Saint Fan CaM

This is my last home game as a season ticket holder of many years (retirement means a few financial restraints), so I hope we put up a really good fight. I would love this game of all games to be an upset…at least a draw. Unfortunately I don’t see this game as being one to remember for the right reasons. I think Ralph doesn’t have the team to beat Pool or the tactical nouse to overcome Klippity…think he’s largely a spent force here, with the caveat that I understand this summer will see some real investment in the squad, so who knows he might still have some chance of building a decent legacy? In reality I think we’ll see more of the same attempt at possession football, the sideways and backwards stuff with little penetration up front, a couple of golden chances spurned by under-performing strikers and a complete dogs breakfast of a defensive display because Forster will be dropped and all semblance of order at the back will be given up. I fully expect 4+ goals from Pool and no response from our lot. The only hope is that their team has a lot of changes which disrupts them and they’re so focussed on getting a result, they forget we can actually play good football on our day. Yeah, we’ll need the lube.

Trouble is, of late Saints seem to make a habit of breaking records or giving other teams/players the opportunity to break theirs. I hope you’re right, but I’ve a horrible feeling we will see at least two of three finish above us, with a real probability that the third also have a good chance too unless we get at least a point from the last two games.

If Ralph sets us up with 2 up top I think we’ll get smashed….another 0-6, 7, 8, or 9. I hope he has the good sense to put 5 in midfield or play a back 3. Nah, we’re going to need the lube…it’s not going to be pretty.

Most of the likely reasons have been covered already in this thread and in my view the most likely key issue is the system Ralph insists on using. Not that it’s invalid, but just unworkable with this squad - they’re just not good enough. However Ralph has no other option - he doesn’t have a different system that he personally is competent at deploying, he doesn’t listen to others (I’ve been told that by a club connection) and anyway, the system has been adopted by the entire club from youth level upwards (the lauded ‘Southampton Way’). The answer? There’s no chance of overhauling the squad (it would need 5-6 players of KWP’s level to make a difference) as there’s not the investment funds available. So the answer has to be in the manager and coaching staff being completely changed out. A shame it’s necessary to see Ralph go, but this is a results driven game and our results have been in general relegation level appalling for too long.

What a shame. Could have been so good, but Ralph has presided over an absolute shit show. I’ve been told he doesn’t listen to advice which is good because that means he is completely culpable for this miserable few seasons. Having said that, I’ll be pleased to see his coaching staff gone too, because they’ve not got a clue either. Whether the Board and owners have any idea how to drag this club into some me form of success remains to be seen, but I hope they’ve got the balls to sack Wreck it Ralph.

Why do we always try to walk the ball into the f-ing net?! And why is our wonderful set piece taker JWP only able to find their goalie at corners?! We are shit all over the field and this is made worse by the stretched system Ralph insists on us playing. The CB’s have to step forward to supply a very static and flat front line and in doing so leave us totally exposed at the back for a break. Ralph seems incapable of seeing this!!!

Enough is enough. Tactically utter shite. There are just too many very poor players out there, but to be two down at 20 minutes against Brentford is a terribly indictment of the awful management we’re witnessing. This has to be the worst run of performances in the history of the club and frankly, we deserve to be relegated.

Enough is enough. Ralph really has led this bunch of misfits to new depths of shitness. Times up Ralph…please fall on your own sword.

Just logged into the game and wtf 1-0 down after how many minutes?!?! We are truly shit.

Ralph's really been shown up here by a stand-in manager with a weak set of players. I would like to think this is a tactical defeat where the club thinks Burnley will be less of a threat than Everton, but obviously this is all about inept management and very weak mentality in most of our players. I think this is one of the most unenjoyable seasons I've experienced since our relegation season and there are few players I would like to see in the side next season. What a load of crap.

0-6 anyone? What a utter joke this team is - making a very shit side look like Barcelona. Armstrong is already having a mare of a game. JWP is panicking and passing backwards all the time. Burnley first to every 2nd ball. Ralph needs to give them an utter spanking at half-time.

Keep Cornet quiet and we should be OK. Need the team to be as switched on and motivated as last game. Thinking a 2-2 game again.

Fantastic performance from Fraser and Perraud, KWP and Lyanco all had outstanding games too. Ralph had obviously made a tactical choice to abandon the usual methods of play to favour a sit back and defend approach which was right for Arsenal. But make no mistake, Fraser dominated his area and made some world class stunning saves - in my book the best game he’s had for Saints. Perfect antidote to last weeks abject miserable match. It does leave one with the lingering thought that this squad is just not good enough to sustain the tippy tappy, high % possession, high press game Ralph seems to like. The summer transfer business will be fascinating to watch.

This would be the best setup to get something from the game but instruct the defence not to overcommit in the first half. Broja Armstrong and Moi have enough about them to keep Arsenals defence busy.

It’s going to be another mauling and anything better than 0-4 likely to be chalked up as a success by Ralph and his team of also rans. Sorry, not feeling terribly positive about SFC of late and I’m not sure whether it’s the Manager or the players or both. Tactically I’m bored watching the same old moves resulting in the same old mistakes. I’m frustrated at the % of JWP’s backward or sideways passing and his inability to find a Saints player with one of his hailed corners. I’m tired of trying to understand why KWP plays LB rather than Perraud. Can’t justify the expense of renewing the ST this season, but at least I’ll miss it less the way things are going.😔

Think a 4231 will suit this game better with Che up top…controlling midfield will be key IMO. Would have Tella, Stuey and Eli in the forward three and obvs JWP and Romeu in front defence. I’d also rest Tino and have KWP and Perraud at full-back to provide more balance in defence. Would put money on Ralph not doing this and starting Long. Think we’ll lose anyway, so it’s all conjecture. 1-3.

Leeds scrapping for every point and to be honest there was not much between the sides. Not sure Ralph got it entirely right in terms of team setup but at the end of the day another point towards survival is a good point.

Romeu off?!? WT actual F?!? What the hell is that all about? Think Ralph may have played that card a bit too early.

With JWP forever passing backwards and Diallo looking like he’s at a picnic kickabout we desperately need Stu Armstrong on to liven up midfield. Too many wrong decisions by Che, otherwise we’d be ahead. Broja is not really getting into the game enough but that’s more about the lack of service. Would prefer to see Perraud and KWP at full back to unlock a shaky defence.

Not saying you’re incorrect in that thought, but what’s to say Winks is not the star ready to blossom under a different system and boss? My thought is that often players often excel because of the partnerships they form under the system(s) they’re asked to play…think Morgan S, Wanyama and Hojberg who all played better with Saints than the club they moved to IMO. That said, whenever I’ve seen him he seems too lightweight to go up against some of the prem league midfield bulls.

Yes agree with this. He may not be a World beater, but he’s definitely shown himself to be capable at PL level. We should look to strengthen the position if possible but to be honest it will be difficult for a club of our standing to find better quality. For me Djenepo and Redmond are the big question marks - both are not really offering enough competition. Walcott is a different case…think the intention might be for him to finish his playing career here and move into coaching.

Most important thing is to arrest the very poor form over the last 3-4 matches. Forget it’s Leeds and that they need it more, I want to see every player show up and aim for a convincing win. Would take a draw so 1-1.

And there’s the £m’s talking. Our Championship level striker misses a sitter…theirs hits a Worldy. Over and out.

There it is. Stephens demonstrating his lack of PL level quality. We’re not coming back from this…they’re just too good.

It’s going to be over by half time. Changed defensive pairing with a CB renowned for ball watching. Two strikers with no experience working together and pretty much match unfit. A Ref that is biased in the extreme towards the ‘big’ clubs and a love of a red card. Think we could be seeing a record FA Cup score against. BUT, it’s the FA Cup and who knows? Get to half-time at 0-0 and we may just squeeze out a miracle. COYR!