We have plenty popular blokes around the place who have a winning mentality (Romeu, JWP, etc etc) Having a nice bloke on £60k a week that gets a game while being unproductive doesn`t seem very smart, and may promote the wrong behaviours in others particularly if there is a perception that he is blocking the way for other players. That said, prove me wrong please Theo !
I agree that they think it’s good to have experienced professionals around but I don’t think that’s why they were signed. I think the club see them as good value premiership players. They are bad business and I don’t really think either should have been given contracts.
I think our midfield is really quite a complicated problem ... Theo earned his contract with us and hasn’t done anything since he signed If Redders can maintain his form and Stu can stop getting injured then we have no problems, but otherwise we have a bunch of guys who are not proving effective at the moment in Theo, Mo and Moussa, plus Tella who Ralph won’t play We really really need Stu fit again
I can't help but feeling that there is more than meets the eye with Stuey's continued absence from the starting XI. Even when he was available Ralph was reluctant to select him and he won't get match fitness if he does not play. I know this is all speculation but we need him back in the team asap as he is our most effective creative player and I really hope my fears are just that, fears.
Is Ralph on borrowed time? This from the BBC. Norwich came from behind to win a Premier League game for the first time since May 2016 (v Watford), ending a 36-game losing run in the top-flight when falling behind at any stage. Southampton have dropped more points from winning positions than any other Premier League side since Ralph Hasenhuttl took over the club back in December 2018 (67).
No he’s not. 10 points from 4 games had the majority of fans totally on side. One win doesn’t negate the overall improvement this season. But the biggest two reasons are (1) he is the first manager since Adkins who is truly signed up to the Southampton Way and (2) he is the reason players like Tino, Sali, Small and Simeu (just as example) signed. They wouldn’t stay long.
Just some stats to back up my opinion that he offers very little creatively to the team... The facts that stand out to me are ZERO assists (in the whole time he has been at the club) shooting accuracy of 27% (6 shots on target), ZERO cross accuracy (from 12 crosses), ZERO big chances created, 2 big chances missed and just the one lucky finish at Newcastle.
The only thing I can add to this dilemma is this, does the team's indifferent second half performances have anything to do with some confusion in the players minds, post the interval conversation they have with Ralph? Is it a case of some tactical change being asked for but, for some players at least, they're not really sure what is being asked of them? Probably a load of tosh but I can't help thinking something is not working in the half time dressing room discussions. We're fodder for most PL teams 46 mins onwards and that is now pretty consistent. Even when we do win we have not put the match our of sight earlier as we well know! I'm sure Ralph will get this sorted out eventually, because the basics are there for all to see, it cannot be that complicated an issue to solve, but does exercise the mind!!
It's easy to say that, and yes, there is a pattern, but we weren't fodder to City, West Ham, United etc. People tend to only focus on the occasions where it went wrong, where there are equal amounts of times it's gone right (this season).
I take your point, it's more of an observation as to our tendency to be completely different in two halves. As many have said having players who can actually score more goals would be an end to such discussions as this. We'll probably batter Liverpool next!!
I think it is what Ralph isn’t saying rather than what he is saying, at half time. On Saturday, I was certain that Smith would tell his midfield to get closer to JWP and Romeu and as soon as the CB or keeper rolled a pass to them, to press them and stop them from turning and picking out a simple pass forward or wide. It’s what happened at SMS with Villa, so Ralph REALLY should have been ready for it. If I had been in Ralph’s position I would have told the team “if they start to press JWP and Romeu, and stop them from running the game, like in the first half, then do this” followed by a plan B to nullify Smith’s tactical change. I think he might have sent Broja on so they could go long, and then challenge/press Norwich in their half, but somehow the message didn’t seem to get through as we carried on playing it short to JWP and Romeu and kept getting dispossessed as a result of hurried passes going astray or some rank ball control, losing possession. Personally, once it became obvious what Norwich were doing, I would have told JWP and Romeu to move further forward and let the CBs bring the ball out and play keep ball along the back to draw their midfielders into helping Pukki close them down, freeing up space for JWP or Romeu to receive passes in space. But what do I know.
Like me then. I watched the MOTD version again tonight, pretty useless summary I know, but your point along with others was spot on, second half. I do have a sneaky feeling that Ralph will get it right v The Pool, just a feeling!!
