Forester

I think so far this season there are a number of positives to build on, and this was a decent point against a team that finished 6th last season and have been scoring for fun this season. Biggest plus for me so far has been to see Ralph play three formations already, and no longer appear to be a one club golfer. Bodes well for the season. Today was a properly impressive defensive performance with both centre backs looking proper top players, not often you say that about Saints defenders, and Perraud impressive both attacking and defensive. Clearly Broja was hugely impressive, but also Diallo did well coming on for a below par Romeu. Table won’t look great I suspect after next week but that is fine as we will have played three of last season’s top six in our first five games and will have either lost one or two games. Competition for places all over the pitch now with nobody (other than JWP?) certain of starting now. Feeling quite positive

Thoroughly enjoyed that after the white knuckle ride waiting for season tickets to arrive only yesterday! Haven’t see goals back yet, looked like McCarthy error from afar. Thought a point was fair, and should boost confidence. In my opinion the two biggest pluses were both connected with “righting a wrong”, namely - Finally Ralph shows tactical in-game management and astuteness, switches formation and avoids us caving in second half. It won’t always be the right thing to switch, and certainly not always at half time, but this would in my opinion have gained us several more points last season and surely will this one too. -Both centre backs who played 90 minuted were superb, with Stephens so pumped up he was immense. And both adapted well when Bednarek joined them second half. So I see glimpses in that we could get our goals conceded down from near,y two per game to nearer one which is the key stat for a club like us, per our four top eight finishes.

This is the team I would pick, but I will be amazed if Ralph switches formation Forster Bednarek, Stephens, Salisu KWP, JWP, Romeu, Perraud, AA, Che, SA Would feel like 541 out of possession, and 343 with the ball

None of our three have arrived. What a fecking shambles, over £2K spent and having to go down in person and queue to get season tickets

No idea is McCarthy called or failed to call for the first one. But what is clear is that unless you hear a very loud “keepers ball” scream you absolutely do not stop and assume. It looks to me like that is exactly what Salisu did which is criminally poor defending.

Not unrealistic at that price that we could get him AND Armstrong in. Pelle and Tadic were seen as risky signings from Eredivise at the time and both proved bargains

We had a great view of the non playing squad members in Itchen Stand and could see the moment when they learned just before kick off. Lots of surprised faces, club secretary came up to chat to some about 15 mins before kick off so I do believe those in the starting line up knew nothing. But Long definitely knew just before kick off and his face was a picture!

Enjoyed that, as I think most people in the stadium did. Particularly impressed with both centre backs and Diallo tonight. Diallo best player on pitch for second half. Suspect that Ralph will have four places to make a decision on for Everton, possibly dependent on how things look against Bilbao. Who to play in goal, who to play with Bednarek, who to partner Armstrong at 10 and who to play with Adams upfront.

You can coach skill and technique, but if your attitude isn’t right by your mid 20s it won’t change too much in football….

What number did Bertrand wear over several years? Clue, it wasn’t 3

Pelle’s holding up of ball and link play was superb, none of which is reflected in these stats. He also excelled at a major international tournament. He was a gem

Agree with this, and assume Long and DND both go out it will be critical to get two strikers in if he goes. But I don’t think he will. Unless a mega £40 panic bid comes in, sufficiently early that we can replace, I think he will be told to honour his contract and I think he will without being a problem. He wants his England place back, he must know he is one more injury away from the end, and may well sign another contract after the window closes. If not we have another year out of him

This is another version of the bat shit crazy theory sometimes prevalent on here which sees the route to progress being by selling our best three players. In my view that would be madness. There are about ten players more deserving of being sold than JWP, Ings or Vest. It is clear that we need as a minimum a left back, a striker and a creative player. If we sell our three most lucrative assets we then have six gambles rather than three.

Good post and agree with much of this. However I do think we should more frequently play a 343 as our natural approach of full backs flying high is great to watch but inherently risky. KWP and a new similar left back would fit into this very well, two DMS and sacrifice one of our two 10s/9s I think would be better balance. Could still press well with wing backs and front three but would feel more like a 541 out of possession. Think this would also get the best OFFENSIVELY from our ball playing centre backs, who actually are as good as most teams in possession these days.

This is mad. On what planet do you look to improve the team by selling its best three players?

What a truly awful defensive team we have become. Our four top eight finishes were built on clean sheets, and we are incapable of getting clean sheets now. It will always be a struggle until the basics of tightening up are mastered.

Apart from queuing outside in the pouring rain, great to be back at St Mary’s. We were discussing transfer policy beforehand and this match backed up the view that we have lots of pace and energy in the number 10s, but badly lack creativity. Appreciate they don’t grow on trees, but Lallana in his prime, Tadic or, on his day, Boufal. Someone who can unlock a defence with a crafted pass. Our batch of tens rely primarily on pace, which can become one dimensional.

Perfect summary. One of our very best players from Premier League era, been one of the best in his position in the country over seven years and there aren’t many Saints players who have held those standards for so long with us without moving. Davis and Le Tisier I would put in that category, albeit Le Tiss some way out in front

Possibility of 11th but 12th more realistic. Be good to go into summer with some form and positivity. Helps with recruitment and retention.

Played well box to box, looked very good across the pitch with Redmond, Teller and Vest all impressing. But massive gap in finishing quality, with two clear chances for Adams and one Teller chance. KWP at fault for both goals, the second one admittedly when feeling the injury. We miss Ings’ conversion of chances big time.

Great character, felt like they were playing for Ralph. What an absolute farce VAR is. Anyone who thinks it is providing consistency needs to have a lie down

This is a very good post!

Pamplemousse please read my post earlier that included those names. I was really clear that my preference was that the club backs Ralph and supports a major transfer window overhaul of squad. However...... ......the names that I listed were explicitly tactically astute managers who would get better results FROM THIS SQUAD OF PLAYERS IF CLUB DOES NOT FUND OVERHAUL. That is a different question to “which manager excites you”? Back in the day you and I were two of the few posters who opposed sacking Puel. I still do, as it was followed by two appalling seasons where we survived by skin of teeth. What would we give now for a tactically cautious 8th place and a cup final! Puel would not be overseeing the run we are currently on, but that doesn’t mean he is a manger who excites me. Think people should focus on the fact that club may not give Ralph funds to change players sufficiently. I think Ralph managing an unchanged squad won’t finish well. Ralph backed to change things good finish very well