Saint Pete

If we don't replace Cedric with an experienced right back, our only 2 specialist right backs will have just 10 senior League games between them. Is it really "laughable" to question whether that's a good idea in a relegation battle? There are rumours that the club are trying to sign a more experienced RB though, so maybe they agree with those of us who think that would be quite sensible after all? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Are you happy with Valery and Ramsey as our only specialist right backs? Really? If we replace Cedric with a reasonably experienced right back, I would be happy we've not been majorly weakened by this window. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Seems like that's probably the plan. But it's ok because Ralph is the Messiah, so a good squad is not important any more.... Hopefully. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Well, let’s wait and see til the end of the window but the OS piece seems to suggest the club are going with Valey and Ramsey. If that’s the case, seems a dodgy move to me, particularly as this is not even a permanent move with a sizeable fee that could be invested somewhere else in the team.

I don't see much "mass hysteria'. Just concern that we don't leave ourselves exposed in some areas having to play youth players not really ready for a premier league relegation battle. If the Cedric and Austin departures are confirmed, but we sign a replacement senior right back and a quick player in attack to provide insurance if Redmond were to be injured or lose form, I think everyone would be happy with the window. That would still be an overall reduction in squad size, but without leaving us exposed in a relegation battle. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

If Cedric is so superfluous, how come he's been on the pitch for at least 2 thirds of our last 3 successful games? I don't think getting rid of Cedric with no replacement is a "no brainer" at all. More like brainless. And Valery, whilst doing an OK job for a novice, has shown weaknesses in a number of games, so in no way has proved he is better than Cedric at this stage. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yes, exactly. Letting Cedric go only makes sense if we get a sizeable fee that we can reinvest in a replacement full back and possibly put the rest towards strengthening another position. Otherwise, we just make ourselves weaker? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Totally agree. The last few games prove that surely? We have seen Valery, a young player with potential, but he has made bad decisions on the pitch, getting sent off and suspended. We also have both senior left backs with injuries. And Ramsey is a complete novice at this stage, would be crazy to place any reliance on him in a premier League relegation battle. Meanwhile, Cedric has been called on to play a significant chunk of each of the last 3 games where we have picked up crucial wins and points. Why would we think we think we can sell or loan him without replacing with another recognised full back? This seems like more of the complacent nonsense that has seen us sink towards potential relegation in the last couple of seasons. I get the point about reducing squad size but it shouldn't be in areas we are already very weak in! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

He did play the full game in the clean sheet at Chelsea, and was on the pitch for a significant chunk of time in both of the last 2 wins, so not sure that is totally true to be honest? We should only sell if we can definitely get a first teamer in to replace him now, otherwise we will be weaker.

This would be my worry too. I don’t really have a problem with selling Cedric in the circumstances, but only if we have a player ready for first team definitely coming in at right back. It’s an issue with this “sell before you buy policy” that we operate that if the replacement is not sewn up already, the prospective selling club will be in a good position to demand more from us and potentially play us off against other buyers.

Pretty typical of him that he thought he did well, always appeared to think he was better than the evidence on the pitch suggested and that our poor form was down to everyone else bar him! The key line in that article is "Secondly, Spanish newspaper AS today published a brief article explaining Southampton’s goals conceded record has been much better since the Dutchman was dropped." There's your explanation Wesley. Anyway, hopefully he will do well enough in Spain to get the permanent deal done.

Agreed. I think he would like the option of 4 at the back, which at the moment is denied him due to our weaknesses at centre back. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Redmond was already improving before Ralph arrived. Ralph has improved us as a team no doubt but not everything is down to the manager. I think people should give Redmond himself more credit for his performance this season. It was pretty clear to me in pre-season that he had been working hard and came back with a much better attitude and confidence about him this season. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Can we rely on him to produce if Redmond gets injured? Not much evidence based on his loan spell in the Championship. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

February will be a key month for Cardiff. They have home games against Bournemouth, Watford and Everton, all middling teams who they need to be getting points from. And they have us away. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Exactly. When Redmond is not on the pitch we look extremely one paced and a whole lot less effective. So if we only bring in one player, it should be someone pacy, who can score. I would also like to see central defence improved. We have no choice at the moment but to play 3 at the back because the CBs we have are too weak to play in a back 4, which is far from ideal. I guess there's only a chance of that happening if we can shift Hoedt at least. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Vital period for us now. Need to see this through. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Maybe the potential tiredness after midweek is the reason for playing the 3 in midfield instead of 2 to give us a bit more numbers in that area? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Agree with you. Tadic was definitely NOT selfish in the way he played, often looking to make a pass to set up teammates rather than go himself, probably too much as you say. Whereas with Boufal, it often seemed that he was playing his own game for himself to me, too many tricks and not enough end product. I'm puzzled why some saw him as "direct". Just because you like to run and hold onto the ball, it doesn't necessarily mean you are direct. Ralph likes his players to move the ball quickly and directly with aim to get shots off as soon as possible. This can mean early and accurate forward passes as well as direct running, Redmond style. I don't remember a lot of either from Boufal, but I do remember a lot of running down blind alleys and ignoring teammates in better positions. Why is he being discussed anyway? Is it even an option for him to be recalled this season? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

When we conceded 2 goal leads under Hughes, it was down to him not being able to coach a defence according to some. So why are we still doing it? Maybe it's that we have so many **** defenders in the squad. Just a thought. OK, it's the Cup so not No.1 priority, but this will keep happening until we replace some of the awful central defenders we have at the club. Irrespective of who the manager is. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Only makes sense to sell Cedric at this point if we have a quality replacement lined up to come in now. Otherwise would seem a bit suicidal as Valery clearly not ready to be the number 1 choice at right back. Decent back up but last match proved he's not a reliable choice in a relegation battle. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I agree about not making idiotic buys like Carrillo but we shouldn't kid ourselves that we have got a really good squad after all after a couple of good rearguard battling performances. There are areas that need to be addressed - with the right type of player of course. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That sounds massively complacent to me. Yes, Ralph is at the moment getting more out of the players that we have than the previous manager. But we are still in a perilous position and a couple of decent results doesn't change that. I don't see how you can look at our defenders and forwards now and not think they are a massive downgrade on what we had a couple of years ago. So, where we can, we need to improve the squad sooner rather than later. That is why we are trying to shift on the likes of Gabbi, Davis, Forster and Hoedt, so that we can free up space in the squad for better quality that suits Ralph's game - he has said as much in interviews. We shouldn't be forced into silly panic buys of course but we absolutely should be supporting Ralph by strengthening his options, and we should look to do it now if we can. He won't stick around long if the club don't support him in the good job he is doing so far. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

A real shame it hasn't worked out for him at Saints as that early spell when he joined shows he definitely has the talent. Possibly should have been given more consistent runs in the team to build his confidence. But I accept that Ralph needs to be given a chance to bring in his own players so we need to clear space for him to do that. Will always remember his goals at Wembley, especially the brilliant second and the minutes following it. And also of course the crucial goal at Swansea. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Hasn’t Ighalo been linked with us recently?