Billy the Kidd

So, we didnt go on a brilliant run? You must really enjoy being so miserable. It's weird, but everytime I read your posts they always sound like Eyore narrating them.

So, do you feel we were 'pony' (I cant believe I just wrote that word) for every game this year? I thought we played well in some and got nothing, such as Villa at home. I agree other games we could have played better, and at times down right shit, but not every game. Even v spurs we were ok. And yea, some of the blame goes on Ralph, but do you attach no blame to the players who go out there? I get you could say that Ralph is the one who picks them, but on occasions some of the performances have been questionable, and he only has so much to chose from. I think Ralph has made huge mistakes, such as playing Bednarek at RB which I think cost us in those games, but the failure surely is collective, or is Ralph at fault for some players unable to pass a simple ball 10 yards?

Well, who says we cant afford to pay the manager off? I think we will spend this summer, they dont have a choice as relegation will be financially worse than actually buying players. i can see a fair few leaving also.

So, maybe he will start next season with new players, new ideas. I agree Ralph has got a fair bit wrong this season. I just hope we play the next 6 games far better, get a couple of wins and go again after England lose the Euros.

Oh i totally agree if fans were in stadiums I think he would have either been sacked, or be very close to it. I lost commend the Board - this will either prove to be a stroke of genius or a terminal failure of relegation next season. And I have zero idea why, i just think next season will be good. I’m expecting to be content over the transfer window, and think we may pleasantly surprise people, in a good way that it...

What do we realistically think we will get for Jannick? another £15m or so? With PEH, i was surprised at that price not other interest came.

Not sure, i dont believe that tbh. Ralph has a large release clause for clubs who wanted him (not relevant this season) but if we wanted to dismiss him the fee wont be the same, the two things are separate. It would likely involve paying his contract up, until the point he got another job perhaps.

So, I would for sure give him the rest of this season, and if those game go better than recent ones have, I’d give him maybe 10 games tops thinking about it of next season. As i said earlier, i also would see what happens in the summer. If we get taken over, he may go as part of that clear out, if we dont i think he will stay. The tactics and formation are what also brought success earlier in the season. I think our issues are now more in the heads than anywhere else, and that is something Ralph has to get over. That said, i think we massively over achieve in the 1st 15 games or so, but i dont think we are as bad as we are currently playing. I hope to god we dont offer Bertrand a new deal also, I just dont think he has what we need right now.

Yeah I wouldn’t disagree. isn’t Rafa out of work just now? Not sure AVB would come here, and Potter wouldn’t leave for Saints, but I like how he has Brighton playing, albeit they dont score enough. I still would give Ralph more time, but lately i wonder how much his heart is still in it, at times he looks lost and like a beaten man...

So i do get the concerns about Ralph, but those that keep saying it dont appear, to me at least, be offering a way out of this. What would you do, who would you try to get? At least with Ralph we know he can be good. The only one I would consider right now, if we got rid would be Rafa Benitez, always thought he was a quality manager.

So not necessarily, i just think James was the best at being disciplined in the squad, and is an ok player, but I stick to what I said about pace and moving the ball quickly - with Saints James doesn’t do that. We will be able to replace, our model, whilst being underperforming over the last 3 years, has been to buy £10-£15 mil players. And I think we will keep going with that, and maybe our scouting this year will be better than previous, let’s face it, it couldn’t get much worse could it.

Well, maybe time is all it needs. I’m not for one minute not concerned by our poor form, but I do believe Ralph has massive potential with us. You say the issues are too deep rooted and endemic, which to me sounds like you believe that they go further than the manager, which is likely the case. So getting rid of a manager that has successfully kept us in the league with these issues going on is a bad idea? Is that what you mean? I am for one looking forward to doing an Adkins, and drawing a blue line under this season, seeing how Ralph is supported over the summer with players - both keeping the ones we want and buying the ones we need. If we dont back him over the summer, then I’d agree his style would worry me more next season if we cant do great things this summer. Try and be happy though Charlie, the sun is shining and we may surprise you in the next transfer window...

Yep it is a shame, but I also think whilst I value JWP, I think Ralph's style demands pace and moving the ball quickly, which James doesn't have either in abundance. I imagine he would be fetching a fair wedge, not sure how much but I'd expect north of £30m. I'm out of messages now, think I will sign up proper in the morning!

Oh I agree, and as said I should be given more time. But, we are giving contracts to many of those players you list, which must come from Ralph. It may seem controversial, but I'd consider selling JWP this summer, and use that as part of the rebuild, along with Ings and Jammick. But I'd assess where we are after 10, maybe 15 games next season. Anyhow, just to make sure, I'm off to cheer on Leocester to a hard fought, 9 man victory against WBA! Edit...also, surely it is the managers job to also play to the strengths of the players also at his disposal, which lately hasn't clearly gone to plan. I really still think though this can work out under Ralph, but if we are going to dick around again in the transfer window, I'm not sure of the point in keeping him.

You make a good point about the number of games, but to my knowledge there are 19 other teams who play a spookingly similar schedule, and they done have the issues we do. I like Ralph, think he gets one last chance for the first 10 games next season, but he is very stubborn to his system. I also struggle when people say about his team, getting his stamp on it. I believe he is our longest serving manager since Dave Jones, and is approaching 3 years. I think he has had a fair crack of the whip. That said, a good summer doesn’t make a swallow and all that...

Exactly, and all along we only need people like you against us...

I think this is a great idea, once our sale to Amazon goes through.

I think if anything it could accelerate proceedings. The only issue now could be any fast track changes to ownership, but surely that would have to come with the full review that is being promised.

You may be correct, but I do think Ralph has changed systems up, it just hasn't worked so well lately. Cant wait for the game though, and think it will be 3-1, not sure who to though.

There you go...

I have no idea why I'm thinking this, and I'm wrong on numerous occasions, I just wonder if Jankewitz will start today. Ralph throwing a surprise. Bit like Strachan starting Chris Baird in 2003...

I dont know about all this advertising stuff not being effective. I've just spent 10 mins reading through here and now I feel like arguing the toss about anything, with anyone. Maybe there's something in it after all...

And I am reliably informed that Wigan have some of the best match day pies in English football 🤤

Yeah, for now I'm all for keeping Ralph, but as much as winning is a habit, so is losing. If we start next season poorly, I can see a change happening then but not before I do however think it will be ok and we'll turn this around over the next 5 games.

I think here is a large possibility we will lose to them, I think we may not beat Burnley too. I think if we dont beat these two, and fail to beat WBA the straw may have broken the camels back, but still wouldn't be surprised we keep Ralph as per my last post.