SNSUN

A tad, but only as far down as 17th and not at all seriously. Fulham have picked up results since their poor start to the season but I still can't see them overhauling us over the next 14 games. Even if we get a point a game average over the rest of the season (i.e. relegation form) we'd still end up on 44 points, which would easily be enough to stay up, probably in lower mid-table. Fulham would need 25 points in that same time we get 15 (and they have 14 games to do it in not 15), so I can't see them bettering us. Still, in true Dalek style: As long as we stay up, that's all that matters first and foremost. It's moot anyway. I know we were virtually back to full strength against Wolves and muffed it up, but we still lost KWP, and we have been so badly injury troubled lately that the drop off in results was always going to happen. I maintain that we have a very good first XI and can beat anyone on our day. KWP will be a miss as he gives us balance and attacking prowess on the right flank and we have nobody to naturally replace him, but even so we can easily pick up the points we need without him, Diallo, Walcott and anyone else that decides they're made of glass. We scored a cracking goal last week and were much the better team in the first half. Keep playing like that and we will be dutifully rewarded by the end of the season. Europe is probably out now (bar a cup win) but I still think we can hit top 10 if we find our form.

If we were ever going to play 3 at the back, then surely we would have kept Valery for the wing back position, a position he is ultimately more suited to than right back? That is why I don’t think 3 at the back is the option Ralph will go for. Not to mention it being the formation that resulted in the first 9 nil against Leicester before we reset and went 4222. Ramsey is a possibility but I think Ralph has been burned a bit by having to use the youngsters recently and is probably worried about continuing the losing streak. JWP or Diallo at right back is probably the most natural option, probably Diallo as Ralph has mentioned before possibly being able to play full back. However, Diallo isn’t available and using JWP would weaken CM considerably. So what I think will happen is I think Ralph will play Stephens or Bednarek there as we now have 4 fit centre backs.

Bloody ref is a joke. VAR is a joke. The build up of bookings is a worry. We've not even started this half. All Wolves. Need something to change... Djenepo on. Traore with no goals or assists this season must be rubbing his hands together. Defensively we look iffy. We're good enough to win this. A second goal for us would change things mentally imo. Edit...scratch that. Would take a hell of a performance to come back now.

Great goal. Armstrong has been one of our best players lately and that was a great assist topped with a great volley. Mesmerising. Something to protect now. Kudos to the Minamino header in the attack a bit earlier that Redmond had saved. We look fluid in attack. Need to keep it tight defensively. I know he doesn't get sent off much but Romeu on a booking is a worry when Traore is on the pitch. (Although it's Moutinho he's fouled twice...)

Decent team, I'd prefer Adams over Redmond for work rate alone but I'm not a Redmond hater, I just think he plays too safe sometimes when he should be more adventurous. I rate him slightly higher than Walcott which is probably controversial on here and I prefer him in a more attacking role too. I can see him and Minamino being more flexible behind Ings which should add to our unpredictability. If fit, Diallo is the only one that would be first choice... but God knows for who. We can win here. Win this and our Leeds game in hand for example and we're still very close to the Champions League places! It would be nice to get into the top half again or at least hit the 30+ points mark. UTS

So if we consider Salisu to be a longer term success, then that means we have had four transfer windows of signing good players, bar Danso who was a panic loan. Minamino - probable hit, even after one game. Walcott - as a cheap squad player, hit. Salisu - hit. Diallo - hit. KWP - hit. Adams - hit. Ings - hit. (Although pre-arranged the season before...) Djenepo - hit despite injuries. Danso - well yeah, he's the let down. But it goes to show our recruitment is on form and paying off. Diallo, Salisu, Adams and KWP are all excellent additions for the future, as will Djenepo be if he can stay fit long enough. Our first XI when everyone is fit looks strong, if anything there are only issues in strength in depth. I caught some of the game last night and what I noticed about Salisu, mistakes aside, is that he looked calm on the ball, not lackadaisical but not panicked. Diallo did too when I first saw him, and I think that is a good trait for a Premier League footballer.

What a great draw for us. Everton vs City and Leicester vs United should knock one of the big guns out at least. Away to Bmuff. Will take that!

Ah a half 5 kick off. Am I the only person who just missed the first 25 minutes I wonder... 😳 Come on Saints, quarter final against Bournemouth please.

I would take a draw. There I said it. (This is where we go 3-3 and I'd be disappointed with the draw...)

We WILL win 4-3. And this will go down as one of the greatest Premier League wins of all time. ...found the happy pils. 🤓 Seriously we have only scored 3 goals or more this season against a Sheffield United side that couldn't buy a result at the time and Villa, who were, at the time, crap (and even they nearly got a result). Score early on this half before they do and we could nick point, but I can't see us scoring 3 this half for the win now. Otherwise it's damage limitations again. Concentrate on the cup fixture against Wolves.

2-0 against a shit Newcastle side that Bruce always sets out to defend. FFS. When things are going against you, they really go against you. No youth to blame this time, this is nearly a full XI. All I want today is a goal, even if it's in a 2-1 defeat. We need to remember how to put the ball in the net soon.

Well thank f*ck for that. Ramsey aside who will probably play right back again (and people on here seemed to think he had a good game against United which is promising) we will have 3 senior defenders. Then all we need to do is work out who partners JWP in midfield and suddenly, as long as we can keep 11 players on the pitch on Saturday, we look half decent again. Who in midfield though? Kegs Chauke? Or moving Armstrong inside (which IMO is the better decision after a thrashing than relying on another youngster so soon) and playing Minamino? Also do we drop McCarthy for Forster? I reckon Armstrong could be moved inside. So the line up could be: Forster/McCarthy, Ramsey, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand, JWP, Armstrong, Djenepo/Redmond, Minamino, Ings, Adams. Which doesn't actually look that bad. Newcastle are a horrible team under Bruce, set up to defend most of the game and grab a goal late on - we are better than them with our first XI - and even with the team above we could well get something from the game. Simple mission really - stop the rot. Who's the Ref? 😉

I thought this. McCarthy Ramsey Stephens Bertrand Redmond JWP Armstrong Djenepo Minamino Ings Adams Or something like that.

We are extremely lucky to have this manager and we should hold on to him whatever it takes. If anything having a second 9 nil defeat on his CV may help us keep him! Unlike Leicester where we were crap, we suffered yesterday mainly due to injuries and having to use youth players. That's not really Ralph's fault, more a fault of an owner who refuses to put his hand in his pocket. If anything, Ralph may decide to walk, but let's hope that doesn't happen. Our first XI can beat anybody, it is strength in depth that we lack and for that we need investment. Ralph can't work miracles forever.

Fucking hell just tuned in. What a bell end. Can we walk off and settle for the automatic 3 nil loss? 🤪

All hail Takumi. If he is a success and Liverpool decide they don't want him in the summer, I guess even without an option we'd be in a good place to sign him if we can find some money down the back of the sofa. Is Long still with us? Scratch this, just been announced he's gone to BMuff. Shame about the full back positions though. Let's hope we can get KWP back soon and keep him and Bertrand fit and suspension free. Our first XI sans injury is definitely top ten quality.

I left for work having just heard about the Minamino link, thinking it was media bullshit, and have got to work with us imminently signing him! Even as a short term loan with no option, that would be a great signing. He's quick and hard working, versatile in attacking positions and, heck, Liverpool wouldn't have signed him unless they saw something in him. I reckon he'll play opposite Armstrong in AM mainly but my Liverpool-supporting mate thinks he could play up front with Ings. Still, exciting times for a change IF it comes off. I only hope we can see a first team of: McCarthy, KWP, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand, JWP, Romeu/Diallo, Armstrong, Minamino, Ings, Adams at some point this season. That's a top ten team, if they can stay fit. Shame about the full back positions, seems odd to loan out our back ups. Either the plan is to play JWP/Diallo there when needed or we hope Vestergaard/Salisu is closer to returning than we think and Stephens can fill in. Otherwise we have Kayne Ramsey. Bit of a shit showing there, especially with Vokins. How nice would it be to suddenly see McQueen come back from the 'dead'...

No thanks. He's ok as a cheap stop gap but we are only paying half his wages and will be 32 in the summer. We need a younger, first choice AM to partner Armstrong if we want to progress as I don't think Redmond is good enough and Djenepo is injury prone.

At least we have one day of the transfer window to sort it out! Hate to say it but would take a draw from here... Consolation prize is Martinez is my Fantasy team keeper.

Diallo at right back syncs with what Ralph was saying about his qualities making him versatile. We shall see. Adams over Walcott is an odd one although maybe Che needs a rest, he puts so much effort into matches. But the same could be said of Theo who has been off colour recently. He'll score now and shut me up. Djenepo back on the bench. Good. Is Jankewicz being rewarded for putting in a transfer request?

Quality over quantity is having JWP, Romeu and Diallo in CM. Our AM options currently are quantity over quality and they are all inconsistent (with Armstrong occasionally being the exception). However bringing in AM-N would give us a further option in the AM position, which may be the way to swaying his decision. I still hope to see Redmond tonight though if he is fully fit. Keep Walcott as the impact sub. I suspect Ralph will favour Theo though.

Has there ever been a more divisive player than Walcott! Sure he was a decent signing for a club without a pot to piss in, he works hard, he's a club developed player, is happy to be here, and still holds some of his pace, but over the last few games I've seen poor decision making, scuffed shots and him breaking down attacks. Could we get better for the money? Probably not, and he does do some good things, but personally he wouldn't be in my first XI if everyone is fit. If Redmond is fully fit I'd be tempted to give Walcott rest as he's played a lot lately, more out of necessity than choice. I'm not a big Theo fan but we could have done worse... or nothing. If Romeu is back I'd be inclined to try Diallo further forwards opposite Armstrong. The lad has pace and quality and could do a job there. I think with injuries as they have been, we draw this. If even a couple of players return, we can beat them. I thought despite the defeat we played quite well against Arsenal, they were just better at putting the ball in the net. It would be nice to cross into the 30's points bracket to keep up some hope of a European finish.

No Auba or Tierney for them, no full backs for us. Tough game to call. Also they have the earlier Sky game on Saturday against Man Utd, ours is later against Villa so hopefully they have one eye on that! Would take a draw, but think it could be worse. KWP and Bertrand are so key to the way we play, and Arsenal made targeted attacks down our flanks on Saturday. Smith-Rowe seems to be one to watch at the moment. Whatever the score I hope Adams scores. He works so hard he deserves more goals.

Poor Gabriel, sent off last time we played them, own goal today. He'll be crapping himself every time he plays us! It took me 20 mins to get my stream app working as our broadband is slow, then got it on and we scored. Far from over but I'd have taken one nil at half time. Concentration needed. I take it we got to ET and pens not a replay?

I have him as a friend on FB. Also Slipped Halo and Hatch (the latter who still posts on here). I forgot if I have anyone else...