Fitzhugh Fella

You always talk sense on here so I read your posts with interest (sometimes hoping you will deliver an answer to what is becoming a bit of a nightmare). I think however, with respect, you are being a tad kind to Ralph. Yes the players let him down but a good manager makes sure the players they pick don't let him down through clever management. Ralph is good at basics, getting the Board and the fans onside (that's clever) and while things go smoothly he looks the dog's bollocks, but when things go off piste he can't cope. He tries to get clever (square pegs etc) and (leaving our 2 proven goalscorers benched). Sooner or later he must take responsibility for overseeing our two worst results and worst run in league form in over 130 years. Ted Bates had no money when he took over (he had to beg the transfer fee for his first signing from the supporters club), but he managed to avoid those 3 horrendous records that Ralph has managed to conjure up.

Ralph has fatal flaws imo. If he sticks to basics and things go well he is a good manager, he has empathy with the board and the fans but, when things get tough (injuries etc) he starts being clever, square pegs in round holes etc and he digs in, eg. (never dropping Redmond who long ago stopped looking PL quality). He left our two goalscorers on the bench today, bad mistake because at the end of the day goals win matches. (Look at Palace last night at Brighton - they had two forwards who put the ball in the net when it mattered.) Either Ings or Minamino should have started. But do we get rid and risk another Puel/Pellegrino? Rather stick with Ralph than that. I know he hasn't had much money, but he's not learning. I can't remember a more depressing run of results in a more depressing time and while Corona is not Ralph's fault, my faith in him is evaporating.

We seem to have one player at least who is undroppable.

Can’t believe that one decent through pass trumps all the dross he has served up this season (and last). Sorry he’s a nice bloke and there once lurked a decent footballer in there somewhere but he isn’t brave with the ball, his decision making is poor and he lacks a footballing brain. Certainly not PL standard in my eyes.

Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Tony or the guy who made this?

You talk reasonable sense but there is an element of happy clappy especially when you try and persuade us all that Redmond should not be a whipping boy. Sorry but his contribution is woeful woeful woeful.

trousers, can I suggest you concentrate more on the game than trying to expose the people who post on here? You have much to offer but waste your intellect trying to take the piss out of trolls

https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/tony-funnell/

I wish he would ship out

Yes this is a sensible post. Ralph is far from the messiah some painted him as, but unless the Board have something special up their sleeves (which is highly unlikely)he will be going nowhere just yet. I must admit my confidence in him is sliding however.

Redmond and impact are two words that are incompatible

It is mental, but it sort of sums up where football has traveled over the recent 10-15 years and I think it echos the thinking of the Board. I agree it is depressing.

Ralph the best manager in the world right now? No other manager has two 9-0s on his CV that’s for sure.

When is Ralph going to see what everyone else can ie Redmond is a busted flush?

I think the timing of his very stupid transfer request has something to do with it, but you are quite right to condemn the idiots. For me apart from the usual culprits some blame for last night's debacle should be laid at Katarina's door. She did assure us that Gao was the man to take us forward when she sold 80% her shares. I know things in China have changed etc etc but with his background he never looked the sort of owner to have any altruism about him.

No from me. He has lots of admirable qualities but his expense and his age push me into the negative camp.

Like everyone else I am angry tonight but let’s not the injustice of the decisions that went against us cloud some of our own inadequacies. Redmond for me has been poor for 18 months. He simply isn’t good enough. Adams is not a PL striker, he’s too one footed, great heart, works hard but not quite there which is a shame. Armstrong too in and out. Does some good stuff then fades. Djenepo again inconsistent and not sure he is PL standard. I could go on and even include Ings who since the debate about his new contract surfaced has been distinctly under par. I think we are a well run club and I am impressed with Martin Semmens interviews because he actually answers the questions but while we continue to watch the pennies we will have to accept avoiding relegation is our target. We need investment to compete and we need vision. We have the latter with Ralph but not the former with Gao.

So true. Redmond is a busted flush at present

This seems a fair assessment. We have nowhere near enough a squad capable of mounting a top 10 finish. The Board should be honest enough to admit that and not con the fans otherwise

I think some people talk like this to cover the bases. Talk us down while hoping it won't happen. I do it to be fair. Preach doom and gloom with fingers and toes crossed. We all have different ways of coping with being a Saints fan but....... ultimately we all want the same thing.

The cynic in me thinks Salisu being named as a sub was a PR exercise and there was no way he would have come on. As you say the fact he had not been considered for an U23 game a few days beforehand was mysterious.

Apart from (I suppose) an immediate hike in his wages and a fanbase that would swoon at his feet.

I know a player's privacy must be respected but surely it is now time for the club to be a little more open as to the problem/situation. I worry that the lad will become an object of derision before stepping onto the pitch. He commanded a big fee which is one reason we are now unable to afford strengthening, so the fans can be forgiven for requesting a reasonable explanation which would also help dampen all the negative talk.

So Spurs have told Ings the most they will stump up this summer is £15m-£20m. Saints have told Ings the minimum they will sell for is £30m. Levy being Levy will not budge even though Ings is worth more which means we have a stand off which is destabilising a good season. If Saints had money I would like them to say to Ings see out your contract until 2022 and take the risk no one will want a 30-year old, or pay serious money at least.

Agree Tadic blew hot and cold