kwsaint

Here’s a strategy: start Mo, first 30 seconds he two foot tackles Haaland from behind (Benaliesque). Him getting sent off doesn’t really make a different but hopefully it’ll throw Haaland off the game a bit.

When NA was sacked, Saints management had spent weeks lining up MP. Hopefully current management are doing something similar - quietly lining up Ralph's replacement so that they can get the new manager in immediately. My money is on that the switch will take place when the world cup break starts, so that the new manager has time to work with the squad without games.

The VAR technology is not the problem. It's the implementation and the way that it is used that is the big problem. Pierluigi Collina was in charge of the refs and the use of VAR during the last world cup was very good. Maybe get him in the sort out the muppets at the PL. He wouldn't stand for any nonsense. But the principle of getting a higher proportion of decisions right by using technology is right.

I notice that they’re both out of contract at the end of the season. It will definitely be a relief to release them (or even loan them out halfway through if possible)

Can recommend the spoons in Cambridge. It’s enormous.

Any idea what the rules on taking water bottles into the stadium will be tomorrow? Are they still going to insist on taking the lids away?

Last time we sacked a manager two games into a season it ended in relegation. RH should have gone in the summer. It just feels too late now. Can only hope that they have a successor lined up already as Semmens said on 5Live earlier in the year Going to be a long season.

Times like this, you think perhaps it’s our season.

Huge if true.

WSC has us 16th - the Saints correspondent had us 15th. Sounds about right to me. Bottom 6 and just about surviving again. It's going to be a very bumpy season. A few good results when the youngsters get it together with a number of hidings. Hang on tight.

Parking for the Ageas Bowl when it is busy is dreadful. Made the mistake of trying out the P&R for the T20 game v SA on Sunday. Queued for an hour to get in and then waited an hour for the bus back after the game. Won't be doing that again. It's a shame as it's a great ground once you are in. Personally, I don't mind a 20-30 min walk before and after a game - just want to be able to get away easily once back at the car. If anyone has any good suggestions then I would also appreciate them for next time I go.

Although Bobby Stokes goal in 76 was actually well onside. He was played on by Martin Buchan the United left back who hadnt stepped up with the two centre backs. It's just that the footage doesnt show Buchan when the ball is played forward, he comes into shot a fraction of a second later, As for Hurst's second goal in 66. I have seen a couple of youtube vids that analyse all the available footage to try to work out whether it crossed the line or not using modern technology. Turns out that it was incredibly close, couple of centimetres either way. Dont really care about last nights debate. We won. Thats all that matters.

Has anyone left yet? Squads getting a bit big

Another decent signing. Looking to be a good transfer window. Buying young players makes sense, but can't help thinking that we need to get an old head in as well. Otherwise it is likely to be yet another rollercoaster season

It's a stupid idea. Would have hoped that Arsene Wenger would have known better. When it was trialled it slowed the game down. Had to wait for players to get into the opposition box before lumping the ball forward. They are just flying a kite. Can't see it happening

It always goes to some run down northern town. Least the city council got £125k to cover the costs of the bid

Lots of media attention to recent pitch invasions, and in particular players of the opposing team being assaulted. Clearly unacceptable to make players feel unsafe. Memories of being on the pitch at SMS at the end of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. I remember both as just being fun occasions with the Walsall and Coventry supporters playing their part. No hint of anything untoward. What's changed? Any thoughts?

Had to check! Furthest point from the sea in England is a place called Coton in the Elms in Derbyshire apparently. Which turns out to be 5 miles from Burton on Trent. So I think that the answer is Burton Albion. I know that SMS is the lowest stadium above sea level in the league, although Everton's new stadium at Bramley Dock may turn out to be lower. Really not interested in the game on Sunday at all

For the little it's worth, my guess is that we will hear an announcement the week after the Leicester game that Ralph is off.

That does look like he is on his way. Odds only make that kind of move if either someone puts a shed load of money on at the original odds or the bookies have heard whispers and have reduced the odds as a result. I wonder if he has something already lined up. I don't think that he will want to stick around if he knows that the majority of fans are no longer supporting him.

Some dodgy maths in previous threads. It's 63% to sack him and 37% to keep him. It's not yet reached the Branfoot level of hostility, but still around 2/3 of those polled would like to see him move on

RH knows that his time is up. He is a proud man and I would doubt that he would like to leave at the end of next season with us relegated. My guess is that there will be conversations at the end of the season and a parting of the ways shortly after. Those in control of the club are not daft. It's a shame, as he is a decent man who has given it his best shot. Just tactically very limited.

Four years ago we had a relegation decider at Swansea. It's nowhere near as bad this season. It's just frustrating that we seem to go from one extreme to the another and we never know what Saints will do. Some of the football has been brilliant (Tottenham away for example) and some of it dreadful (last Saturday). Can't see us going down, but can also see someone going down with 37/38 points. Much as I like RH I think that it is time for a change. We need to freshen things up big time.

Madness. Thats them gone. Burnley are in big trouble as the new owners saddled them with loads of debt as part of the takeover.

Flowers got 11 England caps and was a reliable keeper. I seem to remember that he suffered from early onset arthritis. Form dipped in his early thirties as a result and he retired early for a keeper. At an age when keepers are reaching their peak. Still had an excellent career. Niemi was just a class act. Tough to call between Niemi and Shilton based on Saints form.