For the record, I'm not calling for him to be sacked. But neither do I think he should be treated like some uncriticisable god of football management. Fact is, we're on course to get a lower points total than last season, despite this now being Ralph's squad, and the fact that this is his what, fourth year in charge.
But the thing is he was severely hampered by our budget. It looked like he sincerely thought Ings was going to stay and be with us this year. It seems quite clear Armstrong wasn’t his choice. So the lack of improvement isn’t a big deal for me. This year is all about staying up
We are either alright or terrible. I would say we have spent most of this season being terrible, but how much of that is due to us not having a good team? I have no idea who we would replace Ralph with but it’s back to a time when it’s looking like we need to change something. Can we get Adkins as assistant or something to add some positivity back into the team?
Going solely by the table can be a bit misleading, as we sort of learned through Puel. I'd be happier watching an exciting, dynamic team that finishes 13th, than a long ball defensive team that finishes 10th. And at times we are exactly that (the former). but it's become a rarity. We turn it on for small periods of the season, and that covers up the much longer periods of absolute sh*te. It's the inconsistency that is the real head-scratcher. And its infuriating that Ralph gets all the praise when things go well, but the players get all the criticism when things go badly.
Ings was a bugger for sure, but getting Broja and Armstrong as replacements wasn't bad, especially considering you only really get half a season out of Ings anyway.
We are absolutely inconsistent. My issue is that I think that, if we were consistent, we'd be pretty ****. Ralph plays a style with high highs and low lows, and that's at least partially responsible for the fact that we haven't had to contend with relegation this year.
If Forest don't come up, Steve Cooper would be a good shout. Managed England U17's to World Cup win, got Swansea into playoff final twice in first two seasons in club management, now working wonders with Forest.
Agreed. It's the inability to comprehend it though, that rankles. We all know just how well we can play, no matter who the opposition is. We can play Spurs off the park, we can hold City to a draw (twice). So just what causes the (many) dire performances?; Tiredness, lack of motivation, no tactical plan B. And why does Ralph struggle to find a way to stop the bad runs of form? What would happen if the season were four or five games longer?
The “his squad” argument isn’t a particularly good one imo It should be more his squad* * the players he chose to sign were probably not the same ones he would have if he had the budgets of other mid table teams
Sure, but this is a glass-half-empty approach. Our best two signings turned out to cost us a combined fee of just 5m, and were likely selected by our scouts rather than Ralph himself. So in that respect he got lucky somewhat.
Yep that, and also playing to the strengths of the players you have, something I think Ralph could have improved upon. This relates to his stubbornness. I wonder if the new set-up can see this streak and try to help him with it. I really hope so.
I believe that the biggest issues with this current run of underwhelming performances and results are mentality, team spirit, defensive coaching and possibly fitness and these fall under Ralph and his coaches remit. Ralph quite rightly takes the plaudits when we play well which has been the case for the first two thirds of the season and he must take a fair share of the blame for the current poor form. we are playing like a relegation team at the moment and that is worrying considering that there have been very few injuries this season and as Ralph has said have good cover for all positions. This group of players were good enough to be in the top 8 for the first half of last season so I don't accept that they are not good enough, we are capable of a top ten finish but have lost our way somehow and sometimes things can go stale at a club and fresh ideas are needed. I want Ralph to stay but he needs to work on the mental side of the team and very much the defensive side too to move forward with maybe a new coach and a couple of strong leaders on the pitch.
I am so indecisive on this. We really have been total dross since the 4-0 loss at Villa. The team looks lacklustre and void of ideas, both attacking and defending.This goes for Ralph as well. Yesterday was another shambles. After we scored we had players jogging around, no confidence on the ball, and just lumping it long. (Excuse the pun) Are there other managers out their that could better? Of course there are. Ralph is no messiah, but does seem to get that status from a few, but what he followed after,(Puel, Pellegrino, Hughes) it shouldn’t have been to difficult. But we have shown that we can be excellent on our day when we play the high press, in your face kind of football. Would I be gutted if he left? No. Likewise I won’t be disappointed if he stays. If we did change, I think Cooper at Forest would be worth a go. What he has done there is near on a miracle, showing that he can turn a decent squad into winners. Would then like him to bring Worrell to rep,ace Bednarek, and get Garner from Man Utd to replace JWP when we sell him
Why do people keep saying that Ralph ‘can’t be criticised on here’ when literally everyone, to a greater or lesser degree, is criticising him on here. Can we stop throwing that one out there now, as it’s patently bollocks.
Agreed. Some people think because others aren’t swearing and calling for him to be sacked immediately that we aren’t criticising him. Literally everyone on here has said he has his faults. Ultimately a lot of us like Ralph and value his talents and loyalty more than a short term rough patch.
I will judge Ralph this time next season, when he’s had a pre season and 2 x transfer windows under our new owners.
I think Ralph got it wrong yesterday, but so did the players. I am criticising him. I don't think he is the perfect manager, but don't want him gone. Change can be good, or can be disaster. Everton. Silva -> Koeman -> BFS -> Ancelotti(was he next?) -> Benitez -> Lampard. Worked out well hasn't it - and they have spent over £500m I think,
I'm not saying that Ralph is better than Pep I am just saying Pep would struggle with our budget. If you put Ralph in charge at City with their budget I'd bet City would still be challenging for the Champions League and the Premiership title.
It is said that Ralph is only staying for one more Season, it is down to the new Owners to decide whether to back him with the support that he needs, or sack him and go for a complete change in all departments. It could go badly wrong in either direction, be careful of what you wish for.
The one thing we can be sure of, is things will keep going wrong whatever happens. There’ll still be highs as well as lows though, there always are; when you support a team like Saints you have to enjoy the highs more, be a of the lows
