02 Jan 2019 22:02:28
Great point earned. Going to be interesting to see who starts between the posts from now on too. Downside to me was Long coming on who just didn't get up to speed. We might have dropped into the relegation zone but this extra point could be invaluable come the end of the season. JWP put in a proper shift tonight. If we need a captain he gets my vote.


1.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 00:29:32
Great start to the New Year!
Well Done to Ralph and his Coaching/ Fitness staff for executing a well thought out and effective plan to capture a result.
Well Done also to all of the Players who operated with great tenacity and effort.
2019 prediction :
ANGUS will be knocking Gareth Southgate’s door down to become England’s new no.1 keeper.
Keep On Marching,


2.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 01:29:24
I think we are all seeing an improvement in performances and players and I agree Vick 4 points from 9 is better than we could have expected. I like what RH is doing with the players particularly defenders like bednarek, Yoshida,
vestergaard, who have definitely improved in the very short time he has been in charge. Yes we have slipped into the bottom 3 but we all know this league is a marathon not a sprint and we are now scoring goals, keeping a clean sheet and allowing youth and reserve players the chance to fight for a first team place. Gunn for McCarthy was a great move, give AM a break but also since Gunn did so well that he is going to have to fight to get back in the team. Xmas is a busy period for games and Derby in the cup gives the team a chance to become more consistent and hopefully a morale boosting win and cup run. I really believe that RH will keep us up and that we will improve over the next 5 months and stop being a soft touch and really become a competitive side again. coyr.

{Ed0333's Note - as I keep saying you’re biggest battle will be keeping you’re manager from the vultures that will circulate. I think he’s a breath of fresh air.


3.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 07:32:28
I haven't seen this well defensively organised Saints team since Koeman's era! I 100% agree with Ralph that it really does not matter how the table looks at the moment. We have had very tough fixtures lately and when Ralph and the boys keep up the good work, I am sure we have more points than Huddersfield, Fulham, Burnley, Cardiff, Newcastle, Palace, Brighton and Bournemouth when the season ends. Or at least more than three of them! :)

Now some January business, dead wood out, freshness in, and we will be just fine. Finally proud to be a Saints fan and looking forward to every game!


4.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 08:11:24
Liked seeing mccarthy dropped, made too many mistakes especially in the last few games. Could actually see Ralph getting pissed off with him.

If you’d offered me 7 points from that run of games before Ralph came in I’d have bit your hand off. Got an ‘easier’ set of games coming up and more training time between them so let’s see where we are in feb.


5.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 10:00:25
Very good result when you consider that Morata cost more than our entire starting 11. I can see us getting 11 points from all the matches leading up to the end of Feb and that's being pessimistic. That's also considering we don't sign any world class players that will score plenty of goals haha

Leicester Away L
Everton Home D
Crystal Palace Home W
Burnley Away D
Cardiff Home W
Arsenal Away L
Fulham Home W

I can see him playing a weakened side against Derby a lot of academy players. Do you think the large introduction of academy players has happened because RH has been told he won't be able to sign anyone in January or because he thinks our main squad isn't good enough?


6.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 13:03:22
We always developed academy players in the past. It's a welcome return to the old ways!

One game at a time but Ralph appears to have given the club its Mojo back.

2019 will see Saints improve no end.


7.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 04:59:57
Hi ed

I think you're right and we as a club must recognise that the pool of good managers is very small and do everything to keep RH, we have experienced how much poor managers cost you financially plus poor player selection policy can have disastrous consequences and set back progress drastically. Let's hope this is remembered. coyr.

{Ed0333's Note - absolutely mate


8.) 03 Jan 2019
03 Jan 2019 18:59:30
Great to be reading so many positive posts again. Ed’s right about the shadowy risk of RH being headhunted in the future, so all the more reason for us to enjoy the good times while they’re here! I would also hope that given the last few seasons, the board will do some serious succession planning so when he does move on, whenever that may be, either there is an external coach they can bring in of the same ilk, or better, a coach from within the club who has learned the ropes under RH, treating him like a mentor.

Its great to see some of the academy players get a chance as said before. I think that the academy players are likely to have a little better energy levels so that may be another motive for RH including them and testing if they’re ready. I think he’s likely to prove a better judge of player potential than previous coaches we have had.

RH has emphasised the type of player SFC would like to sign – young, high energy and physical. Signings not just for now but for the future. I therefore wouldn’t give too much credit to the gossip around players who do not fit that mould. Its inevitable that lazy stories will surface linking us to ex-Leipzig players, anyone in the Bundesliga or even ex-Saints players. Its better to use RH’s own description of what type of player he likes when assessing the likelihood of our interest in a player.


9.) 04 Jan 2019
04 Jan 2019 08:43:06
I would like to see Wanyama returning, though. :)