SNSUN

He's 5'10'' according to most sources, I wouldn't say that's particularly small. Kante is 5'5''. In comparison JWP is 5'8'' and Lavia is only 5'11'' so only an inch taller than Diallo. He doesn't look meaty though, easily pushed off the Do we even have a DM in the B team? Finnigan? We really are limited for options there with Lavia out so it's Diallo or AMN until he's back.

Striker, AM, DM (Cover), in that order. 3 signings needed IMO. We're OK for right backs and left backs (OK left back can be improved upon but we are well stocked), CB is perhaps our strongest position right now (which is what I'm pinning survival on, the partnership flourishing between ABK and Salisu with DCC also contributing) although a fit and firing Tino alongside KWP would strengthen full back no end, and we invested heavily in Bazunu so I think GK is what it is. Defence is our strongest position right now. In front of them though we need a shield. We have it in Lavia but with his injury issues and JWP out of form, we really need another DM or defensive minded CM to come in short term. However more importantly we need a striker and another AM. Striker is number one, we can't wait for Mara to come good, Adams cannot do it by himself and AA seems to play better in a wider position. AM also needs strengthening as Moi and SArmstrong don't contribute enough, Djenepo is unpredicatable and Edozie is still young.

I know it's not much later than this poll was held but has anyone changed their minds? I've changed from out soon to out now. The Everton defeat cemented that for me.

Every season I say it but we haven't had good AMs since Tadic. I have higher hopes with Aribo long term, and now we have Edozie on the books, maybe those are the two we should be starting.

IMO if we'd have played our strongest team against Everton (at least the strongest we could have put out or who have played the most) we'd have got at least a point. He drops Salisu for DCC (fine to a point but Salisu hadn't done much wrong lately), Diallo for AMN (who he's already said recently 'isn't ready'), and AArmstrong (who has played OK on the left this season) for Mara. That's why Ralph needs to go, his odd selections, his constant changing of formations, his not knowing who his best XI is. Then yesterday I'm surprised that he doesn't start 3 CBs, a position in which I think we have the most quality in the team at the moment, against a rampant City side. If we don't hear an announcement that he's gone today or tomorrow then I fear for the future. How nice would a new arrival be with a fresh perspective and a chance to bring a bit of positivity and good feeling to a club with largely depressed supporters, especially those that have to pay to watch largely pathetic football every week. Imagine St Mary's against West Ham, the crowd buzzing with a new managerial arrival. Thanks Ralph, and Good Luck for the future.

4 points or bust really. 4 will at least keep us in with a shout. 3 unacceptable but perhaps passable. Any less and we are probably fucked. What do I think we'll get? Under Ralph, one point. Under new manager? I'd rather find out...

Tella, Ballard, keep Edozie, the future is bright if we go down. 4 nil my predo, happy I got it right as a thumping would have harmed the GD. OK it's a thrashing but a lot of people were predicting much worse. Get Lavia back, get Tino back, stick Edozie in there and we have a chance of safety under the new boss but more signings needed in January. I say new boss... we wait and see.q

No icing on the cake? A little consolation to give us hope?

Ralph keeping this from being 9 nil surely saves his job for another season...

Tempting fate but I said 4 nil before the game...

We do not.

Bring on Walcott for the lols

Not on bench

One Saints goal and I'm rich, rich beyond my wildest dreams! Nah I didn't put a bet on for Saints to score. If we can't do it against Villa, Wolves and Everton...

Damage limitation time.

City win and us to score is 11/5 on Ladbrokes. They must be damn sure we won't score.

Too early for sexy nuns? I don't think even divine intervention will help today.

Just in from work, how're we d.... ...oh. Could be worse.

"ill" or "not up for this game so feigning illness..." 😄

Pep - "Don't pick Edozie and we'll take it easy when we're 5 up. Deal?" 😀

Wow - genuinely thought we'd go 3 CBs. Aside from that it's probably our strongest first XI. No Edozie?

I know we've been leaking goals but I actually think our back 4 or 5 is now stronger than last season - they just need to get a bit of confidence. Without Lavia in front of them though we lack a shield and that doesn't help issues. I genuinely think he'll go with DCC, ABK and Salisu today which on paper looks pretty good. Keeping the score down could be the difference between staying up and going down at the end of the season as we've seen before. At some point soon we're going to need to see a performance from Bazunu - he's still young but he's going to be facing plenty of shots today so it would be great to see him keep up us in the game. Not sure of the team but something like: Baz, DCC, ABK, Salisu, KWP, JWP, Diallo, Perraud, Aribo, Moi, Adams is what I think Ralph might plump for. What we need in attack are people that can hold on to the ball for more than a couple of seconds. Personally I'd also like to see a bit of pace up there and people that go ball chasing for the entire 90 minutes - the stuff Long used to do but our options there are Mara, Edozie and AArmstrong, non of which I think will start today. Sure it could get embarrassing today but I still don't think it'll be the twatting people think it could be - a 4-0 or 4-1 perhaps. Their defence is still their weaker area and the best form of defence is attack so maybe we can get at them early. Betting? Maybe, I think there will be at least 4 goals in the game so City win with 4 goals or more scored in the game may be my bet.

This picture hangs in the Nostrano Lounge in Staines. I've had it in my phone gallery for ages but seeing as he's probably not here for much longer I thought I'd post it now. Lookalikey...?

Jeez. He earns more for a two second fart than I got per hour at my first job...

9th most valuable right back in the world? Really hope he comes back from injury as good as he can be.