VectisSaint

Rules for academy recruitment were different back in those days, you could only recruit at that age from the "local" area (because of the Solent we were given dispensation to recruit further afield, hence the Bath Satellite). Nowadays, Tier 1 Academies can recruit far and wide, hence the big clubs hoover up talent much more than they used to, although we have the same rights, there is clearly a draw for parents to more glamarous clubs, so its not difficult to see why kids end up at Chelsea rather than Saints.

Endofcontractitis I believe

Think its you that's a bit daft, to think that anyone would apply that logic to an attacker who simply mistimes or miskicks. Defenders get dropped for these type of incidents, Wesley Hoedt made a living from it, and the howls of derision from some on here when Stephens makes an error and demand he never plays for Saints again. Vesty's total lack of concentration was exactly what Ralph did not need early on in the game against Leicester. His reaction on the touchline blanking the defender as he went down the tunnel spoke volumes to me. Ralph was livid, not with the red card but with the incident that lead up to it. Really would not be surprised if he does not get picked against Liverpool (that said Bednarek has been making howlers most weeks yet seems to be untouchable). It was the old Vestegaard back, not the one we have seen for most of this season.

Just a couple of minor points: (1) we didn't win (2) Minamino can't play (3) Vesty wasn't part of the 'winning' team that didn't win, so do you keep him or not. In my mind his blunder that lead to the incident was awful, and he should be dropped on that basis alone.

It is difficult to see why we would be interested in taking him (its not actually our choice of course). Apart from the 2 goals (well taken) soon after he arrived he has done literally nothing. He just isn't suited to the PL as Liverpool had previously discovered. Ralph had seemingly decided the same, it was a bit of a mystery why he was played against Leicester but in that game he demonstrated clearly that he is not good enough, it was like we were playing with 9 men, I was puzzled why Ralph didn't replace him with Walcott who has shown good defensive work while he has been back with us. Clearly he is a skilful footballer, but not suited in any way to Premier League, and suspect he would struggle in any top level league, but may get away with it in La Liga.

Not sure why so many are fearing Liverpool away, this is the team that has won just 1 home Premier League game in 2021 (2-1 v Villa), the previous being 16 December. Their home record in 2021 is on a par with our (home & away) record. There is nothing to suggest that they are going to demolish us. Of course they might 😉

Given this is a purely online event, and questions have to be submitted in advance that is hardly relevant.

I've read since I posted that we have appealed The problem before that Sky were reporting after the game that Ralph was sure we would appeal, based on his post match interview, but listening to that interview Ralph said nothing of the sort.

It will only be rescinded if we appeal, and Ralph did not seem too enthusiastic about doing so when asked after the game (despite Sky reporting otherwise). Think Ralph was so pissed off with Vestegaard's La k of concentration that lead to the incident that he probably thinks who cares if he is banned for one game. This was a sign of the old Vestegaard being back. Of course the decision was wrong, but I have serious doubts that we will appeal and thus the red card will stand.

I read today that Angus Gunn is back at Saints to help with his injury. Vokins was not in Sunderland squad today still. Valery has seemingly vanished at Brum, presumably not injured, seems Lee Bowyer may not have taken too kindly to Valery's tweet a few weeks ago telling his team mates to pull their finger out, has not been in a squad since, wonder if he is actually back at Saints.

Coming up to kick off time. Still have vivid memories of the day. Never thought then that it would not happen again in my lifetime.

Pretty sure that new referees are given "lower ranking" matches to begin with, always have been. That was only Jones' 8th PL match, and Leicester are the only high ranked team he has refereed, no Gang of 6 teams, but strangely out of 8 games that was the 3rd time he has reffed Leicester, and all three have been away games. He doesn't give out too many cards, and only 2 reds so far (and 2 pens). Think it might be a while before he graduates to Gang of 6 matches based on last night's performance. Not helped by Jon Moss of course.

He was given quite a few games and bar the 2 goals showed absolutely nothing. It was clear Ralph was unimpressed despite the initial optimism. You can't keep playing someone who is clearly not good enough, especially when there is no benefit long term.

I think it's more to do with what Minamino hasn't done. Apart from 2 goals he has contributed next to nothing, and is too light weight for the PL.

Its not quite what Ralph said, according to Ralph. BBC actually says "may be out for the rest of the season". What Ralph said was that he was out for Leicester and then after Liverpool we have 5 games in 2 weeks and he may be OK, but he certainly didn't sound confident.

The point is that we don't have adequate, or even any, backups for these players. The difference in quality between these players and any backup is huge, or there is no backup (KWP). These players are huge misses, its not an excuse, it is because the squad has been so badly constructed, and we do not have decent backup.

I suspect this was done by just taking the final positions. But it would have been the case if their results were expunged as well, we would have been 7 points clear of Swansea, thanks mainly to an outstanding home record, W10 D2 L1 Gf 31 Ga 3. If only we had a home record like that again. We also won 2 drew 1 and lost 3 against the Gang of 6 (I find it difficult to include Arsenal under the label of "Big 6").

Made by one who should know.

Bit light in MF (understatement). Diallo no great loss but it's useful to have someone to take his place and not take 50% of our creativity (Armstrong). Heads for back of the sofa.

Can you clatter someone while attempting to remove his shirt?

Is Kane fit? Looked a nasty ankle injury at the weekend, or perhaps he was just putting it on to get Mourinho booted out.

To be honest, he didn't do much wrong, unlike his previous games. He wasn't inspiring, but there were many far worse performers.

Just a word for Wayne Talkes on this depressing evening. very sad to hear he has passed away. Never made many appearances for the 1st Team, but always followed him as we were at school together in Sandown (to be pedantic he was at the Fairway, I was at the Grammar, but sport overlapped a bit and remember him well). One of the few Islanders to make it in the first team (though he was not a Caulkhead) he was apprentice at the same time as my cousin, Brian Humber who never did make a first team start. RIP Wayne

Still not a peep about Valery...

In an ideal world you would not replace Romeu. Maybe the rest of who you listed. Mad. Romeu is about the only one that would be a must keep. Diallo is no gem, at least based on his perfomance Monday.