Saint86

We could play until next weekend and wouldn't have a shot on target.

Absolutely shocking performance. No ideas, hardly any impetus or attacking play in an FA Cup semi final. Manager makes one change from a dire performance against WBA and then waits until the 83rd minute to change formation. Disgrace.

Feel that the reward for piss poor performance last week seems to be a starting fa cup semi spot. Weak from Ralph.

Mind me asking how the sponsor logos / club crest etc. are? Well attached or likely to start coming off after a couple of washes?

It wasn't.

Damn right. Also Just what the players, fanbase, and club (as a whole need) when going into an FA Cup semi final. And yet strangely, some of our fans struggle to understand why people criticise our support at times.... The mind boggles. The amount of negativity from fans going into an FA Cup semi final is unbelievable. The team is safe in the prem with 6 games to go, and we've got the prospect of a cup final to look forward to. How on earth did said fans manage in League 1...

He stamps on Ings' achilies, ruins all our dreams for the season, then Ings leaves? 😱 Edit - this scenario might actually result in Ings still being a saint next season 😅

We were top 4 over a 38game period in 2020.

I've been behind the manager all season, but we are certainly in danger of limping over the line. Lose the cup semi and continue our current league form and his position is surely very tentative for a lot of fans (being kind) come mid-may?!?! I can't relate the teams current play with that of the first half of the season? Are the players all jaded and have had enough / on holiday?? Has Ralph simply been sussed out by the other managers in the league? Or has he lost the balance and setup that was working? - because right now we are so very very poor! I want to think that with a summer break and a squad refresh we'll be back to our best next season.... but I also think that a continuation of our current form and performances would mean keeping Ralph is a huge gamble from the board. I am sure all of us thought performances would improve once the squad came back to fitness - but they haven't!

He very clearly is better than, "lower premier league player". And regardless, he is one of our best players.... Fuck me, but some of our fans absolutely lose their shit when things are going bad. I genuinely wonder how we survived as a fanbase on our way down the leagues.

Think i'd drop Diallo, bring Stuart into CM with JWP, and play redmond / walcott on the wings with Che and Danny up front. We're too lightweight with Diallo in CM and Redmond up front. Che brings us physicality and Stuart is far superior to Diallo. Without Che up front we will lose imo as we have zero physical threat and hold up play. Arguments could be made for picking Djenpo over walcott, but either way, our 4 wide men of Redmond/Theo/Djenpo/Tella should all expect a run out imo. Bednarek has been struggling of late, but I am not sure Salisu is ready yet. Would be a big call to chance the CB pairing for a semi final. Would give Macca a recall. Injuries are such that any other changes are probably unreasonable. Macca KWP Vestergard Bednarek(or salisu) Bertrand JWP Armstrong Walcott/Djenpo Redmond Che Ings

Well we definitely got away with one tonight imo, not that it had any bearing.

Leicester will be licking their lips.

On the basis that it would involve beating city (chasing the quadruple) in a Wembley cup final, i think no saints fan should be under any illusions just how slim our chances of winning the cup are. For that reason alone i fully concur. It would be a 10/10 season. Given the insane wealth and squad disparity between our two clubs, it would be an equal achievement with 1976 for me.

Yup. 3 of those goals you'd think he could have done better for as well ^_^

Surely Saints fans put that up just to embarrass Portsmouth?!?! I mean, its just too bad to comprehend otherwise. Imagine celebrating one of your rivals most successful periods in modern history, and simultaneously your own relegation and worst period.

Yes, he could certainly be a role model for Harry and Megain.

I wouldn't bin of VAR as some are calling for. Any saints fan who says this should be shot imo - you only have to think about incidents like the Docoure handball, Charlie's Park life rant, or Gabbi's Cup Final hattrick.... There is no way you get rid of VAR tO go back to stuff like that 😱 But the whole thing is very arbitrary so whilst the article you shared is interesting, I also agree that it is quite flawed. Just for example take the Chelsea 3-3 game - neither Werner's handball, nor the offside assist were even reviewed by VAR. Other incidents are numerous this season - even simple things like the Leicester game's opening goal, which was a clear and blatant foul in the build up. And like you've said, vs Villa we were stitched (to the tune of a net 3 goal swing imo), and the Wolves penalty decisions were a farce. Leeds is another good example, and even the United game (where i accept it would have made little material difference) with the offside and red card / penalty etc. (Also, did anyone see the ridiculous penalty united were awarded last night vs Granada?!?!) To surmise - I reject utterly the notion that saints come out anywhere near "neutral" on refereeing decisions this season. 😅 I would be very interested to see a breakdown per game of major refereeing decisions for/against. Maybe next season we keep one (similar to the match prep time thread).

Stuart Armstrong is easily one of our best players these days.

That isn't a basis for calling it BS 😅. That is like saying that players have no ambition to move to a higher level, increase their pay packets, challenge for trophies..

Have you heard anything as to why bertie is off? I find that one strange given all the noises of giving him a position upstairs when he retired. Also means we have to buy 2 full backs this summer. One to replace him, and one for cover? Or is Ralph still keen on vokins and Valery?

Vestergard, bertrand, and ings are likely all going this summer. Might get away with just 2 of the 3.

When someone has one of these retro kits, could you give an update on the quality - particularly the logos. Agree they look quality, but not interested in spending £55 on a shirt that the logos will fall off of after a couple of washes.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9447519/Tottenham-identify-Southampton-defender-Jannik-Vestergaard-key-summer-transfer-target.html#comments A story as old as time. Saints let a good player's contract run down, Levy gets a whiff, the tapping commences, and...

I find myself distrustful of what looks like poorly stuck on logos and club crest 🙃