I agree with this. Our fans are generally more reactive whether that be positively or negatively. We tend to react well initially after conceding. That comes through plenty of experience of being a Saint. As for the lack of patience, it will help when we're not looking over our shoulders. Under Poch and Koeman, the fans had more confidence in a positive outcome at home. And afforded more trust in the team and the individual decisions that players were making. If we get back to that under Ralph, naturally the atmosphere both proactively and reactively will be more positive.
Amazing amazing performance and result, fully deserved to win and the one goal margin did us a disservice. Loved the energy and passion all over the pitch. Targett was playing well before he went off injured, hopefully he’s not out long/that Bertrand is back asap. Ings didn’t look quite on it, but didn’t play badly, just wasn’t up to the same energy and performance level as the rest of the team who were really really very good indeed. When we first bought Redmond I never saw him as anything more than an impact sub, but wow he’s really changed my opinion this season. He’s one of our most important players. Love his energy and positivity to always try and take people on and drive forward. Was really pleased for him yesterday that his efforts are being noticed by the fans too with a song or two and a standing ovation when he was subbed off. The other player who is changing my opinion of him is Bedders. Watching him in his early performances for us, and having watched him looking clueless for Poland I really didn’t think he had a future with us. Since he’s come back into the team he’s been immense. Amazing commitment, energy, last ditch goal saving challenges, goal line clearances, blocks and apparently can play the ball out of defence, drive forward and play beautiful dinked through balls to our forwards. Long may it continue. COYR. Still buzzing.
I'm trying not to get too carried away but love the way we are playing now. I like the stats of recent weeks showing we have far less possession 39% to Everton 61% For so many weeks before Ralph we have come out on top of possession, completely dominating but not winning. That's because the passes kept going sidewards or backwards, no one making forward runs. We may now have less possession but we do so much more with the ball and without it. Luv it, luv it, luv it.
So we have just beaten Leicester and Everton and they are about the level of club that we were at before the crazy experiment of the Pellegrino appointment. Everything that appeared to be broken about our squad seems to be mending fast. There will be players who do not "fit" Ralph's vision and they will leave and there will be aquisitions also but maybe not as many as some think.
Yep, compare it to Pellegrino's 5 minutes of slow sideways and backward passes to work the ball to Cedric, who crossed it in deep for Bertie on the far post and Shane waiting forlornly alone in the box. The offensive side was better and more attractive under Hughes but the defensive side and mentality was completely shot.
Unless you've got the very best players, possession is over-rated. It's not even much use to Chelsea, who have pretty decent players (plus one of the very best). Although it's great for curing insomnia.
Barcelona under Guardiola were the masters of possession football, and at their peak it was very entertaining, particularly when they beat Man Utd in the 2009 CL final. But that sort of thing doesn’t happen very often, and I’m sure most of us remember fondly the 2 seasons when the fat lying Dutchman schooled Saints to play “against” the ball. Now it looks like those days have returned!
Worth pointing out though, that it's very hard work playing without the ball; mentally and physically draining. If Ralph can improve our passing, we'll get better at controlling games when we need to.
It’s mentally draining for us fans as well! As you say, if we kept the ball better when we had the lead then perhaps we wouldn’t be so prone to losing them.
Also worth pointing out that it is also necessary to rotate more with this hard working style... “cough” Ian “cough”
Rotate the squad? What are you thinking, Fats? These are professionals, they can run non-stop for 120 minutes every couple of days and still have time to do sprint training ..... like you used to ..... cough cough ....
Thank you for all your kind messages. Unfortunately, it had been a rough few years for her. However, she did live to be 84, and, until her early 80s was still travelling continents and countries with her partner to explore. Alongside gardening, eating scones and updating her biscuit tin, that was her number one passion. She was very active and very happy, but unfortunately, Alzheimer's took a really severe grip on her life. By the time she passed, she was completely unrecognisable from the person we all grew up knowing and loving. Both mentally and physically. She couldn't recognise her own children, let alone grandchildren and her pride in her appearance and had totally dissipated. I had never fully understood all the complications, difficulties and severity of Alzheimer's until I saw what it did to my nan. Such a sad ending to someone who lived such a long and happy life. Thankfully, we knew this was on the cards for quite a while - she has been in hospital for some time now with a perforated bowel which would not repair - and so we have come to terms with it easier than most people do. We are remembering the good times, the happy photos and the many happy years she had before the past three/four years of being riddled with severe Alzheimer's. What a truly horrible disease and I wouldn't wish for anyone else to have to experience anyone else see a loved one endure the ending she had. I think, in time, I'd like to do some of my own fundraising for Alzheimer's charities - my cousins and family have done walks/runs previously, ever since her diagnosis - but I'll have to have a think about something good to do. Again, thanks for the messages. Very much appreciated at this time.
