Saint Pete

Agree completely. I think Long is generally actually more effective in away games than home so after a good home performance from him, it would be mad to drop him. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

In fairness, suspect Boufal or Armstrong would have started if either had been fully fit. It's good news Boufal has at least made the bench again. I am a bit surprised Cedric has stayed in, although Valery not on bench so maybe he has a knock as well? Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

I really don't get how that rule got passed. It makes no sense that different rules should apply just because a goal has been scored, the rules on handball should be standard at all times. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

I agree. The club have become too obsessed with its "model" of only signing young players with the aim of maximising sell on value. That is fine as a general strategy to aim for but you need to maintain a balance within the squad and recognise that sometimes you need more experience and know how in key positions to get wins in the premier league. We clearly haven't done that and have allowed serious weaknesses in our team to develop unchecked, most notably at centre back. Whether Cahill was the right man I don't know, but we definitely needed (and still need) someone in that more experienced mould with the know how to help the younger players while they develop. We still haven't really replaced Fonte in that regard in my opinion! Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

So cruel on Everton that. But good for us [emoji3] Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

The only thing I would say to that is I still don't get what Stephens is doing in the team, he is Championship level at best and always will be. Yoshida is far from perfect but is considerably better than Stephens so should be playing. I agree with your general point though that there is a limited amount any manager can do with some of these players. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Indeed he does. Shame so many Saints fans seem reluctant to give him that credit. As for the corners, don't think they were great today on his part, but as a rule I think our problem from corners is we don't have players who attack the high balls well. That goes for corners at both ends of the pitch. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

At the end of the day, JWP won us the 3 points today with that free kick. And for all those who who still say it's a myth that he is a dead ball specialist, please tell me all the prem players who have scored more free kicks than JWP in the last season or so. There must be loads as so many on here think JWP is ****e at taking them... Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Well done Saints today for keeping going. This could be a massive 3 points but still obviously a long way to go. Boufal very impressive when he came on. Time for him to start now. Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

The impact of relegation on value of players is surely mostly down to whether clubs have to sell or not in order to survive. If other clubs know that a relegated club needs to sell their main assets, they will adjust their offers downwards accordingly. The championship players who go for a lot of money will generally be those belonging to clubs who don't have to sell and so can demand a higher price. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Just watched the highlights again. As bad as Cedric’s pass was, the worst miss for me was Djenepo’s second one after Boufal’s run. Genuinely don’t know how he managed to put that wide.

As gutted as I am that we failed to get the 3 points that our performance deserved today, it is encouraging that we were so much more on the front foot today and created so many chances to score. If we are going to get out of trouble this season (which I still believe is possible by the way), we have to keep playing in that positive way, as it's pointless playing defensively with our lack of quality at the back. Next week is obviously critical for us. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Time for you to FO. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

When we sold Targett I assumed it was a vote of confidence in Vokins or other young players coming through that they would be able to step up when Bertrand was unable to play. But if that was the plan it seems noone asked Ralph as he clearly doesn't think the young players are up to it, hence the playing all and sundry out of position at left back! Just another sign of the lack of coherent strategy at the club at present. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Don't think so. Assistant coach NOT assistant manager. Further down article it says Watson, Fleming and Davis are all also first team assistant coaches, so on same level as them, not a direct replacement for Rohl it seems. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Exactly, the club have been banging the drum about restructuring reviews for the last year and nothing radical ever seems to happen. Last time it just resulted in wee Ross getting a promotion. As you say, if we have identified the new DoF, then why not get him in place now? Whoever it is has a tough job on, because you can talk all you like about getting shot of the deadwood players but as was seen in the summer it's not that easy when they are on ridiculous contracts. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Not convinced he has the players to play any system competently to be honest. In all fairness, he has already been compromising on the system he would like to play given the obvious failings of the defenders at his disposal. It ain't easy getting a tune out of this shower of **** squad and he did wonders getting the results he did in the second half of last season. After today, I reckon our best hope is getting Djenepo back asap so that at least he will have a bit more firepower going forward even if the defence will still be awful. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

The manager has made some bad selection calls this season, but does anyone really think he's the primary reason for this mess? And how much chance is there of the club in its current state delivering a better option for manager than Ralph? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[emoji3] The mistake was surely on our side in signing the useless sack of ****! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We all know we have a poor defence but it doesn't help if you don't pick the best four, and in their correct positions. Ralph has picked players out of position rather than the more obvious better choices in the last couple of games but got away with it. Tonight it inevitably caught up with him. It's pretty obvious to most that our best defenders are; Cedric Yoshida Bednarek Bertrand. Would be nice if we can see that defence from the start in the next few games. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yes, I feel with Adams that once he gets off the mark, more goals will follow. Great strike that hit the post and a brilliant save to deny his header today.

No idea what's going on with him, but it will certainly be a relief when Bertrand is back starting. We won't keep getting away with playing makeshift left backs in this league for long. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Great result! Top half now, which is way better after 5 games than seemed likely after the disappointment on the first day at Burnley. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Blimey. So the likes of Vokins, Klarer and Ramsay really pushing for getting a place in our defence then! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Bit concerning if this is another senior player out of contention. Our defensive qualities aren't really good enough to afford having the likes of Bertrand kicking his heels on the sidelines. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk