the most of it, but who wouldn't. You can't slap someone in the back, whether you are provoked or not. DCC has clearly shown that he doesn't have the temperament for our game, that's why he was red carded against Newcastle, he is a complete and utter liability. There was no way that should not have been a penalty, he was very lucky not to have been red carded. Still he did redeem himself slightly by scoring, but only slightly. His other effort was unbelievably bad. Trying to pretend that we lost that game because of two dubious decisions is laughable. We were dire, I have never seen us as pathetic as we were tonight, we were better when we lost 9-0 (both times). Mara, Orsic, Aribo, Edozie, Armstrong really have no case for being in a PL team (not to mention DCC and Lyanco). KWP was disappointingly ineffective, Charly gave the ball away too often, Djenepo tried hard and at least seemed interested and up for a game, Perraud tries hard and gives his all but overall is not very good. JWP made a difference when he came on, but actually did a lot of chasing after shadows, because no one else was trying. Felt a bit sorry for Walcott, that was a very well taken goal, and showed that he has some class, the margin of offside was miniscule but nevertheless it was offside. I actually thought that Bazunu might have got to one or other of the pens, certainly more likely than McCarthy who never saves penalties. I think tonight made me finally think I have had it with football, the game has been ruined, my club has been ruined, but I suppose I will tune in again on Saturday to go through the whole depressing process again, ad nauseum until the end of the season.

The handball was not blatant, that's why the ref didn't see it. It also didn't hit his hand, those saying it hit his hand should go to Specsavers. But it clearly hit his upper arm as he stooped and missed his header. It was clearly a penalty on review, but certainly not in real time. It took a long time because they were checking for offside in the build up, but there was no way it was offside. Took a ridiculous amount of time but in the end the correct decision was reached. Bazunu might have got to the penalty 😉 We ain't gonna score in a month of Sundays, Mara is absolute dogshit.

Strangely soon after you posted this there was a tweet quoting Alfie House (Echo), Tino "underwent small surgery after Christmas following that injury setback". Selles confirms he has no return date but is "much better". Doesn't expect him to join us soon but doesn't know exactly the time.

You're right but I think David simply misworded his point, its not horseshit. But your other comment shows that you missed the point. The problem is not that we have conceded too many, that is the point. The problem is that we haven't scored enough. Conceding 41 is 24 games is really not that catastrophic. But where I disagree with David is that thinking that if we scored one more goal in many games we would have a whole load more points, mathematically that is correct, but it doesn't work like that, more likely if we had scored one goal, then the opposition would have simply scored another.

No.

We have 5 players now who did not play under Ralph, that's half a team.

1 down to Leeds after 4 minutes.

Is he the son of Jay?

Remember this is Division 2

Jason Dodd also had 69 appearances in the First Division (pre Premier League). MLT has the most top flight appearances, 443. Mick Channon has more Southampton top flight apps than JWP (346) and Terry Paine has 320.

True, but if Martin was to be Assistant then who does what Martin did before. We are currently 3 bodies down on where we were.

I think the search now should be for a good assistant. Selles can't do it all.

Given JWP was booked for time wasting during the time added on it would have been strange if the ref had not added on some time to the 12 minutes.

Or was there no available alternative, you would have squeezed if he had picked Lyanco, DCC and Salisu not available/out of favour, even Bree who can allegedly play centre not in squad. If he still picks Janny B when these players are available then you have a point. Don't understand AMN over KWP, or why Walcott, Moi are in the squad but not Edozie or Aribo or Orsic. Think there is more going on behind the scenes which we are not party too.

However good he is, he needs help, a good assistant. We are currently 3 staff down on where we were, may be we don't need 3, but there has to be some assistance for a rookie manager. If assistance doesn't come in then it is likely SR are still looking for a new manager.

It was suggested by Le Tissier. I think that's why it has arisen. I don't think anyone seriously thinks he would be a good manager (for Saints) but maybe he could add something to the coaching team, Selles certainly needs some assistance, since Jones sacking we have gone from 7 coaching staff to 4 (I assume Carl Martin, Andrew Sparkes and Alex Gross are still on board). Have to assume that at least 2 of those 3 carried out worthwhile (if unsuccessful) duties.

What is Garry Monk doing these days? I know he wasn't too successful in his latter stints but hell he has some experience and Saints connection, he could also bring Beattie with him as he was often part of his backup team. Monk, Selles and Beattie might not be such a bad shout, nothing really to lose.

I doubt any of this, why wouldn't his severance terms have been explicitly defined in his contract? No one would enter into a contract without terms and conditions being set out (neither side). Doubt he would be entitled to full amount of his contract either.

Really don't understand much of this. First point though is Crocker has not gone, he is still here until the end of the season. Second, he didn't come from an Amateur set up, he joined from England having previously been at Saints. I don't believe there is a club problem with Academies, it is a problem throughout English professional football, especially at the Premier League level. There is very little prospect of an Academy player getting into a PL team nowadays. Only the very very best make it. The best young players (the one likely to make it) are hoovered up by Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal etc, regardless of their original club. Then when they find they are not getting a pathway at an elite club they are farmed out to lesser clubs, then blocking the pathway for the best of those at the lesser club academies. Those young players that don't make it all too often are then lost to football, because they have lead a pandered existence and don't see that a career at a lower league/conference club is still a worthwhile course to follow. I don't know the answer, but do think there is some merit in introducing B teams into the main league structure in this country (I know its unpopular), as they do in Spain and Germany. There are far too many decent footballers kicking around, wasting their time and careers in Academy football.

I can't see how anyone can judge Sellers as a manager after 6 months as a coach to Ralph and Tom Jones. I don:y think he is the right man to manage is this season but I don't think he should be thrown on the scrap heap based on what has happened this term. I think the way forward is to bring James Beattie and Marianne Spacey in as a triumvirate with Ruben.

Selles joined last Summer, 7 months.

Jones sacked. Brief enough. Not much else to add really.

Perhaps we should promote from within, Marianne Spacey seems to know how to grind out results, at least in the Championship. Other thought was perhaps we should go for Lampard, Uncle 'Arry could come and help him out and bring the boy Jamie along too. Poch would never come back, and certainly not while KL is still around (she is still around isn't she?). Gerrard is off to Leeds, and would jump ship the minute Klopp leaves Liverpool. I honestly have no clue who we could get, but it is worrying that the same people and process who recruited Jones will be looking for his replacement. Did they have other names lower on their list than Jones? Who says they can't do any worse. The bloke from Havant & Waterlooville might be worth a shout.