Saint Pete

If we can dump Spurs out, great chance to make the quarters. Happy enough with that. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Eh? We went 2 goals ahead, does that not suggest we DID break them down? Problem was our defence reverted to type, went to pieces and allowed Wolves 3 goals in the second half. A timely reminder really to the club that a temporary run of a few games does not suddenly change the fact that we have an extremely leaky defence and lack leaders and know how on the pitch when games start to turn. It's not just the defence, we could also do with more steel in central midfield. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

At the start of this window, I feared that our improvement in form would result in the club putting back attempts to improve the squad at Ralph's disposal again and it looks like that is going to be the case. It seems as long as Gao and the board are confident we have enough to get our 16th/17th place spot in the league they are not going to sanction spending money unnecessarily (in their view). Pretty short sighted and complacent in my opinion. Ralph is performing minor miracles with what he has at the moment, but as great as our current form is, surely noone is under any illusions that improvements must be made to our squad if we are to progress longer term? I think we have been fortunate this season so far with injuries but that will not last forever and looking at how threadbare we are in terms of quality in defence and midfield, just a few injuries in vulnerable positions are likely to affect us badly. I accept that January is not the easiest time to get players in, but I think Ralph would have expectations that he would be backed with some help by the club and if that doesn't happen, it's only a matter of time before he will be off to a club who will give him backing to bring in the players he needs (no matter what he may say in public). Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

To be honest if KWP is signed now as a loan with option to buy, it would make more sense to let Cedric leave now (assuming Cedric is still committed to leaving at end of season anyway). That way Ralph will see enough of him in action to decide whether to sign permanently. Obviously also depends what's going on with Valery's fitness. From a selfish short term fan view, I would prefer if Cedric stayed as we seem to have finally sorted the defence for now. But probably makes more sense strategically to plan ahead if he's off. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

I know this seems to be a popular view in the game from managers and players but I disagree to be honest. I think if the ref has to trot over every time and review what the VAR has already looked at, it's just going to make the delays from VAR much worse. Also, I can't help feeling that managers and players, especially of the top teams, want this so they can try to "influence" the decision making process more (like they did before VAR)! If anything maybe refs should be able to communicate more with the VAR about for example the impact of pitch conditions on a red card decision (eg Bertrand Vs Leicester). But in general I prefer the idea of VAR making rulings in a more independent way from being influenced. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

It only would make any sense if we have already decided he's not good enough and are buying a replacement. If there is truth that the club want to sell him against the managers wishes, it's really time for Ralph to stand up and insist Adams doesn't leave before a replacement that Ralph approves is signed. Otherwise we would all know what would happen here! Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

It would have to be Ings because his goals are so critical and we don't have another regular scorer. Second place for me would be JWP because his form has been instrumental in our recovery and in making the new formation work without totally exposing the defence. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Nothing would totally shock me with our "hierarchy" (not sure who would be making this kind of decision at present by the way?). But I don't really buy this story. Apart from anything else, would Leeds be offering Adams the wages that he is on at Saints? Players don't normally choose to move on to a club in a lower division so soon after signing a lucrative deal in the prem (albeit to a club with a great chance of promotion). And he still has a great chance of making it at Saints with the potential of Long moving on at end of season when his contract ends. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

This could beat our record!!

Agreed. Yesterday proved that Ralph is quite right in his assessment when asked about the possibility of Adams being loaned out that he needs him and he has a part to play in our squad this season. It’s too early to say if he will ultimately be a success in this league but yesterday he showed enough again to think he has a chance. There would be no real purpose in loaning him back to a championship club anyway as he’s already proved he can do it at that level. Keep using him as we are now as a useful backup to Long and Ings.

This really is incredible!! You have to pinch yourself that this is the same team from earlier in the season. Massive pat on the back for Ralph and all the players, long may it continue. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Agreed. Personally I would prefer going back to the rule as it was and then using VAR to eliminate obvious howlers by the officials such as the Henry handball Vs Ireland and the Watford "goal" against us. That is after all what VAR was supposed to be about. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Surely it was simpler before this rule change was introduced? Intentional handball - free kick/pen Accidental - play on I'm just not comfortable with applying different rules for the same action depending on what follows afterwards. Seems illogical to me. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Ok, yes, I'll accept the new rule is equally wrong for all teams. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Yes, it's the rules they should be complaining about, not the application of the rules by VAR, which was correct in this case. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

The rule change is not consistent though is it? An unintentional handball by a defender that stops a goal is not penalised whereas an unintentional handball by an attacker that results in a goal is penalised. I don't particularly want to go down that road but it would make more sense if they go the whole hog and say anything that hits the hand or arm is handball full stop. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Henry's handball was deliberate so it should have been given irrespective of whether a goal was scored as a result. If the same handball has been committed by a defender that should also have been given. How is it right that a completely different interpretation is now applied for handball depending on whether a goal is scored or not? The new rule is utterly stupid and needs binning at the earliest opportunity. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Good stuff. Full back? Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

I hope someone asked why the club are requesting pitifully low away ticket allocations for games that we always sell out like the upcoming Palace game? Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Is Boufal seeing much of the ball? Surely an opportunity for him to impress today as he should be the main creative spark in this team. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Big surprise there is JWP starting. You would have expected him to be rested given the amount of work he has got through in recent games. Can only assume Ralph and the physios think he is in better shape than the likes of Hojbjerg and Armstrong and can take another game.

No, not totally. But we do have Long, Djenepo, Obafemi, Redmond and Adams all as options to play up front. Don't get me wrong, if we had unlimited funds I'd love another striker who has a better top level scoring record, but I assume the club are not going to suddenly release huge amounts of funds in this window. So we should focus on the areas where we are most weak first. And our record in the last two and and a half seasons (with exception of a few very recent games) suggests that is the defence followed by defensive midfield. In my opinion we shouldn't get too carried away by a couple of admittedly very good recent performances by centre backs, so if we can move one or more of our squad CBs on permanently and replace with better we should definitely look to do that as soon as we can. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Yes, it worries me that the very unexpected but welcome improvement in our form will result in the familiar complacent attitude that the club have employed in previous windows. Whilst it's great that Stephens and Bednarek have put in some decent performances in the last few weeks, we surely mustn't believe that we don't still need to improve that area of the team? There have been a few rumours about Vestergaard so maybe the plan could be to move him on so that we can replace with someone better if available? But suspect we will still have issues with finding clubs who will match the wages in his contract. The other obvious issues are with full back cover. I would be happy enough to see Cedric stay, but it may make sense for him to move now if (and only if!) we can secure his replacement now. Left back cover also required if youth options are not considered good enough by Ralph. Ideally, it would also be great to get a defensive midfielder in as we could be really exposed there with just an injury or two. Attacking wise, I think we are OK for now, not a priority compared with the defensive side of the team. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Yes there would still be the same marginal calls, but shifting the lines would have some advantage in my opinion, because it gives more leeway to the attacking side. It would mean that all the ones in last few days where the attacker was essentially level with last defender to the naked eye would be goals, which to me seems fairer than what is happening with VAR currently. If the attackers are still caught offside, their would be less complaints with that amended rule IMO. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Some of these offsides being given by VAR are an absolute joke and not in the spirit of what the offside law is intended for. Application of rule needs changing to favour the attacking side in some way. Possibly as just suggested by Souness, flipping it to say if any part of body is onside, it's OK, instead of the other way round. Too many goals being ruled out where the attacker is basically level with current rules. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk