austsaint

They were unbelievably poor weren't they? At least it cleared up the question of who the next Manager to be sacked will be.

Cruel last gasp goal leaves a horrible feeling; but there was much to be encouraged about. Well done Ralph for playing two specialist full-backs. Well done for playing four at the back and well done for playing four attacking players - we might argue about which three join Ings but the template of four attacking players and four at the back with specialist FBs is a must for most games to come. Against a meek, inept and open Arsenal we got away with a two man midfield, but that combination is going to be found out in the crucial games to come - it's clear though that Ralph is going to play Ward-Prowse every week. Some have criticised Hojbjerg, yet I thought he was outstanding, along with Bertrand, Bednarek and Ings. If only Cedric had completed that simple assist for Obafemi; if only Djenepo had finished that delightful set up from Boufal.

That's a good looking side - I doubt Ralph has the clear thinking mind to drop Ward-Prowse; but we live in hope. I'd have Adams, Armstrong and Obafemi on the bench as attacking subs.

I agree - Adam Leitch will be missed; enjoyed his articles and a fair enough critique of Cortese.

Quite straightforward in my view. You play Romeu and Hoj in midfield - because JWP doesn't add any steel or holding quality in a three man midfield. Nor does he have the creative or box-to-box qualities to play the Lemina role. That frees up space to play four attack minded players - my preference would be Ings, Redmond, Djenepo and Boufal - I suppose there is a case for Armstrong too.

Of course JWP isn't solely responsible for our precarious situation - but his continued selection for every game and the limited performances he turns out leave the side deprived of creativity, attacking instinct or CM/DM depth, depending upon where Ralph has played him. No one is doubting that the defence has been largely woeful since the days of VVD, Fonte and Toby but JWP as an automatic selection this season has weakened the side further.

Well I'm laughing out loud at Levy - Mourinho's a busted flush as a Manager; I think the game has passed him by. After all this is the man who got rid of Lukaku and Pogba.....and then paid squillions to get them back. He also strikes me as a nasty, egotistical type......just look at his media interviews and his role in the sacking of the Chelsea Doctor/Physio......the guy is close to being unhinged.

A rubbish myth...the plan B mantra. How deluded is Levy? There will be a decent queue for MP and his loyal assistants.

You've summed it up well. It's hard to see how we can escape relegation - my faintly hopeful glimmer is Ralph entrusting four attacking players...Djenpo, Ings, Boufal and Redmond; trusting Romeu and PEH in midfield - playing specialist full backs and including Danso as one of the two CBs....McCarthy in Goal. Players like Armstrong, Obafemi, JWP on the bench at best.

Didn't Josh Sims make that marvellous run and assist for Long's goal late in the game?

I'll offer an answer to your first question re alternatives to JWP. For the times when Ralph has played him as a CM of two - play Romeu and PEH (better still would have been replacing Reed and Lemina). For the times when Ralph has played him in a midfield trio - play any of the following attackers instead..Boufal, Djenepo, Redmond, Ings, Adams, Armstrong. For the times when Ralph has a "wing-back" - Bertrand, Valery or Cedric. For the times when Ralph has played him on the wing - Boufal, Djenepo, Redmond, Ings, Adams, Armstrong. For the times when Ralph has played him as a full back - Cedric, Bertrand, Valery....even Stephens/Yoshida/Bednarek As for the famed corners and free kicks - Bertrand, Boufal.

How long has Ward-Prowse got left? Seriously - the malaise of this Club has no clearer marker than JWP playing every minute of every game this season!! And being given the Captain's armband yesterday was an insult to supporters. I've never seen such an overhyped player deliver so little for so long.

But Egg; he is right on both accounts - Kelvin Davis might be a nice bloke etc, but he was an ordinary Goalkeeper and on all the evidence is not much of a Coach. The Club needs better than Davis and Watson.

That's ok; I'm getting a laugh out of your opinions too. Time will tell - I think it already has!

And this is pure fiction.....isn't it?

And this is pure fiction.....isn't it?

There's no doubt Hojbjerg has had a poor season so far. I'm basing my assessment on Hoj having previously shown an aptitude and an appetite to be a decent CM or box-to-box midfielder. I've never seen that aptitude or ability from Ward-Prowse....in any position; and I'm losing faith in Ralph's credibility as he continues to select him - although I support your observation we are ludicrously short on midfielders with Lemina and Reed loaned out. What seems obvious to me is we have sacrificed an attacking player like Boufal, Armstrong or Adams to shoehorn WP in, with a resultant weakening of our attack, midfield and defence. To my eye, Romeu has been consistently good this season, but has suffered from the poor season of Hojbjerg and the "nothing" inclusion of Ward-Prowse.

I think you are doing an injustice to Romeu and Hoj. If we persist with the idea that Ward-Prowse is a midfielder or an automatic selection...we are going down. As for the posters citing statistical support for JWP; just watch the games....that will tell you everything - if you have an objective gaze.

I think you are doing an injustice to Romeu and Hoj. If we persist with the idea that Ward-Prowse is a midfielder or an automatic selection...we are going down. As for the posters citing statistical support for JWP; just watch the games....that will tell you everything - if you have an objective gaze.

Boufal really should start v Everton alongside players like Ings, Redmond and if fit, Djenpo. I don't trust Ralph to see it this way though.

Ralph's playing of Ward-Prowse for every minute of every game - where essentially it deprives us of an attacking player is the thing I cannot understand. Furthermore, having JWP bang in a hundred or so corners and free kicks and eventually having one of them headed in does not make an assist laden midfielder. Our predicament isn't all down to Ward-Prowse of course, but his "automatic selection and retention each game, irrespective of performance, really highlights how threadbare the squad is. I thought Danso did well; as did an out-of-position Hojbjerg - McCarthy should be our first choice keeper. Felt sorry for Boufal - he needs a chance to play among Redmond, Djenpo, Ings, Adams etc.....not being limited to 45 minutes with Long for company when the Manager has 8 behind the ball and is trying for damage limitation.

Can we just see a Saints team this season run out without Ward-Prowse? It would allow an attacking player like Boufal or Armstrong to add something, since WP has not offered an attacking or defending attribute to the side. Oh, and surely Obafemi or Adams instead of Long.

Attention to the weaknesses at CB and FB is clearly urgent, but there is also a pressing need to deal with the static, undermanned midfield. If the Club doesn't add pace and creativity to the midfield, the game is up. PEH, and Ward-Prowse in particular must be improved upon.

At least Hughes had the good sense to drop Ward-Prowse from the side. That's one of my biggest complaints with Ralph - he has played Ward-Prowse for every minute of every game this season!! It just makes no sense.

Easy way out for some very poor players isn’t it?