14 Aug 2021 17:50:26
Same old same old great first half then fade away, strange team selection and slow to use the subs, Ralph has not learned from previous seasons and his time is surely up. this is not a knee jerk reaction but an observation based on opinions I share with other saints fans that I converse with in closing can anyone tell me why Forster played in most of the pre season games and yet when it counts we get McCarthy back.

1.) 15 Aug 2021
15 Aug 2021 00:30:16
We had a strong bench today and still he doesn’t use it. Does he forget he can use subs? Maybe last year he had some excuses as the bench wasn’t that good, but today….
On the bench today, KWP, Bednarek, Mo, Diallo and Stuart Armstrong - who is probably our best player. Just watched Liverpool, winning at half time, not sitting on it, but still making subs on the hour to freshen things up. Go on to score 2 more goals and wrap up the game. Please Ralph, this is a team game, please utilise the squad. If it isn’t working - change it!

2.) 15 Aug 2021
15 Aug 2021 00:39:53
I have gone from being a total believer in Ralph, to wondering what was he doing preseason to now thinking, the PL is beyond him.
He has learnt nothing from his previous mistakes, he has no understanding of changing the formation based on changes by the opponents.
Today Walcott was not existent, Djenepo was awful … we will never win while these two are on the pitch!
There productivity is zero!
It was there for all to see, from the 46th minute Benitez showed his class, Ralph showed his naivety.

3.) 15 Aug 2021
15 Aug 2021 03:54:51
I believe we missed a Golden Opportunity by ignoring Benitez when he was waiting in tha wings after achieving great success and Maestro status at both Liverpool andNewcastle. It ‘s probable that if both Managers had swapped teams before. the kick off then Saints would have secured 3 points. However it is what it is (a tough baptism and steep learning curve for Ralph) to be confronted by a Master Tactician in Rafael Benitez in their first match of the season. Maybe a couple of days at Staplewood for Ralph scrutinizing the match video while the team trains!

4.) 15 Aug 2021
15 Aug 2021 09:32:33
He didn’t only have a strong bench, he had better players on it!
Walcott should have been subbed early with Mo coming on as a natural replacement.
Djenepo awful again, should have swapped him for Tella who can play that wing superbly.
JWP off! Ralph won’t drop him or sub him, but not good at all yesterday. Even his corners were average and repetitive. And once again he crept back to that deep position he likes, sat level with our defence? Should have subbed him for Armstrong or Diallo
Everton were walking, well actually running, through our midfield like it didn’t exist. apart from Romeu it didn’t exist!

5.) 15 Aug 2021
15 Aug 2021 10:21:49
Armstrong, Bednarek, Tella, Forster, KWP on the bench stinks of trying to be too clever. Tino playing is fine, he was excellent, but KWP and Tella as wingers, why are you playing McCarthy, why are you playing Stephens ahead of our best centre half. Just bizarre.

6.) 15 Aug 2021
15 Aug 2021 11:26:37
SaintGGsy - totally agree. Those 5 players mentioned should have started as they are our first team players. Walcott and Tino were wisely bought in to add depth, but then unwisely used. Stephens and McCarthy proved last year they ok for backup, not starting. Dejenepo is ok as an impact sub, but can’t be relied on for a full game (his stats are awful) . I can understand Ralph changing things up as to ‘fool’ the opposition, but not 5 players. Would Benitez have left Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Pickford, Coleman and Gray (inspired signing BTW) on the bench to fool us? No he wouldn’t! He’d play his best side and supplement and change with lesser players when required. Man Utd next - drop Armstrong (great goal) and Shane Long to start? I wouldn’t be surprised.