austsaint

Thanks to SuperSaint for setting out the Athletic interview with Jake Hesketh. Hesketh, Harry Reed and Josh Sims are three academy players I always saw great potential in and it's a bit sad to reflect on what's happened to Hesketh. While I don't hold Ralph responsible I believe he didn't give the trio enough of a chance to establish themselves at Saints.

Seems like a no brainer to me...replace an injured RB with (arguably) the best performed RB of the season just finished, Kyle Walker-Peters.

Don't expect a bow from him after those stern words.

I think it was Dusic who made the point that if Ralph wasn't the likeable, upbeat, high energy character he is, the axe would probably have already fallen given the Club's abysmal record this year. I'm still sitting on the fence....we've seen some brilliant attacking Football in the last two seasons but also recurring doubts around tactics, formation, team selection and substitutions. Then there's the question marks about the quality of the squad and the lead weight of Gao. I can't see Semmens pushing the envelope; but I can see the case for a new Manager.

Good lad; you're not alone.

Your last sentence sums up the situation perfectly. Most Saints fans want him to stay yet if there is an offer it would be mean spirited of the Club to stand in his way.

You've gone to a lot of trouble with that analysis and quote but a more likely hypothesis is that Les saw Hoedt as Virgil's replacement. A more egocentric, one footed, not very good player you'd be hard pressed to recruit. The genius of Les.

You may be right - but I think Diallo will improve rapidly next season; he's not really that far away now, particularly in the CM role. A player like Delaney would give the Club great depth and variety in midfield

You're making enough noise for all of us champion.

About time you went on holiday.

The overwhelming majority of the millions of people around the planet who showed support towards BLM marches and rallies last year did so in broad support of criminal justice reform and racial equality. They have no affiliation to the numerically small US based political activists. In that sense sporting organisations, corporations etc have every right to promote positive social change.

Another scary statistic is that under Bielsa, Leeds have won 60 of 67 games after taking the lead!

The other plus with a player like Gallagher is the back up dead ball delivery which we have lost with the departure of Bertrand.

When Luke Shaw left, RB was the perfect replacement and a shrewd piece of recruitment - Mitchell's work I suspect. The best memories I will keep of Bertrand are those barnstorming, overlapping runs followed mostly with sweet left footed crosses into the box. Even a couple of months ago I was in the camp hoping he would re-sign, but it is fairly apparent he has lost a yard and the attacking runs seem to have gone as a result. Wish him well and I'll continue to follow his progress.

I don't disagree yet McCarthy had a great game v Leicester and was promptly replaced - likewise Salisu was also excellent in that game yet didn't start tonight. Credit to Ralph though in making the change at half time - he has often been slow to make a change when needed. Thoroughly enjoyable game to watch with not a huge premium being put on defence by either side. Two exquisite finishes from Ings and impressive performances from Armstrong, JWP and KWP. Redmond not nearly as bad as some are making out and Adams once again proved a good foil for Ings. No doubt the penalty save by Forster was the catalyst to go on and win the game. Only negative for me was the underwhelming MInamino - surely he won't be returning to Saints, even if Liverpool were open to it.

Exactly, that's the most logical conclusion to draw. Ralph has to play him...to find out and to give him the opportunity. Otherwise, what was the point of the Man U start? Would also like to see more of Obafemi, even at the expense of Tella, who for all his pace, worries me with his poor touch and lack of composure. Surely Salisu has earned an involved finish to the season as well.

Thinking the same thing. He'd be having a field day, confirming his season long anxieties.

While this may never happen, perhaps it's time to look at abolishing red cards in favour of a post-match judiciary who weigh the evidence against a player "on report" for an infringement deemed by the referee to be worthy of a sending off - including a second yellow. That way the Club and spectators get a numerically fair game and the player faces the music after the game. Suspensions, fines or clearances follow.

What he means is that during the 20 or 30 seconds it takes for the player to eat half a banana, you could boil the kettle or walk to the fridge and not miss a thing.

Well done, you banged one more tune out of your “ hilarious” Fulham spoof!

In a season of disappointment and let down - that was just the performance to give everyone a lift.

And to further reinforce your point, McCarthy was obscured by Salisu who had made a great block”. No criticism of AM; it was a sweet strike from Bale.

Interesting point about Bertrand. Though Salisu is no LB, he did a decent job on Bale, and stiffened the defence compared to the Bertrand of the past 12 months or so. Apart from his ever diminishing amount of left-side crosses into dangerous areas, Bertrand wasn’t missed, and the case for extending his contract looks feeble; but he must be replaced. Pity the intensity dropped off in the 2nd half; the loss of Ings and the formation shuffle in the midfield seemed to cost us and embolden Spurs. Thought KWP, Bednarek, Armstrong and Adam’s were all good. It was much improved on the WBA capitulation even with the familiar ending.

Only opinion of course but I thought Diallo played ok v Leicester, and certainly no worse than Ward-Prowse. Would certainly replace Redmond with Adams and Bednarek with Salisu. Also expect Minamino to get game time even if he is a long shot to be here next season.

Sums it up well for me. We looked like a side happy with a narrow loss, and for Ralph to suggest the players left it all out there insults our intelligence. I can accept the difference in class between the two sides but the lack of intensity and desperation on show was hard to take. Probably wrong to single one player out but the poor touch and control by Redmond highlighted our problems... he should have been replaced at half time. A deflating performance...adding to what looks like a meek, limp end to the season.