austsaint

Looking forward to seeing Small play; I get the feeling he could soon be putting pressure on Perraud for first choice LB. Also hoping that Lycano can show us some quality soon so that there's an alternative to Bednarek and Stephens.

Prior to that he was given 15 minutes against West Ham and was magnificent. What's your point?

Yep, good way of putting it..."they're as surprised as we are when things comes off". I can see why the "nearly" brigade get game time, particularly Redmond - his game against Leeds was a cracker. How many times though have we seen the follow up flop.

I think it was S. Clarke who described Redmond as an "almost, but not quite" player. I think Elyounoussi fits that description too.

That was the most frustrating part of an otherwise absorbing game. Why did Walcott start the game, and why was he not replaced earlier. It's decisions like that by Ralph and the timing of his subs and tactics which call into question whether he's up to the task. That aside, hard not to enjoy the contest - just as you thought Walcott's miss was inexplicable, Redmond trumps it...how did that happen? Redmond otherwise played quite well, but clearly there were outstanding performances from Livramento, Salisu, Broja, Diallo and Romeu. Surprised more people haven't praised Romeu's game; his inclination to drive play forward and the quality of his passing today was exceptional - Diallo also good at speeding up movement of the ball and with an eye for progressive passing. Question marks still in my mind about Elyounoussi; involved and pressed well but his touch and passing were at times substandard. Perraud also yet to convince me he is nailing down the LB spot or that playing a naturally right footed player like KWP at LB isn't a better idea. I don't understand the rejection of the idea that Ralph should try LIvramento further forward (where Walcott was masquerading today) and reinstate KWP to RB. Just as Ralph was wrong to label Broja as an impact sub not a starter; he may well be wrong about Livramento's capacity to be equally as effective playing in front of KWP who was outstanding for Saints last season and is in the top bracket of RBs in the Country (in my view). He was never 4th choice RB at Spurs as someone offered; it was yet another example of Mourhino's hasty and ill judged assessment of a young player with quality.....there's been many others.

Let's hope the Cornet doesn't play properly; the Cork gets stuck and crumbles and Wood gets nailed by Salisu.

Redmond did play well - so did Elynoussi, and Djenepo had his moments. Broja was outstanding. Someone is going to be unlucky in the front four with both Armstrongs pushing for a place, a fit again Adams and Tella and Walcott on the fringes. Maybe Redmond will be shifted to Djenepo's spot allowing Armstrong A. to partner Broja leaving Moi and Armstrong S to vie for a wide right spot. Then there's the problem of KWP sitting on the bench. I thought Ralph could have replaced Livramento with twenty minutes left - Perraud did well enough; just lacks that bit of acceleration which Bertrand had at his peak. Good to have the competition for places!

I know your question wasn't directed at me, but I'd argue Armstrong A. and Broja is our best striking combination....and that will be increasingly apparent as the season draws on. As an atheist, I'm already praying the Club gets at least another season beyond this one from Broja. He's going to be some player!

Harsh on Moi and Redmond, but I'd do the same. Redmond rarely backs up a good performance like yesterday and Elynoussi, to his credit, while proving he has improved should still be behind Armstrong S. in the pecking order. Broja is just the man to bring Armstrong into the game with is aerial ability, strength and hold up play.

What can't be argued is we didn't miss JWP yesterday - perhaps the free kick Redmond hit the wall with. The big difference with the Romeu/Diallo combination yesterday was the speed of ball movement both showed; less sideways and backwards passing and both, particularly Diallo showed a willingness to drive forward with ball at feet. It made for a different pattern of midfield, irrespective of Leeds limitations.

Indeed. The good news is that young people have excellent prospects of treatment and cure with that particular cancer. Good luck to the lad.

Or looked at a different way, more media coverage creates more interest, increasing the proportionality. Is that fair?

I'm not offended; but aren't mens' and womens' games already separate? ie played in separate games, often at different venues, in different competitions. Are you saying you'd like the womens' games to get less media coverage?

I see; so your assessment of the International round up is our JWP is a super player but our Broja is an impact sub at League 2 level. Hmmm.

Hey, well done TWar.....plenty of time for sleep; you've got a great experience to look forward to - how's your nappy changing technique? No doubt she will dote on her Dad completely.....until she turns 12 or 13 at which point the peer group takes over and you'll be relegated to dropping her off at the corner and paying for the Nike Air Force Ones!

You couldn't/shouldn't possibly select JWP for England based on his form this season.

I'm not reading the suggestion as TL to CM role, and if it is, I disagree. I'm pushing for Romeu and Diallo in CM, with Armstrong S. and Livramento as wide attacking roles....KWP at RB and Perraud at LB.

Livramento might end up being the best right back in the UK one day, but at present KWP is a high quality RB; less effective at LB, while Perraud is a specialist LB who needs the chance to prove himself. Livramento gives every indication he could handle a wide attacking role, and it's worth seeing if the dominoes can fall into place.

Good call - Diallo the one other for me....keen to see him get at least a three game run alongside Romeu.

I'm weighing in late. Ward-Prowse would have been lucky to get away with a yellow for that botched attempt at a tackle. Have a look at the distance the Chelsea players foot moves after the studs up contact with the ankle; there is substantial contact and force - it did remind me of Bertrand's red v Leicester. As for Dean - he strikes me as an official who likes a bit of spotlight and drama. He would be well suited as a Rugby Union referee - but accusations of singling out Saints? Nah.

Redmond did play well - history tells us he struggles to back it up though. KWP had a great game, though clearly not as comfortable at LB. Those who are saying he played badly or can't play the role just aren't taking in what's happening on the pitch. Still rather have TL and KWP on the right and give Perraud his chance. Ralph's only major mistake today was starting Walcott.

Indeed; that's my point...being likeable and passionate should not be enough to keep you in the job with the results we have this calendar year.

Quite apart from the horrendous record Ralph has in 2021, I keep coming back to the point someone made about him (Vectis Saint?)....if he wasn't such a likeable, passionate character he would probably have been gone some time ago.

While It does seem odd that Tella hasn't featured this season I don't think he should be replacing Armstrong or Adams as a frontline striker. There is an argument for using his speed and run instead of the others you mentioned. I think the moment of truth is close for Elynoussi - yes, he probably deserved his second chance but he hasn't really made a strong case yet.

Yes, you make a good point about the risk of shifting Tino further forward against a slick outfit like Chelsea, although such is his skill and poise I think he will handle the change well. My call for the KWP/Tino right side pairing is based more on thinking that KWP is one of the best RBs in the Country! I agree, he was good at LB against Man City....I'd rather he was in the team and out of his best position than on the bench - but I also have a degree of quiet confidence about Perraud. There is already some evidence that Livramento handles a wide attacking role well - I don't think Ralph is going to make the shift any time soon....but I think he should. You talk about a toothless front pair, which on face value is right - yet part of the problem on Sunday was the lacklustre supply from Redmond, Moi, JWP and Romeu. KWP in his best position and Livramento further forward might improve things for Armstrong and Adams.