Ralph Hasenhuttl

[aintforever]

13 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Aribo played out of position and looked about the only player we had who was capable of keeping the ball. If there was a MOTM vote I’d give it to him, he looked alright even though the tactical decision to put him on for Diallo at CM was way off.

Mara got twenty minutes, he didn’t do very much but at least made sure that the shots on goal total wasn’t zero.

Edozie got ten minutes, hardly surprising for a young lad in a side that had a complete mare that he didn’t get into it.

Fair points, though I though KWP and both centre backs were by far our best players tonight.

My point is that no one came off the bench and made us better, we spent a shit load of cash in the summer but only Ketchup and the keeper were deemed good enough to start from the new signings. That is a big problem, especially when they are not considered better that Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong and Mo. If we had signed anyone half decent they would walk into the side ahead of that lot regardless of who’s manager.

 

 

 

[Saint Keef]

I'm actually wondering if Ralph has had enough. He doesn't look happy. He won't want to walk away of his own volition because he won't get any compensation. He has already intimated he will retire soon. It's almost like he's waiting to be sacked, collect his compensation - meaning he'll probably never have to work again and then disappear from the whole football scene into retirement.

Unless I misheard him before tonight's match, he said something like his players don't need motivating. Well I've got news for you Ralph - they do!!!! And with his whole current demeanor, I'm not sure he has actually got it in him to motivate them.

From someone who has until now, wanted to keep Ralph, I'm afraid it's time for a new face, new ideas and a fresh approach 'cos whatever he's doing ain't working. The team and he, look completely bereft of ideas.  

[The Kraken]

Just now, aintforever said:

Fair points, though I though KWP and both centre backs were by far our best players tonight.

My point is that no one came off the bench and made us better, we spent a shit load of cash in the summer but only Ketchup and the keeper were deemed good enough to start from the new signings. That is a big problem, especially when they are not considered better that Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong and Mo. If we had signed anyone half decent they would walk into the side ahead of that lot regardless of who’s manager.

I agree it’s a problem, but not necessarily that the new players aren’t better than our starting XI. Joe Aribo is a pick every time imo, and Mara needs much more game time. We’ve fucked ourselves by losing Romeu and Romeo, we have no proper holding CM, although Christ knows what’s going on with AMN, sounds very suspicious to me. Edozie should only be an impact sub for a while.

But not signing a centre forward was a glaring fuck up that literally everyone including the club said was a priority. So, yes, the recruitment was far from ideal.

The only place we looked reasonable tonight was defensively, but even that wasn’t great.

I think we’ve signed some decent players but playing Djenepo, Elmo and Armstrong is weak management, they should not be starting.

[saint1977]

1 hour ago, Saint Keef said:

I'm actually wondering if Ralph has had enough. He doesn't look happy. He won't want to walk away of his own volition because he won't get any compensation. He has already intimated he will retire soon. It's almost like he's waiting to be sacked, collect his compensation - meaning he'll probably never have to work again and then disappear from the whole football scene into retirement.

Unless I misheard him before tonight's match, he said something like his players don't need motivating. Well I've got news for you Ralph - they do!!!! And with his whole current demeanor, I'm not sure he has actually got it in him to motivate them.

From someone who has until now, wanted to keep Ralph, I'm afraid it's time for a new face, new ideas and a fresh approach 'cos whatever he's doing ain't working. The team and he, look completely bereft of ideas.  

Yep, wants to go and retire, get pay off. SR will balk at the lay off cost but the club will finish 19th or 20th with him in charge and relegation is far more expensive to fix. So push the button this weekend and time for new manager bounce v Everton. Doesn’t mean staying up but it would least offer some chance as opposed to 0%.

All of the fans backing him on here said it would be different with the energetic younger squad he wanted, big net outlay. Well, sorry lads, that was the same insipid sideways and backwards shit with Ely and all of his favourites when he had other options. Even you can’t credibly defend him after that. 

Sacking him this weekend is the last realistic opportunity for survival this season. People on here are talking about him having until the WC - far, far too late, that’s Wigley/Redknapp territory. That’s accepting the drop as unavoidable.

We can only assume if he’s still here for the next game that SR are prepared to fully accept and underwrite the risk trying to come back from the Championship first bounce with the parachute money if Ralph is still there after the international break. It can be the only other reason along with the payoff cost.

They or Semmens really must be desperate to hold onto him like that, every other club in the top two divisions would have pulled the trigger. Even fucking Les Reed did on Pellegrino (6 months too late) and tonight was every bit as bad as anything we saw under him. Boardroom totally lacking in drive and direction.

Edited 17 September, 2022 by saint1977

[Saint Fan CaM]

It’s time for him to go - his managerial performance since halfway through last season has been terrible. I truly believe there’s a better squad in there if only they were managed and coached properly. Need to go back to basics of a 442 or better still a 433.

[OttawaSaint]

Perfect time to make him walk the plank. Get the new manager in for October. Then let these kids play FFS!

[adrian lord]

The game’s up. New squad of young talent yet the same vapid, anaemic performances; incoherent selections, and baffling substitutions. 

[Colinjb]

What has he been doing for the last two weeks to make us worse!? 

Get him out. 

[AlexLaw76]

3 wins in 19, lost the most premier league games in 2022 behind Watford and Everton. Another record achieved about conceding goals in consecutive games. Significant transfer spend, yet nothing what do ever has changed. Shambles of a pre season, hilarious team selections, and we are now a hoof-ball side. 

absolutely stunned he is still our manager, and that people continue to back him.  
 

If we carry on like this, some of our young players will be destroyed. We are seeing Bazunu regress into Angus Gunn already!

Edited 17 September, 2022 by AlexLaw76

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, Colinjb said:

What has he been doing for the last two weeks to make us worse!? 

 

Being Ralph. 

Edited 17 September, 2022 by Lord Duckhunter

[Wade Garrett]

I hate the sideways backwards possession game.  It seems our only alternative to that is a hoof to their keeper.

Would love to see Ralph go, but can’t see it happening.  It seems SR are under his spell.

[Give it to Ron]

I hate picking on players but Ely has started 7 games on the trot.

I saw one reason against United because he was stopping Eriksen having space to play . He did ok but how has he started and stayed on when others are clearly playing better?

One good passage of play last night a 1-2 with Moussa that was his whole contribution yet on (he didn’t play he nearly did) for 70+ .

[Wade Garrett]

“We need more punch up front and will have to find the players to do so”.

Fucking he’ll Ralph, you won’t find them with Moi on the pitch and our wingers playing as 2nd full-backs.

Am hoping the club have the balls to get rid.  Total charlatan.

[whelk]

Must assume SR have got their eyes on a number of progressive coaches to come straight in when they pull the trigger. Wolves and Villa both been.shit and we barely created a chance against either. I assume out xG yesterday was O.00?

Dire depressing shite

[AlexLaw76]

May as well get Sean Dyche

 

[BotleySaint]

Stats speak for themselves. Time for a change. 

[Sheaf Saint]

Perhaps it's time for a new poll on sacking or keeping him. Will be interesting to see how far he has pushed the fanbase.

Edited 17 September, 2022 by Sheaf Saint

[Francis1947]

I wrote a post last night after watching the match on the telly and I was angry at the sheer ineptitude of the Saints performance last night.

We can all question Ralphs selections and his substititions. This has been going on for a very long time.

Last night I seriously questioned Ralphs coaching ability. The man is paid 7 million pounds a year and it seems to me that the PR that surrounds him, tries to convince us that he is a fine coach with a " playbook " that he has devised over the years that adapts to how a game develops.

I went on to mention one simple thing that happened last night and has been used for most of last season.....the infamous Salisu throw ins !!!! That to me doesn't look to me to be any part of a innovative and adaptable coaching system as it never changes, despite it getting us nowhere.

May I point out another thing that happened in last nights game. Maybe 6 or 7 times Villa either had a free kick or a corner. Each time they put upTyrone Mings and each time Bazunu managed to catch the ball.

On each occasion Bazunu feinted to clear the ball quicky. Mings is out of postion surely....so the Ralphs coaching playbook should surely have dictated that this would be the time to hit them on the break. Isnt this sort of thing what they discuss and plan at Staplewood in the days leading up to the game.  Havent they videos of Villa constantly doing this, of using Mings when they have a corner ! Other teams have done this to us in the last 2 seasons when we have thrown both centre halves up at a corner, they have broken away and scored. We have all seen it at St.Marys !

However every bloody time, Bazunu did not take that option. After 30/40 seconds of faffing around, he rolled the ball to one of the central defenders who went up the pitch 30 yards....who then passed sideways to his mate....who then passed it back to Bazunu...who then hoofed the ball up to Adams, who by then was marked up by Mings who had got back in position.....and the opportunity was lost....again !!!!

Now does that look to anyone on here an example of fluid imaginative coaching that takes an opportunity to attack when the opposition isnt settled.  It certainly doesnt to me. 

I have been a modest supporter of Ralphs in the past. However last night was a turning point for me. The side looked utterly rudderless last night, bereft of any ideasor tactics. Maybe it is time for him to go. 

 

[nta786]

8 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Perhaps it's time for a mew poll on sacking or keeping him. Will be interesting to see how far he has pushed the fanbase.

Problem is we fans are fickle.

We beat Chelsea and suddenly the window is rated 8/10, Ralph is amazing and has learnt from all of his mistakes.

Lose two games and now he’s the worst manager in the PL and we are definitely going down.

I think right time to do a poll and come to a conclusion is up until the World Cup, as personally if I was to pull the trigger it would be then. 

[skintsaint]

35 minutes ago, Francis1947 said:

Now does that look to anyone on here an example of fluid imaginative coaching that takes an opportunity to attack when the opposition isnt settled.  It certainly doesnt to me. 

Funnily enough when RH turned up he was lauded for his quick turnaround from defence to attack in a few passes but that seems to have gone.

[ally_uk]

I echo the above sentiments I don't rate him at all. Baffling tactical decisions seems to have a massive ego aswell.  

Get rid aswell as Ely and Diallo 👍  both are nit up to it this level 

[Give it to Ron]

If Ralph is a good coach why did we have JWP marking Mings at corners?

[saintant]

1 hour ago, skintsaint said:

Funnily enough when RH turned up he was lauded for his quick turnaround from defence to attack in a few passes but that seems to have gone.

Not really, he's reduced it from a few passes to one - ie a big lump forward 🙂

[SaintZamboni]

The most frustrating thing for me is that there was a period where Saints would go out in the first half and blow teams away. We’d be all over teams, registering 15/20 shots and looking thoroughly up for it and dangerous as heck. Sure, we then ran out of puff and lost a lot in the second half but now we’re looking more organized we have lost that dynamism.

Why can’t we do a bit of both? Why is it all or nothing? 

[CB Fry]

2 hours ago, nta786 said:

Problem is we fans are fickle.

We beat Chelsea and suddenly the window is rated 8/10, Ralph is amazing and has learnt from all of his mistakes.

Lose two games and now he’s the worst manager in the PL and we are definitely going down.

I think right time to do a poll and come to a conclusion is up until the World Cup, as personally if I was to pull the trigger it would be then. 

I don't think the issue the the fans. 3 wins in 18 or whatever it is is an appalling record. That is not the fans fault.

We were utterly dreadful yesterday with those supposed fickle fans almost universally predicting a win.

Saints being woeful yesterday is not the "problem" of fickle fans. How is it their fault?

How about don't be terrible? How about that.

[Wurzel]

29 minutes ago, SaintZamboni said:

The most frustrating thing for me is that there was a period where Saints would go out in the first half and blow teams away. We’d be all over teams, registering 15/20 shots and looking thoroughly up for it and dangerous as heck. Sure, we then ran out of puff and lost a lot in the second half but now we’re looking more organized we have lost that dynamism.

Why can’t we do a bit of both? Why is it all or nothing? 

 

And now, if/when we do run out of puff we can use 5 subs. It's like that rule change was made for our tactics. Yet we seem to do the opposite, play it slow and steady and suddenly decide to go for it when there's too little time left.

[MarkSFC]

Clearly SR are willing to invest in the squad to ensure survival and even prosperity. Keeping Ralph at the helm threatens that more than not signing a class forward. 

Time to go. Get someone with fresh energy and ideas who will harness the talents we now have. And quick. 

[SaintsLoyal]

Another performance like that in the next couple of games and he has to go.

[nta786]

1 hour ago, CB Fry said:

I don't think the issue the the fans. 3 wins in 18 or whatever it is is an appalling record. That is not the fans fault.

We were utterly dreadful yesterday with those supposed fickle fans almost universally predicting a win.

Saints being woeful yesterday is not the "problem" of fickle fans. How is it their fault?

How about don't be terrible? How about that.

I meant in the context of doing a poll.

If we do a poll now, it would probably be Ralph out. 
If we did the poll on the night after the Chelsea game, it would likely be Ralph in. 
 

I’m not blaming the fans for our rut, if anything we are the last people to blame for being crap.

[manji]

It was a dreadful game. Everyone has picking on Mo but the most worrying thing was how poor Prowesy was.

The other observation is Ralph has a good team of assistants , the amount of times you saw him talking to himself.

sorry thoughts of the game are coming to me.

a lack of striker. Clearly we knew we were desperate for a striker. With our team of scouts and analysts surely we should have had a shortlist.

just as an example Antonio Colak £1.12m Rangers six goals in six games including European matches.

[OttawaSaint]

Fuck, he's still here then?

 

Was hoping to wake up to good news.

[Undertow]

I've given Ralph the benefit of doubt for a long time but last night's team selection and tactics left me baffled. A fresh start with a new manager might be what we need right now. Imagine the return of El Poch! 

[RedArmy]

9 hours ago, Colinjb said:

What has he been doing for the last two weeks to make us worse!? 

Get him out. 

Lost his best player to injury? 
 

I am far from a Ralph fan but his system does not work without a player like Lavia/Romeu in the middle. Which is probably why he played Djenepo and Moi thinking they could offer some help defensively. 
 

It’s also not his fault that we decided to buy a load of kids on deadline day rather than be a bit more aggressive in trying to sign the striker we desperately need. 
 

I think he should have gone a long time ago but I don’t think last nights performance is the straw that broke the camels back. 

[kyle04]

We seem to have a big problem in midfield at the moment. Moi clearly is not good enough, JWP looks horribly out of form and Djanepo is unreliable. the last 2 games have been awful, 2 shots on target total, against quite poor opposition. Everton are another side struggling, yet to win PL game, I can guess how that will end. The failure to motivate a team and make impactful changes after a poor 1st half in both games is worrying. Ralph looks jaded and disinterested to me, I think he's waiting for the bullet and his pay off, 3 wins in 19 would spell the end for most managers. I think he'll be sacked at some point, question is how long do SR leave it?

[captainchris]

15 hours ago, The Kraken said:

I agree it’s a problem, but not necessarily that the new players aren’t better than our starting XI. Joe Aribo is a pick every time imo, and Mara needs much more game time. We’ve fucked ourselves by losing Romeu and Romeo, we have no proper holding CM, although Christ knows what’s going on with AMN, sounds very suspicious to me. Edozie should only be an impact sub for a while.

But not signing a centre forward was a glaring fuck up that literally everyone including the club said was a priority. So, yes, the recruitment was far from ideal.

The only place we looked reasonable tonight was defensively, but even that wasn’t great.

I think we’ve signed some decent players but playing Djenepo, Elmo and Armstrong is weak management, they should not be starting.

Even if we signed a decent centre forward and he played well Ralph would definitely drop him next game!  
That team he picked last night was totally bizarre and it’s not the first time, it’s actually nearly every time! 
Ralph is pig headed and it’s hurting us.

[Dellman]

16 minutes ago, kyle04 said:

We seem to have a big problem in midfield at the moment. Moi clearly is not good enough, JWP looks horribly out of form and Djanepo is unreliable. the last 2 games have been awful, 2 shots on target total, against quite poor opposition. Everton are another side struggling, yet to win PL game, I can guess how that will end. The failure to motivate a team and make impactful changes after a poor 1st half in both games is worrying. Ralph looks jaded and disinterested to me, I think he's waiting for the bullet and his pay off, 3 wins in 19 would spell the end for most managers. I think he'll be sacked at some point, question is how long do SR leave it?

 

yes we've got a problem in midfield but nothing like as big as our problem up front--no shots on goal and no one who can win a header if we do get as cross in. Suddenly our defence is our strongest part---so that is progress

[Mr X]

5 minutes ago, Dellman said:

 

yes we've got a problem in midfield but nothing like as big as our problem up front--no shots on goal and no one who can win a header if we do get as cross in. Suddenly our defence is our strongest part---so that is progress

A defence that still hasn't kept many clean sheets think the last one was in the cup ages ago 

[saintscottofthenortham]

Utterly done with this clown. The odd big result means nothing when he just cannot see what his own best XI is. He consistently makes utterly baffling decisions both with his team selection and in-game management, and that tells all we need to know.

I switched off at half-time last night... Something I've never ever done. And I did so with every confidence that it wasn't going to change. Flicking onto Sky Sports app for score update to see Elyounoussi still on the pitch after nearly 80 minutes was the final straw, whilst he takes off Che.

Fraudster.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, SaintsLoyal said:

Another performance like that in the next couple of games and he has to go.

If that's the criteria he might as well go now then.

[Pamplemousse]

2 hours ago, MarkSFC said:

Clearly SR are willing to invest in the squad to ensure survival and even prosperity. Keeping Ralph at the helm threatens that more than not signing a class forward. 

Time to go. Get someone with fresh energy and ideas who will harness the talents we now have. And quick. 

Sorry but I keep seeing this argument and it's absolute nonsense, given we haven't been relegated under him in his years in charge here.

[pimpin4rizeal]

Haven’t been a fan of him for a while but I do prefer the way we are now setting up more solid.. previously we look soft as shit under him. So at least setting us up hard to beat is an improvement..

but just wish he would pick creative players. That actually are exciting and can create something… I mean would anyone really pick moi thinking yeah he’s gonna unlock defences, beat players and create chances.. come on Ralph why can’t you see this.. edozie looked more exciting in 15 mins against wolves then moi has all season.. 

it’s fine to set up solid but pick actual creative players as your tens 

[Maggie May]

Lose to Everton and he’s gone IMO. Can’t see the new owners giving him the time he’s been afforded before.

[saintant]

13 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

Lose to Everton and he’s gone IMO. Can’t see the new owners giving him the time he’s been afforded before.

I think he's been bullet proof because Semmens ran things for Gao and would never have sacked his pal Ralph. The new owners are likely to take a far less tolerant view of poor results because relegation will seriously damage their ambitions for the project they've undertaken. Semmens will not be able to save Ralph's skin now.

[Whitey Grandad]

2 hours ago, Mr X said:

A defence that still hasn't kept many clean sheets think the last one was in the cup ages ago 

Cambridge United away.

Yes, I know they don’t count.

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, Maggie May said:

Lose to Everton and he’s gone IMO. Can’t see the new owners giving him the time he’s been afforded before.

They should be more decisive than that in my opinion.

[Forester]

I think we are approaching the lethal phase for Ralph, namely the next four games.  Clearly no one expects anything at City, albeit it happened last year, but around that match we have Everton, Wet Spam and Bournemouth.  I think we need to win two of those games, and if we do will be on at least 13 points from 11 games, which is “keeping your head above water” territory.

If we don’t, with games against Arsenal and Liverpool to come before the World Cup I think the owners will pull the trigger.  It’s a truism that owners who give you money to spend are normally more demanding than those who don’t.  I cannot imagine they will accept going into the World Cup on less than a point per game and it is very obviously the natural time to get a new boss in.

[Lighthouse]

“Adam’s has to start, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”Play Perraud - a LB at LB - FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”Ditch the five at the back, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”ABK has to start ahead of Valery, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”McCarthy needs dropping, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

etc.

Strangely, all these obvious choices people were demanding he made didn’t seem to make us any better.

I think people need to accept that 7 points from those 7 fixtures is about a par score for Saints. We look better than last year overall, but £70m isn’t going to turn that team into world beaters.

[Wade Garrett]

5 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

“Adam’s has to start, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”Play Perraud - a LB at LB - FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”Ditch the five at the back, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”ABK has to start ahead of Valery, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

”McCarthy needs dropping, FFS Ralph it’s so obvious!”

etc.

Strangely, all these obvious choices people were demanding he made didn’t seem to make us any better.

I think people need to accept that 7 points from those 7 fixtures is about a par score for Saints. We look better than last year overall, but £70m isn’t going to turn that team into world beaters.

What absolute bollocks.

[Lord Duckhunter]

17 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

 

I think people need to accept that 7 points from those 7 fixtures 

Why do you persist with this pony “those fixtures” as if they’re tough. Chelsea were such a shambles they sacked their manager, Utd got dicked by Brentford & Brighton, Villa are shiete, Leicester have pretty much lost every fucking league game so far, and wolves have only won a league game because they played us. That leaves Leeds, who aren’t exactly world beater and spurs. One good side, one. Contrast that with Bournemouth who’ve played Man C, Liverpool, Arsenal & city and still have 1 more point than us. We’ve had a pretty fucking easy fixture list, 7 points from those games at the times they were played, is not “par”, far from it. 

Edited 17 September, 2022 by Lord Duckhunter

[Lighthouse]

4 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Why do you persist with this pony “those fixtures” as if they’re tough. Chelsea were such a shambles they sacked their manager, Utd got dicked by Brentford & Brighton, Villa are shiete, Leicester have pretty much lost every fucking league game so far, and wolves have only won a league game because they played us. That leaves Leeds, who aren’t exactly world beater and spurs. One good side, one. Contrast that with Bournemouth who’ve played Man C, Liverpool, Arsenal & city and still have 1 more point than us. We’ve had a pretty fucking easy fixture list, 7 points from those games at the times they were played, is not “par”, far from it. 

So because we’ve spent £70m we really should be expecting to beat the likes of Man United and Chelsea?

Strange how everyone we play has been, “sh*te,” and we get zero credit for making the look bad. Villa have a bunch of £30m players, double what we’ve spent on any of our team, but we should just beat them because you said so?

Results like Villa and Wolves happen, they were away games against competent opponents, which could have gone either way. The time to start losing sleep is when you go to Bournemouth or Fulham and are 3-0 down at half time.