Minsk

I can't say I have seen anyone saying that stats are the be all and end all. Of course they need to be taken in some sort of context, but they do also give valuable information (that's why the professionals use them and pundits comment on them). I also haven't seen anyone on here say that their opinion is based solely on stats, whilst stating they have no knowledge of the game or watched any of the matches. I have, however, seen those who don't like stats being mentioned accuse those of using them as having no knowledge, or having never played the game, or calling them derogatory names (the latter likely because they saw that type of argument work once in a playground, whether as the bully or the victim - or a mixture thereof). P.S. Whilst you do have your moments and sail close to the wind at times, you are not one of those I am referring to. You do, usually, try to debate your point. Which is appreciated, even when I have a completely opposite opinion to your own.

Another very good post, which I find myself agreeing with the majority of. I too think JWP should have been included at the expense of Henderson; or should definitely have been the TAA replacement (although understand why White was picked given the Maguire injury). Henderson did stuff all during the finals and was even a waste of a sub in the final itself. Subbed on and subbed off again before the penalties, because Southgate knows how bad he is at taking them. Had that been Prowse, that would have been one more penalty we would have scored (based on how he has taken the last 2) with an option of A.N.Other more able than one of those who missed.

Good post, with some very valid points.

I would like to echo St Jonny's sentiments. As I've said before, I agree with much of what you post and do enjoy reading them, even when I disagree. I've also been arguing back a bit recently. Not because I've been looking for an argument (as I've been accused of a few times) but simply because I became fed up with the same usual suspects' tactic of merely trying to belittle people, and abusing them, for daring to have a different point of view to their own. It's almost as if they lack the intellect to actually debate anything using facts. Therefore, they can only revert to calling people names (seen two of them refer to posters with different views to their own as 'freaks' in the last 2 pages of this thread alone) or to just to say 'my opinion is right and yours is wrong because...' '...I know more than you'/'...I've seen more than you'/'...I've played a better level than you'/etc, (without having any idea of what the other knows, has seen, has done, etc. Sad individuals. Fortunately, as you say, there are also other posters who one can have a good debate with (as well as a couple who float in between, but they usually only become the aggressive type when they have been proved wrong and can't accept it). Congratulations on your new arrival by the way. Daughters are fantastic. I have 4 of them. Youngest is 17 and still my baby girl.

Pretty sure I watched JWP play KP off the park last season. So much so that KP was withdrawn at half-time.

We won the 29th; drew the 30th and 31st; lost the 32nd; drew the the 33rd; won the 34th and 35th; lost the 36th; won 5 and drew 2 immediately before that. Oh, and we also won 4 and lost 1 FA Cup matches in that run, as well as winning 2 cup matches, albeit one on penalties, this season.

As I said, maybe he will end up being better/used more often further up the field - eventually. Just don't see why people are demanding (and slagging Ralph for not already trying) him to be played in a different position only 7 matches into his career. Pretty sure Bale wasn't converted to a winger after only 7 matches as a LB....... I think it would be crazy to try him in different positions in matches that we desperately need to win.

Why previous 21? Why not previous 31 (to make it 38, as in a full season)? And if that, why then ignore the 5 matches previous (won 4 drew 1)? Last season has no bearing on this one. We have different players in our squad, as do every other team. Ralph has been much better at choosing/changing formations and tactics, as well as his use of subs. It's what happens this season that matters. We didn't get relegated last season because of our results (or the 2 seasons prior to that) and we won't get relegated this season based on what happened in previous years.

Based on how they played when actually wearing a Saints shirt: Peter Shilton (Flowers close 2nd) Ivan Golac Mark Wright Virgil van Dijk (just gets in ahead of Killer and Dave Watson) Mark Dennis Steve Williams Jimmy Case Dave Armstrong Matt Le Tissier Kevin Keegan Steve Moran (almost went for Sir Ricky) If we were talking about how good the players were throughout their careers, would have to fit in Shearer, Bale, Ball and probably Channon. Actually, should probably have put Micky in anyway but am judging him on his 2nd spell with us. I did see him first time around, but only went occasionally in those days (down the front peering over the wall, sometimes on tiptoes).

Exactly this. We would have been in administration again. Which would have most likely led to relegation.

He is a RB not a LB. Usually agree with most that you post, but I can't here. Why should we try a 4-3-3 with Tino as one of the front 3 in the next 3 matches which we really need to win (at least 2 of)? If we were to go with a 4-3-3 I would be far happier if those 3 were all actual attackers. So 3 of: Arma, Che, Broja and Tella. Not trying out a RB there for the first time in his career.

Exactly this. He was bought as a very promising RB, who had never yet made a full professional appearance. Ralph showed his trust and threw him in for the first match. Tino did so well Ralph had to continue to pick him. Tino has continued to play so well that he has earned rave reviews. Yet instead of praising Ralph for being brave enough to play him and keep picking him the usual suspects have their knives out for not playing him in a totally different position - a whole 7 matches into the season, which are the only 7 matches he has ever played as a senior professional. I understand he has played in midfield for Chelsea U23. That is a totally different thing to playing there in the prem. Maybe he would be good there. Maybe he will end up being an attacker. But maybe, for now, he is best served by letting him get his feet under the table in the Premier League as a right back; his most natural position (thus far) and the one he was signed to play. I wonder, to all those of you who are aghast that he hasn't been played further forward yet, which matches should Livramento have been played as a 10 instead of a RB? Away at the current league champions? Away at the current European champions? Maybe his 2nd senior match ever, at home to Utd? Of course, they will point to Wolves. A match we had more possession in, 3.5 times more shots in, double the number of shots on target (including a good one by Tino, while playing at RB) and one we lost due to a mistake by Bednarek, as well as a lack of converting those chances created. I know one thing for sure, had Ralph played Tino as a 10 in that match, and the result was the same 1-0 defeat, he would have been berated for doing so by the same people currently lambasting him for not trying it now.... He has only played 7 senior matches in his life for crying out loud! To be honest I do think it would be interesting to see how he would get on as a RM/AM. That said, I understand why it hasn't happened yet and why he is unlikely to be picked in that position in the foreseeable. As we all know, we need to start getting wins and picking up points. That means playing your best players in their best positions, not taking one out of his to 'try him elsewhere just to see how he gets on'. Experiments like that are for friendlies or, at best/worst (depending on viewpoint), when forced to shift players around due to injuries sustained mid-match - but with 9 subs on the bench nowadays that should never be an issue anyway. Oh, and as for those complaining about Ralph playing KWP at LB - I'm sure even the footballing God that is Pochettino (according to many on here) also played him at LB. I also think he had 2 very good matches in that position for us, away at City and Chelsea.

I don't think it's so simple, as it would depend on the opposition, home or away, how we are setting up, etc. Agree that Stu A is the best of the bunch. The others all offer something different. As for Theo, pretty sure he had the 2nd most goals and assists (after Stu) last season (from those who were also here, obviously Moi got far more for Celtic). Agree that he is the one most able to use skill to get past a player. Tella can do so with his pace. Pretty sure Theo got more goals and assists than both last year though. Yes he did. I thought he played okay too, especially given the opposition.

You are quite right that it is more about formations. That said, I do believe he has significantly improved a number of players and that we have, this season, been playing the ball forward more quickly whilst not passing backwards nearly as much as we did. I am also not a fan of zonal marking and would certainly change how we defend corners. But then again I'm a bit of a dinosaur who would always put a player on the back post (as an ex-FB was usually my position when defending corners) and a small, fast, attacker up on the halfway line in anticipation of a hoof-out quick breakaway (used to love watching Danny and then Rod Wallace do those).

Both Romeu and Bednarek did. At that point though, the ref isn't going to change his mind back again, so they couldn't say too much for risk of getting a yellow themselves (which would have been another sending off for Romeu, as he was already on one).

Clearly untrue. Yes he has a 'favoured' 4-2-2-2 formation but we have played many different formations already this season. Heck, even today we started with a flat 4-4-2 which he then changed at half-time, to great effect, to a 4-3-2-1 (or you could say a 4-1-2-2-1 as Romeu was much deeper than Diallo/JWP, whilst Redders and Tella played behind Armstrong).

Redmond had a good game today. Definitely one of our better performers - as was KWP.

Excellent post. Exactly how I saw the match and completely agree with all wrote. Most especially the fans. I watched on TV and you could clearly hear our fans throughout the entire match - load and proud. Hats off to all there. Also fully agree about Redmond. Thought he had a very good game. And yes, their third hit the woodwork twice before Macca seemingly made a worldy, but it was definitely a few inches over the line (from fancy TV stuff).

Absolutely. I'm not a McCarthy and generally prefer FF but credit where it's due, he made some good saves today. On top of the excellent save at the death against City, he deserves his place in the team. Well played Macca.

Exactly this. As I said before, anyone expecting Stu to go straight in today having not played at all this season and only having trained for this week was going to be very disappointed.

1st half we played a flat 4-4-2 with our FBs sitting deep. Got overrun in midfield but had a few chances up top. Bad defending for their 1st, and don't understand why teams rarely put a player on the back post at corners anymore. Were (correctly) on the right side of a couple of close VAR calls to keep it at 1-1. Ralph mad exactly the right call at half-time and up until the red card we more than matched them, while deservedly equalising (great penalty). It was always going to end one way once JWP was sent off. I think the red was harsh, but probably would have been calling for it had that been Mount on Salisu. I actually thought Redders was our best player today, with Tino a close 2nd. The worse thing about today though is that we will now miss JWP for some winnable matches!

Would also have liked to see Adams start, and Perraud at LB. Hope KWP is more like he was at City and less like last week. Will be interesting to see which of Theo, Tella and Redmond plays further forward and which on the left. Have a feeling they will interchange throughout the match though.

Absolutely, I do get it. Just think many are going well OTT, completely ignoring the good bits and reasons for things happening, and just demanding we change the manager - as if that is guaranteed to change our fortune, which it isn't. For example, I can understand why he played KWP at LB last week. He had a very good game there away at City and Perraud had played in the mid-week cup match. That said, I think he should have brought Perraud on once it became apparent KWP was being so ineffective. The people on here complaining now about KWP playing at LB weren't doing so after the City match. Indeed, many were full of praise for him. I am, as with everyone else, completely baffled as to why Long was brought on. I guess he must have had his reasons... I was also unhappy with our acquisition of Lyanco. Was really hoping for someone with a much better track record. Caleta-Car would have also been my choice. Whether he would have come here or not is another matter. I certainly think we should have been able to afford both the fee and his salary. Can see why Long was given a new contract at the time, but it should have been 1 year, not 2. Can also see why Theo was signed on a free. He isn't what he was but he certainly offered something last season. His 3 goals and 4 assists only bettered by Stu A of our AMs. He also gives another option up front, and an experienced one at that. It's a long season and we will need alternatives/options as it progresses and injuries/suspensions come into play. I also don't think all of these decisions were made by Ralph, and he is unlikely to say 'I didn't really want this player, I really wanted player X'. That WOULD be bad management.

Being the home teams they should be the favourites. Wouldn't surprise me to see Watford get something at Leeds though, and not beyond all realms of possibility for Norwich to get their first point of the season at Burnley. But yes, it is certainly likely that we will be bottom three during the upcoming international break. If that does happen, I really hope we are well clear of it by the one next month.

Yeh, I get that. No, I haven't been satisfied with our form/results this calendar year. Our form hasn't been bad this SEASON though - 2nd half away to Everton aside. We matched Utd, City and West Ham; outplayed but not outscored Newcastle; had the better of the match against Wolves, just failed to get anything from it for reasons done to death. The reasons for the end of last season's form - which was as horrendous and the beginning was great - have also ben done to death. Many want to focus on the latter half and ignore the first half. I think both should be ignored and we should only focus on this season. We have played well in some fixtures and, arguably, have the toughest today. I get that we haven't won yet and know the importance of getting some wins under our belt. If we don't do so by the end of this month I will also be very worried. But we really haven't been as atrocious as many are making out.