supersonic

Still looking over our shoulder. Big win yesterday and then a huge game v Brighton next up. Having no Ings will be huge. Still in trouble, but should be ok.

He was almost unplayable in the first half. Love his directness, just hope that doesn't get coached out of him the more he plays in the team. Really impressed with him so far, deserves a goal which will surely come. Contract negotiation must be pretty high up the priority list this summer

Much needed win. Ings' injury is a big worry moving forwards. Tella and Forster have to start moving forwards.

I'd probably have him over Adams at the moment. Always knew he was talented but never thought he'd make it to the PL so good for him.

I must say I actually agree with the OP, I don't rate Adams and I don't think he's a PL standard footballer. His composure isn't good enough, his awareness isn't good enough and he takes too long to get a shot away. He also isn't overly quick or tall to get away with it. 1 goal and 1 assist in last 19 league games is abysmal. Going back further, he has 10 goals in past 78 league games across both Saints and Birmingham. Not really sure what he offers apart from running around a lot. Upgrade needed over the summer. N'Lundulu must be wondering what he has to do to get some decent game time.

It's a tricky one, I think Ralph is a good guy, I like the fact he has control over a lot of things that p*ssed off other managers (e.g. Koeman), but i'm genuinely starting to question him now. We're nose-diving towards relegation, in reality we will probably stay up, and relatively comfortably, but this run is deeply worrying and i'm not sure if he has it to turn it around. Yes there are other factors (VAR/Injures/Squad Depth) which are all (mostly) out of his hands, but the style of play and continued perseverance with a system and formation that simply isn't working, is all controlled by him - any my biggest reason for concern. Only 1 goal scored in the second half the last 14 matches is deeply concerning (JWP freekick v Newcastle) Our over-reliance on scoring first and then holding on is deeply concerning. Our seeming inability to crumble at the slightest bit of pressure, is deeply concerning. The amount of points we throw away from winning positions, is deeply concerning. Our negative style of football, is deeply concerning. Our inability to breakdown teams who sit back is deeply concerning The appalling form of several key players (Bertrand, Redmond, Adams etc) is deeply concerning. Ralph looks mentally exhausted, as do the players and a few look to have given up on him, which is a worrying sign.

Would like to see Tella from the start on a pitch that hopefully isn't like an ice rink like Leeds. Chauke is also one I'd like to see have a game, but I think he's behind Jankewitz. Not keen on Stephens in midfield (or on the pitch to be fair), I know he's ok on the ball but his stamina isn't up to CM work. Fully expecting nothing from today's game, we never, ever seen to win at Everton, and with recent form/injuries it ain't happening today.

Newcastle currently winning. If it stays like it does, they'll be just 2 points behind us.

I did put a few quid on us to go down after Newcastle game @ 100/1. However in reality I still think we're very unlikely to do so, and odds still reflect that (generally about 50/1). We have 13 league games left and are on 30 points. Even despite our horrific run recently, we've managed 7 points from our last 13 games, which if we replicate will leave us on 37 - probably enough to stay up IMO.

Same old story EVERY FUCKING GAME. Not sure Ralph has the ideas, or the heart to change anything. Worrying times indeed

Start brightly, better team in first half. Absolutely implode in the second half. Week, after week, after week, after week. Very much in relegation trouble.

I'd rather we got Ryan Kent from Rangers than Walcott. Yes there's be a transfer fee involved, but his wages would be a fraction of Theo's. He looks talented, runs at people and, more importantly, stays fit.

I wonder if we go to a 3/5 at the back with wingbacks? (I appreciate I am being optimistic here by expecting Ralph to have a Plan B but one can only hope). ----------------------FF*------------------------- -------JB------------JV----------------MS------ SA--------------------------------------------RB -----------JWP----------------OR--------------- TM-------------------------------------------MD ----------------------DI------------------------- or ----------------------FF*------------------------- -------JB------------JV--------------RB---------- ----------------------OR-------------------------- -----------JWP----------------AJ--------------- SA-------------------TM----------------------MD ----------------------DI------------------------- *also acknowledge I'm being hopeful that McCarthy won't play.

I wonder if we have a recall option on Valery? I'm guessing not as that would be as a result of us having initiative. Secondly, we surely would have recalled him by now. The options left aren't exactly great: Stephens, Bednarek, Djenepo, JWP or do we try someone like Armstrong there in the hope that he is a little more 'solid' than the likes of one of the other wingers.

I wonder whether any particular deals are solely for Gao's 80% or whether Kat would be tempted to enter into negotiations for her 20%? Personally I think it she feels somewhat forced to keep a share in the club due to her father's legacy, but I get the impression it's a slight chore for her.

It's time to give FF a run of league games. He's had his problems and was very poor a few years ago before he got dropped, but he's seemed solid in each of his 4 games so far this season. One thing I noticed, and others have alluded to, is confidence. McCarthy seems very nervous at the moment and it seems to make our back 4 nervous too. There were three times today I counted when he started to come for crosses and then stopped, which panicked our backline (once with Bertrand at end of 1st half) and a free kick in second half). He also didn't communicate with KWP when there was a simple header back to him in the 2nd half, instead KWP headed it out and then was immediately under pressure from a Wolves player and ended up giving away a corner. To me, it's no coincidence our four most recent solid defence displays have all been when AM hasn't been playing. Time for a change.

We've had some pretty poor decisions go against us and bad luck with I juries, but I think Ralph is more to blame than you are letting on. For example, the fact we seem to have only one way of playing, with no plan B for when it doesn't work is on the manager and can't be blamed on officials/injuries. The fact we seem so mentally fragile than we capitulate whenever put under any sort of pressure, is on the manager and can't be blamed on officials/injuries. The fact we can't seem to break down teams that come and put men behind the ball week after week is on the manager and can't be blamed on officials/injuries. The fact we seem to go ahead and then sit back and invite pressure, especially at the start of the second half is on the manager and can't be blamed on officials/injuries. The fact we continue to play McCarthy who looks totally shot of confidence and it's rubbing off on the defence when we have a back-up keeper who has kept four clean sheets in as many games and looks solid is on the manager and can't be blamed on officials/injuries.

Time to change the formation as it simply isn't working at the moment. FF deserves a run of games, I'd change other things too. Give people like Watts and N'Lundulu some game time ahead of the under performing first teamers like Adams and Redmond

That was a shocker. Gifting away goals and simply not creating anything is a bad, bad sign. Something needs to change, certainly the formation and the players. Perfect game to try something different against Wolves with no pressure of it being a cup game. McCarthy has been solid for us over the years, but after conceding 18 goals in 5 games, and with today's shocker, it's time we gave FF a run of games. Stephens has been really, really poor., As has Bednarek who was lucky not to be sent off again. Bertrand has a very relaxed style of play and attitude, i'm not sure that's helping the current situation. Redmond didn't put one decent ball in all game and looked sloppy. Ings has lost all confidence and Adams just hasn't got it for me at the top level. The problem is, where is the competition?

Think AMN would be a cracking signing: versatile, talented, experienced and probably eager to prove a point (or get a permanent move away). Can play on either wing, in midfield or at either fullback. The last loan deal we had from North London turned out to be alright. Hopefully we can get it done/

Diamond Edwards signed in January from Reading. Very highly rated by a coach I know who worked with him and Reading certainly didn't want to lose him. Has a sponsorship deal with Puma already, not sure how many other players get deals like that at 15? The GK (Goran) has also trained with England U15's and 16's

Diamond Edwards signed in January from Reading. Very highly rated by a coach I know who worked with him and Reading certainly didn't want to lose him. Has a sponsorship deal with Puma already, not sure how many other players get deals like that at 15?

He's perfectly entitled to an opinion just like all of us are. You don't have to agree with it and can simply move on or ignore it. It's also perfectly normal to disagree with someone on a topic and still remain fond of them...

Stinks of him not wanting to be there, unless he wants to keep his astronomical wages. Now means they won't get any compensation when he joins someone else. Did well to get them up, but always found it weird he's never been properly linked to a better job. He's well known in the football circles for being a pretty poor man manager which maybe has something to do with it.

Genuinely think AFCB may pull off the great escape. Can see WH beating Watford, which'll leave just 3 points between Watford and AFCB. AFCB will beat Everton on the last day and I can't see Watford getting anything against Man City and Arsenal.