Minsk

I know.......

Here we go again..... Livramento has been nominated as player of the month, at the age of 18 and having only ever played 10 premier league matches in his career, for his incredible performances as a RB. Yet instead of Ralph being praised for putting faith in him and playing the young man in his preferred position, in which he is clearly excelling, Ralph gets bashed for not trying him out in an unfamiliar position. As for Stu Armstrong, quite clearly he has been out injured and has been working his way back to full fitness. He has looked quite rusty when coming on as a sub, even against Watford last time out. I like Tella and think he offers a significant threat when we are attacking on the break. Not sure he adds that much against the ball or when we have to break teams down. Redmond has put in many good performances this season. As has Moi (who is joint top scorer in all competitions). Agree Walcott has been poor this season.

I think the only true comparison should be how much was Bournemouth's net spend in the premier league under Howe compared to Saints net spend under Ralph. Haven't looked/checked personally, but I'm pretty sure Howe's is going to be the higher - by quite some margin.

The only way you could possibly say with 100% complete certainty that talks have taken place between Saints and Howe re his replacing Ralph as manager is if you were personally involved in those talks. Anything else is hearsay; even if that was both Howe and Semmens telling you personally that is what they they were discussing as they walked out of a room together. If you compare everything Howe has done as manager of Bournemouth with only that which Ralph has accomplished at Saints then yes, he has achieved more - by 3 promotions. However, if you compare their successes in the Premier League then Ralph (despite having 2 seasons less in management in said league and spending far, far, less on bringing players in than Howe spent) has achieved: the higher league finish; the greater points tally in one season; the most wins in one season; a (marginally) better points per game tally than Howe. I would say all of those would make him the better manager for this league. I also sincerely doubt that Howe would be capable of getting Leipzig to finish 2nd in the Bundesliga.

To match Man Utd with Ole and Arsenal with Arteta, how about Gazza in as manager? That would be a giggle.

I agree. It was said that the formation was 4222 but, to me, in reality it looked far more like a 4231 (albeit somewhat disjointed). So maybe a 42211? Redmond was certainly playing slightly behind and around Broja; not alongside him as a partner.

Fully agree!

Match Day 10 Match Day Comparison: Last season we lost our 10th league game 2-3 at home to Man Utd (after leading 2-0). Therefore, Saturday's 1-0 win at Watford gives us a positive 3 point and 2GD swing. -6 points; -6 GD Head-to-Head Comparison: As previously explained, for this comparison, I am comparing our results against Watford (the team promoted in 2nd place) to those of WBA's (the team relegated 2nd from bottom) last season. Last season we lost 3-0 away to WBA. Saturday's 1-0 win gives us +3 points and +4 GD. +6 points; +8 GD Next up, on Friday and match day 11, is a home match against Villa. Last season we lost at home to Villa 0-1; whilst match day 11 saw us gain a 2-1 win along the coast at Brighton. The only player who scored in either of those wins who could get on the scoresheet Friday is Danny Ings (pen). I hope he is still out injured! (Vestergaard and Ross Barkley were the other goal scorers.) Obviously, a win or draw keeps Villa below us. If nothing else this season, I really want us to stay above them at all times. Going for a 2-1 win. COYS

Of the managerial changes already made: Conte is a definite upgrade on Nuno, but will still to bring better players in. Spurs do not have anywhere near a top 4 squad. Don't see that Ranieri will bring much of an improvement to Watford at all. Just more experience I guess. Of the rumoured Newcastle managers: Emery would definitely be a good appointment for them. Much like Spurs though, he will need to wheel and deal a bit to give them a chance of staying up. Wilson and Saint-Maximin aside, they really don't have much. Lose either of them long term and they are in big trouble. I don't think Howe would do much there at all. He is certainly no better, and arguably worse, than Bruce. Really hope they appoint Howe! Next to go? Bielsa could away from Leeds if they don't start churning out results like season. Wouldn't be sacked though. Will Norwich stick with Farke? Quite possibly Smith at Villa, if they remain in the bottom half as Christmas approaches.

Sounds about right. Emery is certainly the better, imho.

Thank you for these 2 detailed posts. Not much in there to disagree with at all. I also feel that when JWP is playing the 'safer' ball it is more to do with instruction, i.e. retain possession and recycle. JWP rarely ever gives the ball away or plays a mis-hit pass.

Thank you for taking the time to explain your reasoning. I do understand where you are coming from, but feel we haven't really seen enough of Diallo in/JWP out to come to such a conclusion. You initially based this opinion on the match against Leeds. I honestly don't think Diallo would have had the same impact had KP been playing for them. He wouldn't have nullified KP as JWP did last season. I also feel JWP was every bit as dynamic going forwards against Watford as Diallo had been in the matches he missed. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

I've got to say that I wouldn't put Broja in the poacher category either. It's all about opinions though.

Oh come on pal. You know full well that you used the phrase 'wet behind the ears spreadsheet jockey' in an insulting, derogatory, way. It was worded that way as a put down. TWar didn't then call you thick, he merely stated that you weren't a very, very, intelligent person. I know you know this as well. Like I said, reverting to type. The type Bermuda was referring to. No surprise that you and Dman were the first 2 to laugh at him. As I said previously, in your particular case, it is a shame when you revert back to this way of posting because you can be far better than that. I have seen many very good and reasoned posts from you. I'm sure you are the more polite person, who enjoys a bit of banter, in real life. I think TLBs posts are rubbing off on me today. Probably because we are about the same age, which I feel is slightly older than you.

All very good posts which I completely agree with.

Agree with this.

Back to your usual Turkish? You start insulting and trying to belittle posters with a different opinion to your own then, when they respond in kind, you accuse them of becoming insulting. It seems we have a raft of such posters and posting style on here of late. Such a shame. You can clearly express your views and put across good arguments when you want to.

Spot on.

Excellent post as ever TLB. It is nice to have such an erudite poster on here. Sincere apologies if I have in any way ruined your reading of this, or any other, thread. I do know that I shouldn't let others drag me down to their level, but I will always stand my corner and will not just ignore it when people throw false accusations at me, try to belittle me or revert to childish name calling. Anyway, moving on - I especially agree with your point regarding 4-3-3. I believe I posted elsewhere that I would like to see such a formation with Diallo-Romeu-JWP behind a front 3 of Arma-Broja-Redmond. Tino and KWP/Perraud giving width down the flanks.

Not at all. Couldn't be arse much at school. Probably why I went straight in the navy after. Most of my better qualifications were obtained at evening/distance classes when more mature. I did help run and judge some debate clubs when I became a teacher after leaving the forces. Not really my thing though. That said, I find it is always good to try and prove a point, or base an opinion, on something tangible. Others seem to think that belittling people with different views, or calling them names, or refusing to answer questions/points made, is the best way to win an argument. As an educator just trying to educate them otherwise. To keep on track, and you may have already given your view but I missed it, do you think we are better with or without JWP and what is the basis of that opinion?

Indeed he has. All of those (except a handful of cup matches) were in the Premier League or for England. None in French leagues 1 or 2. Also, in the post you quoted was this: 'JWP has sored and assisted more for England than Diallo has for Saints'. Just for clarification: JWP 9 matches for England, 2 goals; Diallo 37 matches for Saints (more than 4x James' England caps) 1 goal. I don't see how anyone can argue that Diallo is more of a goal threat than JWP.

Wolves completely outplayed Everton for the majority of the match. Well worth the win. Quite different to when they robbed us for 3 points at St. Mary's.

It looks to me as if the data does back up my opinion. You are, of course, entitled to interpret it differently. No worries. It is certainly is an absolute fact that JWP has assisted and scored far more goals, from open play, than Diallo has in his career. Heck, JWP has sored and assisted more for England than Diallo has for Saints. Combine that with his set pieces and yes, he is more of an attacking threat than Diallo. Please explain why this isn't so.

And out comes the petty name calling again. 🤣 Grow up child.

Oh, of course, it's a far better debating technique to state that you can't be arsed to read or answer any questions posed and to then just refuse to talk to the person. How mature of you.