Match Day Thread Newcastle United v Saints Saturday 6th February 2021, 3pm BT Sport 1

Yep from 10 mins left, just launch it towards the goal. Someone would make a mistake - especially in those conditions.

 

Yeah they have but for some reason the vast majority of posters seem to be shielding Ralph from that criticism and I don't understand it. If he's praised for when we're doing well, why isn't he accountable for the hideous results?

Should he be sacked? I honestly don't know.

Losing 9-0 twice is unforgivable in my opinion (I appreciate that I'm in the minority of 1) but ultimately the clubs skint. We're not going to get anyone else

 

The ground conditions were the same for both teams yet Newcastle coped and Saints didn't.

I agree for the ream to play against Wolves.

 

Well you know what they say about desperate times.

 

Bit odd that we didn't send Vestergaard up front.

 

I don't think we can use the conditions excuse for the overall performance but it's certainly easier to defend in them than attack.

 

I think that should have said "We're not going to get anyone else Better".

But then I am a happy clapper

 

There are a few players that are struggling with individual form and there are a few reasons for that but generally when a team is playing well without too much disruption from injuries and suspensions then the results follow. It may take a cup win or a scrappy draw to change things but we will get better when the first teamers all return.

 

Chilco, I think it was worse. On Tuesday we
Were doomed after 80 secs and poor reffing. Today we had a good ref and numbers advantage and in the last 30 mins the keeper hardly had to make a save. Tuesday I can dismiss as just a freak.Today was more concerning, poor at the back and far too slow in midfield

 

For the 9-0 games the players need to look at themselves. It is easy to blame the manager and he should be criticised but rolling over like that shows the players threw in the towel and didn't have a strong enough mentality.

 

I don't understand how a manager as good as Ralph doesn't know that new rule where you can substitute one player for another.

 

God I feel flat after that. Would be great to continue the cup run. Get a few more results in the league to get a respectable finish again and hopefully have a long pre-season to work on playing with 10 men, playing against 10 men, and a plan B for when 4222 can’t create chances.

 

I have absolutely no doubt that this team, under this manager, will turn things around eventually. But we’ll still have a threadbare squad that will need to overachieve to actually get anywhere.

You’d have to be nuts to want the manager sacked. I mean, seriously ****ing deluded to want that.

 

But we kept a few clean sheets in a row when he came in!

 

Yep, utterly agree ref the Leicester 9-0. The fact that Ralph hadn't thought to prevent that happening ever again is my concern.

 

SA, I live your positive attitude, but we were not shirt if too many today. JWP and Armstrong, maybe Diallo, not sure who else. Newcastle had to reshuffle with four injuries. The players are too slow moving the ball, is that from Ralph or just a lack if confidence. I think it must be confidence as we were sublime in the reverse fixture

 

But life isn’t just “it’s the managers fault/not the managers fault”. He has shown himself to be an excellent manager (not just at Saints) and you can only work with what you have.

That doesn’t prevent him from being criticised at all, and yes, there are likely things that should have been done differently (especially with the massive benefit of hindsight) which you could fairly critique him for.

But there are a LOT of other factors at play, which you seem to ignore far more than anyone not wholly criticising Ralph might do with regards to any of his shortcomings.

Thinking it’s as simple as Ralph at fault/Ralph not at fault, is frankly as bizarre and misguided as even remotely thinking he should be sacked.

 

Hey, I think we are in universal agreement that this has been a bad week. Two very poor results for different reasons.

We had been very good and the last thing the clubs should do is panic . Plenty of time to sort this out. And go on to win the cup.

 

I'd quite like to see Salisu partner Vestergaard on Thursday. Nothing on Bednarek, I feel like he could do with a games rest.

 

I picked the wrong day to come back to the forum.

And to stop sniffing glue.