Holmes_and_Watson

There are a number of reasons why an employee would not necessarily be allowed back into facilities after their departure is confirmed. Security: Some handbags may have been rifled through, and Bradley Wright Phillips was definitely playing in the MLS at the time. Environmental: Ings' return would have reminded Raph of his victory over Liverpool, posing a considerable flooding risk to Southampton facilities. Reputational: The club were so sure Ings was going to sign a contract extension, they hadn't got round to slating him in the press in a vain attmept to convince us he wasn't needed. Saints feel slighted at not being able to slight Ings. Staff Retention: The last thing Ralph wants to see is a very happy, better paid player reminding other players at the club about greener pastures.

Game

Day

Hopefully they haven't lost too much sharpness, with Ipswich up next in the cup.

Chop

We'd not replace Long for him. No, we could play them both. 🙂 He may not have a club due to wage demands. I've no idea how decent he was last season, but I'd not moan if the recruitment team thought he could do a job.

Magazine

From the commentary I'd heard, I felt Karen Carney really struggled. Cliches even the others had long given up on, struggling to put a point together to fill the commentary gaps etc. But in one game she gave a 90 second breakdown of the midfield tactics both sides were employing in an evenly matched game. Best bit of commentary by a mile. I've since heard her do this on a couple of other occassions. If anything, it might be the tedious lack of insight in most commentaries that's getting in the way, as she's tried to adopt that training for her own work.

If Ralph were to go, things would be looking desperate. Time for Big Sam and Little Sam! 🙂

I'd not mind a running poll held by managers on inane hacks. The bottom 3 get sacked. It would even up the hacks being happy to spend all their time baying for managers getting the sack, based on precious little insight.

I'd read he was entitled to a lot of compensation, if his contract was terminated this early, connected to him buying out his own national contract. They must have found £12 million or so down the sofa to pay him off. I think he'd be a reluctant manager, looking for better managerial options if he were to come back. Which I don't think he will.

Results wise, he might as well have delivered a half time talk in the centre circle. A manager to have worked his way up to one of the best leagues in the world; to get the chance to instill his vision on a club and to see all his work beat one of the biggest clubs in it. No idea why he might show a human emotion there. He should slump expressionless in the dug out so he can get criticised for not showing enough passion. I pick out 52 games for Ralph Bingo.

Opportunity

The Price of Football podcast suggested it was the nature of the piracy charge against the Saudis that was the stumbling block, while they were considered to be one and the same as PIF. No outstanding finding and a note saying they're seperate was enough. So if you plucked any of Hitler, Stalin or Khan from a time before a court actually found them guilty of something, then yes they would get in. Regardless of whether any atrocity was well underway. I'd read there was now some thoughts into looking at whether owners were more broadly acceptable. It wss hard to read because of all the laughing horses who'd bolted from their stables years ago.

Was that not more Les and Ross who we finally moved on?

I'm not sure if I want OGS to have a good spell just because it shuts up the howling mob or because I'd not want Oliver Twist to have a bad ending.

Well, I'm sure they're right. When did promoting something ever increase interest? No, much better to wait for success and *then* promote off the back of it. That's the grassroots way to develop a fan base. >sigh<

Frame

Wait a minute! This isn't my house! This isn't my screen I'm reading mail off of! ... awkward shuffle back to own house mumbling thanks for the nice cup of tea from what turns out not to have been my kitchen... There's been a fair few posts recently about the seasons the men's team spent getting back to the Premier League. Lots of fond memories. Another reason to capture the success of the women's team now, as it doesn't hurt in raising interest when it's going well. It will also give some comfort when coming up against that really good Chelsea team. Arsenal's third goal the other week was a 25 yard belter too. But not good enough to be supported over Saints.

Well it was only Ronaldo's hand that was offside from a good finish, and Cavani missed a sitter. So, that's really 2 back... um.. they were on par with Liverpool for that large bit when Liverpool weren't trying. 🙂

Well done. Going up isn't certain. Squandering opportunities to get more support until it happens, considering the tiny outlay, is daft.

Perhaps they can work their way up to those big plans, by providing the absolute basics before the team get there. 🙂

Their body language reminds me of the Norwich players yesterday.

It has a nice ring to it. Not sure their money couldn't be better spent improving their employees working conditions though. They have the pennies for both. Just what I was thinking. The FA would surely be aware of Saints historical links to South America. They'd also surely want to be part of Saints climate activism. Fortunately, we are in a good place to receive such a sponsorship deal. RB Saints. Commemorating Ralph Ball and nothing to do with our new corporate partners.

Although bringing in Clive Woodward would be the exception here. 🙂