TO players (eg Fraser & Ely), or FROM Ralph (cue shuddering, wailing, teeth gnashing) Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me....
To the observer, I don't think Ralph's achievement (keeping us up), is as impressive to them as it is to us. Most neutrals seem to think that we should comfortably be a top 10 team. Also, they will look at our recent away results (3-0 loss to W.Ham - 3-1 loss to Newcastle), and that will discourage them too. The second half to the season couldn't have played out any better!
Got to disagree with this. Not sure that neutrals see us as an automatic top ten team, especially after flirting with relegation during the last two seasons. I think we should have picked up more points since Christmas. Too many points lost against inferior teams on January and February somewhat masked by the more impressive results against Arsenal, Spurs and Leicester. But for the stupid mistakes, I feel we should have overtaken Bournemouth at the very least, especially at the rate they had been dropping points too. Just think that some of the positive displays have been let down by defensive errors or lack of concentration- the recent Watford game being a good example. If we had had a half decent centre back to marshal our defence this season, I think we would have had about another 8-10 points. Unfortunately, Ralph does not have the tools to work with as far as our defence is concerned. I am not too sure about Saints being a top ten team. We are a long way off at the moment as the squad is pretty lightweight. Let's make a more informed judgement in August by which time I hope we will have a squad more to Ralph's liking and one that will be able to perform to his vision.
Perhaps not for Fraser. Has years left on a good contract....but more importantly is not playing well enough or regularly enough for another team to want him. Only a low level Championship side in desperate need would even look at him without more proof he was back to form. Perhaps a loan to get him playing again (subsidised by us) is the way forward. Another point to consider is how willing McCarthy is to be second choice....though he is under contract so may have to lump it. Contracts work both ways of course.
I voted for Slow Coach Bedders as player of the season. He's been standout excellent since he's playing regularly. Vin
Yeah, and how many points do you think we'd have if we'd appointed David Jason, Jeremy Corbyn, Robert Redford and Bill Murray as our back four? Just think. Makes you wonder, eh? Vin
Hang on. So you don't think we are a top 10 team, yet you are disappointed that we have dropped a lot of points in the second half of the season, in which our form has been that of a top 7/8 team? If you have such a low opinion of our squad, then you should be extremely grateful for the points we have picked up, rather than being negative and looking at the points we have dropped. Regarding your disappointment of our defensive mistakes, well, this is football. Mistakes will always occur because there are eleven players on the opposition trying to force you into making errors. Look at Spurs yesterday. They get two daft red cards in one game. And they're the third best team in the league. Champions League semi-finalists. If you want to watch a sport with very few errors, then I recommend archery or shooting.
I listened to the game yesterday and Merrington said he was surprised that Ralph did not change the system when things were not working out. My own personal view is if we were not safe he would have and some of the players would not have been on the pitch in the first place if so much was at stake. I thought he was using it more as an exercise for the fringe player to show what they could do. I think he found out so he can address things in the summer well thats how I read it .
By chance, I was thinking this yesterday when people were blaming during the game followed by a (to be fair, minor) meltdown. Why was I surprised? Vin
Well, we certainly got nothing from it. (Unless you count the chance for Ralph to see 'fringe' players in a competitive match.)
At least 3 managers have had the same problem during the last 2years and more. Yet is it not the case that 3 years ago only Chelsea bettered us in the lowest goal conceded department?
Fair enough, but if I had paid money for a ticket/travel and maybe cancelled any other plans for that, I'd be a bit pissed.
I dint say he wasn’t any good, he is just very slow. His reading of the game and anticipation are very good but needs the right partners playing alongside him who can compensate foe his lack of pace. Yoshie works well with him as he is quick
