Bourne Valley Saint

Thanks for posting - an interesting read and hopefully we'll soon know a bit more about him with the fresh outlook that our new man at the helm brings when including the youngsters in his plans!

Interesting how Sam Gallagher can be written off after a 15 minute subs cameo!! This manager has proved what can be done with good coaching and self-belief. There were 6 former England under 21 players on the pitch on Saturday, including JWP, Redmond and Stephens who have all been written off by many on here. Trust in Ralph - he seems to know what he's doing.

Heard someone sum Everton up once very poignantly- "a club whose fans have delusions of their own mediocrity"!!

Disappointed to go out on penalties yet again to Derby but not overly concerned. Ralph seems to know what he is doing and I for one am glad that he is giving our youngsters a chance rather than signing unknowns. How many former or current academy players were on the pitch last night? I made it 7 with JWP, Stephens, Targett, Ramsay, Johnson, Gallagher and Slattery. That's pretty impressive and to hold Derby to 2-2 with all their experience shows that we are doing something right. He's taking a good look at the squad and by including them in his plans gives them all something to aim at. We've not got a bad squad and I am pretty certain that we will be pulling clear of relegation fairly soon without splashing out millions on new signings.

Friendly banter!!! You're having a laugh. I might have an SP postcode (born in Hampshire) but I know about the rivalry. We didn't have keyboards back in the 70's and 80's with which to discuss the merits of our respective football clubs. The only location that can claim to fully understand the rivalry like no other would be around Fareham where it is equi-distant to either club. Someone living in a SO postcode in the New Forest knows no more about the rivalry than someone in London. Anyway, a bit off-thread topic but worth a debate all the same. FWIW our support last night was pretty good and even if OWTS is the only song that us oldies join in with, it is better to do that than remain silent. Singing about kicking a Pompey fans head in or shooting him IMHO is almost as cringe worthy as the Angus Gunn song. I and I think many others find it a bit pathetic and that's why the majority don't join in. Anyway lads and lasses, keep up the support in whatever way you wish - you certainly wont please everyone and will no doubt attract criticism from many for your efforts!

Well Jackanory, have you ever thought that these elderly fans that embarrass you so much with their presence have probably supported Saints all their lives and lived through all the days of agro, terracing and violence that you seem to hark back to before you were even a dollop in your old man's ********!! I suppose that you sing about hating Pompey but doubt you've ever put it into practice!!!

Went to the game last night and was delighted to come away with a point. Not just because it was away to Chelsea but that the expectation of earning a point in such a game is now more realistic under Ralph. The defence was pretty solid and Gunn looked a class act. The thing that I do find frustrating is that we frequently do the difficult things well (tackling, blocking, tracking and sometimes even scoring!) and the simpler tasks poorly. I'm referring in particular to throw-ins, short passing and to being dispossessed when dithering on the ball. I read somewhere this week that Liverpool have their own throw-in coach (much like Clive Woodward did for England Rugby by employing the services of a professional darts player to teach his line out throwers to throw straight). We seem to take forever to take a throw-in (which will soon result in a booking if we carry on) because there is no-one making themselves available to receive it in a good position. We nearly always lose possession from our own throw. Our short passing and ball retention is at times woeful and must improve if we are to prevent teams dominating possession against us. That said, we have improved a great deal and I'm sure Ralph will have identified our weaknesses and work on them. Finally, a big shout to JWP who I thought had a really good game last night. He was up for the fight and he and Romeu worked tirelessly in midfield. I am confident that we have enough in the tank to survive with what we currently have without having to add significantly to an over bloated squad and a huge wage bill.

He was also the referee who disallowed Liverpool's third goal at St Marys just before half-time in March 2016 which prevented them from going 3-0 up. A game that we went on to win 3-2. The Watford decision was down to his assistant who had a much better view of the incident than he had. Last night was the VAR decision. Never mind, blame the ref. Lets not let facts get in the way of a good slagging off.

Good write up as ever Glen but I think you need to check the sequence of the goals!! I was at the match and although it felt as if we were at times 3-1 down, we actually equalised to make it 2-2 I'm not sure where Hoedt thought he was going and your criticism of him is fair but it was Yoshida who left Mitrovic totally unmarked for the first goal. How on earth we lost that game is still a mystery to me but when you have Cedric, Hoedt and Austin in the same team, things are going to happen and they're not normally good!! I am sure Hoedt will be a decent player in time - he looks comfortable on the ball and is strong and brave in the tackle. It's his decision making that requires attention. Once this is sorted I reckon he'll be good value. We are desperately in the mire but I'm not sure sacking Hughes is the answer. I think the club is in a turmoil throughout and "The Southampton Way" has long vanished. Yes, he shouldn't keep picking Cedric and Austin but we do play some decent stuff and maybe a slice of luck wouldn't go amiss. However, the swingometer has been pointing towards relegation for the past two seasons and it will take one heck of a turn around to reverse the momentum.

Simple - it can be done quite easily Harrison Reed Josh Sims Sam McQueen Jake Hesketh

“Check A Trade Trophy, We Couldn’t Win That”

Thanks Manuel for putting that up - first time I've seen it. Good one touch football for our goal. Shame about Yoshi falling over for theirs!

Having attended that match on Saturday it panned out exactly as I had expected. We have a totally average squad and there cant be one player that any other Premiership team would want to buy (goalkeeper excepted). Even when we created chances the ball was never under control and I barely recall their keeper having one decent shot to save. The players are just not good enough. As for Austin up front - it might help the cause if he actually jumped for the ball for once. I've seen a breeze block with more mobility. Bertrand wimping out of the challenge seconds before their first goal summed his attitude up. As for Moi, what does he offer that Josh Sims cant. Get some of our academy players in such as Sims, Reid, Gallagher, JWP, Stephens and Targett. Not one featured on Saturday. At least they'd show a bit of passion for a club that they've been with for years. They surely cant be any worse. The Southampton Way - academy to first team. The Way is being blocked by second rate journeymen who basically don't appear to give a toss. Not great motivation or inspiration for our current youngsters to aspire to is it!!

No music at all would be bliss. Might be able to hear what the person next to me is saying and may even allow the vocal support of both home and away to have a pre-match sing song without being drowned out by some ear splitting racket!! Fans used to create their own atmosphere. I remember Wembley 1976 - what a great pre-match atmosphere and not one piece of live music (apart from the national anthem!). Fast forward to our recent Wembley appearances and no pre-match atmosphere at all. Just some deranged mouthpiece screaming into a microphone interspersed with what passes for music these days!! Yes - I know I'm old and grumpy but does music really add to the match experience? Unless you can sing along to it, it seems rather contrived and pointless. (In my opinion of course).

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/world-cup-its-time-for-clubs-to-stop-neglecting-english-players-mrr6tk20t Good article in The Times. Pretty depressing that not one Southampton player has represented the national team at U17 U19 or U21 recently.

West Ham and Everton have delusions of their own mediocrity!

Stephens is a decent centre half and I would be really disappointed if he were to be overlooked in favour of yet another anonymous signing. He stepped up to the mark last season when Vardy cropped VVD and has put in many decent performances this season. Of course he could be better in some aspects but without a commanding presence alongside such as VVD, Fonte, Toby, its not that easy for a young player to gain experience quickly. He's comfortable on the ball, a good tackler and puts his body on the line for the cause. Why do some people constantly criticise our own home (almost) grown players? Earlier in the year Targett was getting stick - he's shoved that right back up you with his performances for Fulham. Ward-Prowse is another - he's improved immensely this season and playing for Saints actually means something to these players, unlike some who have worn the shirt this season!

I cannot believe that this debate is even taking place FFS

Brilliant as ever Glen - always look forward to your reports and as always end up being asked what I am laughing about when I should be working!

Made me chuckle

A good cup run that ended in the quarter finals rather than the semi finals!

Excellent summary - and from someone who was actually at the game I know exactly where you are coming from. They were completely and utterly useless. The very first challenge of the game came from a hoof out the back which was heading Austin’s way. He didn’t even jump off the ground and was soundly beaten by some West Ham lump who was standing behind him. In fact I don’t think he or Gabbiadini’s feet left the fuc**ng turf all game. Since when were attackers coached not to jump?? Absolute dogs ****e. Anyway great report as always and I just hope some of the players take a read of it and actually realise how pathetic and unacceptable these performances are. Some hope!

That's not what I heard - he "apparently" contacted Everton through his agent and they offered him a large sum to lure him over. He only did this in an effort to gain more money from Southampton as he expected the club to match Everton's offer, which they refused. He ended up going to a club that he didn't want to go to and we ended up employing someone that we didn't really want. Perhaps the club should have matched the offered salary but word was that they were glad to see the back of him. The rest is history! Although not to blame for our demise, he certainly started it if the above account is to be believed.

Sims and JWP and even McQueen when he last played, have all done well when picked. So why leave them out??? I'd have McQueen instead of Bertrand, play Yoshi and reluctantly Hoedt at CB's and move Stephens to right back He cant be any worse than Cedric and at least looks comfortable on the ball. A midfield of Romeu or Lemina (not both), Davis who at least looks as if he cares, and two of Sims, JWP or Bouffal or both if only one up front which sadly (because of his goal scoring record - not his commitment) has to be Long or if two up front Long and Austin. But judging by Austin's inability to raise his feet off the ground to challenge for a single header on Saturday it could be Gabbi but he looks absolutely hopeless at the moment. Sadly the whole squad seem to have had the life sucked out of them and there is a huge void bereft of any creativity, emotion, commitment, confidence and ability!!! Seven years of evolving into a team capable of challenging the best, into this complete and utter fu**ing shambles. Nothing lasts for ever but I had hoped that after playing in Europe for two seasons on the trot we could maybe plan for trips to Italy and Spain rather than venturing yet again into the Championship. I suppose it all started with Koeman's greed which led to his premature departure which then led to two very negative managerial appointments. Such a wasted opportunity

Just on way back from game. I’ve seen some sh!te performances this season but the first half today took top the biscuit. Utterly clueless and classless. Well done Saints - you made 3000 loyal fans the object of derision by a bunch of fickle West Ham fans who just two weeks ago were turning on their team and owners. F@@king embarrassing to be in the stadium today. They were not up for the battle from the first challenge. We only started playing once it was too late and West Ham sat back but even then we didn’t manage one f@@king shot on target. I can’t be arsed to rate the players as all bar McCarthy and Long would get zero! Pathetic