A forward that doesn't score, but that creates chances for others who do, is well worth their place in the team, this is because goals win games. Shane Long's usefulness to the team is predicated by the ability of those around him to benefit from the spaces he creates. If we don't have players that can do that, there is no point in having him in the team.
Yeah, that is true. The only thing worth adding to it is, against Cardiff's negative tactics there was never going to be much space. Add Ings injury, and that is why we looked so ineffective.
Hate reading stuff like this. Long gets an easy ride because he runs around a bit. This argument doesn't stack up, as Redmond and Armstrong are good players, who should benefit from this imaginary "nuisance factor". In reality, for nearly three years we have a striker who can't control a ball, can't pass, doesn't run into the correct spaces, can't hold it up and can't shoot. A striker needs to be able to link play, at least. (See Giroud at the world cup for an example). Long has zero attributes or football intelligence for this.
Well I may be some sort of Mystic Smeg. If we avoid relegation, it will be a masterstroke by Ralph and the new Board (especially as they got rid of Les Reed). If we go down, it will be down to previous regimes/transfer windows. Nothing about aiming for 17th place, shutting our eyes and opening them again after the final game of the season (or earlier if we are down before). I have been a little quite on the whole Jan window thing, but I am more pissed off right now than I think I ever have been. And if we do go down, I wouldnt be surprised if Ralph isnt here for the charge back down the leagues.
I must say I really am baffled why the bookies have Burnley below us in terms of likely finishing positions. As for Cardiff whilst Warnock is clearly a biggoted individual and has made various repulsive comments over the years he does seem to have galvanised his team. I personally dont understand why Saints agreed to the minutes silence before the game at the weekend. Cardiff allowed the player to travel on a beaten up old plane built in 1984 with one engine across a freezing channel at night time in minus temperatures - their negligent not victims and they still owe the transfer fee. Has nothing to do with saints and the minutes sience only helped one team and it wasnt saints. Brighton look like the only team on the slide to me
Have to agree with that. Also, did you know that Willie Mckay's son, who was on Cardiff's books until last week arranged the flight. An actual employee of the club. I'll tell you what, the insurance are going to fight this all the way.
FFS get over it pal. You were beaten by a team with a gameplan you couldn't cope with - negative or not, we took the 3 points fair and square for the second time this season to do the double on you. "Anti-football? FFS get your head out of the clouds - this is all about survival for us both. To say we didn't deserve to win is bullshit. You were on home turf, you had the support of your crowd, players available to you valued overall far higher than ours, and a manager that has been seen as something of a Messiah. I'd just say he's got a lot to learn from Warnock on how to get results like it or not. All that matters for us is staying up this year. You flirted with the drop last season and the only comfort I took from that was that Swansea went down instead. Seriously all the best for now - I'd like to see Burnley (they've had their days in the sun) join big spenders Fullham on the trap door - Udders have had it.
Had we won how you'd won I would have bloody ecstatic! So, no gripes from me Sparky! On a side note, can you give us any thought's on the post I just touched on. Willie McKay's son Jack, how long was he with you and why did he suddenly leave?
Regarding the Willy Mackay connection - we took his twin sons Jack and Paul (not to be confused with the elder one who is an agent with his father) from Leeds a couple of years back. Neither has figured for the first team squad nor have been any great shakes for the dev squad for that matter. You can put your own spin on it because we don't really know, but as soon as the connection was flagged up with Sala, they were both quickly shipped out on loan - best thing too.
Willie has a reputation from way back. Like a 'Arry but without the charisma. His son Mark is an agent, because WMc didn't want to do the 'badges' so he does the leg work. But why his other son is involved in the transport arrangements for a new signing must have the alarm bells ringing. There's a lot of mud starting to get churned up, and I see some starting to stick. I imagine we'll start to hear of players distancing themselves from his agency over the coming weeks.
Hope so. Warnock has taken some unfounded flak as well because his sons were at Cardiff and he was too close to their father - I think you call it "guilt by association". Just what Warnock could have done about the high finance involved, transport arrangements made by the acting agents, and other decisions taken about the whole tragic episode is speculative bullshit. Just a column filler subject for the circling hacks who need to get their peices to press to earn a crust.
Not sure Cardiff had much of a say how he got there. Did they know he was flying in such an old plane? I am staggered that the player seemed concerned about the cost of the flight and the pilot I believe wasn't licensed as a commercial pilot, and pilot who allegedly said he was a little rusty on IFR flying. A tragedy undoubtedly but one that would seem to beggar belief
I cannot see how or why Saints would refuse a minute's silence on Saturday. From what I read it seems that Cardiff arranged travel via Paris and London, but it took too much time for Sala and he wanted to make his own arrangements with a direct flight. The original flight was supposed to be the next morning, but Sala's agent asked him if he would agree to return the night before as David Ibbotson needed to make on onward flight from Cardiff. A needless tragedy however you look at it.
This is an interesting post and does make me want to play devil's advocate to some degree. I am intrigued by the prospect of Ralph remaining next season but think he will stick to his guns should we be relegated. However, if we put in another performance like the one against Cardiff, I would be intrigued that should this become a habit whether Saints fans would like him to remain. I think he has been dealt a really poor hand by the directors but I also do not think he is entirely blameless. Whilst there have been injuries, I am surprised that some on here have let him get off the hook for some less than impressive home performances. There was a comment on here about a month ago that ridiculed another site for letting someone post a comment that they thought Ralph was little improvement upon Hughes. It will be interesting as to whether this position will become more mainstream if we don't avoid the drop. After winning at Leicester, I was sure that we were going to charge up the table. I expect a difficult match against Palace but felt CP were due for a pasting. Similarly, I was optimistic about a draw at Burnley and was convinced we would have battered Cardiff. It is a shock seeing us slide down the table but maybe more of a shock to see that we can put in a display like last Saturday's. I have a gut feeling that Ralph might not be the saviour we were expecting albeit I think the failings in the transfer window and the recent injuries have shot his feet from underneath him. For a team to survive, it will take the likes of a Dyche or Warnock to wind a team up to fight tooth and nail. At the time I felt Hughes deserved a punt even though he would neve pull up trees. I am now convinced that Ralph should have been brought in during the summer and given the pre-season to work and shape his squad.
I cannot see how or why Saints would refuse a minute's silence on Saturday. -------------------------- We didn't refuse it, it was observed......again. Which is where this debate is coming from. It's a very unusual situation, but my true sympathies are with Nantes. Those were his team mates, he spent three and a half years there & died coming back from a farewell visit. The mourning period has become rather blurred. Its a sad situation, but it needs closure now, let the lawyers take over.
I'm not sure where to start here, you give plenty of reasons for us being where we are, yet say you expected us to surge up the table after beating Leicester? You seem desperate to slate Ralph without actual doing it for some bizarre reason too.
Exactly what are you judging the manager on Ian? We all have ‘gut feelings’, personally I haven’t seen anything that gives me pause. He’s achieved far better results than Hughes in a fraction of the time and he’s done it with an injured forward line and half the original first team on loan. By not referencing the piss poor quality currently available to him you do him a Disservice. By saviour you literally mean the messiah who can perform miracles?
No, but I do think his results have been inconsistent. We play much better football under him than we have for a few seasons but the constant leaking of goals through mistakes and the poor home form are concerns. They have both been issues since Pellegrino's tenure and , unfortunately, they have still not been addressed. I do not think everything is rosy under his management and the whittling down of the squad without bringing any talent in is a concern. The league position is demonstrative that we have not markedly improved in acquiring points. I feel we are moving in the right direction and would reiterate that he should have been brought in back in the summer. As I said, he has been dealt a poor hand.
