Billy the Kidd

You make a good point about Ings. His minutes on the pitch have dropped, his goals to mins ratio dropped, his shot accuracy dropped. Has been a big miss for us. Im not sure id agree this squad should be mid table - Top 10. Id suggest there are currently maybe 3 teams above us we could be doing better than - Palace, Burnley, Villa. Youve also listed 3 more players to challenge for Europe places - id suggest we need a lot more than that, but I do agree we may not have the funds just now to compete at that level. What position would your leader play in? Ive said it previously on other threads, but id be thinking of moving JWP on if it helps fund more players.

I did. We have had bad spells, and good spells. See, the difference in you and me, as i see it, is i see he has done well, and is currently doing pretty damn shit. I think it is worth trying to see if we can get the good bit back again. Just because I see things differently to you, doesnt mean there isnt evidence to suggest what you say could be correct, and what I say could be correct - we have been a mixed bag, no one I see on here deny's this, just the people who largey appear to want Ralph gone, are far more vociferous in their opinions. I mean, im moving towards the "think he needs to go camp" but im not there yet. I do also understand what you and the others say about he needs to go - i totally understand why people would want that. Do you just have a need for people to agree with your point of view - pretty controlling behaviour if so, dont you think?

And could we not just be having a poor season like you suggest above (bold)? Who knows, next season we could well be miles better. We couldnt get much worse.

Well, Fraser has gone very grey since he signed that deal.

Well, maybe it wont happen, it was just a suggestion, but these types of investment deals are regularly discussed with corporate investors. Im pretty sure it helps grease wheel with councils for planning and such also. For example I work for a company whos ultimate parent company is owned by the guy who runs Villa. His set of firms, and there are 100s of them, literally do so much it is unreal. From real estate, supplying governments, football clubs etc. Companies now-days play are strategic longer term game. There was a new article i think about Wolves ownership and how they spin their web really wide for networking. If it did, the club has long been trying to operate in a sustainable manner, which is possible if done correctly, and there are lots of upsides for these

Isnt next season his last, or has he one more after that?

I worked for a number of years for a property company in London. They dont really needs it, but some ivestors like to create mini villages with community, mixed use for resi/commercials, so think hi-rise swanky apartments with retail on the ground floor. Isnt there a 'marina' as such a short bit away from the ground, they could turn that into something pretty good with investment. A lot of also goes on what the strategy on the local council will be also, what they are looking to invest in etc. And yep, we do need to be careful on what we get after Gao, not sure if im more nervous of that or facing Leciester on a Fri night.

Yeah, i had a similar thinking. Here is to hoping so at least.

There is sensible business reasons that involve real estate, and this would have to have potential to grow and expand a City, it's where the mega bucks comes into play. I dont know enough about the development opportunities in Southampton as far as planning at the Council go, but I'd imagine all the ground around the club could be purchased, with existing business relocated, and a major development built around the ground at some point.

I agree, the legal battle from all the club owners would stop it in its tracks I think, we are too far down the river for this to happen. Do you think now our sale will happen quicker the super league thing has been swatted away for now? My concern is we try to sell the club too quickly, to the wrong buyer again. Sounds familiar.

You cant say this, as apparently people who dont think he should be dragged by horse through streets of Southampton whilst having rotten fruit and veg thrown at him are clearly wrong, think he is blameless by the Cult of Ralph, etc. Whereas back in reality, plenty of people have said he should shoulder some blame etc, but let's keep him for now as this could turn out good again, etc etc... Your post, some that I've written and a few other have basically said exactly what you've written, but apparently all that is ever said is keep Ralph, he is blameless.

🥱 I've probably missed it, but people who have a different view can also think Ralph is partly to blame, lots of people have said this. Why do you keep saying people cant see it's his fault and stuff? Also, I agree some of his subs have come too late, but in part could that be cos he doesn't have quality players to bring on 3 times a game? Would it be better for you and others if all the people who see things slightly differently told you we agree with you? You are right and we are wrong? It seems there is such a thirst in the world today to be proved constantly fucking correct. I may be wrong in wanting to give Ralph more time, who gives a shit, it's only an opinion after all.

That's cos you dont want to look hard enough isn't it sailor. It's also funny how people like you appear to offer fuck all about what they would do by changing the manager to who, and how they will play with the same players. I've said, plenty of times, if he is going to be backed in the summer, then he should stay on the basis Ralph can be good, as he will have more and different players to use. If the club aren't going to do this, he may aswell go.

Why are you asking me that, I never got involved in those discussions on here. I actually agreed with both sides on that spat - each team deserves where they finish, and points is a good measure of success also. I also think you're right about Puel, he should have been given more time, but I understand why not as the football was pretty dull, but think he should have had a 2nd season. I've never once had a view on how Ralph interviews on here either. I've said, consistently, that I'm concerned, just as you are, with our form, but I'd stick with Ralph atm. Pretty sure you said a few says ago you wouldn't sack him yet also. I was pretty embarrassed by the crying after the Liverpool game, didnt think it necessary but I do like that he cares. That doesn't make him a better manager than Puel for example because he appears to care, I also felt Puel cared a lot but people show things in different ways.

Well, you're getting pretty rude aren't you. Why are you saying what if what if that's all I offer - clearly you haven't been keeping up or you'd notice ive said many things. You and your cronies failing to answer questions is getting pretty tiresome too. Who said we will stick to the same style of play, and so what if he does, and has different players to play. Again, you're now with the what it's. Funny, hey...

I don’t recall many people saying Ralph is blameless, far from it, but other people have a view that things can improve under him. Lots of people, me included say there are major concerns, but prefer to wait it out. And as said many times before, if it keeps up the way it is, I’d be thinking about changing him. Just others aren’t at your point of thinking, yet. What if we get to 20 games into next season, and we are in the top 8 in the league. Will you want him gone then?

Wel, Minimino (and Theo) are on loan so they can go easily. Bertrands deal would expire. So from my initial list of 8 players, 3 are very easy to move on. That leaves 5 possibly. I expect he may keep one of Djeneppo/Redmond (think NBathan will make way) and a newly promoted side may pay c. £8-10m for him, maybe a little more. Jannick and Ings are final year of contract, so again easy to move on.

Well, i hope we are moving on: Redmond Djeneppo Dont renew: Bertrand Mybe Theo - I’m not decided on him yet, but expect him to stay on a free Minamino Think we will move on: JWP Ings Jannick

Yep, i was 15-16 points. I think much less than 10 and he may well go, particularly if a. Our shit form carries on until the end of this season, and b. He is backed in the summer window.

Yep, i was 15-16 points. I think much less than 10 and he may well go, particularly if a. Our shit form carries on until the end of this season, and b. He is backed in the summer window.

Yeah, the grinding out stuff is the main piece that is missing for me. I think him making us hard to beat is the next step. I quite like the way ralph can grow with us as a team, I like the approach, and let's not kid ourselves we are a City or Real. We've been luck with Poch and Koeman, and I think Ralph can and will do far better, starting next season. Interesting Q for you, how long would you give Ralph nezt season. Say for example, how many points would you want to see after 10 games?

Totally agree, he got them playing well for a sustained period, and he players were performing above their levels. Makes no sense to me to say he must go. Lower level players cant consistently perform above their level over such a long period. Now I would add that Ralph does need to stop the rot, and pretty quick, or this could be terminal.

Nope. I posted under billyvegas and latterly when I lost my login details Power to the Billies on the other forum. I never posted on here before, read a handful of times over the past 4 years or so. Still, what a welcome, hey 🙄

My day wont be interrupted by someone like you, making accusations that are not untrue. And kisses on the end of a message - is that supposed to rile someone? I dont need to prove anything to you about who I am. If you dont like what I say, put me on ignore. What I do find strange is you trying to wind someone up, and making stuff up - it just makes no sense. I mean, I posted on the other forum for 10 years, and even now I’d struggle to recognise some posters if they changed their name. I’m pretty sure they had a system where they could tell ISP addresses so they knew if someone that had been banned came back. I’m suprised there isn’t that function for the Mods here, maybe there is, who knows. Anyhow, I’m not sure if there would be any point in me replying to anything you write again.

See my post above - you didnt say this in the quote I replied to. So dont do that “there is a quote function” like I’m some sort of moron - as though clearly know, you were quoted, it is in black and white. Fuck me if being right is so important to you, have this one on me...