LuckyNumber7

Hughes absolutely deserves credit for keeping us up, we were a mess when he turned up after the disaster that was Pellegrino. Yes Swansea's implosion contributed but as said above, we went to their place and won in nerve shredding circumstances. Let's not forget the way he marched them off the team bus and walked to the stadium when they were trying to delay us and play mind games. We won the day and subsequently deserved to stay up. Unfortunately for Hughes he was unable to progress us from there and signs were that he may have taken us down the next season. Ralph has improved us overall, albeit with plenty of bumps along the way and we are better now than when he arrived as evidenced by finishing mid table last season and likely similar this season. He is a good manager for a club like ours and with a bit more help in the transfer market would have us challenging the top 8 imo.

Minamino up front makes me happy. Strongest looking match day squad for a long time.

I think Che is a decent squad player but not really good enough to be a regular starter at this level. He does offer good hold up play and has contributed some good assists this season such as Theo's goal at Arsenal. But ultimately strikers will always be judged on their ability to score goals and I don't think Che will ever be prolific. A good player to have in the squad but ideally an upgrade needed. Unfortunately we don't have the money for that.

Well for starters we were clearly over achieving, but also at full strength our starting eleven is pretty decent. We have collapsed because we have a small squad that cannot cope with the number of injuries we've suffered, combined with a lot of players either losing form or simply burning out and needing a rest, which we can't give them.

Three senior central midfielders is not enough for a long season, you should have two players for each position on the pitch. We are lucky JWP is such a machine but even he clearly could do with a rest. You will always get injuries, loss of form etc which is why you need options. In mdifield, with one injury we are then relying on the remaining two to play every minute of every game. As we have seen, that's not sufficient.

It's a sad indictment of the lack of depth in the squad that we are probably left with no choice but to play a 19 year old who doesn't want to be here and has already shown he can't be trusted. Not to mention the problems at right back. Yet according to some we have a quality squad and Ralph should have us finishing top half! That and our awful record at Goodison Park, it's very hard to see anything other than a comfortable defeat.

Ultimately final position is what matters, but it certainly needs to be looked at in the context of points accrued as well. More points = more wins regardless of how the table shapes up around you. The 8th place under Puel was an anomoly and more to do with other teams being so poor rather than Saints being good.

S-Clarke has already answered and I echo his thoughts, Ralph has not had the financial backing the previous three did yet has done a much better job than them (Puel debatable). He is largely still working with the misfits they brought in.

Yes, five permanent signings in five transfer windows since he arrived is pathetic really. With a squad that is in desperate need of freshening up, If we keep that up there is only one direction we are headed, with Ralph or without. It's a fair point but I really don't know who realistically would be doing better with the restraints that Ralph is working under. I suspect if he goes we will soon be crying out for 'bang average'.

Where is our next goal coming from, let alone the next point? We look absolutely clueless in attack. Big problems.

The top post on this page, "he will eclipse VVD". He's made a promising start for sure but some people do go ott.

Dropping Ings for this would be mental, whilst he's not at the top of his game he's still our most in form striker and against Leeds we should actually be able to create a few chances for him. I'd like to see Mina alongside him, if not then bring Che back in.

I agree, very good assist for the goal but aside from that I thought Redmond was his usual self and didn't really cause Chelsea any problems. Djenepo MOTM for me, was a real warrior out there with some nice moments of skill as well. Salisu and Vest also very good.

This from a week ago https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56029690

I said before the Newcastle game that Stephens is an awful full back and that game only reinforced my view. None of our CBs are suited to playing RB especially with the attacking duties it carries in the system we play. It's shambolic that we're even in this position tbh and you have to feel for Ralph. Of the options listed I would probably go for JWP to play at RB but that can't happen until Diallo is fit. I would hope the club are looking at any free transfer options available, even Cuco Martina until the end of the season would be better than the options above!

From memory you seem to post similar about every manager we have. We were 6th six games ago. We are on a bad run for a number of reasons and back down to a more realistic position. There are plenty of managers who would be in a relegation battle with this squad. Ralph has his faults and is not blameless, but he is not the problem.

Glad it wasn't just me who thought that, McManaman seemed to have some weird agenda where he seemed desperate to downplay his performance. Aside from those couple of slips I really liked what I saw. Pace, power and composure. Think we've got a player there.

Danny Ings doesn't owe us anything, the move has worked out for both parties but he is under no obligation to sign a new contract, as much as we would all like him to.

I'd really rather not see Stephens at RB, he's looked like a fish out of water when he's played at full back previously.

Ezequiel Schelotto was linked with us before joining Brighton, was released in the summer and still without a club. Pape Souare formerly of Palace too. As mentioned most of them wouldn't get a work permit anyway.

Well I would have preferred a defender but it's bizarre how anyone can see this as a bad thing. Some people may have failed to notice we haven't scored from open play in our last seven games so another attacking option is very welcome. Granted it's not worked for him at Liverpool but he's not had many opportunities tbf, and he was quality at RB Salzburg, If nothing else he is a much better option than Shane Long! Will do for me.

I thought Valery was ok the other night. Don't like all this putting square pegs in round holes.

Problem is the Chapel end is the dedicated family stand. I'm in Kingsland north but would love to be in a proper 'home end' but it's not really possible atm. Only if the away fans were moved to the side could we then do something but I can't see that happening unfortunately. It's why I tend to give cup games a miss these days.

If Ings is still out I'd definitely start N'Lundulu up top, we need Theo in the AM position and I shudder at the thought of Long playing. Also his confidence will have been boosted by scoring his first goal.

Well I thought it was a good professional performance against a well organised team, did what needed to be done. Not quite sure what some people expect given how inexperienced the team was. JWP ran the show and I'm really excited about Diallo, he looks a class act. Of the youngsters Watts looked full of potential, Chauke had a nervy start but I thought he grew into the game. Well taken goal by Nlundulu and Vokins solid again. I appreciate what Long has done for us in the past but he needs to retire frankly, he is finished. Hopefully we get one or two bodies back for Arsenal.