saintant

As far as I am aware Moneyball, as demonstrated in the film from the same name, is about the ability to use some form of intense analysis to identify players who are perceived to show signs that they can quite significantly improve the level they are performing at. Not the obvious star players but fringe ones who wouldn't ordinarily be on the radar of those looking to strengthen a team. I don't think age comes into it. From watching the film, if I remember correctly, the baseball players signed were unexpected, slightly out of left field and not ones that many coaches would consider. It is based on a true story and it did work although initially the team went on a run of losses. Not sure how close to the real story the film is or whether it would work for us or any other football club - probably not because the coach would have been fired after the initial run of defeats. Worth a watch though.

Well they need to be very careful because relegation in their first season as owners will blow a huge hole in both their investment and plans to build up a portfolio of football clubs.

But it wouldn't have been McCarthy's first ever game in the Premier League so maybe we can cut Bazunu some slack.

I think Salisu is better playing as part of a pair - this 3 centre back formation seems to confuse us and results in nobody knowing what they are supposed to be doing and so there is no cohesion. Get back to playing with 4 at the back and encourage the CBs to develop a partnership.

Also it would mean admitting his tactics, selection and formation for yesterday's game was a complete and utter shambles.

Or, to turn it around, who could do worse than 5 points out of the last 39 with goal difference of -24?

No, merely pointing out a fact.

It's not in Ralph's play book.

There is currently nobody below us.

Who, apart from Ralph, ever though Adam Armstrong could play the role of lone striker?

Maybe look at the last 13 league results - it makes even worse reading. 5 points from those games 3 of which came from a fortunate win against Arsenal and a goal difference of -24. Ralph has more chance of conjuring a non existent rabbit from an empty hat than conjuring a few wins. SR should act now and not leave a new manager having to clear up more of Ralph's mess as that may even limit the number who'd even want the job.

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.