Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

I think the Saints players have generally been very good with the fans, particularly the younger ones, even in recent times. In the lower leagues, most of them would stop for a chat and a pic but, when we arrived back in the Premier League, that still continued even as the quality and status of the players improved. Steven Davis and Rickie were both brilliant with my kids and we often had to stay behind after a game to meet them. One time, Davo was working his way down the line when he reached my son and daughter. My son had his pic taken with him and when Davis went to have a pic with my then 5 year old daughter she looked him straight in the face and said "no thank you, I'm waiting for Rickie Lambert". He took it in good heart, "kids, eh?", and a couple of the other players were dying with laughter behind him. I suspect he might have heard about it a few times on the training ground the next day, from those players especially! But can you imagine the reaction she'd have got from some of the so-called superstars now? Although maybe they wouldn't have heard her with their headphones on anyway...

Good lad. One of the few I'd hoped to keep.

Ruben, mate, this isn't a positive?!

We need a proper reset in the summer. That means getting rid of a number of the players who have dragged us down over a number of years and "Ralph Lite" needs to go too. Maybe we got a little suckered by the results against Chelsea and Leicester but the football, mainly caused by the selections, has been dreadful recently. Starting must win games without at least one striker should be a sackable offence alone.

Got my ticket and ready to back the lads (well, at least until one of them monumentally screws up and the usual depression sets in). Anyone got Mickey Evans's number to see if he can improve our odds of pulling it out the bag? (Although, as Ruben hates playing strikers, he wouldn't get on the pitch even if he was identified as our bona fide saviour)

Our relegation is entirely down to the home shirt. We thought we'd look like Ajax and play like Ajax but it became apparent we also needed Ajax's players to do that and, when we looked around the dressing room, we hadn't got any of them. Worse, from behind, we found out the team looks like Derby County in the worst ever Premier League season with white shirts, black shorts and white socks. Morale was destroyed among players and staff as we lost our red and white stripey identity. The Southampton Way was gone. Che Adams went from clinical marksman to the sort who would head the ball onto his own hand in front of an open goal. Uncertainty blighted new goalikeeper Gavin Bazunu as he expected to see our previously unbeatable defence in front of him only to not know which guys were supporting him with no-one there in stripes. Our penetrative attacking midfielders, so adept at cutting through massed defences, became a confused mess as they dithered over through balls trying to recall which team were wearing the right coloured shirt. So I blame Hummel. I blame them for coming up with the abomination in the first place. And then I blame whoever signed it off as a good idea at the club. Maybe it's why the Commercial Director left. And finally I blame whoever came up with the "Bold is Brave" slogan to whom I say: bravery and stupidity go hand in hand. Look where it has got us...

Southampton academy director Matt Hale to leave at end of season in latest St Mary’s exit - The Athletic Maybe Rasmus thinks he can do it all himself?

A fine feat during his latest loan:

Haha! Brilliant. Cracking banter Rubes. Now, tell us the real team. Please??? 🙏

I'm in. This guy is an upgrade on what we have right now...

We replaced an experienced top flight manager with someone who had never managed in the top flight then with someone who had never managed. No surprise how it's turning out! Ralph did a decent job but his time to go should've been in the summer. Jones was horrendous both in terms of the way he managed the team and his own personal presentation. And while Ruben treated himself to a new suit and a roll neck jumper to celebrate being made manager, it's no more than simply polishing a turd. Whilst all 3 haven't been helped by our pathetic recruitment strategy and the players haven't covered themselves in glory, neither has there been a consistent plan to get the best from a bad bunch with all the chopping and changing. If the inevitable happens and we go down this season, it represents a chance for us to do a proper rebuild, get some experienced heads around the talented youngsters who remain but, most importantly, led by an experienced manager who knows what he's doing and can give us our best chance of returning to the Premier League. Over to you Rasmus, although your form to date doesn't bode well...

No point reinventing the wheel! 😉

"Southampton FC, the caring club. If you can't find the level we need, we'll find a level for you..."

"More games for the same great price..."

I think he suited the way Nathan Jones wanted to play. Big man up front and Prowsey and James Bree to whip high balls into him. I just can't see he suits the way Selles wants to play but some of his control has been good, particularly against Chelsea, but I don't think the way we set up now will really suit him. And the fact Ruben prefers Mara off the bench to try to get in behind the opposition if we're ahead and they're pushing for a goal says quite a lot. I'd like to see him do well but, under Selles, he feels like £20 million option off the bench if we need a goal and/or want to disrupt/distract the opposition defence.

Prophetic...

Heading home after enjoying a lovely day out in the capital. Cheeky little Gregg's for lunch, decent pint before kick off and made the earlier train home. Oh and a bloody tremendous performance from the team, full of the guts, character and skill we've been crying out for, for ages. And clever tactical stuff from Selles too. Sulemana running at speed off big Paul whose ability to hold the ball up, win headers and use a decent amount of skill in possession meant the ball wasn't always coming straight back at us. A gutsy defence and keeper and even Bednarek stood tall. Having ABK back was important and he did well to last an early yellow card. And, in the middle, Prowsey doing Prowsey things plus another free kick to add to the catalogue. And alongside him was the gem that is Lavia. If Chelsea thought Fernandez was worth £107m, they can double it for Romeo. All in all, rather chuffed!

From a Leeds fan I know: "I think you've avoided a disaster there".

FFS. I hope Saints will pay for my We Marsch On tattoo to be removed.

Ok, so I guess today looks like it'll be the 1st day of Marsch 2023?

He's chosen his outfit for the weekend already which mean this must be as good as done...

Genuinely gutted by this... ...was never the right appointment. 😉

He must be. There was me hoping we'd bring in an experienced (and possibly relatively successful) coach with top flight knowledge preferably gained in the Premier League to drag us from our current malaise and then build into next season having turned our fortunes around when what we actually needed was a shit former lower league player who did fairly well at Luton. Probably why I don't recruit football managers...

Grimsby 2 up now. The Nathan Jones derby could be off at this rate...

How I expect to see our fans arrive at the forum tonight...