SaintJackoInHurworth

It is as simple as this: We MUST win this game!! If we can win it, we should find ourselves breathing down the necks of the teams above us: Saints would move on to 32 points. Swansea will achieve no better than a draw at home to Chelsea. They will have 33 or 34 points. West Ham are playing Man City. They are likely to lose. They would then have 35 points. Brighton are away against Burnley. I would expect them to lose that game. They would then have 36 points. If Huddersfield win at home to Everton and get three points we would struggle to catch them. They would have 38 points. However if they lose or draw, I don't see them getting any points from their remaining fixtures, so on 35 or 36 points they would still be catchable.

I think Brighton need to also be considered as still at risk of relegation. They have the hardest fixtures of any club at the bottom with three away games againt teams in the top seven and a home game against Man Utd. They could potentially get only one point from thiose (though I predict they might force a draw in the home match against United). Therefore I have done the following comparison of fixtures and potential results for Saints and the five teams above us (including Palace who have easier fixtures but only three remaining games): [table] [tr] [th]Saints[/th] [th]Swansea[/th] [th]Huddersfield[/th] [th]West Ham[/th] [th]Palace[/th] [th]Brighton[/th] [/tr] [tr] [th]Bournemouth (h) W[/th] [th]Chelsea (H) D[/th] [th]Everton (H) W[/th] [th]Man City (H) L[/th] [th]Leicester (H) W[/th] [th]Burnley (A) L[/th] [/tr] [tr] [th]Everton (A) D[/th] [th]Bournemouth (A) L[/th] [th]Man City (A) L[/th] [th]Leicester (A) L[/th] [th]Stoke (A) D[/th] [th]Man Utd (H) D[/th] [/tr] [tr] [th]Swansea (A) D[/th] [th]Saints (H) D[/th] [th]Chelsea (A) L[/th] [th]Man Utd (H) D[/th] [th]West Brom (H) D[/th] [th]Man City (A) L[/th] [/tr] [tr] [th]Man City (H) L[/th] [th]Stoke (H) W[/th] [th]Arsenal (H) L[/th] [th]Everton (A) D[/th] [th][/th] [th]Liverpool (A) L[/th] [/tr] [tr] [th]34 Points[/th] [th]38 Points[/th] [th]38 Points[/th] [th]37 Points[/th] [th]40 Points[/th] [th]37 Points[/th] [/tr] [/table] Now this would see Saints relegated, but it doesn't take a lot to change this. For example check out these scenarios... The Swansea match could be crucial. If we were to win that we would end up with 36 points and so would Swansea. However, as long as we do not concede five or six goals against Man City in our final game we would hopefully have a better goal difference than Swansea and would finish above them. If we were to achieve a draw against Man City in our last game and West Ham were to lose all of their games we would both be on 35 points and West Hame would be relegated with an inferior goal difference. If we were to beat Swansea or Everton and Brighton were to lose against Man Utd as well as the other matches, we would both have 36 points and it would be down to goal difference between Saints and Brighton (and Swansea if it were them that we were to beat). In all likelihood this run of results would result in us having a superior goal difference to both Brighton and Swansea. If Huddersfield were to lose to Everton as well as the other matches and we were to get a draw against Man City, we would both have 35 points, but we would have a far superior goal difference. So, in essence every game is crucial and it is till vaguely possible that we could stay up. However, it is absolutely crucial that we beat Bournemouth.

Sadly I don't think even four points from our next two games is likely to be enough. I think we need at least nine or ten points from our remaining games (and even that relies on Swansea, Brighton or some other club coming unstuck). To get that I think we really could do with winning both of the next two. That having been said, I do believe both games are more winnable than the games against Arsenal or Chelsea and if we can perform like we did up front aginst those teams while sorting out our defence then who knows what could be achieved?! I think it is highly unlikely but I will continue to hold on to that feint hope that we COULD MAYBE do it!

I think Yoshida is either right-footed or two-footed isn't he? There is an article from back when we fisrt signed him that talks about him playing on either the right or left side, including as full-back: https://premierskillsenglish.britishcouncil.org/players/player-profiles/maya-yoshida-player-profile. Yes - I think McQueen has not been given enough chance this season. It is just a shame he is injured at present. However, if he is not fit enough for the next game then I don't think we have much alternative but to keep Bertrand at left back. That looks good, but I wonder whether we should be thinking about using Austin... though maybe bringing him on as a sub like today is not a bad idea? I'd love to see Jones get his chance at some stage, but is he ready for this yet? Or is it a big risk for such a crucial match and against a team that only last season won the Premier League?! Is Jones ahead of Will Wood and Jan Bednarek in the reckoning?

I was one of the first to call for us to try out five at the back following the inept display against West Ham and I think it proved to be a right decision by Hughes to play that system. Unfortunately, however, with Stephens suspended for three games we cannot play the same five at the back in the next game. So, it got me thinking whether we can still play that way despite the loss of Stephens. My first thought was that we could play Gardos, but judging by the fact that numerous managers have passed him over given the opportunity to select him I think we can conclude that it is unlikely that Hughes will risk playing him as the third centre back. Another potentially better option, however, would be to play Bertrand in the centre and someone else at left back. The obvious alternative for left back is McQueen, but he is injured, so it is maybe a question of whther he will be 100% fit for our next game. Another option may be to play Pied or Cedric at left back. While they are, in theory, both right backs, I think both are capable of playing at left back. A similar option would be to play Pied at centre back. I seem to remember he can play at either full back or centre back. The final option would be to bring in one of the youngsters - maybe Alfie Jones, for example. What do you think? Should we just go back to four at the back or should we try to play five at the back again? And if we go for five at the back, which five would you select?

So, just thinking about this some more, we could maybe get six more points this season and survive. It might look something like this: [table] [tr] [td]Saints Vs[/td] [td] Result[/td] [td][/td] [td]Huddersfield Vs[/td] [td] Result[/td] [td][/td] [td]Stoke City Vs[/td] [td] Result[/td] [td][/td] [td]C. Palace Vs[/td] [td] Result[/td] [td][/td] [td]Swansea Vs[/td] [td] Result[/td] [/b][/tr] [tr] [td]Arsenal(a)[/td] [td]0-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Brighton(a)[/td] [td]0-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Spurs(h)[/td] [td]0-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bournemouth(a)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]West Brom(a)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Chelsea(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Watford(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]West Ham(a)[/td] [td]1-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Brighton(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Everton(h)[/td] [td]2-1[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Leicester(a)[/td] [td]0-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Everton(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Burnley(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Watford(a)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Man City(a)[/td] [td]0-3[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Bournemouth(h)[/td] [td]2-0[/td] [td][/td] [td]Man City(a)[/td] [td]0-3[/td] [td][/td] [td]Liverpool(a)[/td] [td]0-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Leicester(h)[/td] [td]1-0[/td] [td][/td] [td]Chelsea(h)[/td] [td]1-2[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Everton(a)[/td] [td]1-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Arsenal(h)[/td] [td]1-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]C.Palace(h)[/td] [td]2-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Stoke(a)[/td] [td]1-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bournemouth(a)[/td] [td]1-2[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Man City(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]Chelsea(a)[/td] [td]0-2[/td] [td][/td] [td]Swansea(a)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td]West Brom(h)[/td] [td]2-0[/td] [td][/td] [td]Stoke(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Swansea(a)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]Saints(h)[/td] [td]1-1[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Final Points[/td] [td]34[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]33[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]32[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]39[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]37[/td] [/tr] [/table] The problem of course is that getting a point against Chelsea and City is highly unlikely even allowing for the likely situation that City will have nothing to play for by the time we face them, although in actual fact goal difference in this situation means that we could get the same number of points as Huddersfield and still finish above them. But, I guess I am still just clutching at straws with all of this!

So you don't think that Cedric/Pied, Bertrand, Lemina and McQueen have any pace? I think you will find they do! If you want even more pace with that formation then you could replace JWP with Sims or Redmond and Austin with Long or Gabbiadini. The problem with Redmond and Gabbiadini is that they are completely lacking in fitness and confidence and Long is similarly lacking in confidence (though for him fitness rarely seems to be an issue). And in terms of creativity, I would argue Lemina has a fair degree of that if he is allowed to express it in the right areas of the pitch (i.e. not defensive midfield which is not his strongest position). I am not here talking about some theoretical situation where we pick the best side on the basis of a player performing at their best; I would not be leaving Tadic and Redmond out in that situation. However, with so many players with low confidence we have got to pick a different side that reflects that. With this formation the role of pacy wingers is mainly given to the wing backs and I would argue they have plenty of pace and a reasonable level of creativity - even if not perhaps as much creativity as Redmond, Tadic or Boufal at their best.

I think we need to do something a bit different so how about trying out 3/5 at the back with the full backs given freedom to bomb up the wing? It might look like this: [table] [tr] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]Macca[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][/td] [td]Stephens[/td] [td]Yoshida[/td] [td]Hoedt[/td] [td][/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Cedric/Pied[/td] [td][/td] [td]Romeu[/td] [td][/td] [td]Bertrand[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][/td] [td] JWP[/td] [td]Lemina[/td] [td]McQueen[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][/td] [td][/td] [td]Austin[/td] [td][/td] [td][/td] [/tr] [/table] My slight reservations is that I wonder if maybe we need a bit more experience in there, so maybe we should play Davis rather than JWP. Nevertheless, JWP does give us that extra option from set pieces and his form and confidence has been better than most of the squad this season! To explain the line-up a little, I see Lemina playing as a box-to-box midfielder rather than as a static central midfielder. Also JWP/Davis plus McQueen can provide a combination of width or defensive compact-ness in midfield thus helping us to be defensively tighter and offering something different in the attacking third of the pitch.

I know it is clutching at straws, but Huddersfield and Stoke both have tough run-ins like us and like us they are losing almost everything at the moment. Palace, too, seem to have begun to misfire a little again. I can't see us getting many points between now and the end of the season, but if they continue to do as badly as they are, then it still gives us some hope we probably do not deserve to have!

MoPe was lacking in a backup plan and lacking in ideas. Sadly our performance against West Ham seems to have been as bad if not worse (though I'm hesitant to comment as I was not there!) It strikes me that what we need is to do something radically different. Here are a few thoughts/ideas... * I'm not a big fan of Yoshida, but can't help feeling we need his experience in the defence. Maybe we need to follow the recent trend and try three at the back with the full-backs released to take a more attacking role. Talking of experience in defensive positions, we should also be playing with Romeu in defensive midfield surely? * Also, while I love attacking flair wingers, I can't help thinking that the confidence of Boufal, Redmond and Tadic is so shot that we might be better playing with Sims, Ward-Prowse and McQueen instead. I know there are many on here who don't like JWP, but there have been some times this season when he has seemed like the only one who actually cares so maybe he should be given his chance again? * As for up-front, maybe again Sims or one of the younger players? Though, admittedly, Austin was only just coming back from injury and whoever is up-front is not going to score without the right service. Sadly I don't think two up-front is the solution, unless one of those is also fulfilling a midfield role. * I also wonder if Steven Davis could be key for us when he is back from injury as he can bring a lot of much needed experience like Yoshida. OK - I know some of those players I have mentioned would not be on many people's choice of first team, but with confidence as it is, I think we have got to do something different. What other ideas do people have? (and don't bother replying if you are just going to answer 'we are doomed, there is nothing we can do' - there are plenty of other threads for that opinion).

There has been talk about how much our current malaise is the fault of the players. As I write Saints are losing 3-0 at half time to West Ham and some fans are already jumping on the bandwagon that says 'It's all the player's fault'. Now I'm not about to defend what sounds like a gutless first half performance but I think it is simplistic of some fans to now simply jump to this conclusion without a bit more analysis. I think there are a few things to be considered here: 1. These players are playing without confidence following the woeful mis-management of MoPe. Sadly, I'm not convinced instilling confidence is one of Mark Hughes' greater traits as a manager. 2. A number of these players are not being played in their best formation and best positions. Mark Hughes cannot be expected to suss that out immediately, but sadly time is against him and that is exactly what he is being asked to do. Many have commented that Tadic and Redmond should be swapped in position; to that we can add that Lemina is a good box-to-box player, but not a good holding player; similarly, Hojbjerg is also not a holding player. 3. We are lacking leaders on the pitch. Van Dijk provided that leadership and Romeu provides that leadership (but has been dropped to the bench by Hughes). The next best leader is Davis who is presumably injured. 4. We are lacking experience. We have so many younger players that it is hard for these players to draw on experience to help themselves. Romeu, Davis, Cedric, Bertrand and Long have experience, but we particularly need that experience in the middle and that is not where we have got it at present. All-in-all, these players should be doing better, but many of them are far from the finished article. The failure to bring in a leader to replace Van Dijk has been a big mistake. Also, I fear that Mark Hughes may not be the man who can quickly get-to-grips with what we need to do in this situation. I don't want to criticize him too soon and we have got to get behind him and the players, but I can't help but feel that the club were wrongly resistant to appointing a manager who might have been better skilled in this circumstance. As things stand as I write, it looks like our relegation is inevitable, but nevertheless, let's still get behind the side and see if there is any way we can cheer them on to a surprise against one of the bigger clubs.

I thought that with the international break and with a lot of the squad being around to train together and with MoPe gone we might do ok today, but now my fears that we appointed the wrong man are coming to the fore. I am not about to start criticising Mark Hughes, but he has got to earn his salt now or we are down and his football management careers will be in tatters! Nevertheless, come on Hughsey - sort this mess out!!!

Personally, I would expect it to be announced some time tomorrow. In terms of changes I don't particularly anticipate much change in playing personnel - I just expect a faster, more aggressive, attacking style of football - whichever candidate is appointed. A few thoughts about changes though... * Redmond - I anticipate him relishing the opportunity to be more direct and for him to return to form. * Lemina - as above. * Defence - I suspect we will see a return for Yoshida with a new manager opting for more experience. We may see five at the back. * Wigan - if the manager is appointed in time for that match, I think it may give him the opportunity to experiment a little, though hopefully not in a way that will jeopardise our chances of getting a win. If there had not been an international break straight afterwards and if we appoint Hughes, I wonder if he might have played the reserves. I am not particularly expecting that on this occasion. * Attack - I would anticipate Gabbiadini and/or Austin to feature most prominently. I don't expect Long to get much game time. It remains to be seen whether Carrillo will play much. I guess he may play until Austin is fit but we wil have to see after that.

Firstly, please accept my apologies that I've already posted on this topic in this thread: https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?59509-If-we-sack-Pellegrino-we-can-still-survive HOWEVER, seeing as MoPe has now finally been sacked and I have not got the ability to edit my posts I thought I would start again here!... In the light of this weekend's other results (especially the West Ham result) I think our odds of survival have just improved. I previously analysed the remaining fixtures here: https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?59469-Relegation-The-Run-In&p=2603593#post2603593 Yet, while Saints are already one point and three goals worse off than what I predicted, with a change of manager we can improve on my prediction by getting at least a point at Swansea, beating West Ham, taking a point from Leicester and/or Everton and maybe even taking a point from either Arsenal or Chelsea. Nevertheless, we could still be struggling to reach the magical 40-point target. Meanwhile the meltdown at West Ham could be great news for us. They are 3 points worse off than I predicted and a defeat against us and failures to beat Stoke and /or Everton could leave them stranded - though conversely that could also help Stoke out if they are not already down and out by mid-April. The facts of the matter are that we could have a chance to escape but it will be a close run thing with West Brom bottom and the other two places likely to be out of Huddersfield, West Ham, Palace, Stoke and Saints, with Newcastle still a possibility to be dragged back into it if they fail to capitalise on their win over us with a win against Huddersfield at the end of the month. Swansea, too, cannot be ruled out, especially if we can beat them at their place! Pondering all of this, but without being too precise, I'm going to stick my neck out and predict that with a good managerial appointment we could end up with the following final bottom of the table: 13 Swansea 14 Newcastle 15 C.Palace 16 Saints 17 Stoke 18 Huddersfield 19 West Ham 20 West Brom

It's ok... I have found it!!!!! Either that or the club read my thread and realised they had forgotten to sack him...!

I'm struggling to find the news of MoPe's sacking online... where is it? Surely there can be no reason to keep him: With him: * We have barely any chance of staying up * We are not able to plan for next season * Many fans cannot be bothered to attend matches as they know we will just get the same old crap * The players remain fed up, unmotivated and frustrated by his bizarre selections and tactics Without him * We have some chance of staying up * We are maybe able to make some plans for next season - especially if we bring in a manager/coach who may be here next season * Fans may have a renewed hope and more may attend matches and get behind the team * The toxic atmosphere at home matches may be removed * The players may become re-motivated by the opportunity of achieving something at the end of the season and showing their abilities - especially those players who are hoping to play in the world cup There are so many other reasons... so where is the news of his sacking. Only a bunch of fools will not have sacked him yet. Surely we don't have a bunch of fools as directors of our great club?

Not only is Pellegrino useless, but he is deluded too as the article in today's Echo shows: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/16078914.Pellegrino_believes_he_can_still_save_Saints/ There is no way Pellegrino can save Saints. The only way Saints can be saved is for Pellegrino to go. Who they then appoint is a different question but like someone has commented, even no manager is better than Pellegrino. Incidentally, The Sun newspaper are surveying Saints fans through 'The Voice of The Fans' and so far over 90% have said that they want Pellegrino to be sacked straight away. Of course, it is looking like it won't happen. Sadly, I am coming to a dawning realisation that the board will either just wait until we are booted out of the cup by Wigan or until we are beaten by West Ham or even that they could just do nothing until we are already relegated at the end of the season.

I know we all feel that the club should have acted weeks ago to sack Pellegrino. I know too that many feel it is now too late to do anything and that relegation is a certainty in view of our very difficult fixture list. However, in the midst of all the gloom and doom of today's woeful performance there is some hope. That hope is that we were not the only ones who hot thrashed! So did West Brom, so did West Ham, so did Brighton while Palace also lost and Swansea & Huddersfield could only cancel each other out in a goalless draw. That is where there is the feintest glimmer of hope. If those other teams also continue to misfire then another manager may only need to achieve 3 or so more points than we are likely to reap under Pellegrino and thus we may stand a feint chance of surviving! The silution then remains... Sack Pellegrino and give iurselves a chance! Sent from my GT-I9195I using Tapatalk

I thought I would have a go at making some predictions of results and seeing what difference it will make. The results were very depressing... SWANSEA - P29, GD -17, 30 points March 10 - Huddersfield Town (A) 1-1 TBC - Southampton (H) 2-1 March 31 - Manchester United (A) 0-2 April 7 - West Bromwich Albion (A) 1-1 April 14 - Everton (H) 2-1 April 21 - Manchester City (A) 0-3 April 28 - Chelsea (H) 1-2 May 5 - Bournemouth (A) 1-2 May 13 - Stoke City (H) 2-1 11 points -> 41 points in total / GD = -21 14 WEST HAM - P29, GD-18, 30 points March 10 - Burnley (H) 2-1 TBC - Manchester United (H) 1-2 March 31 - Southampton (H) 1-1 April 8 - Chelsea (A) 0-2 April 16 - Stoke (H) 2-0 April 23- Arsenal (A) 1-2 April 29 - Manchester City (H) 0-2 May 5 - Leicester (A) 1-2 May 13 - Everton (H) 2-1 10 points -> 40 points in total / GD = -21 15 HUDDERSFIELD - P29, GD-25, 30 points March 10 - Swansea City (H) 1-1 March 17 - Crystal Palace (H) 2-1 March 31 - Newcastle United (A) 1-2 April 7 - Brighton (A) 1-2 April 14 - Watford (H) 1-1 April 21 - Chelsea (A) 0-2 April 28 - Everton (H) 1-1 May 5 - Manchester City (A) 0-4 May 13 - Arsenal (H) 1-1 7 points -> 37 points in total /GD = -28 16 NEWCASTLE - P29, GD -13, 29 points March 10 - Southampton (H) 1-1 TBC - Tottenham Hotspur (A) 0-2 March 31 - Huddersfield Town (H) 2-1 April 7 - Leicester City (A) 1-3 April 15 - Arsenal (H) 1-1 April 21 - Everton (A) 1-3 April 28 - West Bromwich Albion (H) 2-0 May 5 - Watford (A) 1-2 May 13 - Chelsea (H) 1-2 8 points -> 37 points in total / GD = -18 17 SOUTHAMPTON - P29, GD-12, 28 points March 10 - Newcastle United (A) 1-1 TBC - Swansea City (A) 1-2 March 31 - West Ham United (A) 1-1 April 9 - Arsenal (A) 1-2 April 14 - Chelsea (H) 1-2 April 21 - Leicester City (A) 1-2 April 28 - Bournemouth (H) 2-1 May 5 - Everton (A) 1-2 May 13 - Manchester City (H) 0-2 5 points -> 33 points in total / GD = -18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 CRYSTAL PALACE - P29, GD-19, 27 points 10 - Chelsea (A) March 17 - Huddersfield Town (A) 1-2 March 31 - Liverpool (H) 1-2 April 7 - Bournemouth (A) 1-2 April 14 - Brighton (H) 2-1 April 21 - Watford (A) 1-2 April 28 - Leicester City (H) 2-1 May 5 - Stoke City (A) 1-1 May 13 - West Bromwich Albion (H) 2-0 10 points -> 37 points in total / GD = -19 19 STOKE - P28, GD-26, 26 points March 10 - Manchester City (H) 1-3 March 17 - Everton (H) 1-1 March 3 - Arsenal (A) 0-2 April 7 - Tottenham Hotspur (H) 1-2 April 14 - West Ham United (A) 0-2 April 21 - Burnley (H) 2-2 April 28 - Liverpool (A) 0-3 May 5 - Crystal Palace (H) 1-1 May 13 - Swansea City (A) 1-2 3 points -> 29 points in total / GD = -37 20 WEST BROM - P28, GD-20, 20 points March 3 - Watford (A) 1-2 March 10 - Leicester (H) 2-1 March 17 - Bournemouth (A) 1-2 March 31 - Burnley (H) 1-1 April 7 - Swansea (H) 1-1 April 15 - Man Utd (A) 0-2 April 22 - Liverpool (H) 1-3 April 28 - Newcastle (A) 0-2 May 5 - Spurs (H) 1-3 May 13 - Crystal Palace (A) 0-2 5 points -> 25 points in total / GD = -31 Final Table of these teams Team.............. Pts ........ GD Swansea......... 41 ......... -21 W.Ham ........... 40 ......... -21 Newcastle ...... 37 ......... -18 C. Palace ....... 37 ......... -19 Huddersfield .... 37 ......... -28 ------------------------------ Saints ............ 33 ......... -18 Stoke ............ 29 ......... -37 West Brom ...... 25 ......... -31 Of course there are fine margins in all of this. If we manage somehow to beat Newcastle this weekend, suddenly this table changes to us on 35 points and Newcastle on 36 points. If they then drop one more point compared to my prediction we could end up staying up above them on goal difference! What is abundantly clear, however, is that we are facing some very difficult home fixtures so our away form is going to be crucial. Personally, though, I don't think we have a chance... unless by some miracle the board see sense and sack Pellegrino and the manager coming in is able to inspire us to get enough results to see us across the line!

Ivan Golac Rodney Wallace Jeff Kenna (?) Ryan Bertrand Chris Nicholl (?) Mark Wright Neil Maddison Neil Ruddock (?) Mickey Adams Iain Dowie (?) Ken Monkou Matt Oakley Wayne Bridge Chris Marsden Marian Pahars Andrew Surman

I can see what both of you are saying here about whether it is the quality of the strikers or the manager that is the issue. The truth is, of course, that it is to some degree both. Quality strikers are hard to come by and/or often expensive, so it is hard to acquire the highest quality strikers; and we can all see the weaknesses in the strikers that we have: Austin is a great goal poacher but lacks pace; Long works hard and has pace but often lacks that killer instinct in front of goal; Gabbiadini brings some flare and variety to the attack but is inconsistent; Redmond can dribble past players but his shooting is woeful... and so on... The facts of the matter, however, are that all of our squad used to get a lot more goals than they now do, including the strikers. That, therefore, brings into focus the questions about how well they are being coached and whether they are being given the right tactical instructions. Back before Christmas there was a big issue around Redmond and Guardiola and the long and short of that was that Guardiola was criticising Redmond for not playing to his strengths, but Redmond asserted that he was doing what he had been asked to do by Pellegrino. I suspect you could find similar stories throughout the squad with players trying to maintain unity and backing the coach by doing what he asks, but finding themselves frustrated because those approaches are not delivering the success they could achieve if they played to a different set of instructions. A change of manager may not suddenly turn some of our players into world beaters, but it may enable them to play to their strengths instead of playing to a coaching dogma set by Pellegrinio which clearly is not working.

I voted 'Sack Him'. He hasn't improved - we have got worse as the season has progressed. OK, we have recently achieved our first win in ages - but that was just about scraped against the team that is bottom and which has been cut adrift from the rest. At the very least a new manager could achieve the honeymoon effect, which in itself could be enough to help us stay up. I cannot see us getting enough points with MoPe still in charge. I too cannot see any good reasons for keeping the manager. Fan The Flames argues we will be able to attract a better calibre of manager in the summer, but that is rubbish. If we are relegated there will be certain managers that would not give any consideration to joining us, but who might be prepared to join a Premier League side. So that argument only works if we will be able to keep our place in the Premier League. At present, with our forthcoming fixtures and based on MoPe's record so far, I don't think that is likely unless we make the change. As for establishing a culture of regularly changing manager, that is sadly already in place due to what has happened in recent seasons. We certainly need to break out of this, but it would be bonkers to prioritise that over avoiding relegation. Other than those weak arguments I am struggling to see any reason not to sack him. I guess it could be pointed out that sometimes a change of manager doesn't help (other than a possible honeymoon effect), but sadly our form is so poor that it cannot be much worse and I believe these players are good enough that with the right management they can be coached to achieve much more. Besides as I have said already, even thathoneymoon effect could make all the difference. All I can wonder is whether there are some short term financial benefits to Gao and/or the directors if we get relegated - maybe it would allow him/them to liquidate some assets; maybe it would release some transfer payments (e.g. from Liverpool as part of the VVD deal); maybe the difference in rules between the EPL and EFL has some significance; or maybe there is a massive financial payout (e.g. £20-30 million or more) duie if we sack MoPe before the end of his first season (but it would have to be a significant amount bearing in mind the real cost of getting relegated in terms of lost TV payments). The only other possible excuse for not sacking him is if they have researched every one of the possible replacements and discovered that none of them would be able/happy to join the club before the end of the season. I can't believe, though, that no-one would consider taking it on! In particular, surely it would be an ideal job for Silva?

Sometime before Christmas I swung from being a fan who was prepared to give MoPe a little more time to one who felt he had to go. As time goes on I have become more and more certain that we have got to get rid of him. Yet the club, for whatever reason, seem intent on keeping him on as manager. I don't understand that, but it is what it is. So, if we do have to keep him on, the big question must be what can he do (and particularly what must he change) to get us to play to our strengths and to get some confidence and get some better results? Here are a few suggestions: * Attack with more pace, in order to be able to press forward and catch the opposition out before they can get organised. * Practice shooting with all players. * Practice making that final telling ball that will provide the kind of chances we need to create. * Organise the defence, laying down clear but simple instructions and guidelines. * Build up player fitness and speed. * Provide better motivation to the players - if language restricts the ability to communicate the passion required, identify the player(s) or coach(es) who can provide this. * Build up player confidence - especially for players like Redmond and Gabbiadini. * Work on mental toughness and a winning psychology. * Develop the kind of pressing game that worked so well under Pochettino and identify the players who can implement that. * Work on being less nice and more assertive, bordering on the aggressive while keeping (mostly) within the law. * Practice mixing up approaches including occasionally resorting to a more direct longer ball (without going as far as to develop a a full long-ball approach). * Get the players together to arrive at an agreed approach to tactics and game managhement instead of (allegedly) asserting tactics with which the players don't agree. And here are a couple of slightly more alternative tactical possibilities: * Play Jack Stephens as centre forward. * Play both Bertrand and McQueen together to provide both width and defensive cover. Do you agree with any of those? Can you suggest any others? Are there any you disagree with? Why?

Alan Pardew has been working hard to turn it around at West Brom, but our win against them today makes it even harder for him. I feel a little bit sorry for him as I always thought our sacking of him several years ago seemed a bit harsh at the time (putting aside claims made on here that there were other significant contributory factors). Pardew's career seems to have been on a downwards trajectory ever since we sacked him and you have got to think that if he fails to keep West Brom up he will be sacked again and he will find it very hard to find another club to manage.

Can I finish that second statement for you..? "Squad is not good enough at the back due to not replacing the manager." (Though it is a disgrace that we haven't replaced VVD either)