Indeed, I love JWP's commitment and energy but I don't think he is the leader we need on the pitch. We desperately need a defensive organiser that will marshall the whole defence and possibly lead the team as well.
I think he is the right choice for captain and a good leader, but he is the only one I see in the team and you need at least one in each area. We lost our forward leader in this window and A Armstrong is off to a good start but wont be a leader in the squad for a while, Adams might become a leader but isn't there yet. We haven't had an adequate defensive leader since Fonte and Van Dijk - To put it lightly, it has shown. The lack of leadership material in the squad is really telling, I was thinking about who could be the next captain when Prowse leaves and the only other player I can really think of is Romeu, Bednarek maybe stands an absolute outside shout if he improves and perhaps KWP in the future if he sticks around long enough.
Certainly losing games from winning positions and not regaining control after conceding is a concern that needs addressing. I feel we're moving in the right direction and will maintain my positive attitude at the same level I'd expect the team to take to the pitch.
Out of curiosity, and for those that know Ralph's history better than I do, did he have anybody like that when he had his successful spell in Germany? Is it something that he even looks for in his teams?
Most people on this forum are positive and understand we can't win every game but when the same problems remain unsolved every season and it looks like it will be touch and go regarding survival, it isn't surprising that even the most hardcore supporters start to ask questions. There's no way to excuse not having a replacement for Vestergaard when the club knew 18 months ago that he wanted to leave. Why wait it until he leaves? We have a crap defence with him and no one other than inexperienced youngsters to fill the space, so we end up being even weaker. Seems like a very risky way to manage a club to be honest. I have supported Saints since the mid 60's and been through all the ups and downs that the years have thrown at us. With Ralph, there has been this belief that he is a manager who will take Saints to a far better place and make us exciting and tough. Yes we can be exciting to watch, but for 45 minutes of a 90 minute match, and that ain't enough. We are also gutless and lack leadership on the field, and had it not been for Danny Ings hitting so many goals a couple of years ago we would now be playing in the Championship. Are we now going to rely on Adam Armstrong to keep us up and hope it works out? I do hope not. Ralph has had long enough to get this team playing well, and playing well consistently. Our players are never going to win the league but they are good enough to get far better results than they do. You have to ask whether the training regime, the tactical decisions and what the players are expected to do is working? If not then the problem is not within the team. Ralph does talk a great talk and he is obviously a genuinely nice guy but is he the manager that can get the best out of the players on a long term basis? I have my doubts to be honest but I really hope he manages to get the team playing well over the whole of this season.
Away at Everton was always going to be a tough start but the way that the team folded after conceding early in the second half after such a promising first half was a familiar story for much of 2021. A good performance for the whole of the Manure game is now required even if a result is unlikely. The team have to battle to get the fans on their side and make SMS a hard place for teams to play at. This season is probably going to be defined by the games that we should win rather than the ones that we have less chance in.
Due to covid it has taken longer to refresh the squad with players that will suit Ralph’s preferred style of playing. This transfer window has brought in more of the players that he likes, young and athletic. Let’s reserve judgment and see how he can bring this team together this season.
I was thinking this. He's mentioned Pascal Gross as being his most important player at Ingolstadt, an emblem of what they achieved - together - at the club. Wanting to improve, leading by example, mentally very strong.
Spot on. Why is it that Saints seem to give away a preventable goal? It always seems to be, a player f**king around outside the box, and getting caught out, a stupid pass, or the goalkeeper failing to clear his box! Saturdays F-up was on par. Did Salusi get a shout to clear from McCarthy? Didn't seem like it to me. McCarthy seemed too slow to react. Didn't make himself big, and put any pressure on the striker. How does Ralph not see we need a new #1 is beyond me! Hopefully Forster gets the start on Saturday, he is clearly the better of the two options.
A mistake is made in 99% of goals, not just Saints related. Keanes **** up for our goal at the weekend was worse than any of the ones we conceded
I totally agree, but how many goals did we concede with a hospital pass from the goalkeeper, "dillydalling" outside the box, and our goalkeeper failing to clear the box? It seems to happen almost every game, sometimes we get away with it!
I think we've had an okay window. We were hardly amazing with Ings and Vestergaard, but I'm also not sure we're stronger than we were (RB aside). LB - debatable as we still don't have backup unless we use players out of their natural positions CB - depends on who we sign ST - depends on whether Armstrong can hit double figures ST - depends on what Broja is like. Presumably he takes the place of someone like Long/Obafemi? Our start isn't ideal as it's quite difficult. We were ****e for the whole of 2021 near enough and, although it's only based on one game for this season, we continued the typical Saints capitulation after going ahead. If that continues - considering our opening fixtures plus capitulation being all we've seen for a year - I can see it getting quite toxic in the stands. That won't help the team. We obviously will replace Vest, but I only think we can class ourselves as stronger than last season if we bring in a CM and a LB as well, and that's not looking likely.
I think that Tino is the back up/ utility player and i'd like to see him start at LB with KWP on the right.
