https://wwww.fansnetwork.co.uk/foot...nts-goalscorer-george-obrien-is-still-with-us https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18151038.george-obrien-apology/
Thanks for posting that. It was actually really useful to gain an understanding as to what went on (and wrong). Last season I was very on-board with Ralph, and this season I became very disillusioned. It is known we had injuries, and all credit to Ralph and the team for sorting this out currently, but wtf were they all doing to get so ****? I have to say the player need a kick up the bollocks but so does Ralph, the way I am reading that - he could have dealt with this quicker. Anyhow, water under the bridge, but let's not go dicking around again. Last point - the Board gets highly criticised, but deserve credit for working and sticking with Ralph during this period.
Thanks for clearing that up Don, great news that George is still with us, but how appalling of the Echo not to get their facts right before publishing!
I'm guessing a bit here but I think the biggest change has been the attitude of the players, particularly the senior ones. There were rumours of disatisfaction with Ralph by a group which may have been a *hangover from the Austin and Hoedt days and I can imagine Chaz being a popular dressing room figure. Perhaps his leaving was not liked by a few and Ralph sensed this and asserted his authority by not selecting some and trying different options in the first few games. It did backfire but it is now noticeable how much on board all of the squad is now and with a consistant team selection it has galvanised it and most importantly the team has started to gel together on the pitch. *I used that word deliberately
Got to be careful listening to tales of unrest...happy players tend to be quieter than those with an axe to grind. Don't like the Austin statement about the players lacking b******s....who says that about friends and team mates. Says more about him than the team.
Thanks for that. I'm only 13 minutes in but what does he mean by Valery being out for a long time. last i heard it was a Virus? Anyone heard anything?
It was brought up again in the very last question, when Ralph said whether or not we need a RB in Jan depends on how long Valery is out for but he didn't seem to know how long and didn't mention why. More questions that answers on that one. Enjoyed watching that anyway. Not a huge number of revelations though. Not getting in a recruitment guy till the summer. Ralph wants a backup left back. (like i said in the first post of the transfer thread ) Ralph says he wants to stay at the club as its a bigger challenge than the CL club which he enjoys. Doesnt seem like Ralph is getting an assistant manager and his happy being able to discuss things with the senior staff as a group. Ralph has a vision for the academy where it plays the same football he does so when he brings a player into the first team they don't have to adapt, seems invested in it. Same for bringing in players from teams that play a similar style to him. It was good to hear him sound passionate about the academy. Most of the rest was the usual, club questions with generic answers we've heard before. Probably questions I've forgotten though.
He also didn't particularly show any 'bollocks', professionalism or positive leadership in our time of need! I have my own belief that it is no coincidence that Jack Stephens has had an upturn since Charlie disappeared out the door... Think that's a pretty poor statement from Charlie. Didn't need saying, even if he privately thought it to be true.
This statement from Fat Chaz (as he is known up here in Baggies land) is typical of a narcissist, I’m doing my best but it’s everyone else who aren’t performing. Not surprised by this at all I agree with your comment about Jack
Typical of mainstream newspaper media, apart from a select few. Expected better from the Echo. This has happened to George before. I've seen articles about him from news media, but confusing him with midfielder Gerry O'Brien. Or visa versa. At least the Echo apologised. Normally, news media barely bother.
Don't know if mentioned elsewhere, but there was a full page article about Obefemi in the Mail yesterday. He gets on well with Ralph and he is trying to reduce the chance of injuries by running more and stretching and the club send him home with meals as they want him to eat more veg. He is looking forward to scoring at SMS and has a celebration planned. His Mum yells at him to just shoot....the lady sounds like she fits in well with a lot of Saints fans
If this season is anything to go by, then young Micheal is actually listening to people. Great news for us. Work hard now, rather than look back with regrets.
Here's a link. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...ting-Gareth-Bale-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.html Not often I'd paste anything from the mail.
