Agree but given our issues with defence still costing us dear, it does give Ralph another home match, a further game for trying out the young ones and maybe another formation idea and finally a game which helps us get Pierre back into the PL line up at a better time for us. It’s another game which once again just proves that our squad is not good enough for the PL of this season. Reinforcing measures required urgently!! This is the third manager trying to win games with this lot. He does seem to have a better idea than his predecessors but even so, the result ratio is not gaining pace quick enough as yet, promising but a long way to go.
That miss from Mo near the end was pathetic. I would be quite happy not to see him in a Saints shirt again. Another waste of money
I'd imagine he's a nailed on starter for the replay...because (hopefully) not a single first XI player will be starting that one.
I think you're being a bit too critical. Put Bertrand, Romeu, Pierre, Bednarek, Maya, Armstrong and Ings into the starting XI and it is on paper a decent line up. Ralph hasn't had Bertrand available to him yet and that's an important player missing. Particularly with the formation he's employed in the league. The players proved against Arsenal and Chelsea they are good enough.
We draw to Championship Derby, Cardiff lose ****ty Gillingham. That game could gone either way at the end, but it looked like a different team set up, so not particularly worried.
I would doubt it. I think he’s seen more than enough academy alternatives who couldn’t do any worse. Even Hesketh and Sims could be in the frame too
Hesketh is cup tied. The kids will be played for us, but unlikely to be the entire XI. I'd thoroughly expect the likes of Ely and Long to start the replay.
I'm not surprised or worried we looked weak in midfield - there was no Romeu or Pierre in there. For that reason, the loss of a 2 goal lead doesn't massively concern me. It's annoying but not worrying. And now we get Pierre back for Everton at home which is very winnable.
Match ratings from me: Gunn - 7/10. Solid again, quick off his line, could do nothing for the goals. Cedric - 4/10. Genuinely was much better at LB against Chelsea. On the right he looked back to his poor self. Still can’t cross. Stephens - 5/10. Good on the ball, great when the ball is on the floor, struggles when it’s bouncing in the air. Vestergaard - 4/10. Some good moments, however comically poor passing and positioning for the goals. Missed a 3 man defence IMO. Targett - 5/10. Meh. JWP - 8/10. Good on the ball, trying to make things happen. Battled hard. Slattery - 7/10. Again, solid and battled hard. For a first senior performance it was great. Ely - 2/10. Just an absolute waste of a shirt really. Redmond - 9/10. Man of the match by far. Happy to receive the ball in tight spaces, 2 cracking goals and nearly had more. Long - 1/10. Why, why does he still play for us? Cannot see any positives in his game. Gave it away every single time it came near him. Zero goal scoring chances. Austin - 5.5/10. Is actually running since Ralph came in. Could have an assist if Ely could head a ball. Ralph H: can see the impact he is having. We do look miles better than before. Luckily we have players to return. I think he will save us.
If we announced tomorrow that Ely was getting loaned out for the rest of the season, I doubt any Saints fan would shed a tear.
We must be the worst team in the league in the periods in after we've just scored. ****ing useless ****s. Good job we've got Nathan 'no goals and assists' Redmond though eh? Still, cracking cup tie in second half at least and we're in the hat.
Basically I agree with you, my comments just reflect the realities as they are. I’m not criticising RH but he has got a real challenge in getting the best squad out for enough games to climb up the table. The Everton and Leicester games will inform us more about our future. There’s more probability of better results I accept if the gods are good to us!!
