We didn't become a bad team over the summer. This is the same squad that has beaten Spurs and Arsenal not too long ago and almost held an invincible Liverpool team to a draw. Even if we lose the next four or five games, I still have buckets of faith in Ralphy baby. (Bookmark this post for when he gets the sack in January)
Agreed. Remember the first season up. I even called at that time is was possible we’d lose 4 out 4 to start the season that year. We did and so many fans were losing it. We took some time to adjust. Palace last season was it (or year before) lost the first 7. Burnley last season didn’t win for 10 games and as Laces said yesterday - well done Brighton for securing their future on day one!
I agree, and as Fats says, I think most would. It’ll be interesting to see what Danso brings to the party. I was reacting to the hysteria about this result, rather than the assertion that we need change in our defensive make up.
Good choice of clubs to compare. Both have had long lasting managers, and Burnley stuck with theirs through relegation. Would be interesting to see how saints develop if we keep our manger that long. I think Ralph is definitely still working out which of the squad are really able to cut it as first team regulars. My theory is that Maya wasn’t in the team not because he wasn’t good enough, but perhaps the opposite. At this early stage of the season Ralph wanted to test some players who’s regular place was still uncertain, to see if they could cope under pressure, and he got closer to his answer yesterday.
I wonder if Palace fans are losing it because they didn’t score at home. Or Bournemouth fans because they slipped up by not winning against a newly promoted team at home? I thank some of you for pointing out that some of our fringe players have not left the club and apportioning the blame accordingly. I glance at last years table, I note the weather conditions and disappointing though the capitulation was, I believe that our future season has been irrevocably tarnished to the extent of minus two to our goal difference. Now if you will excuse me, I am off to screenshot some of these replies for a chuckle at a future date.
On the subject of Maya, I suspect he was on the bench because someone had to be, and he’s every bit as error prone as all our CBs. <ducking emoji>
I agree with you, still think Ralph has the magic. However, having stewed over this all day I've decided my disappointment is down to the fact that this game could have been any game over the last 3-4 years. It really has been **** more than not and I had convinced myself we were going to see something different. Like it or not, this team, and their team, our performance and their performance shows that not much has changed in 3 years for either of us. Sadly, watching the game you have to conclude that we haven't learned much or improved.
I’ve read a couple of pages of the thread, seen nothing of the game, but sounds like we weren’t great. As for Ralph and the criticism, he isn’t Guardiola. Whilst I have never got on the Ralph train so to speak criticism after one game is ridiculous. He is a decent to good manager who plays an attractive style which will always please the fans. His personality is also one which most people will get behind. Will he be able to have us soaring up the league with this team, no he isn’t that good, but we should be alright this year
If we play well and beat or draw with Liverpool or United, will you conclude that we’ve learned a lot and improved? Or will you just enjoy the moment, knowing that the following week maybe the same or different.
Guardiola probably wouldn’t do much better with this squad. Not sure any manager would tbh. Not saying the squad is terrible. Just lacking in PL quality, especially at CB.
Not so sure about that. Look at the improvement he got out of Nathan redmond following his little chat.
I think he probably would, but agree with your overall point. The defence is ****, it wasn’t properly addressed in the window for whatever reasons (I don’t think signing a 20 year old midfielder come centre back is particularly addressing it) so I think we will be in a similarish position overall to last season.
Ralph and Saints will learn from this game no doubt.......I can't think of another game that Ralph has lost so heavily................Disappointing first game......typical Saints though....expect something and you get nowt .....don't expect something and something will turn up..........