Played 7 and 3 of top six, after next week played 8 and 4 of top 6 Today's result, a defeat away to spurs is not the issue. I am not even sure we have an issue. In an age where technology is taking over Thank goodness team selection comes down to human judgement.
And if we have a full squad available next week (I don't know what we're looking at, in terms of Cedric and Djenpo's injuries), then I'll be quietly confident about next week. The problem is that the fixtures don't get any easier. Not until the last day of November can we look at the fixture list, and breath a sigh of relief.
Just seen MOTD a nd feeling pretty happy. Whilst todays scoreline didn't change, the commentator did mention southamptons previous result, the 4-0 DEMOLITION of Portsmouth. Currently have that bit on repeat.
...........and a small mention at the start. Along with Everton the only team to have eight shots on target against City in recent years. Digging for bright spots!
Have read through many of the posts and can tell this is an unpopular opinion, but I completely get why Ralph made the choice he did. Firstly let’s not forget that the original choice of line up was one we were pretty much all happy with. I think it is also fair to presume that Ralph has Valery on the bench as an attacking wing back option. Whether in general, or more likely specifically away to e.g. top 6 sides, he doesn’t see him as part of a back 4. Given the timing of Cedric’s injury, there is no option that allows a back 5 with Valery playing. Having lost plan A, Ralph must decide on what will weaken us the least and opted for increased defensive stability. He saw Valery at RB or JWP at RWB both as vulnerable, and the extra CB offers that slight bit more protection against a strong and potent attack. I am 100% certain that if Cedric had pulled out before the initial team was announced, Ralph would not have made the same change, but would have gone for something that was not a possible option after 14:00 I’m not saying I think he was right, in fact I would have preferred Danso over Vestegaard, but I do completely understand the logic of Ralph’s decision and am happy to continue to back him
A lot of merit in what you say, but my biggest problem was how slow he was to change things. I think the scenario you mention is understandable, but why did we need 3 CB's vs 10 men for an hour? Should have taken Vestergaard off sooner IMO. But, again, no shame in losing to spurs away. No need to criticise him loads, thess tactics may have made no difference against a quality side.
The first season, we probably did as everyone had left(ok not just staying up, but expectation had been hit). The second season we had a squad that had just finished 7th, so why would we just be hoping to avoid relegation. You’re not comparing apples with apples. We now have a squad that just survived. Twice. Here’s a question: why would we expect a much higher finishing position from a squad that everyone knew hadn’t added enough defensively and had to shift players before we could add more, and without knowing how could the other teams squads are or how well they’re playing. I expected us to be better going forward but pre-season when discussed on this forum I joked we’ll win our games 4-3.... because it was clear defensively nothing had changed.
Are you saying that no matter what he plays, these fixtures don’t look like we’ll get anything from them? Cool. A few more games where it should be ok for Ralph to experiment then. Anything he pulls off is a bonus, right?
Paddy, that too is a plausible opinion on what happened. A switch of plan before Plan A is even used due to the injury. It does look like he has trust issues at the moment with Valery, judging by the statements people have posted, as I mentioned before, but that is still a guess from me. I’m going to be even more unpopular than you, because the more I read the complaints, the more I put it down to human nature and the reaction to a lack of understanding. I don’t understand either, but my reaction is to think there is a reason Ralph did this, I just don’t know what that is. People don’t understand why he did it (or has done others), so the human reaction is to not like it. We fear the unknown.
Ive not read through the thread as I can’t be arsed. The only thing I will say is we have had a **** defence for well over a year now. Ralph has had 2 transfer windows to address this problem but has chose to ignore so we still have a **** defence. Playing **** defenders out of position imo will make our already **** defence a little bit ****ter.
To be honest I am not really surprised that we couldn’t get the break through in the second half. We are, IMO, a team that is being set up to hit teams on the counter where we can utilise our pace and the space given. Once Spurs decided to sit back with two banks of four we struggled to find a way through them. Our two best chances second half were from set pieces. This could explain why we struggle at home as we are expected to make all the running there and the away team especially lower table are happy to sit back. It annoyed me yesterday that having got the ball wide a lot we didn’t get enough players in the box looking to get on the end of the crosses.
Hey, I don't post very often but read through a lot of comments and thought I'd have a say. Just so you know I have not seen the match, didn't listen to the radio, have not watched highlights yet and have only read the bbc match report. Paddypodped - agree with you 100%. Spot on. Osvaldorama - curious what you would have done differently with the tactics once they went down to 10 men? In my view if you've started the match with 3 cbs, and then have a man advantage, you have more opportunities of attacking with the 7 other players. If we had started with Cedric and a back 4, what would he have done? If it was me I would have looked to change to wingbacks with 3 at the back. Maybe Cedric would have stayed on, and a midfielder would have made way. Can't believe the comments regarding Hasenhuttl, this guy is easily better than the last 3 managers put together. He is a maverick, a genius, this is his first full season with us and we will not go down. Does it matter where we finish as long as its above the relegation zone? You have to look at the long game, buy and sell a few more in January, then do the same in the summer so he can really make this team his! Just gotta get behind him and the team and results will improve, I'm sure of that, there are way more positives than negatives unlike under the last 3 managers. In Ralph we trust.
I agree with lewebster about Ralph. Ralph has got the players and most fans onside...we all feel better abut the club since he arrived. RH isn't a genius who has arrived to a great side and instantly we are winning every game....it's a learning curve and a rebuilding time. I hope and expect that we won't be in danger of relegation, but will get those wins that keep us at midtable or just below. We must be patient and hope Hassenhuttl is here for a few seasons....I would rather see us develop properly than throw it all away chasing the latest sparkly manager who leaves us a year or two later.
Exactly right Fran, surely we are all fed up with that rinse and repeat pattern. When Ralph leaves us it is because he has done a cracking job with us and someone who can offer him more money and prestige comes calling..... Hopefully we can keep him for a few more seasons first though! I think he has dove wonders in what is let's remember less than a year. Players generally have improved under him. Cedric, Boufal, Redmond, JWP have all improved. He's got rid of many a bad egg as well. Austin, Hoedt, Lemina have all gone, if not all permanently. Forster is finally off the books, maybe he will leave on a permanent either to Celtic or to someone else based on his performances there. Togetherness, enjoyment, performances are all much better than the last few seasons. If we want a solid if unspectacular season, let's get Puel back, if you want excitement than in Ralph we trust!
No Ides, you're being overly judgemental about Slattery having tattoos, not for the first time. But its somehow different for other players. I love to understand how you link tattoos with having a screw loose, I'm totally lost Ides. If you don't like them, fair enough, but to then say other players have them and that's fine, that is being excluding to certain types of people that are likely to have immense value and ability, not just in football but every day life.. I was a little sad hearing your view on this Ides, and always thought you better than that.
Hurrah finally. Sorry a bit flippant but yep totally agree. Ralph had his plan A which got screwed just before ko & then had to implement plan X - not sure I agreed but he’s the one with all the day2day insight. Subs were a bit late if I’m being a bit picky.
