washsaint

Hopefully last time we see some of these players in a Saints shirt (thinking A Armstrong, Moi, and most of that disgusting looking bench)

Complete meh from me. Totally underwhelming and not looking forward to defensive hoof ball - seen enough of that recently.

Agreed @Winnersaint - seemed like a really good guy and loyal to boot. At times we were a joy to watch but, unfortunately, in more recent times less of that and tactics represented more a "sense of fear". You could argue that was understandable due to our terrible striker options and players who could not hit a barn door. I was shocked looking at Ralph when he joined and how he appears now - looking much, much older and very jaded. Hopefully he will recharge and find a good job (if that's what he wants) and he did work (overall) well with the terrible squads we have had under his tenure. Some of his team selections and tactics were baffling towards the end of his tenure.

I feel for Ralph - he comes across as a broken man and has done for quite a while. He's just out of ideas: how can you make a silk purse out of a sow's ear? Players like Adams, Moi, etc. are an absolute joke: no manager will be able to miraculously make them good or clinical in front of goal. Looking at the defenders reactions to Adams latest horrific miss ( they sank to their knees on the half way line) and JWPs look of utter disgust was telling. What must it be like for the team knowing that no matter what they do our "strikers" are beyond useless. We should be grateful for what Ralph achieved during his time here - but we are long overdue for a change. It's gone completely stale. However, if we do not get a creative midfielder and a decent striker we are as good as down no matter who the manager is.

Why would it be a coup? Never managed outside of Argentina and is an unknown: River Plate had their worst season for years this year (although he has won a ton of trophies in his time there). Some random Twitter guy links him with Barcelona and then it's a coup for us?

What the hell is that from Ralph re. subs?

Adams is so bad all you can do is laugh at his misses

F**k me, what sort of lineup is that? Caleta-Car did well and is now dropped....Perraud/larios at RB? Moi and Walcott? I foresee goals, goals, goals - but not for SOuthampton. COme on in Ralph, your time is up.....

Our struggles are not all on Ralph, but his tactics and formations are a big contributory factor. Our midfield is probably the poorest in the league: A and S Armstrong, Moi, Diallo, JWP (who is really struggling this year) are all terrible and are so lacking in creativity. Add in a pathetic strike force - if Adams is the answer the wrong question is being asked - and it is no wonder we are struggling. Our form fell off a cliff when an 18 year old got injured. Our defence is 'OK' - but the midfield, such as it is, is simply overrun most games and cannot make attacking moves to relieve the pressure. Surely some of our young B team players and Edozie can make some difference over the tired, and failed, options?

f**k me - I had no idea Aribo was playing! Did he touch the ball in the 1st half?

What kind of f**** tactics is this from the clueless Austrian? Saints have been set up to not concede and have not had any attacking threat (or any of the ball). It's shambolic, pathetic and embarrassing - Crystal Palace are not Real Madrid. I cannot think of a single Saints player who has done well - and Lyanco should be subbed immediately. Terrible tactics, terrible team selection and terrible game. Wonder if the Stuart Armstrong fanboys are out in force? he has been absolutely terrible as he has been for over a season.

Never heard of him, but good luck to the guy. Looks like a good promotion for him

Honestly, if this fella does not have the integrity to work with the Club re. his leaving and goes 'rogue' announcing it before telling the club - good riddance. Not sure how this can be spun as the club's fault. I do have to say that Adam Blackmore may have had a point: if this forum is representative (don't believe it is) some of our fanbase do have higher expectations than we can realistically attain and are constantly looking for scapegoats. That being said, this is also an entertainment business and there has been very little entertainment over the last 18-24 months.

Seems like Morgan could be a real star (I think he is still 16), as well as Ballard, Doyle and Dibling. That is, if they are given a chance. I'd rather see a couple of these lads on the bench over Walcott (who Ralph has threatened will get game time), Moi and other failures.

Just go for it....enough of the cowardly play and go for attack (even with our crap forwards). Bazanu KWP ABK Salisu Perraud Lyanco/AMN Aribo JWP Edozie Mara Adams/Armstrong

Neal Bartlett - looked the real deal for a short while under Branfoot then left football and joined the Army

At times under Puel we played some lovely stuff - at other times it was as dull as dishwater. However, it was ridiculous he got the push after getting us to a Cup final and 8th place with a horrible squad. The dross served up the last 18 months could almost make you yearn for the Puel season. We have no discernible plan under Ralph and it is terrible to watch.....as bad, if not worse, than under Pellegrino. And just like then, the players are a bunch of cowards afraid to make a mistake.

You should be doubting him - he's a WUM that has never been right about anything

Ripping it up at Burnley. Pleased for him. I know the Championship is very different from the Prem but think he would do a better job (with pace) than Moi, Adam Armstrong or Stuart Armstrong (or any of the dross such as Walcott sat on our bench). For me, this shows Ralph is out of ideas and struggles to coach players to improve.

Why no Ballard on the bench. Walcott? Diallo in midfield looks a disaster - but then AMN was even worse than Diallo last week. Severe thumping in store I think.

RALPH OUT NOW

Really done with Ralph. Take some bloody risks and attack rather than sideways, sideways, back. Everything is so slow, it gives the opposition masses of time to get everyone behind the ball. No attacking threat whatsoever and they can't even seem to pass to each other. Zero creativity, no attacking threat and zero entertainment. For gods sake get rid of Ralph and try and convince Pochettino to come back.

Disappointed not to see Ballard make the bench. Assume Salisu on the bench due to travel/playing both games this last week. Bench does not look strong at all bar Salisu and possibly Edozie. Rest shows the poor quality of the overall squad.

We could have Haaland up front and it would not make the slightest difference. If no-one is creating anything for strikers they are not going to score. Yes Che had a nightmare against Wolves but against Villa he had zero service. Which was not surprising with weaklings A Armstrong, Moi and Djeneppo "supporting" him.

For everyone saying "we need a striker", very true. However we could have 4 world class strikers and we still wouldn't core. A midfield of 3 of Djeneppo, Armstrong and Moi will create absolutely nothing (as we have seen). I can't understand why Ballard doesn't even make the bench. Scores for fun at all levels and cannot be any worse than Adams and Armstrong. Ralph seems to have turned into Branfoot - look not to lose and play hoof ball. It's all rather depressing.