Saint Fan CaM

Stephen's positional way is appalling. I'm surprised JWP didn't go RB and Diallo in the middle with Romeu....would have been much the better option. Still in this, but we need to move the ball quicker and with more accuracy.

But not playing with instructions from Ralph? Think he could be a game changer for us, but only if we move the ball quickly.

I think the term perfect storm sums it up nicely. Following the terrible purchases and Ralph coming in, the club knew it had to transform the playing staff - Ralph said so himself...he knew the size of the project and has been instrumental trying to put together a team that can play his system, while cutting away the players that were not suited. Sometimes you’ve got to break a few eggs to make an omelette and I think that’s where we are now. There’s still work to be done, but COVID and significant injuries have really hurt the project...set it back significantly. Maybe there was a deliberate decision to take a hit now (e.g. losing Long etc.) as in terms of risk, we’re in a safe-ish place in the league with time to bounce back when players come back from injury. Who knows? I don’t think this has much to do with Goa...the Board are autonomous and have taken a gamble but it’s gone a bit Pete Tong. I think Ralph will have helped shape the decisions, so involved but not wholly culpable. We March on...

This going to be a disaster. Run the white flag up the pole now. The older heads in the team need to be real leaders and the youngsters need to keep their heads up. Ramsey has, in contrast to Wankertwat, been pretty solid. It's the only positive. Please blow the halftime whistle. I can't take any more.

Well, I'm just going to try and enjoy the game if possible. I just hope that the team fight for everything, dont allow any sloppy passes and the officials don't spoil the game with biased decisions. In truth, I can see Ramsey or Jankowitz giving away a pen and the Ref joyously giving it in full knowledge that his mate on the screens will back him up. I can also see a heavy defeat. 4-0.

Looks like this lad could help. Let’s hope he comes fighting fit and ready to play Ralph’s press, otherwise he’ll be the next player in the treatment room. It’s a bit disturbing that we’re not able to plug the defence.

THAT is an absolute travesty!!! That has to become most nailed on pen ever!!! Shocking decision.

Yeah, sorry did mean right back. Doesn’t look like KWP will be back so for me JWP fits the bill there over anyone else...even Valery.

I wonder if Ralph doesn’t see Theo being a prospect beyond this season and ANM is a direct replacement? Would make more sense than being a stand in for Bertrand or KWP.

Villa looked very useful midweek despite their loss to Burnley...they’ve got some great players other than grealish capable of causing us headaches. Think Diallo should be kept at DCM and JWP in at leftback if Romeu is fit.Otherwise unchanged.could go eith

Arsenal player flops over...free kick. Cheating turds. Need to get Redmond on for Theo who is having little effect on our game mainly because he's nedding to cover Valery.

Just too many unforced errors from players that should know better. Keep it up and we'll lose by a good margin.

I guess I’m in the miserable fookers camp as I think we’ll struggle to cope with even a less than convincing Arsenal side. If we manage to scrape a draw I’ll be surprised but happy. If somehow Ralph manages to pull a rabbit out and conjure a win, given the current injury crisis, I think I’ll start to believe he’s capable of walking on water! Looking forward with intrigue to see how we fair compared to Saturday. 1-3 Arse...hearts hoping for 1-1.

Good win knocking out the holders. Great tactics by Ralph. No injuries. No complaints whatsoever. Thought JWP and Diallo were brilliant in midfield. Would like to see more from the strikers to be honest but I suppose it was Ingsy's first match back. Will Wolves be more difficult? I think they actually will because they'll be a very fit team.

Sorry Chez...not laughing at you but you missed the winky thingy signifying reverse logic! Anyway, we've looked like like real team again with the line-up. Personally think Diallo is looking like a starting contender against Romeu now...very good partner for JWP. Overall, if we maintain discipline and score a 2nd the game is ours. Not sure I'd like to call MOTM yet, but Bednarek and KWP have both been solid.

Front four not doing enough for me...poor quality movement. Need a 2nd to really get Arsenal on the back foot. Otherwise we're looking good value.😉

Until they score, then both teams will be in 'scrapping for a win' mode and players risk getting injured. Why not go for 2 or 3 and put it beyond then? We're not looking close to tiring them out. By contrast Saints supporters are asleep!😉

Cant believe how pedestrian and slow our build up play is against substandard opposition. How the hell is Long managing to steal a living as a footballer?!? So very frustrating.

Oh boy, one of those ‘on paper we should breeze this’ games. But as has been said, they’re on good form and will want to be the Prem team beaters. If Ralph has been able to get through to the youngsters...been able to drill the forwards...we should be too much, but there’s no guarantees in the Cup. The gulf is not as great as some might believe. 2-1 Saints but a really tough game.

I was thinking both, but cannot argue about having versatile players...it’s a good point. And agree that Omar Richards is a great shout if available on a free, but would he come here if Bayern was in his sights?

Stephens proving he’s been living on borrowed time as a Prem player. Just not enough quality in the squad with the injuries to be able to compete against a good Leicester squad. Plus the Ref seemed very keen to spoil the game for us. Oh well onto a youthful side for the FA Cup. We really need something special in the window, but there’s no money so it’s the kids we’re pinning our hopes on.

To the ref 1-0...utter disgrace that the foul was not given and it was all in the same passage of play as they held possession. Small one is having a decent game, but we’re not capitalising on their weaknesses in defence. Really, really need a player to be able to work some magic around the box to get a free kick for JWP to convert. Too much time wasting tip-tapping around and passing backwards in the 2nd half will lose the game for us. Would defo take a 1-1 draw at this point.

I’m not sure Williams is all that and there’s got to be better value out there surely? Looks like Crouchies illegitimate love child (allegedly).😉

Under normal conditions (I.e. Ings available) we would match up to Leicester well and it would be a close game, with every chance of us getting a win...probably 0-1. That’s not how I see this one going unfortunately...think they’ll have too much and we’ll struggle to score so think it’s 2-0. Hope Che and Theo step up and the supply to them is of high value.

Just the type of game we’d stuff up as a win would (a) solidify our place chasing the leaders and (b) it would really hack off Lineker and assorted pundits. Not sure either team would play for a draw but maybe 1-1...think they’ll nick a late goal for 2-1 though.