Minsk

Pleased to see you admit we have done well in 'a number of game this season'. Many above posted otherwise. I would say we have done well in two-thirds, 4 of the 6, and not bad in another 1.5. We have only really been poor in half a match, in my opinion. That isn't reason to sack the manager. Also pleased to see you won't be calling for his head should we, likely, lose today.

Nice to see the knives being sharpened this morning in relish of a Saints defeat. Yes, we have been shite in every match this season. We were terrible in the draws against Utd, City and West Ham. Didn't have a clue either in defence or attack in any of those matches. Rudderless. Up a creek without a paddle. And we certainly didn't outplay Newcastle for the majority of the match up there. No siree. We also didn't have more possession, shots, successful passes, etc, against Wolves. A match we lost because of one awful decision by Bednarek (assisted by Salisu slipping on his arse- clearly the manager's fault) and an inability to turn chances into goals. But hey, yeh, if we lose against the pile of poo that is Chelsea, and their measly little squad, Ralph will certainly have to go!

And there we have it.... I have said that I am not looking for arguments, but I did think a football forum was a place to debate, errrmmm, football (amongst other things). That often means putting forward opposing opinions to those of other posters and, in the best instance, giving reasons/examples/facts of said opinion. One should then accept or discredit those, whilst putting forward alternative or additional reasons/examples/facts - and on it goes. Debating, not arguing. That is why I am here and what I have been doing. Of course, there are the other types of poster: those with agendas; the trolls and wind up merchants; those who will never accept being wrong, ever; those who hate it when their stance is challenged. They are the ones who generally respond to any post which may challenge their view point with 'I can't even be arse to read this' or such like. Maybe because they can't argue the points posted? Maybe because they may have to admit some of what they said was wrong. Maybe because the only debates they are capable of are 'mas' ones? Have a nice day.

No problem at all young man. apology accepted.

You mean like the comedic, unbalanced, line ups that saw us get draws against Utd, City and in form, free scoring, West Ham? Those selections?

It wasn't me saying that, it was other people on here. There was whole conversation about it above. I agree, that is certainly quite a leap in logic - or maybe people looking for something that isn't there/anything to bash Ralph with? As I said elsewhere, I will be very surprised if Stu starts tomorrow. He might be on the bench (no harm seeing as we can have 9 on there) but, again, not so sure he will get any actual game time even if he is. No doubt there will uproar in the pre-match build up/post match thread should he either be left out entirely or fail to get on the pitch though.......

I am perfectly calm thanks. Also, thanks for your 'patronising' reply (pot/kettle). Let me refer to your points in reverse order: 3. I am far from being alone in sussing out that you are so obviously SKD who stopped posting (wasn't banned, as well you know) at the same time you started. Strangely, or not, I can think of some other posters - Dell Days, Bournemouth (to give them their original names) - who also denied being who they were at first. 2. If I could be bothered I could go back and dig out a number of posts from SKD which are virtually word for word. However, let's look at this: You clearly want to ignore the reasons for our change of form last season - numerous injuries, compacted fixture list, sacrificing league points for cup run, etc - as well as Ralph having us in the top 4 based on the previous year's results. A year ago you were very eager to point out that a calendar year's results don't prove anything; yet this year you want to condemn the manager for just that (again, without taking into account circumstance). Strange how all this has poured out since an unfortunate home defeat in a match most thought we would win. Not so strange that the anti-Ralph brigade don't want to give any credit for the 6 match unbeaten run prior to Sunday. Nor any credit for us actually having a better start the season than they themselves predicted (up on points compared to the same matches last season). 1a. I never said that I was 'superior in terms of footballing knowledge than the rest .... on here'. I did say that you have often displayed your lack of knowledge over the years (especially when you are on your usual vendetta crusade, which you deny being on). Entirely different things. if you bother going back to read through my posts you will find where I have explained why I don't think Ralph will be playing Tino at RM any time soon (but maybe he will prove that wrong tomorrow, who knows?) and why he picks certain players who then play in certain ways. Anyway, to reiterate somewhat: We certainly have been creating chances in matches. Not clear-cut easier to miss than score chances, but chances all the same. Against Wolves we created more than 3 times their chances and double the number on target. In the previous match (aside from the obvious penalty we were denied) we created better scoring chances than against Wolves, and again had twice as many shots on target as the opposition (no mean feat, even that was only 2 to their 1). So we are creating chances. Could we do better? Yes. Even Ralph admits that. 1b. It is your opinion that our 10s are all garbage. Fine, you are entitled to it. Personally, I think they all offer something, but none are the full package. Would I like them to be better than they are? Absolutely. I would love it if we had players like Grealish, Son, Fernandes, et al, but we are where we are financially and can't afford that type of player. So we have to make best use of what we have. We need to use each to their strengths whilst not being exposed by their weaknesses. Just as we should use the squad, formations, tactics, etc, according to who we are playing, who is available, form, etc. The top teams, no matter who is managing them, can afford to say we are going to play to system X and then go buy the best players to suit that system. We can't. Like all managers, Ralph has a preferred system and has started getting players in to suit that system; whilst also being brave enough (this season) to change system, formation and starting players accordingly as required. I can appreciate that, others seemingly can't. We have quite a few new players in our squad and team this season. They have had half-a-dozen difficult matches to start the season with. We haven't been outplayed in any of them, except the 2nd half of the first. We have matched or outperformed the opposition in all bar the first. Yes, even on Sunday when we lost to Wolves. Unfortunately, we haven't yet turned those performances into wins. But I'm sure we will soon. We need to be a bit quicker and slicker in our forward passing and more clinical when shooting. We need to play through the opposition. Not go 4-4-2 with wide wingers slinging the ball in the mixer as our only way of attempting to score; and especially not with one of those wingers being an 18 year old RB who has (very effectively) only played 6 matches at this level.

No I don't. You asked me to get context and come back. I did just that. You are the one who has responded somewhat 'confrontationally' both times. Please don't get keep getting upset when others have different opinions to you and aren't afraid to call out your drivel. As for the questions, you made sweeping statements with zero evidence to back up your (wrong) opinion. Personally, I would have answered them like this: 1. Of course Bally was right to build a team around MLG. He was a unique player who we were blessed to have. However, without such a rare talent, it shouldn't be done. We don't have such a talent in our squad now, which is why Ralph doesn't do this (even though you, apparently, think he does). 2. I haven't seen any poster say all our woes will be over once Stu is back. (Yet you claim there are people who think this way). My thinking is that you didn't answer those questions because you know that if you did so honestly your answers would prove your early post wrong. Have a nice day too.

Sorry for the late update. Been a bit busy this week. Anyway: Match Day 6 Match Day Comparison: Last season we beat Everton 2-0 at home in our 6th league outing. So Sundays disappointing 1-0 defeat sees us 3 points and 3 GD down. -6 Points; -4 GD Head-to-Head Comparison: Last season (just as the one before that) saw us lose at home to Wolves by a single goal (at least we weren't winning at HT this time around) so no change in either points or GD. +3 Points; +4GD Next up, on Match Day 7, is a short trip up to London to face the European Champions - Chelsea. As has already been mentioned above, that was our Match Day 5 last season and we managed a very creditable 3-3 draw. Match Day 7 saw a 7 goal thriller and a 4-3 win away at Villa (after being 4-0 up!) Seeing as Chelsea have only conceded 3 goals, in all competitions, so far this season I really can't see us scoring 3 tomorrow. At this moment in time I would very happily take a 0-0, but have a feeling Ralph is going to lose his unbeaten against Chelsea tag. Still, I will be watching and cheering the team on as ever, and with the hope that we will take something from the match. COYS

You haven't noticed how we have changed the way we play this season? No, probably not. You have consistently shown your lack of knowledge over the years. You have a vendetta, that we know. In fact, it even got to the stage where the majority had sussed you out so you created a new account for yourself. Come to that, it wouldn't surprise me if you had a few knocking about too. saDman.

Exactly. But Ralph saying he would have to wait and see is obviously an indication of a rift in the squad................

I'm perfectly chilled. I did read the post you responded to. I also listened to what Ralph had to say. Nothing surprising in there at all. Do you honestly think he should have said something like: 'Yes it fantastic Stu is back in training this week. Even though he hasn't played at all since pre-season he will definitely be in the starting 11, as he is much better than the other options I have'? All Ralph said was that he would see on the weekend if Stu would be ready to be in the squad and, as every manager says about virtually every player, that he would need to show in training that he deserves to be in the starting 11 when he is ready. Don't see anything wrong there at all. It would all sorts of wrong messages to many players had he said the opposite. It's about managing your workforce (squad in his case). From that you formed the opinion that Ralph build a game plan around one player and never has a plan B. My opinion is different. Sorry if you didn't like my sarcastic reply, but I have just as much right to post my opinion as you. By the way, you failed to answer either of questions: 1. Was Bally wrong to build a team around MLT? 2. Which fans have said all our woes will be over once Stuey returns to first team action?

Why is it 'miraculous and unexpected'? I was of the understanding it was a minor injury which went on a bit longer than expected. A couple of weeks ago Ralph said that Theo was just ahead of Stuey in recovery. He also said Theo had ben training with the first team last week; so really not a shock that Stuey is training this week. Also the reason why the Scotland manager selected him for their squad - because he had spoken to the club and had been told SA was likely to be back in full training this week. Why do people always love to invent conspiracy theories, and stoke them at every opportunity? For what it's worth, I doubt Stuey will start on Saturday. I think he will be on the bench, as will Theo. Whether either get on the pitch is another matter. Probably more likely Theo will than Stu.

Excellent post, except I am sure we never have a game plan that revolves around a single player (well, not since MLT hung up his boots - was it bad for Bally to do that then?) and Ralph has clearly used plans A, B, C and D this season. But hey, keep those digs coming...... By the way, which fans have indicated that our woes will all be over once Stuey returns? (And you do realise that he only missed 5 PL matches last season and 8 the one before?)

Cheers. I'll have a vodka or three for you in exchange. 👍

Can't argue with any of that. Agree entirely (apart from me going to new grounds; maybe the odd one or two given a chance). I did get to listen to 'whispering Dave' for almost all those matches though. 🤣

You are right in that Djenepo does play more of a wide role on the left. Probably because he the best of our AMs at actually beating a player on the outside and getting a cross in. He does also cut inside a lot though, usually to go down just inside the penalty area.... I would say Theo and Redmond tend to drift in and out, playing at least as much inside than out. Moi certainly stays inside the majority of the time. I would imagine in every case they are doing as directed by Ralph, i.e. each playing to their (perceived) strength. I've said before that I would like to see Tino playing RM, but we would need to be playing a rigid 4-4-2 with him and whoever was LM (Djenepo would be my choice) staying out wide. It would also need to be in the right match against the right type of opposition. It would also mean playing Broja as a CF, so that we have someone with height to get on the end of the crosses. That would be quite a change to how we normally play though and the reason why Ralph is unlikely to try it. All those calling for Ralph to play Tino at RM week in week out are going to remain very disappointed. Its almost as if they don't watch, or have a tactical understanding of, how we play (something they like to accuse Ralph of because, like all fans, they know far more than someone actually paid to manage a team at the highest level).

Yes they were. But living abroad I didn't get to see many of them. The occasional one that was televised or when I was over visiting family. Whereas I can watch virtually every premier league match, even the 3.00pm Saturday ones. That aside, I would still rather be in the top flight than trying to get there. I mean, what is the point in celebrating promotion if you are then just going to moan about us not being able to realistically challenge the likes of City, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc, for the title every season? Can't say I remember seeing anyone posting, 'shit, I didn't want us to get promoted' at the time.... (Just St L complaining that we only came 2nd.) The above not aimed at you by the way; just giving my opinion.

I know, but I couldn't resist. Sorry.

Well, you certainly wouldn't have much of a football brain if you passed it your opponent to score. 😂

As I said, our problem is converting not creating. Though there certainly have been a couple of goal line clearances. (WHU comes immediately to mind). Yes, JWP frustrates me in that sense too. He certainly can strike a moving ball and has scored a few decent goals (for us and England) doing just that. He just doesn't seem to try it often enough. There was one point on Sunday when I was screaming for him to hit it, but he passed instead (to Moi, I think, who then took a shot himself).

I'm really not bothered about the matches from last season. Just as the Ralph knockers don't care about out top 4 results of 2020. Which players out of position have been a cause for concern, barring KWP not getting his crosses in against Wolves? He was excellent at LB against City. Long was brought on to play a specific role in a change of formation. I would have rather seen Tella introduced, but hey-ho. There is a whole other thread about Ralph. Perhaps pop across to express all these other things you think he is doing wrong. Don't think Ralph goes out to look for 'bang average' players. Maybe that's all we can afford? - Not that I would call Salisu or Livramento, or even Diallo, 'bang average' in any shape or form, and believe it is way too early to label any of our summer signings in such a manner after only a handful of difficult outings. Out of curiosity, what makes you think EH would be a success here when he hasn't been at any other PL club? (Yes, he was good at getting Bournemouth promoted, largely thanks to Russian money - which he then wasted once up.)

Against Wolves: we had 18 shots to their 5; 6 on target to their 3. Against City: we had 10 shots to their 16; 2 on target to their 1. Against West Ham; we had 11 shots to their 13; both had 3 on target. Against Newcastle: we had 22 shots to their 10; 6 on target to their 5. Both Utd and Everton had around double our shots and more on target. Creating isn't the problem; converting is.

Because we don't play with wide midfielders. It wouldn't be 'in front of' Tino. It would be ahead of him but tucked inside. Go back and watch the Wolves match (if you dare) and look at the positions Moi was in for most of the match. Should answer your question.

How much was he paid per point for his 2020 haul?