Holmes_and_Watson

I was up and about when you made the first sandwich post of the day. Now there's this one, and not once did you tell us the filling! 🙂

Law

The last time I saw Gunn, he was trying to adopt De Gea facial hair. The thought crossed my mind that this had more to do with his signing than actual ability. When it comes to our 'keeper, let's try to get in someone who can do the job now, since that's what we actually need, rather than a wishful punt (much like what we have in goal already do).

If only we didn't have such an abundance of hard working, creative goal scorers in the senior squad blocking his path. 🙂

Balance

Rohl could well have been important to the roll out and training of RalphBall. But we have had good patches of form, since Rohl left. So we cI'dan do it without him. Of course Ralph could have brought in a life sized Rohl out, or had taped Rohl motivational speeches to replay for a while. 🙂 I agree we need someone of that level, who Ralph can work with without clashing, to support the squad's development. Or at least work away at planB, for use when Ralph's plan A doesn't work.

There were some big calls from the manager in that second half. Wolves switching to a back 4, solidified them. So we weren't able to have that space to exploit, the way we had when they had also been more attacking. Taking Freeland off was a big call, making us harder to break down, but at the expense of even more attacking outlets. Hughes and Merrick played well for them with more room. I was happy to see Gauntlett go off too. But we held our shape and worked hard to stop their chances. Then another big call to bring Rood on, to push them back at the end. George nearly levelled it for them, right at the death. That was a heart in mouth moment. An excellent game and massive congratulations to the squad and staff! Lots of good performances. While Pharaoh got the goal, Ware was the player of the match for me. After good work from Freeland on the other flank, more switched to Ware and she really worried their defense. Looking forward already to next season!

Hopefully they told Ralph to sod off with his playbook for this one. 🙂

Two teams used to attacking wins made for a cracking half. Wolves did have a spell where they made us have to save a few. But we've controlled that midfield. Ware has terrorised them, leading to that red card. Lots of other excellent performances from Mott to Pharaoh. Keep it going Saints!

Yeeeeeessss!

Nearly time! COYR!

I'm watching it on iPlayer.

The flip side to promoting ourselves as a club for players on the cusp of making a breakthrough (get 'em while they're cheaper) is that if those players don't move on, don't sign extensions or follow every command then we will go into a petulant huff about it.

Whistle

All the best Fraser, except in any game that could impact us in the slightest. The knowledge that Levy will offer us an old farthing, and the next Forecast rather than Walker Peters, makes me little happier inside as it's less likely to happen. 🙂

Unlikely Bingo cards... And Long gets his hat-trick! That's 10 for Saints! That will put some ghosts to rest. It's a well balanced Southampton line up today. Hasenheuttl just taking a moment to listen to advice from his back room team. No mention of JWP's scoring record at any set piece, even in his own half. Saints could be further ahead, if it wasn't for the performances of Bertrand and Vestergaard. McCarthy's pin point delivery is forcing the Foxes to defend deep. Broja kisses his badge. He knows where he wants to play next season! More midfield dominance from Southampton. Adam Armstrong barely has time to score, before the next pass cuts through the Leceister defence. Saints creating constantly. We're stunned here as, after chants of "Rooney, Rooney" Jamie Vardy has said "Yeah, it was the missus." on the PA system.

Looking at all the automatisms we hear about that goes into our tactics, I wonder if a vice like grip is required to implement it, and maintain its focus. Also, a lot of successful managers have had autocratic approaches. On the flip side of that, when it goes wrong, they're out. Leading to... ... We've managed multiple periods of cracking games, surrounded by dross. Normally, I'd expect it to never recover. The players not playing for the manager. the players have shown they are capable of regaining that form and are willing to keep playing for the manager. So is it that our tactics take ages to change to adapt from being found out? fatigue? That our tactics only work against certain teams? Just a lack of quality in implementing them? Ideally we can get fresh ideas in and Ralph has to be able to take those on board, while still retaining that focus. Trickier than it seems when people's egos get involved. An upgrade for half the team would help him too. 🙂

Bubble

I didn't know about that. Thanks.

There's a joke about him being able to find our opponent's goal, in there. Speaking of taxis, I'll get me coat... 🙂

Sorry folks. I should know better than to even engage with him.

Yet another sad day for sporting integrity, if there ever was such a thing.

St Johnstone are comfortably beating Inverness Cale Thistle in the play off to get into the Scottish Premiership. Having won a Cup double not that long ago, I can only guess it's been a poor season for St Johnstone in the league, rather than a massive gulf between the two divisions. Maybe a bit of both though.

Team a has not scored before kick off Team b have not scored before kick off Neither team have scored. In terms of scoring, team a and team b are the same. Cambridge dictionary on level: "having the same value, amount, number of points, etc.:" same = level. The impossibility of either team being able to score, or the football/ pools terminology is irrelevant to my post. 🙂

Good idea. That's freed up my Sunday. Thanks! 🙂