austsaint

I think you are wrong on this one Lighthouse. Boufal is an exceptional talent. Don't worry about the odd loss of possession - he's a direct running, creative talent who tries things which often lead to something good. Djenepo, Boufal, Redmond and Ings are the four attacking players who could get the Club to safety.

Delivering something at last.

Delivering something at last.

They both added something today, didn't they. Obafemi's pace does unsettle a defence - even if Arsenal were all over the place today. Like you say, he has an eye for a pass and showed some quick feet to create a shot on his left side - he's such a better option than Long these days. Armstrong's got that direct running style and he can harass and press high up the pitch. I prefer Boufal to Armstrong but both MO and SA showed up today. I think it showed Ralph he must persist with three attacking players to support Ings.

We will agree to disagree about Hojbjerg's performance. Some have named JWP in the best players today? BBC made Hoj man-of-the match - not that I take that as an expert view - but he clearly wasn't poor, and he was playing both a holding role and driving forward with the ball.

They were unbelievably poor weren't they? At least it cleared up the question of who the next Manager to be sacked will be.

Cruel last gasp goal leaves a horrible feeling; but there was much to be encouraged about. Well done Ralph for playing two specialist full-backs. Well done for playing four at the back and well done for playing four attacking players - we might argue about which three join Ings but the template of four attacking players and four at the back with specialist FBs is a must for most games to come. Against a meek, inept and open Arsenal we got away with a two man midfield, but that combination is going to be found out in the crucial games to come - it's clear though that Ralph is going to play Ward-Prowse every week. Some have criticised Hojbjerg, yet I thought he was outstanding, along with Bertrand, Bednarek and Ings. If only Cedric had completed that simple assist for Obafemi; if only Djenepo had finished that delightful set up from Boufal.

That's a good looking side - I doubt Ralph has the clear thinking mind to drop Ward-Prowse; but we live in hope. I'd have Adams, Armstrong and Obafemi on the bench as attacking subs.

I agree - Adam Leitch will be missed; enjoyed his articles and a fair enough critique of Cortese.

Quite straightforward in my view. You play Romeu and Hoj in midfield - because JWP doesn't add any steel or holding quality in a three man midfield. Nor does he have the creative or box-to-box qualities to play the Lemina role. That frees up space to play four attack minded players - my preference would be Ings, Redmond, Djenepo and Boufal - I suppose there is a case for Armstrong too.

Of course JWP isn't solely responsible for our precarious situation - but his continued selection for every game and the limited performances he turns out leave the side deprived of creativity, attacking instinct or CM/DM depth, depending upon where Ralph has played him. No one is doubting that the defence has been largely woeful since the days of VVD, Fonte and Toby but JWP as an automatic selection this season has weakened the side further.

Well I'm laughing out loud at Levy - Mourinho's a busted flush as a Manager; I think the game has passed him by. After all this is the man who got rid of Lukaku and Pogba.....and then paid squillions to get them back. He also strikes me as a nasty, egotistical type......just look at his media interviews and his role in the sacking of the Chelsea Doctor/Physio......the guy is close to being unhinged.

A rubbish myth...the plan B mantra. How deluded is Levy? There will be a decent queue for MP and his loyal assistants.

You've summed it up well. It's hard to see how we can escape relegation - my faintly hopeful glimmer is Ralph entrusting four attacking players...Djenpo, Ings, Boufal and Redmond; trusting Romeu and PEH in midfield - playing specialist full backs and including Danso as one of the two CBs....McCarthy in Goal. Players like Armstrong, Obafemi, JWP on the bench at best.

Didn't Josh Sims make that marvellous run and assist for Long's goal late in the game?

I'll offer an answer to your first question re alternatives to JWP. For the times when Ralph has played him as a CM of two - play Romeu and PEH (better still would have been replacing Reed and Lemina). For the times when Ralph has played him in a midfield trio - play any of the following attackers instead..Boufal, Djenepo, Redmond, Ings, Adams, Armstrong. For the times when Ralph has a "wing-back" - Bertrand, Valery or Cedric. For the times when Ralph has played him on the wing - Boufal, Djenepo, Redmond, Ings, Adams, Armstrong. For the times when Ralph has played him as a full back - Cedric, Bertrand, Valery....even Stephens/Yoshida/Bednarek As for the famed corners and free kicks - Bertrand, Boufal.

How long has Ward-Prowse got left? Seriously - the malaise of this Club has no clearer marker than JWP playing every minute of every game this season!! And being given the Captain's armband yesterday was an insult to supporters. I've never seen such an overhyped player deliver so little for so long.

But Egg; he is right on both accounts - Kelvin Davis might be a nice bloke etc, but he was an ordinary Goalkeeper and on all the evidence is not much of a Coach. The Club needs better than Davis and Watson.

That's ok; I'm getting a laugh out of your opinions too. Time will tell - I think it already has!

And this is pure fiction.....isn't it?

And this is pure fiction.....isn't it?

There's no doubt Hojbjerg has had a poor season so far. I'm basing my assessment on Hoj having previously shown an aptitude and an appetite to be a decent CM or box-to-box midfielder. I've never seen that aptitude or ability from Ward-Prowse....in any position; and I'm losing faith in Ralph's credibility as he continues to select him - although I support your observation we are ludicrously short on midfielders with Lemina and Reed loaned out. What seems obvious to me is we have sacrificed an attacking player like Boufal, Armstrong or Adams to shoehorn WP in, with a resultant weakening of our attack, midfield and defence. To my eye, Romeu has been consistently good this season, but has suffered from the poor season of Hojbjerg and the "nothing" inclusion of Ward-Prowse.

I think you are doing an injustice to Romeu and Hoj. If we persist with the idea that Ward-Prowse is a midfielder or an automatic selection...we are going down. As for the posters citing statistical support for JWP; just watch the games....that will tell you everything - if you have an objective gaze.

I think you are doing an injustice to Romeu and Hoj. If we persist with the idea that Ward-Prowse is a midfielder or an automatic selection...we are going down. As for the posters citing statistical support for JWP; just watch the games....that will tell you everything - if you have an objective gaze.

Boufal really should start v Everton alongside players like Ings, Redmond and if fit, Djenpo. I don't trust Ralph to see it this way though.