austsaint

I must say, some of your ideas about Stephen Davis used to baffle me, but on most other topics, including Shane Long you are right on the mark. It is bewildering the Club has kept such a limited player for so long. Tolerable perhaps if we had a couple of fit, talented strikers and a good wide player or two; but when someone like Long is almost your only option along with Austin, then it's hard not to be scathing of the Club's recruitment and scouting.

Thought Slattery was awful today! Misplaced passes and lacked mobility - he and Long and Armstrong (1st half) were liabilities.

It's not great to be critical, but the performances, or non-performances of Long and Slattery today were breathtaking. What was wrong with Long? It looked like he couldn't run! And could someone who has seen a lot of U/23 Football tell me what Slattery's attributes are? It should have been JWP partnering Romeu and Valery starting. On a positive note Redmond's goal was the quality moment of the day and Romeu, Vestergaard and Targett were all good. It's going to be a long limp to the finishing line with the thin squad Ralph has.

As turgid a half as you are likely to see. Such little quality with Saints today - Romeu on his own in midfield; if JWP should be in the team it's not right back or wing back - if Valery isn't good enough, why wasn't a replacement RB secured? Now that Ings is injured there is so little creativity, width or speed. Armstrong very sloppy at times. If Ralph wants to win a game like this, he really has to bring on someone like Sims. Not seeing the value of Slattery at this point. Given we should be a goal down it looks like a long second half to get a scoreless draw!

When you think about it the Club has fecked around with the RB spot for years - after Chambers was sold and Clyne was injured, players like Yoshida, Stephens, JWP were played there as fill ins. Never very successfully. When you add the thin quality of CBs and strikers in recent times it's obvious the Club have gambled on its Prem Status for some time.

You're a strange cove, Glasgow.

Says it all really -got to be happy with a point, given the performance. Can't believe Hodgson was so negative in the 2nd half. Well taken goal again by Ward-Prowse who wasn't effective tonight in midfield but did well when switched to RB/wing-back - great assist from Targett who was otherwise very average. Thought Romeu was once again our best by a long margin. What a prat was Zaha - such a good player; such a stupid reaction.

That's the tale of the tape - our FB's have been skinned by their three attacking players who look a more cohesive unit than Ings, Redmond and JWP. Stephens lucky to still be on the pitch.

Zaha, Ayew and Townsend - with Benteke, Schlupp and Wickham on the bench does look a better attacking unit than ours.....on paper.

Agree. Ralph is a breath of fresh air but if the squad is not strengthened then the chance of relegation is still uncomfortably near. This window has the appearance of many past in the last 3 years - the big positive is RH.

What a prat Hoedt is. Quite apart from his inflated opinion of his ability, he really is not very good. One footed, clumsy, poor balance and positionally naive. He reminds me of a poor version of Jos Hooiveld, who was an average player but a much superior human being.

Get off Lighthouses's back Glasgow - he is spot on in his assessment of Wums like CF and you.

Good summary - I think Ralph might be happier with Romeu and Hoj longer term than you suggest though.

Sell Romeu - our best player since Ralph arrived??? Don't think so.

I've been a consistent critic of JWP, but he was very good today - great work rate, nice one touch passing and the goal was exceptional. I think he benefits from playing around Hojbjerg and Romeu. There will be sterner tests but he made his mark today; well done.

There was a moment in the first half when Romeu clattered into him and won the ball. Richarlison wasn't sighted after that. Just love Romeu's controlled aggression and his combination with Hoj is great at the moment - both are picking out quick, counter-attacking passes to set things going.

He wasn't any better. Hard to criticise Ralph - and of course Valery has time on his side but thus far he is not convincing and at times is being covered by Stevens and Bednarek. Thought he was the only weak area today.

Great win; flattering to Everton to finish within a goal. Magnificent midfield efforts from Hojbjerg and Romeu. Best game I've seen Ward-Prowse play and an exceptionally well taken goal. Redmond good most of the day and special mention to Stephens and Bednarek who controlled things at the back. To think we nearly had Silva!!! Whoever recruited Ralph (was it the other Ralph?) deserves the keys to the City.

Could be/Should be 2 up. Midfield of Hoj and Romeu excellent - Redmond outstanding with Ings chipping in.

The lazy tag is quite wrong; as others have pointed out Boufal worked hard, tracked back and with limited opportunity developed a very good partnership with Bertrand. I hope he gets a chance to impress Ralph - he could be a game changer for Saints yet.

Why don't you just Watch the game you Wally! JWP's contributions , if any come from corners and free kicks - he can't doesn't run or drive forward with the ball, and by any observed evidence his passing isn't as good as you're claiming. He doesn't tackle or intercept in the way that Romeu, Hoj and Lemina do. If you just stuck to a line of him being a neat and tidy squad player who Ralph has encouraged to step up in the wake of injuries and suspensions, most people would agree with you. You have however put him up as a better player than Redmond and now Lemina - probably our best two players along with Romeu this season. Give it a rest.

Love to know who your statistician is, mate.

Surely Lemina over Prowse if fit.

Yep, Ramsay was quite good. There's a player there.

No doubt we had a younger side, although Tomori has just turned 21; Mount 20 and Wilson 21. And Prem survival is absolutely the priority - I was agreeing with Nordic Saints point that a Championship side who has won just 1 from their last 7 looked every bit a match for us tonight which does raise the question about the lack of quality in the squad.