Rivers

Sadly, this Club has become an absolute laughingstock. Everybody knows, that we needed to buy a new quality striker to replace Danny Ings. Two years ago. You could be forgiven for thinking that we actually already should have bought one to improve the side whilst Danny was still here, due to his propensity to pick up injuries and the fact that our back up option was Che "Mr. Sitter" Adams. Everybody knows, that we passed the buck, and gambled on a loan, in the form of Broja. Fortunately that worked out reasonably well for us at the time. But it soon became clear that he would not be here for the long haul, and everybody knew, we needed to by a new quality striker of our own in that January Window. Everybody knows, that we didn't. Everybody knows, that we still needed one. Everybody still knew last summer. The weeks came and passed, as many a young hungry whippersnapper was snapped up. Over Seventy fucking million shelled out. In every position bar the one that really mattered. But we do deals on our terms, and we won't be dicked about. The Summer Window then closed. But everybody knows, that we still needed a clinical striker. After another half a season of paying obscene prices to watch dismal shite, as Mr. Sitter kept on missing sitters..... EVERYBODY KNEW that we were in such desperate need of a clinical finisher, that one should have been all lined up to ready to come through the door on the FIRST of January. Today is the TWENTY FIFTH. And two long clusterfucking years later, EVERYBODY STILL FUCKING KNOWS that we are utterly fucked unless we sign a quality clinical striker. Everybody apart from the utter fucking muppets running our beloved Club (into the ground). It's OK though. Everybody knows, we're completely relaxed about it.

I needed to let some time pass after the Forest game before adding my feelings to this topic, lest my post come across like one of Richard Chorely's rabid "open letters". Such was my fury at watching my beloved Club turned into a complete laughing stock on Wednesday night. The appointment of Nathan Jones as the manager (I use the term loosely) of our Club bordered upon criminal negligence. The moment rumours of his imminent left-field appointment began circling, the outcry from pretty much all Southampton fans everywhere was deafening. It was why I felt the need to start the original poll on whether anyone (other than his family members) actually wanted him here. To present a crystal clear visual representation on just how universally unpopular his appointment would be. Not that I actually believed it would make a difference, such has been the overriding arrogance and contempt shown towards our Club's own fanbase by our so called custodians for some time now. But still, in desperation, I felt I had to try something., to make the Club at least aware of how we felt. Naturally, our unanimous voice fell upon the intentionality deaf ears of the arrogant self-important cunts that we now have running our Club (into the ground) who think they are so much cleverer than everyone else, that they know better what is best for our club than the United voice of It's supporters. We all knew from the very outset that appointing Nathan Jones was one of the biggest disasters in our history, waiting to happen. And that is why, now, there is such an outpouring of anger and vitriol from us, as the resulting absolute and completely avoidable debacle that has since befallen us, has unravelled before our eyes, whilst we have been powerless to prevent it. Obvious clusterfuck, was clusterfucking obvious. [Insert rolling eyes emoticon] It is not just the horrendous results on the pitch, or the hideous monstrosity of the "football" being served up for us. It is that Nathan Jones was so very clearly wrong for us, in every imaginable way. And yet some utter fuckwit went ahead and essentially ruined our beloved Football Club anyway, based on some unstated and nebulous "metrics". Because they were so much cleverer than everyone else, and so visionary as to see what a roaring success a no-mark hoofball merchant from Luton Town was destined to bring to an established Premier League football club (formerly)famed for our attractive attacking brand of exciting pressing football. Absolutely everything about Nathan Jones was so visibly not right for us. From his lack of experience and gravitas, to the way he carries himself. His unprofessional appearance and demenor, his complete lack of media savvy, to his nailbiting nervousness. And all that without taking into consideration that anyone who publicly uses the term "daftee" is clearly an almighty bellend. The longer this absolute trainwreck is allowed to continue smashing through the reputation of our proud Football Club, the more serious and longlasting the damage will be, and the bigger laughingstock we shall become. This debacle needs to end. It needs to end right now.

Hope is kindled. Mislav Orsic is a class act. This will be the highest quality signing we've made in years. It was highlighted in another thread, how in our other relegation dogfights of the past, we've always had a Matt Le Tiss, Parhars, Beattie or Lambert to single handedly fire us out of the deep shit we've found ourselves in, while this time we are bereft of such quality. Well Orsic is our potential lifeline. A genuine matchwinner who can magic up something out of nothing. Sure, we're gonna need more firepower up front too, but he's the creative spark that we are missing. Now - if only he didn't have to play for Nathan Jones, we might just have a chance.

Should never have been appointed in the first place, as any sane Saints fan could've told you (and certainly did). After last night, should have been sacked before he made it back as far as the dressing room. More to add, but will save for another topic.

Finally get linked with a class player like Mislav Orsic, and we all know how this is going to play out. Saints: Hi, we have some interest in signing Orsic from you, and will offer you the generous sum of €5.5M. DZ: We want €8M. Saints: We'll need to have a little think about that. Will get back to you in a few days. Five days later... Saints: How about €6M? That's a great deal for your guys. DZ: We want 8. Another few days pass... Saints: Look, we're not going to be held to ransom. €7M is our final offer, and we do suggest you take it! DZ: We just sold him to Leeds for €8M you cunt. ______________________ How it should play out in our current circumstances: Saints: Hi there, we'd love to take Mislav Orsic off your hands. How much do you want for him? DZ: €8M please. Saints: Get him on a plane to Southampton in the next 30 minutes and we'll give you €Nine.

That is a valid point. Unfortunately I seem to recall the Echo having burnt their bridges with us some time ago. Hampshire Live is a decent production though. Why not offer it to them, or call me crazy, put it on the Southampton FC Official Club website, if that's not too revolutionary. :) I do feel that if you are going to take the time to communicate with your fanbase, it is neither logical or fair to stick that eagerly awaited content behind a paywall where only some of our supporters are going to have access to it (unless someone kindly takes the hit and shares with all as above). Sure you could say it doesn't cost a lot (depending upon how much of the 'disposable' stuff you have), but it is the principle of the matter that just doesn't sit right. I am happy to see that SR have finally broken their ten month silence since having acquired our Club, just feel that "MONSTER" long awaited effort should have been made free to all, by those sharing it. Let's keep those lines of communication open please SR, now that you've finally reached out to us. Not asking for WBA chairman levels of overinteraction, but somewhere in between that and nothing at all would be grand. Would just be nice to feel we are generally kept in the loop with our custodians' plans, and a valued part of the Team, rather than an afterthought.

Now that he has been officially appointed -- I cannot imagine there is a genuine Saints supporter who is not behind him, and desperately hoping he will make a great success of the opportunity that has been presented to him. Anything less would be entirely counter-productive. I started the poll topic as a read through of the New Manager thread seemed overwhelmingly negative about him potentially coming here. I felt it would be insightful to give everyone an opportunity to contribute to a one shot overview of how the SWF section of our fanbase were feeling. So many seemed so unhappy with the news, it was a chance to reflect that unhappiness in the unlikely event that those running the Club actually gave a flying f*ck about what the Club's supporters thought. It has swayed the decisions of another Premier League Club's board in recent times after all. I could have simply made it a yes or no choice for greater polarity, but including the unsure option was a tactical choice, as when asked to nail your colours to the mast, it can help to bring greater clarity to our thought process, and to allow for uncertainty gives a fairer reflection in the end results. Many of us, for clear and obvious reasons, have strong reservations that someone of Nathan Jones' current stature in the Football world will have the necessary gravitas to motivate our young millionaires, many from the top academies in the country, and get them playing for him. Naturally however, now that he is here regardless of what the fans wanted -- he will have my fullest support. Indeed, it sure doesn't help. When SR first came in, they promised to be "active and involved" owners, and to be far more communicative than our previous reclusive incumbent. This simply hasn't happened. After the initial wave of euphoria and excitement at their seemingly ambitious and encouraging new project, they failed to fan those flames by taking us all along with them on their brave new footballing adventure, by simply communicating their ideas or involving us in their plans along the way. Leaving instead the gaping leadership void we've grown so accustomed to over the years fully intact. All we've heard instead by word of mouth, is how Ankersen considers second tier Turkish Gozetepe to be bigger than their so-called Cornerstone Club on which the whole operation is meant to be based. It does not inspire confidence in those running our beloved Club, and adding then to that the sudden imminent appointment of the Luton Town manager to save our perilous looking season set off massive alarm bells for many. Of course, we all surely hope what seems like a massive clusterf*ck waiting to happen actually turns out to be a masterstroke of impressive insight and forward planning. But with the catastrophic non appearance of the top striker we all knew we needed fresh in the mind, when the new manager of a Premier League Football Club (where Image and Professionalism is key) - turns up offering handshakes with his fingertips taped up like the serial killer from Se7en -- one could be forgiven for wondering, if those running the Club haven't completely lost their minds. That having been said, the very best of luck Mr. Jones, I truly hope you turn out to be an inspired choice, and restore our faith that our Club does actually have some kind of idea what it is doing

I'm not even sure if there is any point in this, given that it seems clear our Club don't value us as supporters anymore, but at least we'll know we did what we could to make our feelings known unequivocally. They likely won't bother reading through a whole topic to see what we think, but a poll with a very clear outcome as to supporter opinion on such a crucial appointment is surely worth a try? Maybe we can just prevent the Club from making one of the most monumental f*ck ups in our history. It is abundantly clear from reading the forum how strongly our fanbase feels against Nathan Jones taking charge of our Club, so let's keep the options completely unambiguous. Do you want Nathan Jones to Manage Southampton Football Club? No. Yes. Unsure.

Oh, the irony. 😂 You seem to have absolutely zero self awareness of the way you come across on here, infecting every thread with your unique brand of relentless drivel. You are by far the worst poster on this forum, by a country mile. And that in itself, is some achievement.

Interesting random chat with a guy I saw whilst walking my dog in the forest this morning. Don't really know him at all, just occasionally see him whilst walking, so no idea how reliable he is, but thought I'd pass it on. Said he works in the finance world, for a stockbroker with offices in Southampton and London called Charles Stanley. Anyway, he said that one of the interested parties is Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Apparently he's one of the highest net worth individuals in the country, multi billionaire level, owns a Swiss and French football club already, and lives in Hampshire. So sounds at least plausible. Also said the guy owns a super yacht called Hamshire 2, so there's something to add to the yacht watch too, whilst keeping an eye on Paul Allen's. The guy was talking him up a treat, so fingers crossed there's something in it, as he sounds awesome and a perfect fit for us.

Haha, so you mean like most of the other threads on here then? Just par for the course. So anyway, Leicester City. Probably the best we could have hoped for under the cirumstances. Maybe they'll get a player sent off after 13 minutes and we'll stuff them 9-0. Love to see the drivelling media loons froth over that for the next two years. As others have said (back when it was the FA Cup Semi Final topic), you'd be forgiven for thinking that Leicester had been given a bye straight into the Final. Hopefully complacency will level the playing field a bit for us. And then we'll get Mike Dean, with Skate Mason on VAR.

Sorry, the "Ralph is god brigade"?. You don't do yourself any favours by labelling your fellow Saints fans who happen to have a different opinion to you with silly exaggerations . You are talking about what still appears to be a majority of our support who are simply doing just that. Supporting our manager through a difficult spell he's enduring under great duress, after he's given us a lot to smile about since he's been here. Perhaps you could try it? Loyalty goes both ways y'know. Excellent post sir. Eloquently expressed. Thank you for putting what I tried to get across a few days back far more succinctly than I managed.

Sorry egg, ran out of posts til now. Yes, I only saw your post directly above my last one to you after I'd replied. I understand your issue is a tactical one. Although you say that when Potter made changes to peg Bertrand back, that Ralph did nothing. But that's not what I saw myself. Of course, I could be wrong (it happens from time to time ), but it looked to me that when he brought Minamino off, Tella very briefly switched to the left with Redmond moving up top (at least as far up as he ever gets) until Djenepo came on shortly after, and that change was used to switch to a back three, with Bertrand occupying the left sided roll of the 3. Djenepo then operating as a wing back, and KWP being pushed much further on, on the other side. Granted, it did absolutely fuck all to change our fortunes, but it was at least an attempt to respond to Ryan being "pegged back." Albeit essentially conceding that space, but looking to use the right side more instead. Indeed, in my eyes as well I am sure as yours, that change was about twenty minutes overdue (and ultimately ineffective), but it was still a tactical change nevertheless. That switch did indeed lead to us getting the ball into the spaces between the lines, but whereas earlier in the season we could open teams up that way with some success, this time everything we tried in that regard was simply breaking down off of Redmond's complete inability to play football. Earlier in the season with Ingsy and Theo in those front rolls, the attacking play was fluid. We would use the possession to draw teams out as intended, pass and move, get runners in behind, and turn teams around. Partly through the extreme physical and mental fatigue and shot confidence of the squad, and partly due to the current dross available though, it is simply not working. I'm sure Ralph is as infuriated as we are that the current crop of stand ins aren't up to the task, and he often looks utterly exasperated on the sidelines that the automatisms he's drilled them in have broken down. But at the end of the day, he cannot polish turds, or cure jadedness without the option of giving substantial periods of rest, and there is simply nothing else left in the squad of sufficient quality to replace them with. Anyway, long enough post already. I do agree with you that Ralph certainly seems to have his limitations in these areas at present though. I just feel that his positives far outweigh the negatives, and until we can get some proper time on the training ground to work on these things as he's so recently said he needs, he cannot start trying to improve upon them. I do believe that given time though, he'll get it right.

Declined? Haha, that'a a laugh Les. We cut them all up months ago.

Strangely I can't seem to find the search function anywhere (let me guess, full members only?), or I would have probably been able to find an answer to my questions without having to start a new thread. I used the site's contact form to ask a question about subscriptions over a week ago now, and have had no response. Par for the course? I would like to contribute to the curry fund, but having been shafted before elsewhere, I have a policy of not making online payments. What I would like to know, is if there is an address I can send some old fashioned hard cash to, to become a full member? Thanks. * waits for a number of conflicting alternative addresses to be suggested *

Thanks for the comments. I was "one of the good posters who don't post anymore and you can see why". Been around since the old S4E days, and posted in every incarnation since. Just got tired of wading through so much of the dross posted on most forums to find anything worth reading, and took a break for a few years. Been reading again for a while, and felt like replying to one of the topics recently, when I realised it had been so long since I last logged in that I couldn"t even remember my username, let alone password. So had to start again from scratch. It's a fair comment egg. I have wondered the same sometimes. But then, when you think about it, it's great if you can turn to your bench looking to change a game, and see Sergio Aguero, KDB, Mahrez etc sat there. Gives you some genuine options. When all you have is Nathan Redmond, Ralph probably takes one look, and thinks "what's the fucking point, I might as well throw on a traffic cone!" Dammit Les, you told me that you wouldn't blow my cover if I didn't blow yours! Some friend.

Long read alert! Only bother if your mind is still open. I understand the emotion at play in this thread. Really, I do. It is no fun to watch the club you love thrill you with the temporary illusion of a potentially truly memorable campaign at the top end of the table, chasing those elusive European places, only to see it all fall apart like thawing ice. Until a few months ago, Ralph's star was in the ascendency, we were "lucky to have him", and worried he would soon be poached away by the bigger clubs, enviously eyeing up the delectable football we were serving up. Following a football club, and particularly loving one like ours the way we do, it is understandably an emotional experience. A rollercoaster ride of changing fortunes, as our hopes and dreams are put through the wringer. In Ralph we thought we'd found our knight in shining armour, who'd valiantly come to whisk us off our feet in a fairytale footballing romance; only to be left heartbroken to discover that he may not have been all that he first appeared to be. But try to take the emotion out of the equation for a moment. Ralph is the first to admit that he is far from the finished article. There have been at least two occasions in some form of dealings with the press, where he has himself stated that he is here to learn as much as he hopes to teach, that he's not perfect, and knows he will make many mistakes. He also said that he was happy about this, as without making mistakes, he will learn nothing, and has a firm desire to grow and improve as a coach. I'm not the sort to spend ages looking up facts and quotes to "prove I am right" - as it is really not that important to me. I just remember words to that effect being spoken by him. I also understand that in light of our current dismal form, you have every right to question Ralph and his levels of performance as our manager. I'm not here to change your mind, or argue with anyone, simply to speak up for someone I have a lot of time and respect for. I come here to mainly read all your thoughts on the fortunes of our wonderful football club, and every now and then I feel like adding my own. I have no need to be seen as "right", I simply sometimes like to offer an alternative perspective for you to consider. You're perfectly free to consider me an idiot, and I'm equally free not to care if you do. Ralph's style of play, as we well know, is necessarily a very energetic one. He demands extreme levels of work rate, and by association, equally extreme levels of fitness to facilitate it. We (as a Club) were fully aware of what we were buying into when we brought him in, and it is up to us as a Club to give him the tools he needs to work with, to implement this style that we brought him in to instill. The last three managers after Pochetino all signed on to deliver this same philosophy, and none came close to anything like achieving it. Ralph most definitely has. But now he is struggling. Not because he has suddenly become a shit manager, he has already more than shown us what he is capable of with a fit and fully comitted squad, but because of the abysmal set of curcumstances he is currently having to operate under. Yes, he makes mistakes. Yes, he is again also the first to admit that he is very stubborn. He has a way of playing he is utterly dedicated to perfecting, and he would probably even be willing to die trying, such is his comittment to it. But it is also not fair to say he is unadaptable. You only have to think back as far as our very creditable performance in our recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea, to see that he is capable of mixing up the game plan where he feels it necessary. Also think back to the way he had us playing a while after his initial arrival. We were happy to not have the ball, aiming to win it back high, and loved slinging it down the channels to pressure the ball. We rarely wanted long spells of posession. This current (some might say excruciating) development of overplaying with the ball initially came about in response to other sides finding ways to nullify our early style, and is in itself evidence of Ralph's ability to utilise more than one game plan. He actually has three or four strings to his bow in that regard. But the main point I wanted to make, was simply a reminder of how good we have been under Ralph before, when he has the time he needs to implement his methods. He is very much a training ground coach, often speaking of his need for quality time at Staplewood to prepare in depth for the nuances of each opponent, and firmly drill his players in the "automatisms" necessary to play the way he demands. We've had no pre-season to get the proper levels of fitness up to standard, a ridiculously condensed season with relentless runs of fixtures, leading to insane bouts of extended injuries to key players, and back ups that are simply not up to the standards we require to perform competently at this level. There is hardly any time to train at the intensity Ralph needs, and hardly any recovery time between games to rest tired minds and bodies. Sure it is the same for everyone, but not everyone plays with our necessary intensity that we need to compete against often vastly superior squads at this level. With the state of the squad we have, most of it simply not good enough, and those that are, physically and mentally burnt out - Ralph is pretty much working with his hands tied behind his back. All he is trying to do right now, is enough to get them over the line. Yes, you are absolutely right, results have been utterly shite for about a third of the season, for some very obvious reasons, but for the previous third, were very impressive indeed. Ralph may not be "the messiah" - but neither is he a "very naughty boy'. He is a very good coach and manager, currently operating under extremely difficult conditions, where it is not possible to get anything like the best out of what he has. But even this shall pass. Fortunately, despite the current outcry for his head, I'm quietly confident that he has enough credit at the Club to make it through the rest of the season intact. And after a sorely needed summer rest for everyone at the club (including us!) a proper pre-season, and an opportunity to fill some glaringly obvious holes in the squad, I firmly believe that many who are now slating him and wishing him gone, will be very glad that those who pull the strings behind the scenes, had the requisite longsightedness to keep faith with the man who is determined to bring us a very bright future. Thanks, if you bothered to read through all that. No worries if you didn't. Just felt it needed to be said.

A truly horrific display today. Got ourselves back into it once through another nice Che finish, and just for a short while, looked like we'd found some belief down the back of the sofa - and might just go on and score again. As per the norm however, the half time whistle signaled the end of our afternoon's work. Once that second Brighton goal went in, anyone who watches us with any regularity could see within moments that we were not going to get anything out of the game. We are physically and mentally a spent force right now. The players simply knew that we did not have what it takes to do it again. There is nothing left in the tank, and we are running on empty. It is a certain type of burn out. The kind of mental and physical fatigue that follows investing such an enormous effort for so long whilst believing in what we are doing, only to see that effort repeatly thwarted, in our case, usually by bad luck, poor composure, and abysmal officiating decisions. Eventually there comes a point where you've "hit the wall" as the expression goes. It sucks all the life out of you, and even if the will remains - there is just nothing left in you to fight with. Because at a subconscious level, you know that nothing you do will suffice, the belief has gone, and you can't manage to drag yourself up to go to the well once more. It is a psychological barrier that comes with being both physically and emotionally ran through. A paralysing fear of failure that grips you. And that is where we are right now as a team. It is hard to come back from, for as long as the issues keeping that barrier in place remain. We really need the international break right now, to give us a chance to regroup. What the bossman says is correct. We are not getting enough time to work on all the issues we know we have right now, nor sufficient time to prepare in our customary depth for each upcoming opponent, which is crucial to the way Ralph works. This, coupled with the brutal physical and mental exhaustion our vastly under-manned squad is dealing with right now, is killing us. The one positive is that our squad are all so out of form right now, that hopefully the majority of our lads will be overlooked for international selection, and actually give us some much needed time to recover, regroup, and spend some crucial time working on the catalogue of current flaws in our system. Try not to give up on the lads. The will is still there, but the body and mind are shot. It can be amazing what a difference getting enough rest and preparation time can make.

You seem a fairly intelligent kind of chap Charlie. I'm sure you can work the maths out in your head. The results, as you would expect, are the naturally occurring consequences or outcomes that arise from any given set of variable inputs, actions (or inactions) and contributing circumstances of events. Essentially the effects of whatever causes that led to them. In our case, it's a long, but relatively simple formula to comprehend. The Equasion: A) sustained period of financial limitations + B) number of years subsequent playing squad under-investment + C) global pandemic + D) substantial related loss of income streams + E) related fixture chaos and resultant physical stress of too many games in relentless succession + F) reduced recovery time, facilities and training + G) exhausted players becoming more susceptible to loss of concentration and recurring muscle injuries with increased extended losses of key players + H) insufficient current quality of squad depth + I) small square pegs in large round holes + J) lack of cohesion + K) Mike fucking Dean and skate Lee Mason + L) demoralisation, loss of confidence and belief = fragile mentality and exponentially increasing potential for producing a higher number of individual errors, dire performances and shite results. The Results: A + B + C + D + E + F + G + H + I + J + K + L = Fucked. They can only work with what they have. Try to cut Ralph and the lads a little slack.

Exactly. 👍 I missed this game so can't fairly offer an assessment, but I know what I've seem from watching the vast majority of them. Earlier in the season (and post lockdown last), with a mostly full strength side who are well drilled in what is expected of them, you can cleary see what Ralph calls our "automatisms" at work. They all know exactly what they're supposed to be doing in any given scenario, and the confidence this builds for the regular side putting the game plan into practice week in week out is clear to see. I really don't need to list all the reasons why this confidence and trust in our automatisms has been dashed and broken down of late, as anyone who follows us well knows the shite hands we've been dealt recently. In short, as we start getting a settled first eleven out there again over the coming weeks, the onfield connections, chemistry, and old rhythms will start clicking into place again, and performances will improve. Clearly though if we wish to be able to maintain the kind of football we've so enjoyed earlier in the season, then we need proper investment in the squad, so we have more than about thirteen players capable of doing what Ralph asks of them. Until we have a squad strong enough to cope with injuries to key players and maintain performance levels, unfortunately we're going to have to get used to being rather shit from time to time.

Looks to have the potential to be some player in the making. We've been here before though with others looking promising at first, but fading into obscurity as time passes. It's one thing to make an immediate impact, but quite another to keep that going and develop into a quality top level player. Has all the raw attributes to make it though, blinding pace, good movement off the ball, the courage and desire to actually drive forward with the ball and make things happen. It's when you've become established in the side though, that the fear of making mistakes and losing your place can creep in, and make you become more conservative if things aren't going well. Just needs to keep doing what he's doing and believing in his ability. If he can offer a level of consistency in his play that the other Nathan in his position seems unable to, the shirt is his to lose. If he can add some goals to his game too as he progresses, can become an important part of the side. Exciting to have another seemingly genuine attacking talent coming through our ranks after something of a dry spell from the Campus production line.

Loving seeing Fraser rushing twenty yards outside his box, sweeper-keeper style, on a number of occasions. So much better with the ball at his feet. Even say he was looking quite tidy and confident at times. Often looking for a chance to start a quick counter with a well spotted throwing opportunity. Clearly been working hard at his game, and all credit to him for it. Much improved, and deserves to keep his place for now.

So refreshing to enjoy the way an evening feels after claiming an important three points. They caused us some problems, particularly in the earlier parts of the first half, pressing high and looking to impose a physical style on us, and making it difficult to play out the way we like. Not overly helped by an understandably 'rusty' Ibrahima Diallo. The positive effect this had for us though was in forcing us to revert more towards our earlier preference for mixing up our passing. Nathan Tella was very impressive, and a key part in giving us that out ball we've been missing. Raw pace and directness in behind. The ability to turn teams around. It's why Ralph has often encouraged us to play this way, in drawing out the oposition, from simply sitting back and forcing us to break them down. And it is very clever in the way we set them up. Laying "traps" as the bossman calls them. We shift the ball to invite the pressure where we want it, so we can load up Vestergaard like a quarter back, to find the runners in the channels and break at pace. It's slow, sloow, slooow, lure them in, strike. And was great fun to watch earlier in the season during our hot spell. So much easier to do when you have something more like resembling a first team out there to carry out your instructions. What a massive difference KWP makes. Yes, because he is showing himself to be a cracking player for us, but just as much that he is the only player we have right now who can play there naturally. When the team loses that component, the whole system breaks down. For that reason alone, due to our current squad limitations, that pretty much makes him (at least temporarily) our most important player. Sooo good on the ball too, Kyle. So calm under pressure. Just behind Nathan Tella though for me as Man of the Match. Tella gives us an option that can totally change the way we play. Back to the far more exciting Saints we saw a few months back when we were mixing up the gameplans nicely. We never suddenly became a shite side overnight. We were decimated with constant batches of key players out injured, and royally fucked over by abysmal and absurd officiating decisions week after week after week. As players, that is soul destroying, and makes you feel like the deck has been stacked against you. It makes you question the point in busting a gut to put a specific gameplan in place, when you never get the just rewards for your efforts. We grew into that game, and as the second half wore on, you could start to see the confidence being restored, and belief in the way we are set up to play. We just have a very thin squad as far as depth goes, and when all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are not present, particularly the right back one, the structure all falls apart. A relatively comfortable win in the end, that probably should have been three, and certainly could have been more. And a final word for another key difference-maker today. Apart from losing the plot a bit in the last 15 minutes or so, thought the referee Paul Tierney actually had a pretty good game. It cannot be underestimated the difference it makes when you actually get given free kicks for getting the shit kicked out of you all game. Most refs sadly don't seem to bother when it's Saints.

Thanks mate, though nothing is working. It's likely either that I'm a thick cunt, or because I'm currently on a tablet. Though the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Will try on the PC tomorrow to confirm if it's the former or latter. Just for the sake of staying on topic -- if we win on Saturday & go ten points clear -- will Ralph still be shite and need sacking, or will he suddenly be OK again after all?

Ralph needs to (and will) be given time to get something resembling a first team back out there before being judged by the board on current performances. Others have already said what I'd say, but will just reiterate that never in my Saints supporting life have I witnessed such a combination of extended absences of key first team players out through injury and massive relentless clusterfucks of officials / VAR screwing us over week after week, all combining at the same time to skew results against us. Ralph cannot do anything about being robbed of points by defenders diving full length to save goal-bound shots with their arms and VAR saying that's OK as it brushed a leg hair on the way through, linesmen spotting "offsides" that even VAR has to spend ten minutes redrawing the lines to agree with, or make the skate cunt Lee Mason or Mike "Jasper Carrot" Dean into fair and respectable referees when taking charge of our games. He's effectively been working with his hands tied behind his back for a while now, with the state of the squad at his disposal. Sure, he's not beyond criticism, and has to take some responsibility for the lack of fullbacks at the club right now and related selection issues, but let's see how things shape up over the next few winable games. If we lose all of those and are still stuck on 30 points we'll be in the mire, and by that point, I'm sure at board level far more questions will be being asked. As an aside, would greatly appreciate if someone can let me know how to upload an avatar, as I cannot seem to find any options to do so. Thanks.