We haven't had a summer transfer window under the new owners yet! Under Gao, the sole objective was to remain in the PL due to the lack of investment. Rather than throw all your toys out of the pram, wait until the summer and see what happens. What were we supposed to do under Gao? Ralph and Semmens were working under severe restraints. We didn't buy in January because you have to vastly overpay for players. The ambition of the club is to be a regular top 10 side. But to do this the squad needs investment. This will come in the summer.
I thought it was reported that we're in for more of the same? We're going to have to sell to buy, don't expect any names etc etc?
I don't know. If we were constantly swinging between winning and losing each week, I'm sure a fair few fans would be criticising us about lacking consistency and never knowing which Saints side will turn up. At the end of the day, I'm not overly bothered. If we're not getting into Europe, and we're not going down, I struggle to care too much about where we finish in between, or how we order out results.
I'm not sure where you heard that. We no longer have to sell to buy but the club's philosophy will remain the same in terms of buying young players and developing them but rather than spending 5-10 mill on them we'll be able to spend more.
No thanks I think the big majority would prefer Ralph over Dyche and even more would see BFS as a backwards step.
Im not disagreeing here Tom, but every summer under Ralph, it has been "wait till the deadwood has gone, wait till he gets his team, wait till next summer" now it is Gao has gone. I get the restraints we were under, but as Lincoln says, someone else would likely achieve the same and yet Ralph almost has deity status with many on here, and I just don't see it the same.
Fair points, and Laces made the point I think about the manner in which we play, and many many times very been more than poor. That is what I find hard to accept.
I think it’s because when we play well we look great. Sure a Dyche or Sam would probably do just as well (possibly better imo) but the football would be ****e to watch. Barring a miracle we aren’t getting into the top 6 so that leaves maybe 1 European spot (in the league), so I think the majority would rather watch us be bottom half/mid table nothingness every season at least attempting to play entertaining football
Another manager may make us more solid and eliminate the hammerings but would also eliminate the 3-2 win at Spurs, 0-0 at City, 1-1 at home v City, 1-0 win v Liverpool etc. I'll take Ralph thanks.
Yep get your point first para, but feel we can't just be bad, we have to be really really bad. Re JWP, I don't think it goes against having new owners, it liters our model, to sell at peak price. I'd sell for £50m as I think it will help other areas of our team, nothing against JWP either, just business.
How do you know it will eliminate ate those results? You have no idea that will happen. I've said it elsewhere that I'd keep Ralph btw, but for me has has this summer and 10 or so games next season to see how things are, and I don't think we should be scared to make a change if needed.
Well, you're making assumptions that another manager would do as well as Ralph for Saints. How do you know that would be the case?
Yeah I agree completely when it clicks we are a joy to watch. I guess I'm frustrated with Ralph as when it starts going bad like the runs we go on, he doesn't seem to be able to stop the rot. I can't really think of many clubs who'd have had our patience, and maybe that is a good thing.
I accept that most clubs may have sacked Ralph after either of the 9-0's but what have Everton achieved by sacking managers? Sliding perilously close to relegation. Sacking managers is the easy option, not necessarily the right one.
I'm not making those assumptions Tom, I'm suggesting I don't think other managers would be doing any worse, which is very likely, as Ralph is only doing an average job results wise. I get you like Ralph, so do I, just I guess it wouldn't bother me if he was replaced as I think he is in danger of under achieving. So, how would you feel if on this run we're on, we only pick up another 3 points all season?
The other thing which is rarely mentioned but I think is worth saying is Gao. People say “yeah worst owner, didn’t invest, stuck as he is trying to sell and not interested” etc This period of him trying to sell and his apparent lack of interest (bar just staying up) coincided with a lot of Ralph’s tenure and especially bad runs. If he was so apathetic to the team then maybe he wasn’t bothered about changing manager when we were going to stay up. Having to pay him off hire a new manager with signing bonus or whatever. The new owners might be more hands on and wouldnt accept some of the runs/results we’ve seen under Hassenhuttl
I think we'll pick up more than 3, but I wouldn't be too fussed. This season is done for us really. I'd like us to finish strong of course but I just want the end of the season to come so I can see what the new owners do.
