Trout-Tickler

Pelle's goal to make it 2-2 was a belter! Also remember Sturridge doing that terrible goal celebration of his in front of the chapel.

I actually met him and Melinda when I was working on a research project funded by their foundation through the Medicines for Malaria Venture. Very pleasant people (and I'm yet to be vaccinated/chipped so not just saying that!).

I don't really understand why people think there isn't going to be a third wave...there is, the only question is how severe it's going to be. The development of the current vaccines is fantastic but people forget about evolution and natural selection. Viruses like SARS-COV-2 mutate rapidly and whilst the vaccines may prevent infection from current strains, SARS-COV-2 will undoubtedly mutate in some way that'll either reduce vaccine efficacy or negate it's effect all together. Once such a mutation happens natural selection will ensure this resistant strain becomes dominant. There's always the chance that a vaccine resistant strain could be less infectious or lead to a milder illness but the opposite could be true as well. It's pure Darwinism in action!

Yeah...what the fuck have scientists ever done for mankind?!

I thought you were spunking your load over the thought of Chris Hughton becoming manager?

Ultimately he has do whatever he thinks is best for his family and career. If he wants to play at a higher or at least assess his options that's his prerogative. Hardly a hanging offence is it?

Our trip to Anfield in May should be a nailed on away win given their form!

Was it £7m? For some reason I thought it was £3.5m. Either way great business!

With 3 games in 8 days I'd rest KWP and Armstrong personally. Armstrong has always struggled with games in quick succession and given his importance I'd rest KWP given his last injury arose from playing 2 games in 3 days against Wolves.

Maybe you should visit a few porn sites....take some time to chill and enjoy yourself!

Wasn't that the Sunderland model?

In 15/16 Koeman went through a run of 4 points from a possible 27. Overall, we only had one win in 10, the somewhat improbable 4-0 over Arsenal. That run also included the 6-1 thrashing from Liverpool in the league cup.

We won 6 away and 6 at home that season. Perhaps people's perception is skewed slightly because we put 4 past Watford & Sunderland plus 3 at Bournemouth & West Ham? Those were certainly away highlights though the 2-1 defeat at Hull was terrible.

What didn't help CP was the poor entertainment at St Mary's, especially when we'd been strong at home under both Poch and RK. Over our 19 home league matches in 16/17 we scored only 17 goals. Taking into account we knocked 3 goals each past Burnley, Palace and Leicester, we only managed 8 goals at home in the other 16 matches. We played out 4 goalless draws at St Mary's. That season I think my season ticket cost me over £40 per goal and was the last year I bought one (though I'd been thinking about giving it up for a while tbf). Puel's reign wasn't the worst I've seen nor was it the best. For me it was just meh!!

Out of interest, how do you define 'better job'?

TBH I actually think that's a very flattering description of the complete lack of backing Ralph's had in the transfer market. He's been allowed to make 5 permanent signings since he's been here, one of whom has only recently kicked a ball. For me, the investment he's received hasn't even been enough to stand still in this league and let's face it it's not going to get better any time soon. The managers own admission that we can't really afford players who'll come in and make a difference from day 1 tells us what market we're operating in.

I have no problem per se with a small squad but you have to have little or no drop off in quality in each position for it to work. Our problem is the drop-off in quality between the starting XI and backup players. The fact that we were interested in loaning Brandon Williams at the start of the season suggests we knew our reserve fullbacks weren't up to it but we had already blown our budget on other positions.

Given the importance of KWP to our system I don't think he should've started both games against Wolves. After recovering from an injury you always run the risk of picking up another and playing 2 games in 3 days clearly heightens that risk. He should've played one and been rested for the other to ensure his fitness for the rest of the season.

I quite like Eddie Howe as he had Bournemouth playing some nice stuff but he was as rigid in his style of play as people accuse RH of being at Saints. If people are saying RH's style is to tippy tappy then they ain't gonna like Howe! As for Houghton, fuck me sideways... I'd rather have Puel back!

What exactly is the Plan B people want to see? Getting it into the mixer quick and early long ball style?

Yep, agree with pretty much all of that. Nothing wrong with working in the £15 million bracket but whereas that used to buy a player who could come in and play from day 1 (like a Mane, Tadic or Pelle), now it really only buys you potential. I do wonder if we'll look at some of the younger players from bigger clubs who haven't really broken through or are looking for a move in order to get first team football. KWP is certainly a great example. Whatever happens I hope we've done our scouting and have our targets lined up!

The amount of games hasn't helped. When playing a game every 3 days you're always running the risk that players returning from injury will have a recurrence.

Plan B? He's not been properly backed to implement his plan A!

Thread of the year right here!

I'd be more critical of Ralph if he'd actually been given the money to get the players he wanted to play his style of football and the results were still shit. Truth is he hasn't. He arrived in Dec 18 and since then he's only been allowed to sign 5 players permanently (Adams, Djenepo, KWP, Diallo, Salisu), one of whom hasn't even kicked a ball yet. He basically had to improve the players he inherited and get them to play his high press system. When he first got here he didn't play his preferred formation, instead going to 3 at the back as the players weren't good enough to adopt his style. Personally, I think he's worked miracles compared to the drivel served up under Pellegrino and Hughes. It's not been perfect by any means but I'm more than happy to have him at St Mary's.