del boy

One win all season - there little confidence...so two touches, hesitation, few risks taken

We have some continuity when Ralph moves on to a top 6 side

our only hope is complacency on Arsenal's part too early to expect Ralph to have got us into a team capable of beating a top 6 side ....might have to wait a few more weeks yet

I was at the game. First half we were embarrassing. The defence looked like it had never played as a unit before ...oh, wait a minute. There seemed to be a tactic to get the ball forward quicker (long ball) but that just gave the ball away and the defence was under pressure again. Its difficult to say whether the flanks or centre were more fragile. There was clearly no confidence there. We were lucky not to concede 2-3 goals....lucky Cardiff are as bad as us. Second half we kept possession much better and started to play some football - but all too slowly. There was no real threat up front even if we got that far. Lemina was by far the best player, but with not much competition for that title. Redmond was trying hard but with little success. Saints were on the ascendancy however and possible the better of two poor teams until we gave Cardiff the early Christmas gift and with it the 3 points. Even then Saints were the better side, just, but with nothing to show for it. An awful lot for Ralph to do - but he will, and we will hopefully not recognise the team and results in a few months time - lets be optimistic, the only way is up

If anyone can sort this team out.....

I really hope this is true ....and that he brings with him two decent CBs, a wide man, and at least one goalscorer. Well its nearly Christmas

At least we'd get some more up market pies

Cut him some slack, Sparky probably doesn't think Obafemi has the height to play at CB

Well things have changed a lot. Most owners are foreign, same for chairman, manager and players. What bit still relates to the city? - stadium and shirt. Its not surprising there is no loyalty. Good young players want a decent living and if they're lucky will move on to a big club that can win something. Journeyman players want to earn a decent living until they retire at about 35. Decent managers move upwards, bad ones disappear, most go round and round in a constant cycle from club to club. Money rules - the more you have the more you can overpay to get the best players, its just supply and demand. Rich clubs get richer, poor clubs try to survive. Its top 6 winning things and the rest making up the numbers. Success for the 14 others is survival and the odd lucky win against the big boys, maybe even a cup run. Alright, Leicester winning the EPL was a freak season. Not easy to see how the cycle could be broken except by bringing in home grown player quotas and spending limits - and the boys with the money won't let that happen.

I agree - we need at least 2 - but it should be quality not just quantity

they will tire second half - we've got this in the bag

sounds about right - ruin my fantasy football score and Saints still lose

imagine if we manage to come back like Brighton did to us when we were 2-0 up!! ...no, I can't either

The Saints squad is missing a decent right back.....and missing a back up right back

good summary, agree 100%

Well, Gareth wanted to see McCarthy in action

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/08/16/report-southampton-pip-tottenham-to-135m-deal-for-alexandre-jank/ anyone know anything more about the lad or the deal?

that would be amazing but he seems to be starting games pre-season and doing well, maybe too well to loan out

The worry is that two out of the three teams coming up look pretty good, not so easy to find three worse teams this coming season - but lets not get ahead of ourselves

I dont think many teams have the intelligence to adapt to 5 at the back, four at the back is what most players are brought up on and can understand....keep it simple

so no links then

the forum as it should be, and two weeks still to go...all is well with the world

All quiet on the Weston front then

I've only been watching for 3 mins - just seen Saints concede 2 goals! new CBs please

thats it then, get him in! I'd be disappointed if we went for him really, there must be better, and more medically sound, options out there? In other news, looks like we might be getting Santos in - we might have some decent CBs and backup for the first time in years