austsaint

Apparently it was 5 years ago since we came from 2-0 down, against Liverpool.. Mane and Wanyama came on at half time and turned it around.

Very good assessment Clarkey. I am one of those posters who up until 18 months ago couldn't see the fuss that was made about JWP outside of his corners and free kicks. Through a succession of Managers he never seemed to find a position nor a consistent quality in his general play - at least in my eyes he couldn't. But I have reassessed my opinion, and it is wrong to compare the pre-Ralph version of JWP with the current player. I would still argue that his outfield game is way below the quality of his dead ball delivery - he has however narrowed the gap by making the CM position his own and building on his energy and work rate with pressing, tackling, interceptions and a better range of passing. Long may it continue, and as you hint at, it's going to be interesting to see whether "big club" offers come in.

Agree . If someone stumps up 50 million we should be selling, pronto.

I think we will, (give them a tough game). Pray for Chelsea, and book the double-decker bus!

Armstrong was outstanding - he is such a good mover. I'd like to see him run for a medal in Tokyo later this year. The 400m would suit him perfectly. KWP (I'm ready to declare him better than Clyne was in his pomp) Redmond, JWP and Diallo also very good. Adams unlucky. Good confidence boosting win.

Good call. Frustrating though he is the assist and goal were classy contributions. Nicely taken opportunity from Djenepo too. Game over?

I'm sorry, but someone has to keep pulling your hubris up. I'm not seeing anyone much expressing "supreme confidence and belief" in bloody Fulham. What I read is concern over the collapse of Saint's performances - and some admiration for Fulham's recent performances in trying to beat the drop; and they might - but not at Saint's expense. Yes, we all know we're going to flop over the line to safety - no need to hammer your repetitive point. Go and have a couple of pints and chill out - and have a great day.

I dunno. He's better than that. I've always thought he's the equal (leaving dead ball technique aside) of JWP as a midfielder. And I'm happy to bat away the howls of disagreement.

Yes, Leeds fans have been on a ride with Bielsa. Thy must be rapt to be back in the top flight though and they look like they are back to stay. One of the reasons I'll be sorry to see Fulham go is I've enjoyed seeing Harry Reed get a sustained crack at the Prem - and he's done well, justifying opinions he was unlucky not to get more opportunities at Saints. Lemina? Not so much!

They did, shame really because they play some nice stuff. Enjoyed the game though, some of Leeds counter attacking is great to watch, even if they are a bit ropey defensively.

Those "F' words of yours are pretty damn scary...but I'll press on. What's my point? What's yours? It seemed to be that Wigan fans were so delighted with the silverware of 2013 they weren't so bothered with relegation. My point is, they might love having a Cup but they aren't so delighted with being in a wasteland of lower Leagues, probably never to have another look at the Prem they were in for 8 seasons. Without an extended Cup run they might have survived. Why don't you scale down your tough guy, argumentative bluster. It's not that clever - and very predictable. Failing that , come and work on my building site with four other bricklayers....you can mount your arguments to us face to face....complete with your insults and F words.

What exactly is my belief that Wigan fans would not be happy with the prospect of never seeing their side in the Prem again, even with a Cup on the shelf, got to do with believing Saints are never going to be relegated again? It's not an either/or. Any Saint's fan in their right mind wants to win the Cup. Of course there's no immunity to relegation - but there are better ways of increasing the chances of staying up than we've seen on show this season, and probably the next, by virtue of lead footed ownership, poor squad quality and sub-par management/coaching set ups. Nothing to do with wanting to be knocked out of the Cup to stave off unlikely relegation fears.

You probably won't find any Wigan fans watching their side in the Prem again, squire.

Think you're right about swapping Djenepo for Tella. Tella has pace, but his control and touch don't match up. Give Djenepo that attacking, direct running role we saw from him when he first arrived.

That would be a dream result. Lookman in.........Redmond back to Norwich (or anywhere else).

That has been the most glaring weakness with Ralph's management. Responding to or initiating tactical changes - and the timing and best use of substitutions. Fair to say even Sparky Hughes did that bit better!

That's probably the best 11th post anyone has contributed. Where have you been all these seasons gone?

Surprised there isn't a " new player alert watch" running in tandem with this one. Ings 20 + kept us up last season which created a buffer for many team mates and Manager. Which is not to say a Ralph replacement discussion isn't needed. Could see Howe coming here.

Time you took your bluster, sarcasm and algorithm book back to the "Is anyone looking nervously over their shoulder" thread.

Agree - it really appears that clearcut; without Danny's 20 + goals, and to a lesser extent Romeu's presence, our overachieving and comfortable table position seems shot! As Tedderr observes, without the quick high press and a decisive pass and strike, there's not much else to create scoring chances, and we haven't seen much of that in the past 11 or 12 games (20 minutes v Man City aside).

That's a key observation. We're like a horse kicking several lengths clear down a short home straight and falling in to win by a head.

It's a very good point you make about the scarcity of "take responsibility" players we have in the side. Armstrong,KWP, Romeu (when fit) and occasionally Diallo. People don't like criticism of Ward-Prowse, but objectively, take his dead ball game out and your left with one of the most conservative, static "non-responsibility players we have. The experiment with Tella should soon be closed off; he just doesn't have the control or touch to be starting in an attacking four. Another deflating afternoon however you dress it up and it certainly looks like a flop to safety being sought out, not a comfortable mid-table finish.

Fair enough, I didn't realise he was valued so highly. I was partly responding to MLG's belief that Forster and McCarthy are better keepers - on what I've seen of Ramsdale, they aren't.

I think you're missing the point some people are making. No one's drooling over Fulham, and not many are fearing relegation, just that in the last 9 games or so, they are one of the Clubs who are in better form and playing a better style of Football than SFC. That of itself is fairly deflating, given the early season form and results.

You might - but judged on what I've seen, and considering Ramsdale's age and development - not to mention Saints budget - I'd say he's a perfect candidate for goalkeeping succession, especially if Gunn's career continues to stagnate. I'll trust my eyes on that one.