leeham_69

Boufhead?

I agree with this - it seems to me Ralph's problem has been trying to make changes too quickly, too suddenly, and often underestimating how easily other teams will exploit our uncertainty. It was the same when he arrived - he dramatically changed the system altogether twice instead of incrementally. I think he is trying to get the whole team playing to this system with the idea that when Salisu is fit, he will slot in and hit the ground running and it will all work a little bit better. But we are sacrificing confidence and points and good memories of last season in the meantime, so I think slowly slowly is better. I trust Ralph, but I am worried he is experiencing what Koeman did - wants to stay and improve the club, not being supported financially to do so, is feeling frustrated by that.

I haven't watched the game yet (not sure I will now) - but I'm curious to know how Tella went? Acknowledging that it sounds pretty poor all around, but did he show promise or give any indication he might play a bigger part this year? It's one of the great things about following saints, seeing the young guys come through (desperately searching for positives and dry sheets).

Well we love our Sal, we love our Salisu. could be Well we love our Sal, Mohammed Salisu. Great idea though!

This is crazy and unsubstantiated - but I think I remember once in about 2006 reading somewhere that he was truly ambidextrous. Had no preference with feet or his hands! Always remembered that factoid long after I could remember him actually playing.

Plus the interview with PEH a while back where he said the two fastest players he played with were Sané and Long.

Agree, I thought in particular Romeu looked slimmer and sharper than he has done in the past, and his performance was sharper too! I am always happy to see him in the team and doing well.

looks very smart!

is that the first league game bednarek's missed under ralphy? i have to say their lineup does not look remotely threatening - except for the old former players' curse of course. cork with a bicycle on the edge of the box in the 95th minute? good to see stu and JWP back, and i must say i'm a shameless boufal supporter like i was a shameless ramirez supporter. sh1t games like this are often one by ten seconds of inspiration i reckon.

I thought this too - but: “With Danny Rohl And Hasenhuttl” Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i think this is a pretty good point tbf. it also makes me wonder about koeman leaving due to financial constraints... it was before the gao takeover (i think...?), but if only he'd just held on or we'd just given in. it's not like we haven't spent cash. players get worse when they come here. i don't think that's les' fault. i think it's due to the lack of project, identity, vision, playing style, clearly defined roles within the squad. hughes out. guardiola in. sheikh mansour also in.

I reckon a front three of MLT, Lambo and Mane with a peak schneiderlin in CM would be pretty damn good to watch.

one of my genuine highlights reading this forum from the last few years.

I watched about half an hour of the live stream - particularly one drill that involved two wide men playing a one-two then crossing the ball for two others to finish. Vestergaard and Gallagher easily the best two finishers on show - ahead of Gabbi and long, plus others you'd expect (Yoshida, Reed, a few others). Ings and Austin not involved in that drill, must have been something up the other end of the pitch. Interesting to watch though!

good lineup!

Surely the biggest game since our return to the PL? This or last year's cup final - this to me feels like a chance to really shake off two seasons of sh1te football and be the first step in re-establishing our proper identity as a team who competes by trying to win and accepting losses along the way rather than trying to not lose and accepting draws. Can't wait.

agreed re: redmond. I also think he could learn a lot from Gabbiadini about his movement off the ball. If he doesn't want to take players on with the ball, he can create uncertainty and pull open gaps using his pace when he doesn't have it. Just seems terrified of making a mistake, when tidy play and cleaning up clearly aren't his strengths as a player!

10-0 Saints, free from the shackles of what's 'is name (can't remember, already forgotten)

They'll be swinging, swaying, records playing Dancing in the street, oh

But what about all the interesting possible teas? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Les, we've been reading it upside down... turns out we aren't fourth!

If they're gonna sack MP, maybe they need someone to appoint as interim manager! Ha ha.

I think he’s been retired for some time... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

so that would point to 3-5-2 fairly plainly I guess?

Agreed, FA won't reply to my emails Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk