Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

Same tepid rubbish. Midfield 2 overrun by their 3. Obvious thing to do would be to drop Smallbone in there but no, let's stick to our rigid 4-2-2-2...

Watching the press conference, did Ralph just say it's not so long ago that our home form was "shit" when asked by Adam Blackmore why our away form has been so poor...?🤣 He looks a bit uncomfortable there today. Feeling the pressure maybe?

A sentence which will be applied to many a player in January, no doubt.

Yep, that's what 4-2-2-2 is! Because it's two numbers 10s and not wingers though, it becomes it's own formation. Innovative! Normally, I'd agree about the 3 CBs. It doesn't always suit us but sometimes we just need to try to be more solid in the middle and just be disruptive. 3 CBs, 3 CMs block the space and get in the way. Not pretty but we're not a side who is playing that well nor stable enough with key players missing to compete with our usual way of playing. It'll be interesting now to see what he does at Palace. More of the same anyone?

It's Ralph's job to figure that out but it's not 4-2-2-2 where we're so open and get picked off time after time. However, if pushed, I'd have done a Brighton and gone 5 at the back, 3 in central midfield and a floating forward to support the front man. Try and be solid, restrict their ability to play freely near our box and look to break quickly with the full backs supporting the front men.

Arsenal are a side that can blow hot and cold in the blink of an eye. Just a shame we pointed out where the hot settings were and helped them switch them on. I didn't expect us to win but I hoped we'd set up and play in a way which made us hard to beat given the players we had missing.

"We want Ralph out, we want Ralph out!!" Too soon? Or time to let the board know how many fans feel? I like the guy, I want him to succeed but I'm sick of seeing a turd of a performance, particularly in the second half, week after week with the same predictable tactics and uninspiring substitutions.

Not just our Govt who struggle to stick to the rules (although this 'mistake' is at least a little more understandable, I guess): https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59577371 I can't see how football clubs will be able to check everyone's passes/test results in time for kick-off. Particularly in much larger stadiums than ours. Standby for a communication requesting we arrive at a set time hours beforehand...

Yes, he was. McCarthy, Cedric, Hoedt, Lemina, Austin and Long. How the fuck did we not win?

Has Macca actually signed his new deal (apologies if I've missed it)? If not, I'd quite like us to have Caballero as back-up to Johnstone next season...

He should be honoured if we let him set foot on the pitch before we write him off...

Are Ralph and Ralf Rangnick on good terms following their time at RB Leipzig? Cheeky call to loan Henderson would be nice...

Talking of emergency loan keepers, what's Kasey Keller doing these days? I imagine he's enjoying his retirement from playing but probably still a better bet than Macca... 😂

Mike Williamson, now player manager at Gateshead, has just been knocked out of the FA Cup by Charlton, which was televised on ITV4. He must hate the south coast having signed for both Saints and Pompey and never played a minute for either...

Yep, I'd agree. He's played every minute of every Prem game so far in his first season at this level. It can take it's toll on more experienced pros so, with games coming thick and fast in December, Brighton might be the game to give him a breather. What a remains though is just what a fine player he's going to be.

I guess we were always likely to lose this one. I just wish we hadn't gift wrapped it with another disastrously bizarre Ralph formation. I feel for those who went there to witness it first hand...

Cheeky 95th minute win in front of the Kop, Mane's clearance smacking Van Dijk on the back of the head & flying into the top corner. Lovely.

Can't see us competing with Newcastle or West Ham, on wages or current ambition, if we are even in the mix with them: Lingard: "So, do you see the club competing regularly for a European spot and, at least, matching my current wages?" Saints: "Well, no but the number 14 shirt is free and we do have a great social media team to help with your TikToks..."

Name checked as missing out on Watford's new goalie: https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/watford-transfer-claim-southampton-palace-6191414

Looks like Ralph may agree: https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/ralph-hasenhuttl-thierry-small-southampton-6188751

First time I've seen him play live was the game against Crawley earlier this week. He looked very good going forward, keen to overlap, not afraid to put in a challenge in when defending and willing to run a lot as our full backs are expected to get high up the pitch but still get back and defend. He was right in front of us in the first half and he was constantly talking and cajoling the back line to be better, which was impressive. I agree with comment about swagger someone mentioned above and he very much reminded me of when Ryan Bertrand first rocked up at SMS: never ending energy to get up and down the line, decent quality when going forward and defensively pretty good too. It was only a B team game vs a poor Crawley team but you could see he was way above that level already.

Interesting to see 3 Saints in the top 15 of the Sky Sports power rankings. Probably represents our improved form over the past few weeks, and our improvement as a whole defensively this season, but still good to see. Adam Armstrong is next up, at 41, after these 3. Here's the link if you'd like to dig even further... Mohamed Salah pipped by Reece James and Emile Smith Rowe in Power Rankings form chart | Football News | Sky Sports

Yes, in the away end which (for us yesterday) was a small section in one corner. I live nearer Brighton these days so only a half hour drive for us.

Chauke was neat and tidy and kept the play moving. Doyle stood out a little more but that may have been due to some of the fancy footwork. Showed he was not afraid of a challenge either as he picked up a yellow for a robust tackle 2nd half.

Forgot to say that, at just 16, Kamari Doyle looks a talent.