09 May 2021 19:31:00
I think the Ralph debate will rumble on but he needs to go and go now. What we do between now and the rest of the season doesn't matter much (assuming we have enough points in the bag) .
I would sooner see the youngsters get game time - how good is Lndulu for example - no one knows. And what about the lad who lasted 78 seconds on his debut at Old Trafford?

An old cliche, but if you're good enough you're old enough e. g. Danny Wallace aged 16 making his debut against Man U.
What winds me up most is Ralph insisting we were "brave" against Liverpool last night - really?! How so Ralph? Because we tried to score or because we made some tackles. That's not brave - that's their bloody job. So Ralph, great guy that you are - now is the time.

On another note I think Adams struggles without Ings alongside up top. Ings would have buried that poor clearance from Allinson. I've watched him a lot in recent weeks and his first touch isn't good enough hence he misses too many half chances. A couple of wonder goals have probably deflected the fact that he has a lot to work on. Won't fault his industry though.
I agree with the majority view - no more Walcott, Redmond, Forster, McCarthy, Bertrand and a new manager (IMO) to get the best out of JW-P, Djenepo and the youngsters.


1.) 10 May 2021
10 May 2021 14:41:40
I agree with some of what you say but I think Forster has come on a lot. Djnenpo? I don't see it with him. Gives the ball away far too much, moves break down and we are in trouble. When was the last time he even looked like he could score a goal. We seriously need another good striker. I know Walcott will be just a signing on fee but if he is worth signing then why does Ralph keep pulling him off. see Djenepo, and Redmond for that matter.
We have some good players but not nearly enough.


2.) 12 May 2021
12 May 2021 13:29:11
I see everyone calling for Ralph to go but let's be honest about it, who else would want to come in knowing that they have to work with what he has. It wouldn't make any difference if we had Pep come in. He would still struggle to keep us in the Premier league. Nothing will change until someone with megabucks buys the club and the chances of that happening are about zero. I think that we need at least 6 quality players brought in to make us competitive so that would be an outlay of £100 million +. That's just not going to happen. Over half of the present squad are championship players at best so to be playing next season in the Premier league is a miracle but I fear for our chances next season.


3.) 13 May 2021
13 May 2021 09:06:37
You're off your trolley, if you really want to know how good our youngsters are look at the results, where we are in the youth leagues. Go see how well they are doing there and then decide if they can fit in.

The problem isn't Ralph at all. It's the squad he has at his disposal, we had a defensive crisis midway through the season and the team confidence took a massive hit. In my opinion we haven't recovered from. We play well most weeks but can't come away with the points unless ings is playing. It's got nothing to do with the manager. He should instruct his players to have a go at goal more a forward passing rather than coming home all the time admittedly but you are crazy if you think there is better out there on our budget. It's people like you who got Claude peul fired and he finished 8th and took us to a final.

Have a bit more loyalty in your club and people at it. We've seen lately about fan revolts she to ESL but without that squad and coaches we don't have a team to watch. Stop being so negative and get behind them. Due to finances we're a team that can only afford to avoid relegation each season but have been over achieving for years.


4.) 13 May 2021
13 May 2021 11:30:12
SFCPhill, you need to moderate your tone if you are to engage in constructive dialogue. Football is about people and opinion. There are many people who consider Ralph tactically naive and there is supportive evidence to show why. Likewise your point about how good the youngsters are is dubious if you are looking at youth leagues. The gulf between that level is massive and as said previously, we have had lots of success blooding youngsters into the big time. At the moment, we are giving them bit parts at a time when they should be getting more minutes on the pitch.
People who have a different view to you are not disloyal - they care passionately about the club and it’s future.
I do agree with your views about the financial reality of the situation and that simply employing a new manager will be the silver bullet - it won’t. What we do need is a manager and a team who can provide a little more fight and spirit in a no shots on target semi final.


5.) 14 May 2021
14 May 2021 01:11:49
It's nothing to do with whether or not someone is loyal to the club. I've been supporting Saints for almost 60 years through good times and bad but the fact remains that we are a very poor team and many quality players short of a half decent Premier league side. I want Saints to be competing against the best week in week out but with the present squad we will be losing heavily which affects confidence therefore making the following game even harder. Then what do we do? Bring a few U23s in and wreck their careers because they're getting badly beaten every game. Saints will only go downwards unless there is decent investment.


6.) 15 May 2021
15 May 2021 09:14:45
I agree with those saying investment is required. There is talent there but injury problems are amplified because the depth of senior replacements is thin. The younger players do need to be improved and given game time but it feels like a couple of key injuries will cause problems all the time.