Minsk

Or because no one put in bids for them we deemed acceptable. Pretty sure a few would have been sold had we had the right offers. Come to that, all of them would have been sold if we had the right offers. They certainly aren't here just because Ralph refused to sell them.

But he hasn't replaced 20 with 20 of his own. He has brought in 10 of the current first team squad on permanent contracts plus one more on loan. I get all the rest you are saying but your argument that this is (largely) his squad is wrong. It is half his. Also, this season he has been trying different things. We have played numerous different formations, both from the start and switching during matches.

But we don't play with wide attacking midfielders. If you look at where our AMs/10s usually play they are more like inside forwards, Moi especially so. Moi does not play in front of Tino. Moreover, Tino was bought as a RB and has probably been our best player in the half-dozen matches to date. Yes it is harsh on KWP not getting to play in his favoured position, but the reason for that is a young man doing exceptionally well. Not really sure you can say Ralph choosing a new, young, player who has been outstanding is a bad thing. And it isn't 'fkin crazy' he hasn't tried Tino in a completely different position to the one he has been playing so well in just because you want to see him there. Yes, it would be a nice experiment. I might have given it a go if I were the manager, but who knows until it is your head on the block? It is all good and well for anyone to say what they would do 'in theory' but when push comes to shove that may not always be what we would really do.

Ralph has used 20 players in the first team so far this season. 10 of those were here when he arrived. An 11th, S. Armstrong, would certainly have also been used had he not had an injury. Of the starting 11 on Sunday 6 were here when he arrived, with a 7th coming off the bench. 3 of the unused subs were also here when Ralph arrived. So, at best, 50% is Ralph's. And if you were right in that most of the squad was his, particularly all those brought in this summer, wouldn't that go some way against the weight of probability of him being sacked? Why buy the players a manager wants, to fit his system, to then get rid of him half-a-dozen matches into the season to bring in a manager with a different philosophy/set-up?

Good post with some very valid points. Yes, I too expect Ralph will stick with the 4-2-2-2. I also don't think he will try Tino at RM any time soon. And agree that Chelsea away isn't the best place to experiment. You are correct that KWP had a good match at LB against City, and this game will be similar in that we won't be attacking much so no need to worry about his crossing with his left foot. So maybe he is the better option. There are arguments for both him and Perraud as starters to my mind. As ever, the biggest question marks are over the AMs. I think it would be handy to start JWP, Romeu and Diallo, but that would require something other than the 4-2-2-2. So likely to be Moi and Redmond again. One other question though, should we stick with AA up front? (Adams/Armstrong) or should he give TT a chance to show what they can do? (Theo/Tella). Ralph pulled a stunt like that by starting Obafemi and Adams in our Boxing Day win up there season before last, so maybe not too crazy a thought? (Think it should be AA though.)

I too think he started KWP with Troare in mind. Faster and more experienced. That said, maybe not, as when Troare was brought on he took KWP off and switched Salisu to LB to cover him. I thought that was strange, but Troare barely touched the ball at all......

Fully agree with everything in your first paragraph. Yes, Tino was caught up field. We had been attacking. His width on the right was our main threat. Jiminez got the ball from a long by the 'keeper. Hardly Tino's fault. There were 2 CBs against 1 striker. Absolutely they should have stopped him. Bednarek could have rugby tackled Jiminez and would only have got a yellow with Salisu covering.Not that I'm saying he should have done so, but he should have been more 'clever'. Did you notice how many times Marcal simply completely body-checked Moi without anything being given? Bednarek was primarily at fault, with Salisu a close second (should have stayed on his feet).

I do get why there are concerns and I too was expecting a couple of wins by now (I had Newcastle and Wolves in mind). I think Ralph has got us playing some decent football. We haven't been played off the park once (apart from maybe 2nd half at Everton). Indeed, at many times we have been the better team. The problem is, of course, being the better team and then not scoring or winning doesn't do anything. I also think Ralph himself has improved with his willingness to change formations and has (Long aside) made far better sub decisions this season. That said, you are quite right in that the line needs to be drawn somewhere if we remain winless. Personally, I think he should be given until at least Guy Fawkes Night. If no wins by then I fully expect fireworks and a rocket up his arse. That is the Villa match. It would give the incoming an international break followed by a match against Norwich. That said, I believe that if he were to be sacked it would use up what little funds we have for trading in December. And there is no guarantee his successor would be any better.

Would you have felt better had we lost against Utd, City and West Ham but beat Wolves? Would have given us the same points, but probably worse GD.

He was awesome for a whole calendar year before that. There are well documented reasons for our failings post January. You don't agree with them, others do. We were 6 unbeaten before Wolves. I don't call that abysmal. You obviously do. Almost everyone was saying what a horrid start to the season we had, even before a ball was kicked. We have lost 2 matches thus far, the latter despite being the better team (18 shots to their 5; 6 on target to their 3; far more completed passes; etc) and we only lost because Bednarek let himself get bullied whilst Salisu slipped on his arse. I am certain had Jack Stephens been available and partnered Mo Jiminez wouldn't have got that goal. Still, I'm sure it is Ralph's fault that Stephens is injured, Salisu slipped on his arse and Bednarek got bullied. From the same 6 matches last season we lost 5. Therefore, losing 2 is an improvement. A sensible and rational person sticks with a manager who is improving his team's performances.

Given the injuries to Stephens and Stu Armstrong, this is the team I would probably go with as well. However, like you, I doubt Ralph will agree. Got a feeling the only changes from Wolves will be Perraud vice KWP and Djenepo vice Redmond (or possibly Moi). Would love for Ralph to keep his record against Chelsea going, but not expecting it.

We were 6 games unbeaten before this match. Can't really knock team selections when that happens. In the first match we were the better team in the 1st half; fell apart in the 2nd. For this match we were the better team in everything excepts where it matters, goals scored - more possession, far better passing, around 3.5 times as many shots, twice as many on target. Again, how can you knock his team selection? I called the team on the 4th post of this thread; there really weren't many options - KWP or Perraud at LB and which two played in AM positions. KWP had a good match last time out, so can see why he was picked. He just had a poor game yesterday. With our best AM injured, there isn't really much between the others. Redmond's finish for the off-side goal was actually quite decent; Moi is doing better than most thought he would, but still lacks pace; Djenepo can go past a player and has learned to tackle - just lacks the end product. I think Ralph has done much better with his use of subs so far this season - although can't for the life of me understand why he brought Long on instead of Tella on Sunday, but I guess he had his reasons. He has also got the team playing in different shapes, both from the outset and during matches. Yes we haven't won yet, but we didn't win any of the corresponding matches last season either. In fact we lost all bar 1, which we drew. Imagine if that were the same this time around....... Really don't want EH here. Failed at Bournemouth (in the prem) where he had a lot more money to spend than Ralph has had with us, and failed at Burnley. What makes you think he would succeed here?

This calendar year has certainly been atrocious. I put a large chunk of that down to our injuries and compacted fixture list during the 2nd half of last season. The previous calendar year's results would have seen us in the Champions League - top 4. All those slating Ralph now were quick enough to point out that calendar year results don't mean anything back then - strange that.... A lot of people have, quite understandably, gotten very upset following Sunday's result. No surprise to me at all that there has been a raft of posts calling for Ralph's head, slating our new signings, etc, etc. Of course, mostly the same people on all threads saying the same thing. Those posters being the ones who have slated him in the past and have been itching to for a chance to bash him once again. Personally, I think Ralph has changed somewhat this season. Yes, he has made some debatable choices in starting line-ups, but I think he has largely been shown to have made the right choices. I predicted his starting 11 for yesterday correctly after the cup match on Tuesday. It seemed quite obvious to me. By and large, we had the better of the game. 18 shots to their 5; 6 on target to their 3; more possession; vastly more completed passes. We lost because (a) our finishing wasn't good enough (plus Sa made a couple of decent saves and (b) Stephens was out injured (I am certain he wouldn't have been out-bullied by Jiminez) whilst the usually excellent Salisu slipped on his arse when trying to cover the bullied Bednarek. Keeping on the topic of this thread, I agree with TWar: Full backs - Last season we had 1 RB and 1 LB. Lose either and we were screwed. This year we have cover and competition in the FB areas. Bertrand left because he wanted to leave. He was offered a new contract, turned it down. Perraud has shown some promise thus far, but Ralph has decided to go with the more experienced KWP at LB for some matches. That's what happens when there are options in the squad. (Yes, KWP was poor at LB yesterday; but he was good there against City.) - We are better off this season. Fwds - Whilst nobody thinks Armstrong is as good as Ings, again, Ings wanted to leave - refused to sign a new contract. However, Armstrong will likely play (or be available for) more games than him this season, and a lot more beyond. Also, as someone else mentioned above, thus far they both have the 1 goal from open play. I also think that Arma will match the 10 goals Ings scored from open play last season. Give him time. We also have Che, same as last season, but now also have Broja - who again has a lot of promise but seems a bit hot and cold/hit and miss. - More bodies/options this season, but lost a very good goal scorer (because he wanted to go). CBs: I was disappointed with the signing of Lyanco. Seemed like the cheap option. Might come back to bite us in the arse now that Stephens is out until December. That said, I was very much starting to like the look of a Stephens/Salisu CB pairing. Yes, they were both at fault (at least partially) for goals in the first match but I thought they were starting to gel nicely. I think part of the reason we went for the cheaper Lyanco (who may yet come good, those up at Sheffield said he did do some nice things) was to keep money back for a CM - it's just that the right one didn't come available for us. Expect we may rectify in December. - Weaker at CB overall, but think Stephens/Salisu is a better pairing than Bednarek/Vestergaard. AMs/10s - That said, if we do have some money for Dec then I would rather we used it on an AM. Not much chance of that though: Moi is playing better than I (and many others) thought he would; Redmond actually finished his off-side goal nicely yesterday; Djenepo is looking much better defensively and can at least manage to go past a player - I just wish he had more end product; Theo will get a few goals and assists this season; I wish Ralph would give Tella a go, although I think he seen as more of an attacker now; Stuey A is our only really decent AM, and we are missing him greatly. - Again, more options/greater depth than last season, plus Djenepo has improved somewhat. GK and CM just the same as it was last season. Could our summer window have been better? Undoubtedly. Don't think we are really any weaker than we were last season though, Ings finishing aside. But, as I've already mentioned, HE WANTED TO LEAVE and we were never going to (be able to) buy someone of equal - proven - quality to replace him with.

Ducky was taking the piss out of you writing 'loan' (borrowed) vice 'lone' (single). To be fair, that was quite witty for him.

Oh the irony of you saying someone else talks 'Rollocks'. So Ralph is solely responsible for the running of the academy now is he? 🙄 This is right up there with your statements of Salisu being too slow and Bednarek being left footed. 🤣 Last time I looked Ralph's role was 'First Team Manager'.

Too fekin cold anyway sweety. But thanks for the concern. xx

Would rather be in Bermuda. Pretty cold and wet in Minsk. Mind you, very hot if you're wearing red and white. Lots of people have been imprisoned and thousands fined simply for doing just that since the elections last year. (It's the 'opposition' colours.)

TTA xx

TTA That which you you quoted above was merely by way of explaining something I wrote which obviously upset another poster. Sorry if that was too difficult for you to comprehend. Why do you keep quoting me? You're obsessed mate.

Hypocrisy at its best. Bless you. Have a lovely weekend.

Thank you for a reasonable reply which actually reflects points made in a post. I agree, it would be nice to have a top, top, quality finisher playing up front for us. It would certainly mean we would be likely to score more goals. Just as if we had a top quality goalkeeper, a world class CB and a top holding CM would make us harder to score against. Doesn't really take a genius to work those things out. But we are where we are.

The bit in bold was in a reply to Turkish (not you) and in response to his 'mentalists' and 'hun' comments. Which were themselves pathetic. Again, I merely responded to your point about us still having Ings with the implications thereof. As others have done. You are the one who has singularly failed to acknowledge those facts or answer any question posed. I tried to be civil in replies, you got defensive. Yet it's all me. Is that another Turkish trait you're displaying? One of always being the victim? One person cannot argue alone. I also don't believe I have called you any names, expect for Princess and that was because you being so precious. I do apologise if that upset you. However, you have called me twat, an utter fucking helmet and told me to wind my head in - all because you don't give a shit what I think. Hilarious!! 🤣🤣🤣

I know you aren't, but you do like to try to give that impression. Bless your cotton socks. And if we are talking about people agreeing to back up opinions, it seems many agree with my interpretation of you and your posting style. Maybe ease back a little and actually answer questions, even though they may prove you to be wrong. Nothing wrong with being wrong. You are often enough.

Aww, bless you for wading in to protect Turkish. Except it wasn't just you stating that Ings would have scored (some mysterious) chances that Armstrong has missed. No one has disagreed with that (even though you can't say which chances). You took it further in by stating we would have won 1 or 2 matches by now had that been the case. You then didn't like it when people pointed out that wouldn't (necessarily) have been the case (for reasons already explained which you have failed to acknowledge) You know, there is something very similar in style between you and Turkish: you both ignore any actual facts presented to you which go against your belief and you both fail to answer reasonable questions when posed. Oh, and you also want to shut people up when they dare challenge you. Really a match made in heaven. Now go crawl back under your rock and have lovely weekend. (Wouldn't have added that last sentence if not for your 'wind your neck in' comment. Not usually my style. But as you sow, so you shall reap.) xx

TTA - Typical Turkish Answer - i.e. avoid answering any actual questions or even what was actually written, but come out with a load of completely made up bollocks. In more extreme versions accusing people of doing what he usually does himself and then act the victim. As can be seen above, he makes wild accusations (and then calls on the mods to take action on his behalf) but is completely unable to point out exactly where these things have happened/been said. Which, I suppose, is just a Typical Turkish Reaction (TTR).