Ralph Hasenhuttl

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

Yes, Norwich are too good for the Championship. 

But saying a club or player is too good for the Championship does not mean you are also saying they are good enough for the PL. Hence the yo-yoing.

They are floating at a level of quality between the two.

Norwich (like Armstrong) are not good enough for the premier league.

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

Norwich (like Armstrong) are not good enough for the premier league.

I agree. 

Although hopefully Armstrong makes an impact at some point.

[Lord Duckhunter]

It’s like saying Billy Sharpe was too good for the championship. He wasn’t, he was a top championship player. That’s a different thing. Armstrong will eventually  play more championship games than premier league, it’s his level. 

[egg]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Yes, Norwich are too good for the Championship. 

But saying a club or player is too good for the Championship does not mean you are also saying they are good enough for the PL. Hence the yo-yoing.

They are floating at a level of quality between the two.

I get that MLG, but clubs can go up and down the leagues from season to season, whereas players can't go back and forth between a Prem club and Championship club season to season. If players aren't quite good enough for a particular league, then the league below is their level. 

[bpsaint]

Celtic or Rangers would be a good fit for Armstrong to recapture his form. They’re about the equivalent of mid to bottom of the table Prem sides playing against League One standard opponents so he’d score plenty I’m sure, without feeling like he’s gone to a lesser team on loan.

[FarehamSaintJames]

I don’t think it’s particularly fair to say Adam Armstrong has been a terrible signing. In order to be classed as poor he needs to play more than five minutes.

Broja has probably had as many poor games as Armstrong but because he scored a few goals in a purple patch over the winter he’s seen as classes above. He’s been poor recently and still largely kept his place, aside from a couple of Shane Long appearances.

——

But back to Ralph.

This is HIS squad now, there is no more deadwood, and the players you’d have classed as deadwood this season have again largely played (Forster and Ely).

There is no real excuse. We are still a poor team, there is little to no leadership and there isn’t a strong mentality, or a proactive was to changing formations/tactics. How many times this season have we cried out for another player in midfield like an AM? Many. But no he persists with two up top and the wingers and full backs player in the same place high up the pitch leaving the defence exposed.

He won’t get sacked, nor will he leave. But this window has got to be crucial now, because Fulham and Bournemouth next season will not be pushovers, and I can see the other teams that have been poor such as Leeds, Brentford etc having more fight than us.

[Christophenburg]

17 hours ago, gammon cheeks said:

Steve Cooper or Thomas Frank that is the question?

I was so torn last night wanting both Bournemouth and Forest to lose. Someone like Steve Cooper feels like a Saints like appointment, my gut still says Niko Kovac though

[Charlie Wayman]

Is he still here?

[Toussaint]

 

14 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Is he still here?

I have heard a number of things in the last few days that make me thing Ralph will be here next year but a significant number of the current the first team squad won't be, which may explain the massive performance drop off.

[aintforever]

13 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

 

I have heard a number of things in the last few days that make me thing Ralph will be here next year but a significant number of the current the first team squad won't be, which may explain the massive performance drop off.

Makes sense. There is a whole load of shite in our squad that is just not good enough, it needs a right shake up, especially in attack.

We are obviously going to lose Broja, plus Walcott, Long, Djenepo and Redmond are all dead wood.

[DT]

1 hour ago, aintforever said:

Makes sense. There is a whole load of shite in our squad that is just not good enough, it needs a right shake up, especially in attack.

We are obviously going to lose Broja, plus Walcott, Long, Djenepo and Redmond are all dead wood.

Think you can add Forster and Ward-Prowse to that list, plus I suspect moneybags Newcastle will come in for Salisu. Maybe they're all going because they think he's a limited manager. PS watch him play McCarthy on the weekend 

[DT]

1 hour ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Is he still here?

Amazingly

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

 

I have heard a number of things in the last few days that make me thing Ralph will be here next year but a significant number of the current the first team squad won't be, which may explain the massive performance drop off.

That would make sense considering what we've seen and the selection choices. I'd have thought moving on some would be hard due to wages, if nothing else. I guess we'll have to wait and see how successful it is at the start of next season.

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

 

I have heard a number of things in the last few days that make me thing Ralph will be here next year but a significant number of the current the first team squad won't be, which may explain the massive performance drop off.

I can't say I'm surprised by that, i'm anticipating quite an overhaul if I'm honest as there are parts of this squad which aren't even PL level. Ralph knows our problems/limitations and how he wants us to play (which undeniably is the right way in modern football), so it makes sense for him to be involved in this overhaul and then judge him fully on the back of that (in my opinion).

We keep being told that this takeover affords us flexibility, so I don't think we'll have the same issues with us needing to offload Redmond/Moussa/Theo etc before we can make any moves ourselves.

Edited 4 May, 2022 by S-Clarke

[Charlie Wayman]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I can't say I'm surprised by that, i'm anticipating quite an overhaul if I'm honest as there are parts of this squad which aren't even PL level. Ralph knows our problems/limitations and how he wants us to play (which undeniably is the right way in modern football), so it makes sense for him to be involved in this overhaul and then judge him fully on the back of that (in my opinion).

We keep being told that this takeover affords us flexibility, so I don't think we'll have the same issues with us needing to offload Redmond/Moussa/Theo etc before we can make any moves ourselves.

What they have to do is set sensible transfer fees so that these players become more attractive. If they ask for top dollars then of course there will be very little interest.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to re-sign Broja either, if we have to rely on him for goals to keep us up then we will be in in deep doggy doo especially if the anointed one moves on to a bigger club.

The harder question is who's worth keeping?

[Alan Sugarfree]

If he stays, I can see exactly the same next spring. We’ll have moved on a few, got in a few. Ralph will proclaim he’s got his team and then when they stop trying next March it’ll be the players fault not Ralph’s.

 

Groundhog day mark III

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

What they have to do is set sensible transfer fees so that these players become more attractive. If they ask for top dollars then of course there will be very little interest.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to re-sign Broja either, if we have to rely on him for goals to keep us up then we will be in in deep doggy doo especially if the anointed one moves on to a bigger club.

The harder question is who's worth keeping?

That's certainly been a criticism in recent years when we were trying to get rid of the 'un-sellables'. I think we overpriced Carillo, Lemina and Hoedt as 3 which spring to mind, we had to give them away in the end though.

I'd keep Adams, JWP, Romeu, Diallo, Bednarek, Salisu, KWP, Perruad, Tino, Armstrong. Elyounossi, Lyanco - the rest need to go either for good or on loan for experience (Tella/Small/Smallbone). It leaves some massive opportunities to refresh GK and the attacking area's, arguably our weakest positions.

[aintforever]

23 minutes ago, Alan Sugarfree said:

If he stays, I can see exactly the same next spring. We’ll have moved on a few, got in a few. Ralph will proclaim he’s got his team and then when they stop trying next March it’ll be the players fault not Ralph’s.

 

Groundhog day mark III

It obviously depends on what sort of financial backing he gets from the new owners doesn't it.

I don't think our squad is a good as many seem to think. Saturday we started with a striker that couldn't even get into Bournemouth's team last year - maybe Ralph is doing a decent job with shit resources?

Edited 4 May, 2022 by aintforever

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, aintforever said:

It obviously depends on what sort of financial backing he gets from the new owners doesn't it.

I don't think our squad is a good as many seem to think. Saturday we started with a striker that couldn't even get into Bournemouth's team last year - maybe Ralph is doing a decent job with shit resources?

He had a striker on the bench who scored 28 goals in the championship last season that has barely had a kick since christmas and another striker on the bench who only a few months ago people were saying was a sure starter for Chelsea next season, maybe he's picking the wrong players?

[aintforever]

Just now, Turkish said:

He had a striker on the bench who scored 28 goals in the championship last season that has barely had a kick since christmas and another striker on the bench who only a few months ago people were saying was a sure starter for Chelsea next season, maybe he's picking the wrong players?

Maybe. Or maybe they are all not good enough.

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, aintforever said:

Maybe. Or maybe they are all not good enough.

Both of those are better options than the one he picked over them.

[Midfield_General]

It's basically the same set of resources as we had when we were playing well around Christmas/ Jan/ Feb, give or take a few injuries here and there, but all clubs have those. 

Our last ten games are LLLLDLWLDL, and in that time we've conceded 25 and scored 8. In that time we've lost to Watford, Burnley, Villa and Palace, and couldn't beat Leeds or Brighton. 

Even if you make the argument about quality of resources, it's not like he's getting much out of them any more either. We were half decent around the turn of the year, and now, without much having obviously changed, we've been terrible for months. You have to question why that is.

Edited 4 May, 2022 by Midfield_General
Made a mistake

[Mr X]

Looks like we're stuck with wreck it Ralph🤣 

At least we can lie the ridiculous man united rumours to bed, why would they want him? he's proven nothing

[Chez]

1 minute ago, Midfield_General said:

It's basically the same set of resources as we had when we were playing well around Christmas/ Jan/ Feb, give or take a few injuries here and there, but all clubs have those. 

Our last ten games are LLLLDLWLDL, and in that time we've conceded 25 and scored 8. In that time we've lost to Watford, Burnley, Everton, Villa and Palace, and couldn't beat Leeds or Brighton. 

Even if you make the argument about quality of resources, it's not like he's getting much out of them any more either. We were half decent around the turn of the year, and now, without much having obviously changed, we've been terrible for months. You have to question why that is.

same players, same tactics, but different results. Weird. You can't even say that a few of those results could have gone our way. So what are the reasons?

He changed a wining formula after one defeat. He dropped Broja after two poor games and he never got `it' back. Romeu form/fitness seemed to drop off a cliff, which left our defence very exposed. The fluidity and link up play between midfield and forwards seemed to go. Was that due to selection or simply down to a loss of confidence?

[Chez]

4 minutes ago, Mr X said:

Looks like we're stuck with wreck it Ralph🤣 

At least we can lie the ridiculous man united rumours to bed, why would they want him? he's proven nothing

was never gonna happen. Even if we finished 7th or 8th this season, they weren't gonna go for him. Not a chance.

[aintforever]

13 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Both of those are better options than the one he picked over them.

Maybe. But whoever he chose would not have been as good as the Palace striker who got the winner. I expect Ivan Toney will be better than whoever he picks on Saturday.

No Premier League manager WANTS to pick Shane Long. I expect he started because Ralph thought Armstong is out of his depth and Broja obviously can't be arsed because he will be back at Chelsea soon.

 

[Lighthouse]

21 minutes ago, aintforever said:

No Premier League manager WANTS to pick Shane Long. I expect he started because Ralph thought Armstong is out of his depth and Broja obviously can't be arsed because he will be back at Chelsea soon

The Palace team just showed how desperately lacking in quality we are over all. The fact that Ralph was getting blasted by many for NOT picking a striker who has two goals this season, most recently in November, speaks volumes about where we really are.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

36 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Our last ten games are LLLLDLWLDL, and in that time we've conceded 25 and scored 8. In that time we've lost to Watford, Burnley, Everton, Villa and Palace, and couldn't beat Leeds or Brighton. 

That says all you need to know. That is damning.

[DT]

3 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

That says all you need to know. That is damning.

It's an appalling record. And still he stays

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

 

15 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

That says all you need to know. That is damning.

Although to correct the OP. we didn't lose to Everton in that time. We did lose to Newcastle though. And there was a thumping vs Chelsea of course

[Diabolus Ex Machina]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Ralph knows our problems/limitations and how he wants us to play (which undeniably is the right way in modern football)

If he knew our problems he'd make a concerted effort to sort our defensive frailties out - Conceding 60+ every season so far (and only 2 goals off of repeating it this year) when the last time prior to his management was our first season back with Kelvin Davis, Jos Hooiveld and Danny fox getting significant minutes, isn't a great look. A defensive focus has worked for Wolves and to a lesser extent Brighton this season. Besides, even when he's had a 20 goal season from a striker he's not managed a top half finish. Add in the points lost from leading positions and that I believe we've conceded the most goals from set pieces this season then it's not hard to see where the problems really lie.

That's not to say we can't improve in other areas - all our strikers have been off form for a while now and the fact that Redmond is our leading assister still having not got one since January is pretty damning, but the defensive issues have been here from the start and never addressed. It might not be as attractive to watch (the 'undeniable' right way to play I guess) but it's damn important if you want to be winning games.

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, aintforever said:

Maybe. But whoever he chose would not have been as good as the Palace striker who got the winner. I expect Ivan Toney will be better than whoever he picks on Saturday.

No Premier League manager WANTS to pick Shane Long. I expect he started because Ralph thought Armstong is out of his depth and Broja obviously can't be arsed because he will be back at Chelsea soon.

 

If we're never going to pick a decent team because the other team might have better players then we might as well give up now. Even Norwich could argue they've got a striker that would get in our team.

[DT]

20 minutes ago, Diabolus Ex Machina said:

If he knew our problems he'd make a concerted effort to sort our defensive frailties out - Conceding 60+ every season so far (and only 2 goals off of repeating it this year) when the last time prior to his management was our first season back with Kelvin Davis, Jos Hooiveld and Danny fox getting significant minutes, isn't a great look. A defensive focus has worked for Wolves and to a lesser extent Brighton this season. Besides, even when he's had a 20 goal season from a striker he's not managed a top half finish. Add in the points lost from leading positions and that I believe we've conceded the most goals from set pieces this season then it's not hard to see where the problems really lie.

That's not to say we can't improve in other areas - all our strikers have been off form for a while now and the fact that Redmond is our leading assister still having not got one since January is pretty damning, but the defensive issues have been here from the start and never addressed. It might not be as attractive to watch (the 'undeniable' right way to play I guess) but it's damn important if you want to be winning games.

this. we need a more defensively minded manager. Or at least one who recognises the problems and adapts. Plus a new coaching team.

[Midfield_General]

30 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

 

Although to correct the OP. we didn't lose to Everton in that time. We did lose to Newcastle though. And there was a thumping vs Chelsea of course

Apols - you are right of course. Have edited. 

[trousers]

38 minutes ago, Diabolus Ex Machina said:

If he knew our problems he'd make a concerted effort to sort our defensive frailties out - Conceding 60+ every season so far (and only 2 goals off of repeating it this year) when the last time prior to his management was our first season back with Kelvin Davis, Jos Hooiveld and Danny fox getting significant minutes, isn't a great look.

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth conceded more than 60 goals every season during their Premier League tenure, and he's one of the best managers around...

Edited 4 May, 2022 by trousers

[DT]

16 minutes ago, trousers said:

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth conceded more than 60 goals every season during their Premier League tenure, and he's one of the best managers around...

perhaps he's - gasp - become a better manager with unlimited funds

[Midfield_General]

2 hours ago, aintforever said:

Maybe. But whoever he chose would not have been as good as the Palace striker who got the winner. I expect Ivan Toney will be better than whoever he picks on Saturday.

No Premier League manager WANTS to pick Shane Long. I expect he started because Ralph thought Armstong is out of his depth and Broja obviously can't be arsed because he will be back at Chelsea soon.

 

How do you define 'better' though? Natural ability is obviously a major component, but it's still only part of how a player performs, and by extension, how a team performs. 

There are loads of other factors that can make one player look 'better' than another - i.e. better coached, better tactically deployed, better motivated, better fitness levels, better utilised to play to their strengths, etc - and that's all down to how the manager and his support staff work with them, not just the natural talent or attributes that player was born with. 

Edited 4 May, 2022 by Midfield_General

[Wade Garrett]

I reckon his poor decisions have led to him losing the dressing room. 
 

[Alan Sugarfree]

1 hour ago, Diabolus Ex Machina said:

If he knew our problems he'd make a concerted effort to sort our defensive frailties out - Conceding 60+ every season so far (and only 2 goals off of repeating it this year) when the last time prior to his management was our first season back with Kelvin Davis, Jos Hooiveld and Danny fox getting significant minutes, isn't a great look. A defensive focus has worked for Wolves and to a lesser extent Brighton this season. Besides, even when he's had a 20 goal season from a striker he's not managed a top half finish. Add in the points lost from leading positions and that I believe we've conceded the most goals from set pieces this season then it's not hard to see where the problems really lie.

That's not to say we can't improve in other areas - all our strikers have been off form for a while now and the fact that Redmond is our leading assister still having not got one since January is pretty damning, but the defensive issues have been here from the start and never addressed. It might not be as attractive to watch (the 'undeniable' right way to play I guess) but it's damn important if you want to be winning games.

Ralph would turn a 20 goal a season striker into one who’d struggle to get into double figures with the way we play. We could have the Harry Kane when he was on top of his game in our current team and he’d struggle as there’s no inventiveness in our play. It’s slow and predictable. Check back, pass back and across, eventually lose possession. 

[sydenhamssocks]

2 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

The Palace team just showed how desperately lacking in quality we are over all. The fact that Ralph was getting blasted by many for NOT picking a striker who has two goals this season, most recently in November, speaks volumes about where we really are.

Same as Long ! 

[Dman]

2 hours ago, aintforever said:

Maybe. But whoever he chose would not have been as good as the Palace striker who got the winner. I expect Ivan Toney will be better than whoever he picks on Saturday.

 

 

Aye? What relevance has that got on who Ralph selects?
 

Reality is, Broja and Armstrong are both better than Long. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, Dman said:

Aye? What relevance has that got on who Ralph selects?
 

Reality is, Broja and Armstrong are both better than Long. 

They both should be better finishers. However, as someone posted, Broja seems to be happy to have next season mapped out and Armstrong has struggled, and there may be other things going on from issues settling to the club perhaps looking to move him on.

All speculation above, but Long gives a consistent game, although not likely to have any goals in it. Ralph went with that option, along with Adams. A performance he could count on. I would still have still picked either of the other two, but I can understand why he went the way he did.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

I could well imagine that Ralph prefers Long's pressing to Broja's and AA's, and that is his top priority

[Convict Colony]

9 hours ago, Turkish said:

He had a striker on the bench who scored 28 goals in the championship last season that has barely had a kick since christmas and another striker on the bench who only a few months ago people were saying was a sure starter for Chelsea next season, maybe he's picking the wrong players?

We could have benezma, mbappe or haaland up top but they would all struggle to get 10-15 goals a season with the chances our team provides.

[The Kraken]

10 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

We could have benezma, mbappe or haaland up top but they would all struggle to get 10-15 goals a season with the chances our team provides.

Rubbish. JWP has got 9 goals from a deep sitting midfield position.

[Convict Colony]

8 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Rubbish. JWP has got 9 goals from a deep sitting midfield position.

The reason i gave forwards names is to effect the argument that it is the goalscoring from the forwards and the quality of chances that they get given from our no.10s that is one of our major problems offensively.  JWP is having a bumper season no doubt (4 freekicks) but him and Rom in midfield is not a problem, its the no.10's, maybe a striker and another CB.

Edited 4 May, 2022 by Convict Colony

[Chez]

6 hours ago, Alan Sugarfree said:

We could have the Harry Kane when he was on top of his game in our current team and he’d struggle as there’s no inventiveness in our play. It’s slow and predictable. Check back, pass back and across, eventually lose possession. 

some of that is down to the fact we don't have top class attacking players. Players with genuine ability on the ball, and effortless and amazing first touches that allow them to exploit weaknesses in opponents. We have far too many players that are OK, like Ely and Redmond, who can keep the ball, but they don't have the combination of pace, skills and touch to do more. It's all about player quality. Ours are OK. But the slight mis control, the slightly underweighted pass, the lack of electric pace, the slow thought process... those fractions add up. We have to acquire more quality, on the pitch and then, whoever is the manager, must do more with it. 

[captainchris]

20 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

I don’t think it’s particularly fair to say Adam Armstrong has been a terrible signing. In order to be classed as poor he needs to play more than five minutes.

Broja has probably had as many poor games as Armstrong but because he scored a few goals in a purple patch over the winter he’s seen as classes above. He’s been poor recently and still largely kept his place, aside from a couple of Shane Long appearances.

——

But back to Ralph.

This is HIS squad now, there is no more deadwood, and the players you’d have classed as deadwood this season have again largely played (Forster and Ely).

There is no real excuse. We are still a poor team, there is little to no leadership and there isn’t a strong mentality, or a proactive was to changing formations/tactics. How many times this season have we cried out for another player in midfield like an AM? Many. But no he persists with two up top and the wingers and full backs player in the same place high up the pitch leaving the defence exposed.

He won’t get sacked, nor will he leave. But this window has got to be crucial now, because Fulham and Bournemouth next season will not be pushovers, and I can see the other teams that have been poor such as Leeds, Brentford etc having more fight than us.

Exactly. We are over run in midfield and also exposed defensively almost every game and what does Ralph do ?

Like a mad dog he runs round in faster and faster circles chasing his tail still expecting to catch it and never twigging the problem. It’s like playing with ten men every game with Ralph’s one trick pony tactics. Our two midfielders are shot after half time, our defence even more exposed and Ralph does nothing ! 
Sorry but Ralph has lost both the players and most supporters with his lack of recognition of the state of play on the football pitch and after listening to the owner at the awards it sounded as though he is less than impressed himself…… Indeed I hope he is pissed off because Ralph plays more repeats than the BBC!

 

[Chris cooper]

You can’t defend Ralph wen he came out and said he’s walking away in 18 months .. bang in the middle of a season he has derailed everything at saints including himself.

He doesn’t understand the English mentality and you can see this in his stupidly timed honesty in interviews. Hangs players out to dry and won’t admit to shit tactics and clueless substitutions ..stubbornly stupid and overly emotional coach. .. I mean ..fucking crying at klopps feet Ffs 🤦‍♂️ and getting moist around pep. 2 9 nils and now a 6 nil tonking along with a list of record defeats in a row the lists go on and on ! 
…and there’s still fans on here supporting him Ffs 🤦‍♂️ 

Steve cooper would drool over our academy and get some possession based football back on the agenda and stop with this shit 4-2-2-2 bollox..did incredible at Swansea bringing their youth through and took forest from bottom 3 to nearly automatic promotion to the prem .. still think forest will win the playoffs tho so he won’t come here anyway unfortunately.

[Neef]

The reality is you look at how much we've spent in comparison to those we are competing with - Palace, Villa, Newcastle, even Leeds, where we are kind of makes sense. We've been tredding water for the last 3/4 years.

Ralph is of course not perfect, but he's been operating on a shoe string, and that reflects in the quality of the squad.

Every half decent team has a great spine - and yet for us, we have a major lack of quality in key positions: GK, CB, and upfront. If we're to push to another level, we need the funds to address the core issues in the squad. Palace are a great example for me. They were able to sign a very good young CB in Guehi last summer for a price just above our transfer limit at the time. That is the type of young but quality players we need to really strengthen and push on. We instead signed Lyanco - who althought I like, is not showing that he is in that bracket.

The budget has really affected us in attack too. We've been able to kind of get by with bargains in other areas of the pitch - KWP, Tino, Diallo, Perraud etc, as your money tends to go further in those positions. But great #10s and strikers will always come at a premium, and for a few years we haven't been able to afford that premium. It means we don't have a player with the attacking quality to regularly change a game or be decisive in the fine margins matches are often settled on - 'X Factor' players like a Zaha, Coutinho, Saint Maxim, Richarlison etc. We had Ings, but of course had to let him go, and clearly haven't had the money to go and find another player of that ilk. Broja has looked like he could be that at times - but the fact we had to bring in a 20-year old loan from Chelsea, who had never played in the PL says alot about where we were at. Think the only team really outperforming us when you bring money spent into perspective is Brighton - and even they've gone to £20M for players a handful of times in the past few years.

Next season is the big one for Ralph, as it finally looks like he'll get the backing we need. That's when I'll really be making judgements about whether he is the right man to take us forward.