ErwinK1961

In the pond we'll be fishing in (out of work managers and cheap) there isn't anyway that inspires me or I think that could polish the turd that is our squad. Add to the fact that we cannot physically afford to sack Ralph, plus the fact we are building the club and the future around Ralph and his 'playbook', it's all a bit moot. Perhaps it's time to write chapter two of the playbook, 'Plan B'

Didn’t Klopps time at Dortmund come to an end with them completely imploding and ending up in the relegation zone?

Holy shit!

Agreed - £100k a week for next 4-5 years is looking more and more like it could be a burden. Last season is starting to look like the outlier from an injury perspective. Probably best to cash in while we can in the summer.

A lot of our attacking intent relies on full backs getting up and down the pitch, overlapping etc. With no KWP, the oppo know that nothing much is going to come down our right. They can then double down efforts on the left and nullify any sort of threat we may pose. Add that to Bertrand clearly showing signs of decline, it doesn’t make for pretty viewing. Not signing full back cover in the window is one of the single most bizarre decisions we’ve made for some time.

This is true, but in the (all be it limited) game time Fraser has had back in the team since, he looks to have been working really hard on his weaknesses (coming off his line, distribution etc). McCarthy's distribution/ball at feet has always been iffy, but doesn't seem to get the same stick for it as Fraser did. Up to Fraser really, if he has a great game on Thursday then I don't see any harm in sticking him in for Prem games - might as well see if he's got anything left to offer. Ultimately though, I suspect if he does get a run he will revert to type eventually. I agree with Lighthouse, I think both are pretty average and could easily be improved on.

Or it could be that the vast majority of people acknowledge he is a good player, would be a big loss for us - but are (fairly) pointing out that since the contract thing has come to a head, his form has not been very good.

😕 Damn!

Wednesday 23rd October 1996 - League Cup - Southampton 2-2 Lincoln City. Le Tiss and Van Gobbel. I was 7 Pretty sure I also went to the Stockport home game quarter final later that season... was it Brett Angel that scored the winner 😞 First league game was April 1998 v Villa - lost 2-1, Yorke and Hendrie. Le Tiss scored a belter. The old man took me to games here and there when he could - though I became a bit of a Jonah unfortunately. Took 13 years to see my first win! v Stockport at home 2-0.

I got my info from the ever reliable wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Mason I'll stand corrected if that's not the case.

Seen this mentioned a few times, but Mason is from Bolton. So he's just fcking useless, not a skate. Wasn't Rob Styles a skate?

Good question, not sure how far in advance they know. Think Ralph was too cool/classy for his own good. I'm sure he was furious, but Premier League probably think 'ah well, it's only Southampton and they haven't caused a stink so let's crack on.' Wish we had a bit more sh*thousery about us at times, we've got better but still not enough. I would advocate asking Dean if he's actually going to watch the game this time, but knowing what that twat is like he'll end up going even more the other way.

That is genuinely unbelievable, the Premier League are taking the piss. Should make a formal complaint to FA, get them changed.

Fair enough on the Cryochamber, but Ralph said about sauna and pool being out of action too, which seems strange. Sure I saw a picture of Joe Gomez doing some pool recovery work the other day, so unless Ralph was exaggerating it does seem weird.

Whose going to pay the money for him this window though. Spurs won’t, they’ll wait until he’s down to a year left and try and wrangle a nothing fee. Arsenal won’t stump the cash we will want. If City wanted him, they’d have signed him already. Can’t see any others seriously wanting him. Not sure what else the club can do - they’ve offered him a pay rise and would be highest earner. If the only way he’ll sign is to have a small release clause (compared to ability), then we’re better off keeping those extra wages and selling him in the summer for the same amount as the release clause.

We’re using the Ings money to buy (free agent) Theo Walcott apparently.

This. Asking for a sub £20m release clause in my mind is basically saying you’re not interested in signing at all. In what world would we agree to that? Have a nice pay rise but leave for less than we paid for you? If he wants to leave that’s fine, his call - but I don’t think he’s that serious about signing a new contract.

Beattie 1-0 in 03/04, but other than that we haven't

Utd at home has been a really tricky game for us since promotion, not beaten them at St Marys since we came back up. Recall a number of games where we played really well but haven't won. The Van Persie hat trick game (shudder), 2-0 up when Hughes was in charge, both Koeman games (when we gifted Martial goals). Would be nice to put that straight.

Surely best to leave KWP where he is and play someone out of position at LB? Better than playing KWP at LB and bringing Valery in at RB, weakening both flanks. Valery at home to Newcastle... 🤢

Yup - Shelvey scored the winner that day if I remember rightly. At least he doesn’t play for Newc... oh FFS.

Great last name for a GK.

Hate to go all MLG on you, but Peterborough away was the third to last game of the season. And De Ridder didn't play.