Puddings and Monkeys

Spot on. People have quickly forgotten how defensively poor we were last season. I’m perfectly fine with us sorting that out first - we know there are strikers on the way that the club believe are better than we currently have. That will bring the balance and attacking threat we are looking for. The future is really positive,!

Agree with your last sentence. But it’s not for the lack of trying that we haven’t got our new strikers in - Chelsea apparently dicking us around re Broja; Man City refusing to accept our bid for Delap; Dembele yet to be convinced……plus more. Who do these bloody clubs think they are FFS!!!

But weren’t (aren’t) we trying to convince that Dembele bloke to join? Clearly the club do have plans for a more experienced striker.

Not sure how strong the Fat Frank connection is. New people at Chelsea and a lot of his “mates” aren’t there.

Yes, but I don’t think it’s an elephant in the room - RH has already said it’s a priority.

We’re trying to play the ball in to AA on the ground much more quickly than last year. Positive sign as that plays to his strength of running at pace centrally.

I really don’t know what some of our fans expect from our second pre- season friendly. Jeez. Staggering levels of not understanding the purpose of these games and what the coaching team are learning from them. But shouldn’t be surprised as it’s the same people every year.

Well written and fully agree.

And how on earth will they finance any of this when according to some on here they’re (allegedly of course) using SFC funds to prop up some dodgy Turkish second division team. Struggling to get my head round all this…..🤣

Is this clickbait? I know it’s quiet (for all clubs) but not a shred of evidence that this is what SR are doing. Someone putting 2 + 2 together and coming up with 40,000.

You’re probably in a good position to tell us.

100% spot on.

Not sure there's evidence to back that up? Is the transfer window even open yet, let alone slamming shut? Hold fast. Our new owners aren't idiots.

A very exciting period for the club. Buckle up.

I don't think anyone is saying he is irreplaceable; I'm just putting forward the view that the club view getting rid of him now as too risky..esp when they believe they can address shortcomings in what they see as a less disruptive way, whilst setting a foundation for a future which will prob be Ralph-free before his contract is up.......as he moves to a more "strategic role" in the SR organisation.

But it's not just been in The Sun has it... Ralph himself said 4-5 weeks ago that the whole coaching setup would be reviewed and he was open to that. I wish I could find the article. The club has made Ralph its centrepiece with his Playbook and it's adoption across all levels; ditching that would be too disruptive in the short-term and carry too many risks. Recruiting better, more experienced coaches makes total sense in this scenario and will address many of the problems we see every week on the pitch. Add in some smart recruitment - Ralph has already spoken about more experienced players to go alongside a few more "Tino's" - and we might just surprise even some of biggest bed-wetting fans.

Ralph has already said that there needs to be some experienced (older) players brought in next year. He also said (when questioned) that all aspects of the coaching setup would be looked at as well for the benefit of the club. Both things you mention are very likely to happen over the next couple of months I think. I think it will be a very exciting summer.

He is being played out of position (out wide) because we have such limited options. His best position is centrally upfront in a 2 man attack where he can use his pace to run at defenders. Was very effective when he played there last year - can and will be an important player for us next season.

I reckon your a,b and c is exactly what will happen.

I think we’re also likely to see a changes in the 1st team coaching setup with better qualified and more specialised people around the manager. I think it will be an exciting summer.

I think some of you are missing the point. Sports Republic are all about smarter recruitment, potential modelling and performance analysis rather than blowing loads of cash of big name players. 4-5 Livramento-type acquisitions of 5-6 million will serve us better than 30 million spent on one player. I think it will be a very exciting summer.

I might be in a minority of 1 here, but for me, part of the joy of supporting Saints is that we're not in the Europa League every year. Makes it so special when we do qualify; otherwise it would IMO just become boring. There wouldn't have been 8-9K in the San Siro, 3.5K in Arnheim etc if Europe was a regular thing.

No. Same article quotes him saying: "I think he definitely enjoys it here and he should see what he has with this club here. I think he sees this because we gave him a big chance to show up."

🤣 A bit like their more recent sprint up St Mary's Street one evening.

Well said Sir.