UpweySaint

I agree we'll miss him and think plenty don't rate him highly enough but he's more replaceable than Tadic. On his day Tadic could mix it with the best whereas Hoj, while an accomplished centre mid arguably capable of surpassing our current level, has not often been a 'match winner' for us. I would also suggest capable centre mids are more plentiful (and therefore theoretically cheaper to replace) than flair players like Tadic.

Thanks, let's hope it's better than the home. Failing that fingers crossed for a third kit. I can't remember the precise context but the 'one off' we wore against Bournemouth a while back was actually okay!

Away kit looking any more promising??? The logo does seem to make a mess of the kit however it is to be fair ...

Good finish but that's a pen, no question. F*cking embarrassing officiating today!

Seeing the video on Saints twitter was a nice watch, he's not always been without fault but there is no doubting Yoshida's professionalism and dedication over his time at the club. Sensibly I think we all knew he was likely to move on so it's understandable all around but still tinged with sadness. Best of luck Maya, as per twitter a saint forever.

Closer to Utd in 5th than Bournemouth in 18th, some turnaround. Massive credit to Ralph and the players who have really found another level!

Not seen enough of Julian but I caught the derby and, though I expect Maehle is more likely, I'm a fan of Tavernier and he looked decent in the old firm game. Not sure he is top draw but decent going forwards, good at set pieces, can win the odd header too ...

I read somewhere else (BBC IIRC) Celtic had bid 1.2mil but Motherwell wanted 2.5mil. Relatively small change for us if he has premiership potential.

Rather agree. A few good seasons with us or similar and he can always have that big move.

BBC has him as a City target too ... quite possibly the same source or an overzealous agent!

4-4-2 or the fabled 4-2-2-2?

I rate Howe and yes he's turned the game but give Ralph his dues. It's not really 'his' team. Howe had built his and their style of play over years. They've had a few quid too and recruited relatively well. Our turnaround since Ralph arrived has been cracking. Let's see how he presents tactically after a preseason with the players and a few of his own faces.

Fair point. Games, a goal or two for the confidence ... he could really crack on and be the sort of player we hoped he could.

Christ! Game has roared into life. Bit more composure from Sims in either occasion and that could have been that! Do feel we'll need another goal at least to win this one. Good link up play at least, just give Sims some of whatever Redmond has found this season in front of goal.

Tactically a very good display from us, shame an offside goal (albeit small margins) has meant we're not going in at half time with a lead I don't think many could have begrudged us. I hope we can get something out of the second 45 but bugger me I had almost forgot what it felt like going into games against 'bigger' clubs thinking the manager had a real plan on how to get a result that could actually work! Strange feeling this hope, hello old friend ...

Look okay going forward, not loving the shape when they turn over possession though.

Wolves have dropped Doherty and Jimenez to the bench away to Burnley, think Burnley will see that one as a must one based on their run in.

I'm a fan of JWP but can understand that Barkley is a more proven entity in an England shirt and offers more physicality. JWP has added more to his game under Ralph and is progressing well. Hopefully he get's a chance on Monday and does himself justice. Always find it weird when some on here seem so determined to run down our own players. Most reasonable observers surely agree he has good technical ability and is tactically adept even if they don't rate him as highly as others.

Quite possibly unless, as others have alluded to, some of those who went were't right for the squad. Ideally though we certainly would have got another forward and a little more over at rb.

Reasonable to presume that RH had hoped Cedric out meant Maehle or another in. It certainly looked like we were trying to move Austin on and get Adams in at the end of the window. Assuming we keep our heads above water it will be interesting to see what business RH does in the summer. If we can shift big earners out I would trust his judgement on incomings.

Palace 1-0 down too, results are going our way elsewhere in the midweek games. On us to do our bit and see this one out!

Tribalism, sentimentality and that sort of thing probably play a significant part it is undeniable. Hardly a bad thing though. It's that sort of irrationality that perpetuates fan culture in a heavily commercialised and uneven sport. In some measure I view it as essential to how our club can ever hope to be 'successful'. We all know we can't compete toe for toe in financial terms with other clubs though an academy consistently producing quality can help a club punch above their weight both through financial dividends and on the pitch quality. There is also the hope, perhaps a little naive, that players with an attachment to the club put that extra 10% in that drives results. I'm probably a bit of a sap but I love the 'hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard' mantra that I believe we have/had on the wall at either St Mary's or Staplewood.

Fair play if you don't rate Stephens. I do but can understand why others don't, though in mitigation he's hardly had a smooth ride with the mess around him for the last few seasons. Though I would suggest the reason Hoedt got more grief is that he comes across like a Billy big boll*cks who very much believed his own hype and cost a significant fee whereas Jack came in for peanuts from Plymouth and is sort of one of our own.

This. Under Hughes we would have been buried. We didn't play well but found a point. Not exactly panic stations. Sidenote, loving Prowsey showing more drive, more aggression and more general being a d*ckhead - we've been far too nice for too long!

Agreed. Not really expecting this to come to fruition but it's not entirely impossible and would be an amazing coup.