Ralph is manager, it’s his prerogative to to approach the Cup how he wants. But he has to see how fans were excited for a possible shot at the the Cup and either be up front ahead of the match about his plans or at the start of the whole season. Anyway, let’s give the team the full support, they’ve done nothing to deserve a negative feeling set of fans, and see what happens!
The ONLY thing I can say is that if we do keep it 0-0 into the 2nd half their players will tire and we can bring on the big guns. Big if though.
I might be wrong but with Long and AA up front, we don’t really have a player who can hold the ball up whilst the full backs and 10s bomb forward to support them. I can see KWP and Perraud getting caught in no man’s land, as the front two concede the ball and WHU then launch the ball behind them for Bowen or Antonio. Not at all confident, but praying to be proved wrong.
I get it if we are uncertain in the league, because whilst i would take relegation for an certain fa cup win, relegation can cripple clubs and change their future for decades. That said, we are safe as houses and under no threat of relegation at all. Not only that, but even if we go on an incredible run in the league our maximum finish is likely 8th/9th, which makes sod all difference in the long run. Fuming.
But we only have one such player in the squad anyway. And Ralph has obviously decided he can’t play every game I can only assume Ralph knows more about the energy levels than we do. And perhaps he just really really wants to beat Villa and Newcastle. Still a shame the team isn’t stronger though.
The biggest thing is that all that chemistry built up in the last few weeks has gone, you can't just throw the spaghetti at the wall and hope it sticks which is what he has done with this team. Anyway it's done now, come on Saints.
That’s going to be tough alright ……West Ham only make 2 changes……going to be a long night(hope I am wrong).
FFS I'd get it if we were struggling at the bottom, but we're all but mathematically safe now. (Even I don't think we're going down and I'm the world's most pessimistic fan) Why are we not putting out a full strength team? It's baffling. Why wouldn't we try and at least win the game?
This is an interesting opinion. You are ok with Valery in a back four? To be honest that is my chief concern Along with historic evidence that JWP and Diallo are a significant downgrade as a pairing than JWP and Romeu for reasons that are tricky to fully explain
Look, I’m struggling to understand this one as much as anyone. But let’s see what happens. It’s eleven men and a round ball. Anything can occur, and hey, it’s a strong bench!
Good news for whoever’s commentating and in the studio for bbc coverage, JWP’s still playing. So all their Saints knowledge and research is still relevant
The strong bench is the one glimmer of hope for me. West Ham are bound to tire in the 2nd half so if we keep it tight, with 5 subs allowed it could all change in the 2nd half.
