Ralph Hasenhuttl

[Sideways Jim]

He just said we left everything on the pitch!! 

 

I must of had the wrong game on, how he can make a comment like that after that performance is shocking! 

 

Not a shot on target in an fa cup semis final

[bangkoksaint]

Several are saying it............get a poll up

[Badger]

25 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

If only we hadn't sacked Puel eh...

I don't blame Ralph, I blame the players. They didn't show up. I think mentally our team has been weak for some time and we need to get rid of most of them.

You can't always blame the manager...

Agree to a point, but it remains the manager's job to motivate .. and determine the tactics. He's falling down on both of those counts at the moment.

That said I can't see anyone else doing much better with the feeble squad at his disposal.

I fear who those calling for him to go want as a replacement, Eddie (???) for example !!!

The  rudderless direction starts at the top and until Gao goes there will be little improvement, if anything it'll go further down the toilet.

[saint lard]

I want him gone 

these last few games of the season are going to be utterly crap.

I wager we are going to be much worse during the run in.  
just want the season over. 

[S-Clarke]

4 minutes ago, Sideways Jim said:

He just said we left everything on the pitch!! 

 

I must of had the wrong game on, how he can make a comment like that after that performance is shocking! 

 

Not a shot on target in an fa cup semis final

Probably everything on the pitch in terms of aimless running, energy, running stats etc. We just don't have the quality to play the way he wants IMO.

The club either backs him or we go in another direction, as this group are not suited to play his way over any prolonged period in my opinion.

[The Cat]

The problem is we are playing a style that's not suited to our squad. If we aren't going to back him and sign players that will make it work then nothing changes.

I don't think he'll leave. We probably can't afford to sack him and therefore we are stuck like this for a while. 

[aintforever]

Our squad is just shite, don’t think changing the manager will make much difference.

[Useful Idiot]

I honestly don't know what style our squad is suited to.

We lack a playmaker and we don't really have anyone other than Romeu who can win the ball back in the middle. We don't have anyone who can operate as a Pelle/Lambert style target man so we can't really expect to score from many crosses, so we don't have an effective plan B for when things aren't working. We have no pace or leadership at the back, and there is pretty much nobody with the determination to try to lift the team when we need to go up a gear.

Overall, we have a pretty poor squad who bottle big games, and they have a habit of downing tools as soon as anything goes against them.

[saint77]

38 minutes ago, Badger said:

Agree to a point, but it remains the manager's job to motivate .. and determine the tactics. He's falling down on both of those counts at the moment.

That said I can't see anyone else doing much better with the feeble squad at his disposal.

I fear who those calling for him to go want as a replacement, Eddie (???) for example !!!

The  rudderless direction starts at the top and until Gao goes there will be little improvement, if anything it'll go further down the toilet.

Nail on head 

[Nemi]

1 hour ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

The moment I saw Redmond's name on the team sheet I knew Ralph has to go. Has he not learnt anything?

I guess the option is play Redmond who rarely produces or play another one of our attackers who rarely produce.

[Mr X]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Game after game after game, we have zero creativity, never look like scoring, give away easy goals and are a delight to play against. The manger seems totally unable to recognise this or make a change. 

He's got the rest of the season to show some improvement or I think no one could criticise him being sacked at this point. 

I thought we'd actually turn up for this cup semi final game... How wrong was I. 

Ralph thinks we did turn up not only that that "we left everything we could on the pitch' he was proud of the performance 

[Christophenburg]

If Ralph told the lads in the dressing room that they'd "left everything on the pitch" then that's probably part of the problem

[Suhari]

5 minutes ago, Christophenburg said:

If Ralph told the lads in the dressing room that they'd "left everything on the pitch" then that's probably part of the problem

Perhaps they did?

Their pride, dignity and love of the club. (If they had any!)

[JustinSFC]

If the club at board level, have a fairly decent idea who the new owners are going to be (or at least who the front runners are) I would honestly sack him now and get someone else in.

Give him the last few games to see who he wants, sell the rest.

Going into next season with Ralph is a massive gamble now, unless the new owners have enough money to take the gamble.

It all hinges on who buys us.

But Ralph has been here 3 years. THREE.

It just hasn't been anywhere near good enough and if Arsenal hadn't played virtually their fucking youth team in our FA cup tie, we wouldn't have been here today.

 

[MarkSFC]

I do think it's time for Ralph to leave. I don't think it's all his fault. I think the second 9-0 defeat has completely knocked the stuffing put of the players and the club. The subsequent performances suggest that players are just trying to hang on rather than what happened after the Leicester one and the fighting spirit.

It looks to me like everyone is just done. I think we are in a worse position psychologically than even a relegated team would be. 

Time for big changes. 

[Lighthouse]

1 hour ago, aintforever said:

Our squad is just shite, don’t think changing the manager will make much difference.

It’s been the same sh*te for five years under four managers now, so that about sums it up for me too. Should Ralph be doing better? Absolutely, but I can’t imagine anyone within our budget would do an awful lot better. When you consider players like Redmond, Bednarek, Long and Stephens have been perennial for most of that time...

[Lee On Solent Saint]

37 minutes ago, JustinSFC said:

If the club at board level, have a fairly decent idea who the new owners are going to be (or at least who the front runners are) I would honestly sack him now and get someone else in.

Give him the last few games to see who he wants, sell the rest.

Going into next season with Ralph is a massive gamble now, unless the new owners have enough money to take the gamble.

It all hinges on who buys us.

But Ralph has been here 3 years. THREE.

It just hasn't been anywhere near good enough and if Arsenal hadn't played virtually their fucking youth team in our FA cup tie, we wouldn't have been here today.

 

Is there really any firm interest in us though? Are we too much of a risk for any potential buyer?

[Harry_SFC]

35 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

It’s been the same sh*te for five years under four managers now, so that about sums it up for me too. Should Ralph be doing better? Absolutely, but I can’t imagine anyone within our budget would do an awful lot better. When you consider players like Redmond, Bednarek, Long and Stephens have been perennial for most of that time...

I'd agree with this. Ralph clearly has his faults and he seems to have lost the plot a little but if we're being honest the squad is very average. 

[Mr X]

7 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

I'd agree with this. Ralph clearly has his faults and he seems to have lost the plot a little but if we're being honest the squad is very average. 

It is indeed average but we still shouldn't be losing 9-0 twice and multiple 3-0 plus defeats literally no one else has achieved that and you can't blame it all on having crap players we've had much worse players and not crumbled to two 9-0 defeats and many more performances where we simply haven't turned up at all! Yesterday really did sum us up & the way Ralph sets us up is very risky he sticks to his plan no mattter what and doesn't adapt and hasn't installed that never say die attitude & work ethic in the players what so ever.  

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Hopefully Ralph's booked in to attend...

 

[Mr X]

7 minutes ago, Ivan Katalinic's 'tache said:

Hopefully Ralph's booked in to attend...

 

He won't attend as he believes he is the real author of rewriting the playbook 

[JustinSFC]

11 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Is there really any firm interest in us though? Are we too much of a risk for any potential buyer?

Personally I don't know any more than anyone else, but the club's been up for sale for 2 years give or take.

They would have an idea at least of who is lurking around.

Ralph's recent comment about planning for another 3 years suggests Ralph probably knows aswell.

[whelk]

Lined up as Mourinho replacement surely?

[Whitey Grandad]

2 minutes ago, whelk said:

Lined up as Mourinho replacement surely?

With Mourinho coming here?

[JustinSFC]

4 minutes ago, whelk said:

Lined up as Mourinho replacement surely?

With all this shit with Flick wanting out at Bayern I reckon levy wants Nagelsmann before Bayern go for him.

It won't be Ralph.

But if Ralph went to Bayern (lol), I wouldn't object because we'd get massive compo.

Edited 19 April, 2021 by JustinSFC

[the saint in winchester]

Breaking news : Tottenham (reportedly, allegedly) just sacked Mourinho. They don't hang around when something isn't working, although they can afford to take decisive action. We can't.

[JustinSFC]

10 minutes ago, the saint in winchester said:

Breaking news : Tottenham (reportedly, allegedly) just sacked Mourinho. They don't hang around when something isn't working, although they can afford to take decisive action. We can't.

Spurs are in debt up to their eyeballs with that stadium and sacking Jose will cost them a fortune.

It's something like £30m quid I read.

[edprice1984]

15 minutes ago, the saint in winchester said:

Breaking news : Tottenham (reportedly, allegedly) just sacked Mourinho. They don't hang around when something isn't working, although they can afford to take decisive action. We can't.

Although their form and position in the table probably would have been just cause, apparently the reason (A WEEK BEFORE A CUP FINAL!!) was that he refused to take the players out to train in protest at the proposed ESL. Mourinho for all his dickish behaviour over the years I think is a decent bloke at heart and understands what football is and who it is really for. Fair play for sticking with his principles.

[Kenilworthy]

5 minutes ago, edprice1984 said:

Although their form and position in the table probably would have been just cause, apparently the reason (A WEEK BEFORE A CUP FINAL!!) was that he refused to take the players out to train in protest at the proposed ESL. Mourinho for all his dickish behaviour over the years I think is a decent bloke at heart and understands what football is and who it is really for. Fair play for sticking with his principles.

He probably realises that what he did with Porto could never be allowed to happen again

[The Curse of St Mary's]

Ralph's CV is tarnished and any prospect of him managing an "elite" team has evaporated. He will have to work wonders to regain his reputation to a point where he would be considered by top clubs.

[OldNick]

Ralph saying the players have left it all on the pitch has made me question him

[Roo1976]

The club wont get compensation the owner would surley? get Mourinho in now at least he will tell the players in interviews how bad they are then some may realise their time is up.

[sadoldgit]

10 minutes ago, The Curse of St Mary's said:

Ralph's CV is tarnished and any prospect of him managing an "elite" team has evaporated. He will have to work wonders to regain his reputation to a point where he would be considered by top clubs.

 Now watch him turn up at Bayern Munich. He has worked wonders to get an average bunch of players to a semi final and, briefly, to the top of the EPL. Imagine what he could do with a decent squad.

[OldNick]

9 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

 Now watch him turn up at Bayern Munich. He has worked wonders to get an average bunch of players to a semi final and, briefly, to the top of the EPL. Imagine what he could do with a decent squad.

that's a good point

[Useful Idiot]

I wonder if Spurs will be interested in him now?

[Disco Stu]

18 minutes ago, Useful Idiot said:

I wonder if Spurs will be interested in him now?

Given his vocal objection to the super league yesterday, I'd doubt it.

[SaveloyMush]

It is clear that this season cannot be judged like any other, given the wayward performances of all clubs in the Premier League. Manchester City will win, despite not being anywhere near their best and despite playing without a recognised striker half the time. Manchester United are strolling to second, despite being a bit shit, albeit with plenty of goals in the side (who wouldn't when paying Cavani 300 grand a week to come off the bench?). The other top 8 sides are much of a muchness, all lacking in consistency (although Chelsea, under Tuchel, look a frightening prospect now). By their own standards, both Spurs and Liverpool are having a worse season than Southampton. Mourinho was always going to get the push, his appointment was baffling, borne of desperation. I cannot see Liverpool ever sacking Klopp, though he may walk at some point. All clubs have had to contend with a disproportionate number of injuries, due to the compressed nature of the season.

Football, in fact sport in general, has changed so much over the last 20 or so years, given the improvements in sports science. Look at the size of the average player today, compared to 20 or 40 years ago. Adams and Keown would be dwarfed by most defenders, and many attackers, these days. The term "men against boys" is often used; when watching Saints against West Brom, it was entirely valid. Being skilful is no longer enough today; speed and/or size or crucial (yes, Messi is the obvious exception). Herein lies the heart of Southampton's problem, in my view - the squad has no physical presence and simply gets bullied into submission. Vestergaard is huge, but never looks dominant, even against smaller opposition. Salisu is built like a tank but falls over like a dandelion. Somewhat incongruously, given his cultured character, the only hard-man in the Saints squad is Romeu (hard-man in being prepared to match the opposition's physicality, not in a Kray Brothers sense). Yesterday, Jonny Evans, hardly the biggest of defenders, let the Southampton attackers know exactly who was in charge with his aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude. An obvious current Saints nemesis is Michail Antonio, who simply barges his way to scoring at will. Southampton's own Messi is clearly Ings - slight, nippy, skilful, though he seems to have lost interest (honourable mention to Armstrong too, who I believe to be the better player at present).

None of this is exclusively the fault of the current, or indeed a previous, manager - rather the blame lies at the door of those who have recruited such a lightweight (literally) assembly of players over several years. Of course, the new breed of fast, strong, skilful player costs big money. Yet supposedly "lesser" clubs have managed to pack their squads with players who at least can stand up and be counted.

I am now ambivalent about Ralph; he is stubborn to the point of arrogance, although yesterday he did at least try to change things around, albeit later than most of us would have wished. On the other hand, joining the majority of clubs who churn their way through managers hardly seems wise at present (not that Southampton can afford to...). The ruthlessness of Chelsea or the continuity of Liverpool and Arsenal? Manchester United appear to have reverted back to the continuity programme with Ole, after their own period of ruthlessness.

In a sense, all of this is moot, given the parlous state of Southampton FC's finances - although the club is far from alone. It appears with the ESL announcement that football finances are going to get the shake-up that has been long overdue, irrespective of the success or otherwise of the breakaway group. Where that will leave Southampton, with its want-away owner and mounting debts, at a time when a club's value is likely to diminish and revenue reduce, remains to be seen, with or without Ralph.

[JustinSFC]

27 minutes ago, SaveloyMush said:

It is clear that this season cannot be judged like any other, given the wayward performances of all clubs in the Premier League. Manchester City will win, despite not being anywhere near their best and despite playing without a recognised striker half the time. Manchester United are strolling to second, despite being a bit shit, albeit with plenty of goals in the side (who wouldn't when paying Cavani 300 grand a week to come off the bench?). The other top 8 sides are much of a muchness, all lacking in consistency (although Chelsea, under Tuchel, look a frightening prospect now). By their own standards, both Spurs and Liverpool are having a worse season than Southampton. Mourinho was always going to get the push, his appointment was baffling, borne of desperation. I cannot see Liverpool ever sacking Klopp, though he may walk at some point. All clubs have had to contend with a disproportionate number of injuries, due to the compressed nature of the season.

Football, in fact sport in general, has changed so much over the last 20 or so years, given the improvements in sports science. Look at the size of the average player today, compared to 20 or 40 years ago. Adams and Keown would be dwarfed by most defenders, and many attackers, these days. The term "men against boys" is often used; when watching Saints against West Brom, it was entirely valid. Being skilful is no longer enough today; speed and/or size or crucial (yes, Messi is the obvious exception). Herein lies the heart of Southampton's problem, in my view - the squad has no physical presence and simply gets bullied into submission. Vestergaard is huge, but never looks dominant, even against smaller opposition. Salisu is built like a tank but falls over like a dandelion. Somewhat incongruously, given his cultured character, the only hard-man in the Saints squad is Romeu (hard-man in being prepared to match the opposition's physicality, not in a Kray Brothers sense). Yesterday, Jonny Evans, hardly the biggest of defenders, let the Southampton attackers know exactly who was in charge with his aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude. An obvious current Saints nemesis is Michail Antonio, who simply barges his way to scoring at will. Southampton's own Messi is clearly Ings - slight, nippy, skilful, though he seems to have lost interest (honourable mention to Armstrong too, who I believe to be the better player at present).

None of this is exclusively the fault of the current, or indeed a previous, manager - rather the blame lies at the door of those who have recruited such a lightweight (literally) assembly of players over several years. Of course, the new breed of fast, strong, skilful player costs big money. Yet supposedly "lesser" clubs have managed to pack their squads with players who at least can stand up and be counted.

I am now ambivalent about Ralph; he is stubborn to the point of arrogance, although yesterday he did at least try to change things around, albeit later than most of us would have wished. On the other hand, joining the majority of clubs who churn their way through managers hardly seems wise at present (not that Southampton can afford to...). The ruthlessness of Chelsea or the continuity of Liverpool and Arsenal? Manchester United appear to have reverted back to the continuity programme with Ole, after their own period of ruthlessness.

In a sense, all of this is moot, given the parlous state of Southampton FC's finances - although the club is far from alone. It appears with the ESL announcement that football finances are going to get the shake-up that has been long overdue, irrespective of the success or otherwise of the breakaway group. Where that will leave Southampton, with its want-away owner and mounting debts, at a time when a club's value is likely to diminish and revenue reduce, remains to be seen, with or without Ralph.

Good post that.
 

[Mr X]

https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/ralph-hasenhuttl-southampton-leicester-city-5313993. Worrying comments from Ralph he actually believes we played well and couldn't have done anymore, is he trying to convince himself or his employers???

[Super_Uwe]

Our season is pretty much over now. 

Let's see what Ralph can get out of the players for the remainder. Relegation is 99% ruled out now, we are very very unlikely to mount a challenge for the top half either, but I would like to see something positive that better days are ahead.

We know he can get this group of players to be competitive. From late 2019 to autumn 2020, we basically went the equivalent of a whole season running at CL qualifying form! But we have also gone from that to the current slump in form. If that continues we will be relegated next season, simple as that.

[Toussaint]

2 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

 Now watch him turn up at Bayern Munich. He has worked wonders to get an average bunch of players to a semi final and, briefly, to the top of the EPL. Imagine what he could do with a decent squad.

Burn them out?

[SaintsLoyal]

Im going to be generous and say i will see how the next seven games pan out, but hes a dead man walking.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

1 hour ago, SaveloyMush said:

It is clear that this season cannot be judged like any other, given the wayward performances of all clubs in the Premier League. Manchester City will win, despite not being anywhere near their best and despite playing without a recognised striker half the time. Manchester United are strolling to second, despite being a bit shit, albeit with plenty of goals in the side (who wouldn't when paying Cavani 300 grand a week to come off the bench?). The other top 8 sides are much of a muchness, all lacking in consistency (although Chelsea, under Tuchel, look a frightening prospect now). By their own standards, both Spurs and Liverpool are having a worse season than Southampton. Mourinho was always going to get the push, his appointment was baffling, borne of desperation. I cannot see Liverpool ever sacking Klopp, though he may walk at some point. All clubs have had to contend with a disproportionate number of injuries, due to the compressed nature of the season.

Football, in fact sport in general, has changed so much over the last 20 or so years, given the improvements in sports science. Look at the size of the average player today, compared to 20 or 40 years ago. Adams and Keown would be dwarfed by most defenders, and many attackers, these days. The term "men against boys" is often used; when watching Saints against West Brom, it was entirely valid. Being skilful is no longer enough today; speed and/or size or crucial (yes, Messi is the obvious exception). Herein lies the heart of Southampton's problem, in my view - the squad has no physical presence and simply gets bullied into submission. Vestergaard is huge, but never looks dominant, even against smaller opposition. Salisu is built like a tank but falls over like a dandelion. Somewhat incongruously, given his cultured character, the only hard-man in the Saints squad is Romeu (hard-man in being prepared to match the opposition's physicality, not in a Kray Brothers sense). Yesterday, Jonny Evans, hardly the biggest of defenders, let the Southampton attackers know exactly who was in charge with his aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude. An obvious current Saints nemesis is Michail Antonio, who simply barges his way to scoring at will. Southampton's own Messi is clearly Ings - slight, nippy, skilful, though he seems to have lost interest (honourable mention to Armstrong too, who I believe to be the better player at present).

None of this is exclusively the fault of the current, or indeed a previous, manager - rather the blame lies at the door of those who have recruited such a lightweight (literally) assembly of players over several years. Of course, the new breed of fast, strong, skilful player costs big money. Yet supposedly "lesser" clubs have managed to pack their squads with players who at least can stand up and be counted.

I am now ambivalent about Ralph; he is stubborn to the point of arrogance, although yesterday he did at least try to change things around, albeit later than most of us would have wished. On the other hand, joining the majority of clubs who churn their way through managers hardly seems wise at present (not that Southampton can afford to...). The ruthlessness of Chelsea or the continuity of Liverpool and Arsenal? Manchester United appear to have reverted back to the continuity programme with Ole, after their own period of ruthlessness.

In a sense, all of this is moot, given the parlous state of Southampton FC's finances - although the club is far from alone. It appears with the ESL announcement that football finances are going to get the shake-up that has been long overdue, irrespective of the success or otherwise of the breakaway group. Where that will leave Southampton, with its want-away owner and mounting debts, at a time when a club's value is likely to diminish and revenue reduce, remains to be seen, with or without Ralph.

Good post albeit the message depressing. For me Ralph is holed beneath the water line. How long will he keep us afloat? The ridiculous thing is he is virtually unsackable which is not really a healthy situation. 
Maybe a shakeup to football in this country has come at a good time for us.  

[gordonToo]

2 hours ago, SaveloyMush said:

Herein lies the heart of Southampton's problem, in my view - the squad has no physical presence and simply gets bullied into submission. 

Exactly this. Skill by itself is now no longer enough at this level.

[Convict Colony]

Posting this in here as well, good article

 

https://www.prostinternational.com/2021/04/19/this-is-what-freefall-looks-like/

[Red]

For whatever reason it's not working and we need to change it. Easier to change the manager than most of the squad.

For all his German, Austrian and European knowledge Ralph hasn't brought in a single decent player, including before Brexit. Getting rid of the only full back cover for peanuts. Sorry but he's lost it, and so it seems the players as well - they are no longer playing for him. Seems they have sussed him out too. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

32 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Posting this in here as well, good article

 

https://www.prostinternational.com/2021/04/19/this-is-what-freefall-looks-like/

Damning if you ask me. 

He’s been letting the players steal a living for weeks. Going through the motions whilst some of the fan base lap it up. Hammered at City, yet Pep throws a few backhanded compliments and they turn a blind one. Stuffed at Utd, but it’s the officials fault, pathetic at Leeds but we’re saving ourselves for the cup. 
 

We have a season defining game and we don’t show up, then the manager insults our intelligence by claiming we “left everything on the pitch”. This year we’ve been every bit as bad as we were under Hughes or Pelligrino. 

[Chapel End]

12 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Damning if you ask me. 

He’s been letting the players steal a living for weeks. Going through the motions whilst some of the fan base lap it up. Hammered at City, yet Pep throws a few backhanded compliments and they turn a blind one. Stuffed at Utd, but it’s the officials fault, pathetic at Leeds but we’re saving ourselves for the cup. 
 

We have a season defining game and we don’t show up, then the manager insults our intelligence by claiming we “left everything on the pitch”. This year we’ve been every bit as bad as we were under Hughes or Pelligrino. 

Are there any good female managers out there we could get?

[Convict Colony]

When we were doing well the players were brave in the oppositions half and looking forward.

Everytime we've been shit they pass back to goalie from the oppositions own half.

Ralph picks the players so its his fault but i do have sympathy with what he has to pick from.

I'd like to see Tella, Salisu and Jankewitz given some time now and JWP isnt this undroppable machine for us either.

 

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

6 minutes ago, Chapel End said:

Are there any good female managers out there we could get?

Doubt it.