saintant

Beg to differ - after seeing not an iota of difference yesterday from last season's final 12 games, despite new players and coaches and a summer to improve things, it would make SR look very wise to sack Ralph now. I don't see him presiding over many, if any, wins and every game is vital. We don't want to be looking around for a new manager who will come in having to play catch up because we've not had the balls to make a tough decision until too late. As others have said Ralph is a busted flush.

Agree. New manager bounce and we might even beat Leeds - if not can only see another match with square pegs in round holes, weird tactics and an embarrassing defeat.

I'm hoping that basics is a small village in Austria.

Turns out it was nothing more than morning reality 🙂

To those who say who else would we get in if we sack Ralph I say the bar is set very low - his record in the last 13 games is 5 points, 3 of which were the somewhat fortunate win against Arsenal with a goal difference of minus 24 - so the question should really be, who could we get who could do any worse?

I think a lot of us would be happy with that sort of line up - just a simple change to fitting round pegs snugly into round holes rather than taking a sledgehammer and trying to insert square pegs into round holes where they clearly don't belong. It's not rocket science.

He's had the whole summer backed by new coaches and can only come up with that dismal formation, team selection and tactical plan resulting in yet another heavy defeat - how much more damage do we allow him to do before we pull the trigger? Every game is crucial. Unless SR are confident he can turn it round then delaying only makes a bad situation worse - it's their money but, for me, they take a huge gamble if they back him. I have zero confidence that Ralph can get this team winning.

If you turned in figures like this would you expect your employer to sack you? - I know I would especially on the salary Ralph is on.

That Villa game did seem to be the catalyst for our plummet into oblivion.

Yes, I'm afraid he's of the 'Not my fault guv' persona. You're paid a massive salary Ralph so don't hide behind others when you continue to screw up.

Take some responsibility Ralph instead of singling out the own goal and making out that killed the game for us. Just for once say you got selections/tactics/decisions wrong and own the dross you are presiding over.

So you don't want a change of manager I take it? How do you think Ralph will turn things around to get out of the downward spiral he is on?

Best for him and us if we part company now. He's had some very good moments but far too many shocking ones. I think he still bears the scars of the two nine nil losses and that affects the way he sets up the team which is understandable but means his head is not in the right place. The borrowed time he's lived on is up and I'm sure SR must be seriously worried.

Ralph's record for the last 13 league games is won 1, drawn 2 lost 10. Goals for 10, goals against 34. That is basically one third of a season and we have taken just 5 points with a goal difference of -24. The one win was what many thought was a fortunate one against Arsenal. It's pretty damning. Can't see how he manages to cling on.

Surely not!

I think the word 'otherwise' was superfluous.

Agree, he's turned us into a team that other sides look forward to playing against. I'm sure Leeds, Leicester, Chelsea and Man Utd will already be licking their lips.

Can anyone make a reasoned, sensible case supporting how Ralph will change things selection-wise and tactically to turn his shambles into something remotely resembling a team worthy of performing in the Premier league?

Agree, not difficult is it Ralph?

Ralph coming out with his usual post match ramblings.

Attack is the best from of defence.

Why? It's just patronising and an insult to people's intelligence.

Ralph needs to learn quick that he will not solve anything by concentrating on keeping a tight defence. I've supported this team for nearly sixty years and for most of that time we have conceded for fun but been a good, attacking side playing plenty of attractive football and scoring loads of goals. I'd rather we went down trying that than some badly contrived formation designed to keep the goals against down to a minimum - that has never worked for us and it won't now. Put out a side to attack not defend.

More yes men by the seems of it.

Agree entirely.