austsaint

Didn't look too bad running with the ball at Anfield that night!

Nice try - using those kind of sketch figures/stats to infer that the likes of Tella and Smallbone can match the influence of a Boufal is ludicrous. I can recall many assists and creative contributions by Boufal that the likes of Smallbone and Tella are unlikely to ever match. They are young, but scarcely match the skills and potential of previous youth players like Hesketh, Sims, even Reed at the same stage....yet, they now appear as players in our best 18....that's worrying.

When I read comments like that and then watch players like Smallbone and Tella filling roles that Boufal could, I wonder about the decision making going on at SFC, despite what the Lord Duckhunters' and others say about SB.

Yet Romeu's been no worse than Ward-Prowse, has he? And who is it that thinks Smallbone is a Prem mid-fielder? And Tella an attacking mid-fielder.

No one has mentioned our awful midfield today - what's happened to JWP this season? And Smallbone?? Just not good enough.

Bertrand go the yellow card - not Ward-Prowse. And while McCarthy was poor for the goal it was JWP who lost possession in the lead up.

Chez..to respond to your question about Redmond; I think it's fair to say he's a favourite of Ralphs. along with JWP, meaning they are going to be selected unconditionally....Boufal is/was never going to be given that luxury. I like Ralph as a Manager but his judgement on players like Redmond, and Long (ie contract extension) leave an uncomfortable doubt about his judgement, and recruitment generally at SFC has been wobbly since Paul MItchell's exit.

It is inexcusable - as is the belief that players like Smallbone and Tella would be ready/good enough to start the season with.

There's a lot of rubbish being written about Boufal as a "hopeless, lower league" player with a crap attitude. As you say, he's a richly talented player and comes across as a humble, down to earth person. Let's hope the next stage of his career goes well.

It was Pellegrino he remonstrated with, but we get your drift. I love watching him play, despite the frustrations. Looks like he's going though.

I think it's also obvious that Smallbone isn't ready for Prem Football yet. You can't carry a player while he develops his game and fulfils potential. His only attribute at the moment is that he's tall and has an athletic build, though that athleticism doesn't translate to his play. I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions of WS.

Hope you are right about the extra option for midfield.....crucial! Disagree about the characterisation of Romeu struggling to keep up late in the game and resorting to fouls....that really is a lazy stereotype which needs challenging. When given the chance post-lockdown Romeu looked fit and played out games strongly....

It seems to me free speech is only acceptable when it's free of hate and discrimination.

Egg is right...Tella is nowhere near good enough and the jury is definitely still out with regard to Smallbone. If there's no replacement for PEH then trouble ahead.

Never a good idea to go the "early crow" but things are definitely better of late.

So do I. Once you get past the old beliefs that only blokes should commentate on Football or Cricket you realise how good the emerging talent and personality of Isa Guha and co are.

Having had a look at a few other sites.....eg Sotonians; I'm crossing everything in the hope things can come good here. Would be a huge loss.

Could not have put it better. Wish he had stayed..hope he does well at CC.

They've been moved aside because their commentary, tired phrases and attempts at humour have passed their use-by-date - its not about age, gender or race - well certainly not gender or race anyway.

You'd have to explain what you mean by positive racism. If you're trying to suggest replacing three middle-aged white guys with a fresher more representative group of pundits is somehow racist then I'm struggling to understand your thinking.

It's not so much that a few middle-aged white blokes having a laugh and watching Football has to be squashed. More the case that there's a lot of people watching and listening to all things Football who aren't white, middle-aged blokes and therefore it's a good idea to have a range of presenters/commentators who reflect the changing face of Football and Sports fans.

Really have to challenge that statement. Romeu started last season very well and finished off brilliantly. He wasn't selected for much of the middle period with Ralph preferring JWP and PEH. Romeu didn't play well in the Leicester debacle, but neither did JWP or PEH. There's been a lot of myth making about OR...."legs gone", "can't pass" etc. Having said all that, it will be a worry if next season starts and there's only JWP, Romeu, Smallbone, Slattery and Jancewitz as the midfield candidates.

I suppose after seeing 6 or so appearances I want to see a clear attribute or skill level from WS to lay a foundation for natural improvement, development, coaching, experience etc and I can't see that skill or attribute yet.

Of course Ralph is the best judge....but at this stage I don't see a good enough player in Slattery or Smallbone.

He really is; and his contract extension will be a great boost for the Club and most supporters.