nta786

just spent time listening to Ralph's press conference, really annoying no one asked him on team news but one guy asked for his opinion on tonight's City vs Liverpool game?!?!? interestingly he says whilst he wants to win every game at the weekend, he is targeting 8 wins out of the last 17 PL games to be sure of staying!!! that would be an incredible return considering we have just 3 out of 21, but certainly doable. also says davis and gabbiadini could be off, there is interest in both and if there is something close 'we'll be told for sure'. also gives reference to the fact we were the last team to be given the trophy by the Queen anyways- my prediction for Saturday is below, but anyone know when Bertrand/Obafemi is back? or whether Lemina is 100%? so annoying no one asked him questions like those. would predict davis but then his presser also sounds like he is close to moving back in next couple days (and I don't think Ralph intends to play anyone who isn't in his future plans!!!), sounds certainly closer to a deal than manolo is. will predict a back 4, although I do wonder whether Hoedt might just be drafted in from the cold- highly unlikely but Cedric was. Gunn Ramsay Stephens Vestegaard Targett/Cedric JWP Slattery Lemina/Armstrong Elyounoussi Long Austin yes I've showed it as a 442 but I'm about as clueless as everyone how Ralph will play this... it could work! although if Lemina doesn't play and Armstrong does then that team is too attacking- so maybe Klarer in and a back 3? but feeling optimistic- going to predict a 1-0 win, late in the first half- goal comes from Austin penalty!

Just back from game, but forgive me Saints fans, I was sat in the Shed End Upper Tier in the Chelsea end with my Chelsea supporting mate right next to you guys!!! I was directly behind the goal, but would much rather have been in the corner with you all there. Just my observations- we defended really well, and whilst we were terrible attacking (its chelsea away after all and we did have shane long for half the game- not quite a Vardy!) I do think this is a case of Ralph utilising the squad and playing what is best for the deck of cards he has been given, and that is what is required from now on in, to play the right hand depending on opponent. Gunn had a good game, making standard routine saves. I actually thought JWP had a good game except the odd set piece or two (inc. the free kick), Yoshida, Jannik and Bednarek colossal, though Bednarek had a needless yellow annoyingly covering Jannik. The ref was decent in fairness, and Cedric/Valery had good games, even if Cedric was left wanting just once/twice on his left foot. As for Chelsea, if you think our attack was toothless then well theirs was also just as bad, and think of how much they have spent- they didn’t have too much of a sniff at goal really. My mate says he thinks on that game that we really shouldn’t go down and I’m very inclined to agree. On one final note, nice for Shane Long to give his shirt away, Kepa (the Chelsea GK) is a pri*k for trying to force Cedric to get up and then get frustrated for it- that was classless, and also- can I make the build up threads again

as in, someone who brought the leadership qualities he did- someone like him- hence why later in the paragraph I write 'someone like that'. the squad is missing some backbone and steel, a captain like figure, may even explain why we have lost the most points from winning positions- it is like we lose our heads as soon as we concede!

this might be slight nostalgic thinking, and he may likely be past it as a PL player now despite how well hes doing in France, but I'd love to see Fonte back here again- true captain and honestly for all the plaudits Lovren, Toby and VVD got when with us, Fonte was just as crucial for that for being that leader on the pitch- wish we could bring someone in like that- actually lead by example and not be rash like PEH was, whilst Bertrand does not look galvanising as one either. we need to trim first though- but squad needs a couple of additions- centrebacks I'd say we are okay for, but right back, centre midfielder and a pacy winger are the three crucial positions we need for me first of all.

but we have 5 of those. need to get rid of 2 in my opinion if we were to buy another centreback, unless we intend on playing 352/343 all the time

https://twitter.com/cfcmleo/status/1041763446822453251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1041763446822453251&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ffootballburp.com%2Fstories%2Fvideo-southampton-fan-dancing-under-the-lights-at-st-marys-before-kick-off%2F

we only took 1500 apparently. (thats what chelseas website says anyway)

well it does show that from the 17 teams that are currently in the PL and were also in the last, we are 16th. I don't know about you but if that sort of trajectory continues then there is only one way we're going...

yeah you are right tbh, I was looking at the Opta bit where you click on a player and their stats come up- was detailing those- but it is obviously faulty!!! also it (or me!!!) didn't account for the fact that Lemina only played 45 minutes too! maybe he did have a good game anyway

https://www.skysports.com/football/soton-vs-man-city/390954 Lemina, 24 touches, 29 passes made- 91% pass accuracy Romeu, 37 touches, 25 passes made- 76% passing accuracy PEH, 45 touches, 29 passes made- but 69% passing accuracy not inferring anything from these statistics, it is right he was not involved as much but the talent is there. ofc these stats don't paint half a picture as we have no contexts of the passes Lemina, Romeu or PEH made

Sorry if this is posted quickly, but maybe if I start a thread we might win Also, with games coming thick and fast, no time to dwell really, just move on. No PEH, stupidity from him at the end to compound in essence, the worst weekend possible results wise. Honestly, I now no longer know what goes through Ralph's mind, but I'd bring back Vestegaard, and play 3 at the back again. McCarthy Bednarek Vestegaard Yoshida Valery Romeu Lemina Targett Redmond Armstrong Ings having said that, I can't be so sure of fitness for players like Bednarek or Romeu, but I feel Ralph is of the mindset that any players who have no future and will be shipped out do not even seem to make his bench, but with PEH absent maybe Steven Davis should start if one of Romeu/Lemina are not able to. but alas, it's the games against those around us and in the bottom half that will really decide our fate, not free hits like these. my prediction? 2-0 to Chelsea- rogue goalscorer choices in Willian and probably Barkley!

4!!! I thought it was 3- so he wont be back until potentially late January if we don’t beat Derby

PEH wanted NYE off i think

great

Easier said than done

placed a fiver on Man City to win with Kompany to score at any time. 65 quid return.

Ederson, Danilo, Kompany ©, Sterling, Aguero, Laporte, Silva, Bernardo, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Zinchenko Ederson Danilo Kompany Laporte Zinchenko Fermandinho Bernaro David Sterling Aguero Mahrez Forget our line up though- Fernandinho returns as does Kompany who has seemed to score a couple times against us if I recall... I mean I can't say I am feeling confident- don't want to sound negative but it feels like it will be 3-1 to them!

well, presuming that this is a 451 with literally no pace on the wings. It's like he has put out our cup side to one of the best, if not the best, side in the PL at home Still, I trust Ralph tbf- I can only presume the rest of the lads are actually knackered, and this offers his another major assessment of our squad. No Hoedt, Cedric and Gabbiadini again as key omissions. McCarthy Ramsay-Stephens-Bednarek-Targett JWP-PEH-Lemina-Romeu-Elyounoussi Austin My presumptions are that Redmond, Ings and Long will be the likely attacking subs he makes. COYS

seemed to have missed this

Declan Rice: 'he [bednarek] went down far too easily.'

ranges between £30-£38.5 million tbf, depends on your agenda really if you take the lower amount. https://www.transfermarkt.com/sadio-mane/transfers/spieler/200512/transfer_id/1516746 ^ your favourite website has it as 41.2 million euros, so around £37m. me personally, think we got £34m rising to £38.5m which I believe it will given the goals/appearances he has made for them by now, including the fact he scored in a CL final for them and they may very well win the league. I honestly don't think we could have got much more for him (at a push £40m), it was early summer 2016 before Pogba's transfers, and not to forget he only had 2 years left on his contract. i'm pretty sure he was still the 3rd or 4th highest paid transfer that summer anyway

tbf I think they have spent a fair amount this season- £45m on Sigurdsson (not this season I know), £44m on Richarlison, £29m on Yerry Mina etc etc What clubs like Leicester/Everton/West Ham and tbh ourselves want is to basically blow all PL teams bar the top 6 out of the water, but be competetive against the top 6, and as a minimum comfortably finish 7th/challenge top 6. In reality, don’t see that happening for the foreseeable future with the gap between the other 14 clubs minimising

Derby score against Norwich! 4-3 to them now! championship very good this year

it had to be Puel at home that gives Cardiff their first away win of the season eh Brighton beat Everton at home too FT.

Fulham 1-0 up now!