Brumsaint

My takeaways from watching us in the two games post Martin compared to the rest of the season so far are that keeping possession didn't help us to create any more chances to score a goal and win, but put us in considerably more danger of conceding through sloppy play near our own box. Not groundbreaking analysis, I know, but there was no point in the risk without any reward at the other end. We just haven't been creative enough in most games to win the match when conceding as much as we did, so there was no chance of success. Yesterday, we lacked any kind of creative spark or threat going forward, but I felt fairly confident that we'd keep them out with Rambo behind the back five. Juric has a hell of a task to sort out this squad and give us any chance of getting 20 points let alone 30. I am sure we'll go down, but I am hoping for a better second half with some green shoots of recovery and not just a whimper like last time.

Napalm Death most certainly are, though:

I couldn't quite believe that Ralph had actually put him in as a CB, but to be fair he played OK there. I didn't see much that he did wrong.

Hard to disagree with that! Somehow, Broja's managed to dislodge Shlong from the first team squad, too. Quite the upgrade, I'd say. I wish Dan well, but I'll be surprised if he sets League one alight this year.

Obligatory highlight video:

I really don't understand why we gave hime a two-year deal. Can't see any chance of him getting in the team when Ralph played anyone but him there last year when KWP was out. Bednarek was awful in that position! Hope it works out for him, but I can see more chance of me consuming headwear than Ramsey becoming a Saints first team regular.

I punched the air when I saw this. Terrible signing who has cost us so much more than just the fee! Hopefully, a few more leave early, too, as that's what we need most to be in a position to sign the fresh blood we so badly need.

Surely, if we had any interest in signing Rose, we'd have taken him on loan in January to see whether he's worth signing.

I did initially think the rumours around signing Strakosha must be rubbish, but seeing Ralph doesn't have faith in any of the keepers we have, it does make sense if we know we'll be able to shift at least two of them: https://www.givemesport.com/1694152-southampton-transfer-rumours-saints-interested-in-serie-a-goalkeeper-who-was-once-valued-at-43m

My preference in defence would be to play Ferry at LB and see whether he can handle it against an already relegated (so objectively one of the weakest) team and then play Salisu and Vestegaard together to see if they can do it, as I think they're our best two central defenders. Diallo has something to prove, so I would like him to return to CM alongside JWP. If Theo wants a contract, we need him to show he is worthy of it and the early season form can de repeated. I also want Tella to get some more game time against a team he is likely to get chances against. I'd go for: McCarthy KWP Vestegaard Salisu Ferry JWP Diallo Theo Tella Ings Adams

I have absolutely no expectations of getting anything out of the game having seen that lineup. They were already minimal, but now I just despair. What is he thinking? Stephens was awful at LB when he played there before. Salisu's not perfect, but so much better than Jack! Also, when Theo started we looked so much more threatening. Why's he not starting today?

People say: "Ralph has no plan B". Ralph tries plan B (playing three at the back). Everyone says: "Please don't ever do that again!" Desperate times, but not so bad that we should play 3 CBs.

Watch the highlights of the U23s match against West Ham and tell me if you think Ferry is a good enough back up LB to play in a top half premier league side: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-01-29/b-team-highlights-west-ham-united-3-1-southampton-fc-premier-league-2-2020-21 He looks decent going forward, but dodgy defensively - hence us conceding 3 and it could have been many more!

Highlights are up on the website https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-01-29/b-team-highlights-west-ham-united-3-1-southampton-fc-premier-league-2-2020-21 Ferry looks good going forward, but not sure LB is his best position. Anyone think he has potential as left sided number 10? Overall, the defence didn't look too solid, but hard to judge on 5 minutes of highlights. What has happened to Ledwidge and Olufunwa? I thought they were supposed to be highly regarded, but haven't seen either feature this season.

From this article it sounds like we were pretty close until Koeman stepped in: http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-bid-for-la-liga-defender-saints-moving-closer-for-player/ - he also fits the bill of being versatile! No idea how quickly he'd adapt to Premier League, though. AMN definitely has the advantage on that front. If we could get both of them, that would provide more squad strength! I know this won't happen, though.