austsaint

Have to agree. The oddball who writes the Ugly Inside stuff maintains if only Prowsey was playing, England would be playing teams off the park.

Wasn't Mitchell gone by the time Hoedt arrived? Mitchell was the "black box"....

Yes, the suspicion Ralph plays favourites (like Redmond) when players like Che Adams are/were in better form is my main criticism of Ralph.

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.