mrfahaji

One of the things I expressed concern about with Hughes at the start of the season, along with his sides being a bit shaky defensively (not quite as adamant on this as Jeff, ha), was that Stoke always got the season off to a stinker. That suggested to me a lack of fitness or preparation, and something we could ill afford with our fairly nice start to the season. And yet here we are. When I looked at our next 4 games, including Wolves, I thought 5 or 6 points would be good. Win one and either win or draw the others from matches against Bournemouth, Newcastle & Wolves, accepting a defeat vs Chelsea. One down, three to go. Even if I might think he deserves the sack after those games however, doesn't mean I think it will cure the sickness of Southampton FC.

Fair comments from Wes, but lots of people seem to be commenting about the chances we created... I don't remember too many clear cut ones, or even sustained spells of pressure - ones where the defender gets a crucial interception or the cross just eludes the striker etc - but I CAN remember a few from Wolves, certainly in the first half. I don't think I'm being glass-half-empty with that view, but maybe I am. In my book, we did ok. If Wolves didn't play well, maybe that's partly down to us. But our side is prone to individual mistakes and being sloppy at the back, whether that's a product of the players or the manager. Perhaps we deserved a point from today, but it was by no means daylight robbery. At half time I thought I could see both teams scoring, but probably more them than us. We improved in the second half, but I never really felt we were looking dangerous.

We really weren't. Would be interested to see the xG from today's game, but I'd be surprised if it was higher than 0.5. Just because we had the ball for a while and got near their penalty area doesn't mean we were creating chances. If that was the case then Wolves would have been 3-0 up at Half Time - and Wolves weren't particularly good at any point during the game. At no time were we 'bossing' the game - sure, we were the better team in patches, but it was not dominant or convincing, we were hardly queuing up in front of their goal.

The problem we have now is that any manager that will make a significant difference is too high a calibre for us. Perhaps after Koeman, possibly even after Puel, but not now. So we are left with candidates who are either a similar level or a risk. And I think the whole club is in such a mess that simply a different face is not the answer.

I haven't watched many games this season, so I've been reluctant to be outspoken one way or the other. My issue is that I don't think Hughes is THE problem, but I certainly don't think he helps the situation. I'm not even sure the defence was the main problem today. I said before the game that the starting XI always leave me thinking "well I hope he proves me wrong", so I think team selection is a legitimate complaint after a tepid performance and defeat. The concerning thing for me is that he seems committed to these players and systems which aren't working, compared to last season where he was prepared to change things, either game to game or mid-match (which was one of the biggest changes from MP). But I can't help but think the board/scouting department have once again failed to bolster the squad sufficiently (because we needed it), everything points to a club cutting corners to make the financials statements look good, and the players don't look interested. Hughes is an average manager at best, and the club needs more than that - but to what ends? So that we can finish 15th instead of 17th? We're not a top half club anymore, no matter who is in charge.

This is where last season Hughes was a marked improvement, because he did seem to try different things in games - didn't always work but sometimes it did. This season, he seems to be stuck on certain personnel and recently tactics and it's not really working. It's obviously not helped by the fact that our players weren't great last season, and the players we've signed don't seemed to be huge improvements. Ings looks good, but Vestergaard, Armstrong and Elyounoussi have not done anything to suggest they are much better (if at all) than what they have replaced.

Yep, but it feels like the club is rotten from top to bottom. We have gone from being one of the model clubs in Europe to being a basket case. Depressing.

Except everyone on here was calling for Armstrong to come on (whelk - see!)

Can we sack everyone at the club from top to bottom and resign from this season?

Well that goal came after two minutes of utterly horrific play.

What a save

It is quite ridiculous, he even said at one point, “unfortunately” before describing how Wolves were struggling

Can only assume Traore was booked because the ref has finally had enough of his haircut

Lol, they’re worse than those pre-madonnas

Exactly, until he comes on and does sh1t... I don’t think Austin has to be a waste of space, it’s a lot to do with how we play, but at the moment he isn’t helping himself and I can see why he gets criticism.

Surprised everyone is criticising Redmond, he was one of the first players to do something positive and since then has always looked bright, not giving the ball away needlessly. I get frustrated with his cutting inside but feel today he’s done it at the right times. Just makes so much sense to bring Austin on against tiring defenders rather than play him from the start. Beggars belief that Hughes can’t see that. Also there’s no excuse for someone yet to reach their thirties not to be fit enough.

Hoedt’s clearance and Elyounoussi’s corner, and people say watching Saints isn’t entertaining atm.

Quite concerning how often a Wolves midfielder picks up the ball and runs the length of the pitch without being challenged. Not the first game when that has happened either - wasn’t it Mochengladbach who did that in preseason?!

That’s why people hate Hoedt...

Didn’t Don Goodman play for Wolves? Redmond has done a few good bits in the last 5-10 mins. Finally some bright spots.

McCarthy makes a save, could’ve been a goal. A fairly quiet first 10 mins, but there have been a few iffy moments from us, and barely anything positive. Cedric just made a good challenge to deny another chance.

Oh right - I was going to say further North as well... Ravenala was one of the hotels I (we) considered for my wedding. In the end we did it at Le Meridien a bit further up the coast. Wife is Mauritian, hence the interest from me - I expect I'll be spending a far bit of time there over the next few years/decades (which isn't a bad thing, is it?) !

I have been hopeful about Hughes but team selection continues to puzzle me, feels like every game I'm thinking "well maybe he knows best, I hope he proves me wrong". Which, in fairness, in the Palace game he did, but not many others.

Thought you were trousers... might be Flic en Flac due to the shadows (assuming this photo was taken when posted)

Nice, whereabouts in Mauritius?