Amazing to think that this thread has been in existence for the best part of eleven months. The fact that it has lasted so long is testiment to the travel off the club under Ralph for the last two seasons. I agree that we have played some scintilating football under him and that, at his best, the pressing quality of the team is a joy to watch. However, I just feel that it is now a long time since we have watch one of Ralph's sides with much pleasure. The criticism about getting a striker is something where I have sympathy although I was convinced that the additions in the summer were destined to make us more attack minded. In Che Adams and Adam Armstrong we have one forward who squanders too many chances and another who is skillfull but who will never score at this level. Both signings were made by Ralph and probabaly both need to be moved on.
I think the main issue is the lack of progress. There are too many players who are not good enough and have been recognised as such by Ralph. The team he is playing is one he has largely assembled himself and other than the disappointment of not getting a proven goal-scorer in the summer, I really feel that the squad he has is under-performing and should be doing better. Someone like JWP has been a shadow of his former self and probably needs to be cashed in before his stick falls any further. It is evident that the problems with the defence have largely been addressed yet you never feel that one of Ralph's sides is ever going to put their opponents to the sword. Not sure why Tella was moved out as we are so ineffectual up front. Elyanoussi looks like a good Championship player yet has no goals or assists to his name. Diallo is miraculously still getting selected. I cannot see how we can progress under Ralph. There are too many issues that need addressing in this current team that you feel they are beyond his ability to address.
Like some on here, I feel that the Ralph - worshipping is a little odd. He has coached some terrific performances in the past but we have not seem anything promising for a complete gate for the whole of 2022. Although I was pleased with the signings, the club should have been braver in the summer and said their thanks to Ralph and got someone in with fresh ideas. People in here seem to conflate Ralph's initial games in charge with what we have witnessed for the last ten months. The writing has been in the wall before that. Not sure if Ralph is the man to take this young club where it should be. If we get a decent strikeforce in January, you feel that a new and inspiring manager could do a lo with this team. As it is, I just feel everything is a little jaded and needs to be re-freshed. This is not really a reflection of Ralph's ability , rather recognition that he is unlikely to be able to coax the performances of yore at St Mary's.
I think the main issue is the lack of progress. There are too many players who are not good enough and have been recognised as such by Ralph. The team he is playing is one he has largely assembled himself and other than the disappointment of not getting a proven goal-scorer in the summer, I really feel that the squad he has is under-performing and should be doing better. Someone like JWP has been a shadow of his former self and probably needs to be cashed in before his stick falls any further. It is evident that the problems with the defence have largely been addressed yet you never feel that one of Ralph's sides is ever going to put their opponents to the sword. Not sure why Tella was moved out as we are so ineffectual up front. Elyanoussi looks like a good Championship player yet has no goals or assists to his name. Diallo is miraculously still getting selected. I cannot see how we can progress under Ralph. There are too many issues that need addressing in this current team that you feel they are beyond his ability to address.
Like some on here, I feel that the Ralph - worshipping is a little odd. He has coached some terrific performances in the past but we have not seem anything promising for a complete gate for the whole of 2022. Although I was pleased with the signings, the club should have been braver in the summer and said their thanks to Ralph and got someone in with fresh ideas. People in here seem to conflate Ralph's initial games in charge with what we have witnessed for the last ten months. The writing has been in the wall before that. Not sure if Ralph is the man to take this young club where it should be. If we get a decent strikeforce in January, you feel that a new and inspiring manager could do a lo with this team. As it is, I just feel everything is a little jaded and needs to be re-freshed. This is not really a reflection of Ralph's ability , rather recognition that he is unlikely to be able to coax the performances of yore at St Mary's.
