Yep. Im not totally in the Ralph out camp yet Bit more of this form, and maybe he is turning it around. Id be happy if he does, and hopefully we can add strikers to the next window. Well, maybe one, and an CAM or whatever its called these days.
We did well to get the point after the equaliser considering Walcott was making us worse going forward and defensively. He was taking up some weird positions and our midfield became easy to pass through because of it as our midfield weren’t positioning as well as a result of that. He might have been told to do that though I’m not sure. Shame we couldn’t nick a winner though as both teams were wide open for the last 15 minutes despite that. I thought a draw was a fair result overall.
Did we put on 11 subs at half-time? Credit to Ralph for whatever he said to get them playing like that second half. That’s the f*cking Saints we want. We know we can bloody do it. Credit to Elyounoussi too. Great second half. Also Aribo was much better than usual, Caleta-Car looking better all the time. Btw I thought he had a reputation as a bit of a nutter. Behaves like Hermione Grainger compared to the Gorilla. Who calls himself Gorilla?!
No way to know really, only Ralph and co know the game plan, maybe this was it, keep it tight tire them out and then get the draw or a sneaky win late on, if so it worked, if the plan was something else then I guess it half worked as we didn't win bit didn't lose!
Said this before hand and it was brilliant to see us play like the Saints of old. Biggest thing which stood out was Ralph clearly having planned the tactical change which worked for us. He clearly knew the 4 at the back may not work and had plan B ready and waiting. 9 points to play for until the WC break, play like we did today and we will be fine.
Not many teams are going to get anything out of Arsenal this season and it was a good point. Arsenal are a very, very good team. I'm going to call out the centre halves in this game. Saints now look like they now have four top quality centre halves who are pushing each other for a place in the team. 3 unbeaten now.
Devil’s advocate - could it be that those who came in had more to prove? Also, DCC and Lyanco have more experience.
I think it helps having much better players. The aggression of Lyanco and the calm DCC next to him seemed to work really well with salisu mopping up. Compare those 3 to bednarek and Stephens. Chalk and cheese. Lovely stuff
Pleased to hear this news about Elyounoussi especially as he gets it in the neck from time to time. Not at the match but that is a great point and affects the PL table in a way many had not expected! Sounds like a bit more grit in the team today. Ralph is staying for a bit yet me thinks.
We've used it against the big sides a few times to success under Ralph. Chelsea in cup last season comes to mind.
To be fair, Mike Dean would probably have sent him off 27 times, but he gave Gabriel Jesus no room at all.
