****'s sake. Two strikers for us at the moment is like playing with ten men on the pitch. Total waste of a man. And at Arsenal too. Jeez. Four at the back is worrying, but I'm glad to see Armstrong given a game. Also Bertrand owes us a couple of rocket-up-the-arse performances.
Typical that Arsenal finally decide against us to put out what is possibly their best XI. Bellerin and Tierney rather than Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac. Lacazette and Ozil rather than Pepe and Willock/Saka. Torreira rather than Xhaka. A third CB to help out Luiz and Sokratis.
Given our three fixtures next week, the only way I could see Ralph getting sacked after this - regardless of scoreline - is if we had someone lined up ready to come in tomorrow/Monday. And to be honest, if we were already in talks with someone, then you'd have expected us to make the change over the international break. Not one game afterwards (especially given that one game is away to Arsenal, when a defeat is likely anyway). Next week is way too important to just let Kelvin oversee.
Worth noting that Djenepo was back from international duty later than others which might explain why he's on the bench.
Big club on a terrible run of form? Manager under pressure? Desperate not only for a win but a good win? Southampton Football club, come on down!
Doubt he's taking that into consideration when we're desperate for points and there's a week between matches.
I don't apply logic to what Saints do or don't do anymore. I don't think he can survive many more beatings here now (though I thought that about MP2 and we limped on under him for months longer than I thought we would). Also, there is the other side of that coin that maybe these upcoming fixtures are the perfect ones to apply the 'new manager bounce' to. I deperately wanted Ralph to work out, but I think it's only a matter of time now until he goes/is sacked.
Anyway I'm unable to follow this one so I will back at some point this evening to read the meltdown. Up the ****ing Saints
