VectisSaint

Why? He was only 14 when he was playing for them and when we signed him. Probably a good thing, some experience playing with seniors in a competitive environment rather than playing age group football at the Academy, probably "toughened him up".

I disagree. This paragraph is the first time I have read anything that suggests the turnaround wasn't all down to Ralph. "In the immediate aftermath of the Leicester game - both that night and the following morning - Hasenhuttl and Semmens spoke at length. Their discussions were not about the manager's future but were centred around bringing in more support amid a feeling the Austrian was carrying too much responsibility on his own. His thinking had become clouded." Whether this meant new people were brought in (or existing people were given different responsibilities) or even referred to others that had recently joined (Richard Kitzbichler) it is good that someone has finally acknowledged that changes were introduced to help Ralph, and that everything wasn't just changed by Ralph as other commentators like to portray. I'm convinced a lot of credit for the turnaround should go to Kitzbichler, but his influence seems to have gone largely unrecognised.

Personally I have no idea, but this comes up from 2014 when you google: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11664945.danny-ings-i-used-to-dream-of-playing-for-saints/ Certainly sounds like he was up to the age of 10, maybe after he was rejected he changed his allegiance. Nevertheless regardless of whether he was a Saints supporter, he has an allegiance to the area if not the team. If he were to leave, and I doubt it very much, I think it would only be to a London team, I thought Spurs were sniffing around a while back.

Wouldn't make a jot of difference. If the bindippers wanted him (and he was willing to go) they would get him, only the price would change.

Looks like a very bad photoshop job, you can still see the outline of the player they have superimposed Danny's image over 😉

Interesting to note that although the figure of 2000 spectators is bandied around (by government, media, club), in fact if you break the figures down, 202 (or ~10%) are not allocated to supporters. Presumably they are to cover the players, staff, press, stewards, WAGs etc. 1798 "spectators" in total. Presumably if Southampton ever got moved to Tier 1, this number (202) would not change much (maybe a few more stewards) and it might allow almost 2000 more real supporters to attend.

Obafemi is Irish (well he was born there), Ireland is in the Common Travel Area, Irish Citizens have different rights to those outside of the CTA.

It won't affect players already here, it won't be applied retrospectively. Not clear if it would be applied to players moving between clubs in the UK, as this is when you traditionally need a new work permit.

Just playing devil's advocate here a bit, but 10 of those 12 were in 3 games (Spurs, Villa and Man U). The Spurs goals were a result of us playing a high line (too high) and very much an aberration at start of the season, Villa was us simply taking our foot off the gas/Bednarek injury and the Man U goals were to a large extent down to some excellent play by them (pains me to say it), especially by Cavani. That leaves 2 2nd half goals conceded in 7 games. Not sure with this evidence that you can blame it on 2nd half fatigue, or even last 10 minutes fatigue. Mind you, I don't pretend to have any answers either, you could [possibly argue that the Bednarek injuries have been significant, but its hard to see that many (or any) of the goals against Manu or Spurs could be attributed to Bednarek's absence or struggling.

True, but the point is that what happened in 2018-19 season is totally irrelevant, what happened in 2019-20 is largely irrelevant (by the way as far as I can tell we were nowhere near the top of this table last season, but can't verify to be sure). Yes, we have now dropped 8 points from winning positions this season (3 each vs Spurs and ManU and 2 vs Wolves?), and that is not good, but just to balance that we are currently 5th in the table of most points gained from a drawing position. All those games where we have lost from a winning position also show that we have been in the lead in 8 out of 10 games so far this season, I would much rather that than we were constantly having to come from behind to get points. Anyway, as i said the point here is that this nonsense stat starting from Dec 2018 is just that, nonsense, completely irrelevant, and says nothing about the resilience of the current team (i.e. this season).

But it is from December 2018, it is meaningless, not even last season, but the season before (I know its basically since Ralph arrived). What the hell has the season before last got to do with anything? What is relevant is this season, possibly this season and last post lockdown, at an absolute stretch during 2020. We've put things in place to improve this already.

Can't see Ings being ready, maybe outside chance for the bench. No reason to change the team (not that we have many options anyway). Hopefully Ralph spends the week drilling into our defensive players about getting the ball away cleanly and not being sloppy. We were awful today at sloppy passes out from the back and giving up possession far too easily (KWP, Romeu, Armstrong, Vestegaard especially).

When would Cedric have shared a club pitch with Ronaldo? He was only 12 when Ronaldo left Sporting, doubt they would have shared a pitch when he between the ages of 7 and 12. Fonte would have shared a pitch with him though.

Congratulations. Your hugely insightful contribution to this discussion after 2 days is much appreciated. All that effort just so that you can deliver an infantile insult. Says it all really. Try contributing to a discussion once in a while, preferably after reading and comprehending the posts that you are responding to. PS, sorry for the long words, I realise they may cause you some difficulty.

Always wary about calling games against lower mid table teams.

Ralph plays piano

Maybe they could play home games on the Isle of Wight.

That would be the same Istanbul who beat Man U 2-1 on 4 November.

Think South.

I never said that Bednarek came back in when Stephens was dropped, that is you misreading/misunderstanding what I wrote, I said bednarek has been in a winning team since then (I know it was Vest that came in and played like a new man compared with the donkey he looked last season, and well done for doing so, always good when a player turns it around like he has). Anyway this is nothing to do with Stephens, this is a discussion about why some players, specifically Bednarek in this case may not be getting on board with the current project, because the manager has stated quite clearly that there are players (or a player) that has not demonstrated so far that they are no board and hence are not signing a new contract (yet), Ings and Bertrand are the others (and I dismiss Ings). I was merely putting forward a case why Bednarek is the most likely to be the main man on that list. The reasons are pretty obvious if you understand the way Hassenhuttl wants to operate and how Jan actually plays. It is quite clear (to me) that Jan could easily see why he doesn't think he will be first, second or even third choice - he could be wrong but its easy to see why he might think that way for the reasons I have explained before. Maybe you don't agree, thats fine, you're entitled to your opinion, although like many others you don't actually give any indication as to what that opinion might be, just content to should others down who express a perfectly valid, argued opinion. Stick to the point of the discussion and try reading and comprehending what is actually being said and you will be fine. By the way its RALPH (2 years in and you don't even know his name, but you expect people to take your comments seriously)

Because he had a bad game and was deservedly dropped. Bednarek has been in since in a largely winning team and Ralph has said himself he does not change a winning team. In the end Stephens is more of the type of player Ralph wants, like Vest has done lately he is far better at playing the ball out and delivering incisive, effective passes. Stephens will come back in when There is an opportunity. Don't get me wrong I like Bednarek and think he is a good defender (probably better than Stephens) but that's what he is, a defender, old school and its not exactly what Ralph wants and need for his system.

F off, PO is not just Skate land. 🙂 (though my postcode is SN these days)

You are right, but I have absolutely no doubt he is not referring to Ingsy. More likely Bednarek, possibly Bertrand but less likely. I reckon Bednarek is not convinced he won't end up as 4th choice, when Salisu is ready and Ralph restores Stephens because he is a better ball player which Ralph seems to prefer. Bednarek is more old school defender (and good at it). Hence why Ralph referred to buying in to the project, or some such words.

If you were offered the choice of being coached by Arsene Wenger or George Burley which would you choose?

At least after he got hooked Fulham have got another ba k to put us back to 5th 👍