TBF I'm better with power than without it (within reason). I'm a much better referee than footballer and at work I have licence to make my own decisions. I thrive when I have the freedom to make my own decisions.
Don't think it's luck. The team in charge know football and know a decent manager when they see one - someone who can build a vision and - IF he is backed - follow it through. It would have been the easiest decision in the world to let Ralph go, given they're new owners and the team has not had a great season - they know what they're doing, and believe Ralph is a man who can lead that. I don't see many managers who are as aligned and clearly brought into their team as Ralph is. He is committed to make this project successful. I'm sorry, but look at some of the players he's having to put out on the pitch, and you know he's more or less working miracles. It's unfortunately in our DNA to go a quarter of the season without winning a game - even Koeman did it in our highest ever PL finish season. Think we have to separate what is clearly an undisputed nightmare underperformance of a season from someone who is obviously a promising manager with some exciting ideas. Yes, he needs some staff to disagree with him; yes, he needs to have more than one single plan/approach to a game; yes, he needs to instil some consistency across the 38 fixtures. He's no doubt on his last chance, and yes he will probably go if he doesn't hit the ground running, but then who isn't in that position? Not many. Surely the doubters can see the world of difference between, say, Mark Hughes or Pellegrino, and Ralph?
I would like to see someone like James Beattie join the new look coaching staff. Has done coaching for several seasons under the likes of Gary Monk, was part of the coaching team that saw Che Adams have the season that got his move to us etc. Currently doing a good job as Assistant Manager at Wigan, but think he would jump at the chance to come to Southampton. Bubbly character who you’d think would give his honest opinion to Ralph, which is what is needed. Bring him in with a senior coach??
Well this is good news. Obviously it was Kelvin Davis picking the team, Dave Watson choosing the tactics, and Craig Fleming telling our center backs to take all the attacking throw-ins.
Yeah, we knew that, beyond the fact that our players aren't all that good, there was a lot of institutional rot within the club structure, dating back pre-Gao. Crocker has made moves to address that (and appointing Crocker in the first place was a significant step in the right direction), but a more intensive spring cleaning was going to be necessary, both with the backroom staff and with the squad.
They were all there for a reason and it probably was the setpiece coach telling CBs to take attacking throws.
I would not take issue with the beginning of your response - but would say they were HIS coaches and HE worked with them. They were HIS responsibility. Its taken 3 years to clear out HIS coaching team? On the last paragraph, l will make the following comment and it's not a reflection of you but many on here who imply statements or opinions that have never been posted by someone. For the record, l have never suggested or implied that RH is worse than MH or MP2. l don't think he is better that MP1 nor RK. lt is debatable whether he is an upgrade on CP, especially after the last 12 games.
There is a reason Gary Monk did reasonably well as a manager but then got the sacked at four clubs after being joined by James Beattie.
He has been extremely lucky to keep his job. So tell me what exactly is the difference between Pellegrino Hughes and Ralph? His loss % is 41% which is higher than pellegrino and just below hughes. His win % is ok ish at 34%. Saying things like “aligned with the club”, “buying into the club’s vision” don’t really tell an objective observer why he is better. Clearly he is doing things differently behind closed doors or they wouldn’t be backing him. But on the outside I see a very different personality (to hughes and MP2) but similar/worse results. Im genuinely asking, what is it that makes him a better manager? How do we excuse these results?
See, you saved me replying to this - I though the original post was obscure to suggest this. There is a world that exists where people think Ralph is better than Hughes and MP2, but can also be baffled and not happy with the performance of the manager, who has played a major role in our porr, actually desperately poor results and performances. That said, if Ralph stays, then fine, and he will be under more pressure which I, and likely you and others, hope he copes with so we dont have any issues with him needing to be sacked next season.
