

I wasn't disagreeing with you. I was supporting the idea it was really a pretty poor window. Wanting rid, but "doing our best" is failure, however we dress it up! Now I am not upset about it as this is still failure of the past entrenched in our present dealings. However, I think people are quite entitled to have expected a decent loan in during this window. Our squad is weaker now than it was before the window. Yes, we can spin it and say we removed dead wood - but losing our first choice right back and replacing him with no one is clearly not a positive.
I am hoping we find some cash from somewhere and spend a good chunk in the summer.
"....our ambitious ambitions..."?
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Perfectly stated FLT. That’s exactly as I see it. I’m rather bemused by all this talk as what we’ve got, is what we’ve got. Now I know one of you will say “discussion is good” but the reality is above. Personally I’m ok with the window but really pleased with RH & the progress we’ve made in such a short period. Long may it continue, especially in the next few weeks.
I will highlight a caveat in my post that maybe didn’t stand out.
Ifs and maybes
I truly believe in Ralph and think he looks a fabulous coach. However, he has only been here two months and the new coach bounce could wear off. I don’t believe it will, but we never know.
It could stilll go tits up.

I have to pick up on two things here spacedsaint:
1. Cedric hasn’t been out first choice RB under Ralph. I would have liked another RB but I can accept the club not being able to get the one they wanted and deciding not to bring in an average back up (that is let of why we are where we are)
2. Wanting rid, but "doing our best" is failure
This is a very black and white statement and I think there is plenty of grey area in between. It is better than doing nothing, so I take the positive from that.
I hoped for a loan in this window; sadly we didn’t get it. The squad might seem weaker, but not that much really as the players gone haven’t been key. I think letting Gabby go weakens us. I’m not convinced letting Cedric go weakens as that much as I don’t think he gave us much going forward. Defensively, if we play a RB, Valery, Stephens, Yoshi can cover that. It’s not ideal but not a disaster.
Be careful what you wish for. We’ll probably have to drop to League One again to play your beloved Pompey.Oh that'd be awful wouldn't it![]()
This thread has become a magnet for the disenchanted with a single voice of reason in opposition (thanks FLT)
Everything in January has been in accordance with Ralph’s words
No short term back-stop iffy signings. Only quality if it is available. It wasn’t for him, we move on
Forming a smaller squad of players who are all highly committed and playing for their and our future. Done
Utilising the best of the youth squad. Happening
Improving the performance of every player in the squad. Done. Although Ely is his final challenge
Winning points. Happening
We weren’t good v Palace and still got a point. Pre Ralph we could lose a game however we played
Of course we all want to sign fantastic new players every window but look at our recent big signing history therefore ...
If Ralph’s happy I’m happy
You are right. He was not first choice under Ralph. However, that is more down to injury and then his impending sale than anything else. Valery is not as good as Cedric (yet).
We now have a very shaky front line with a lack of depth behind it. If we have to play Ely in 3 games more this season then I, personally, will think of this window as a total disaster. I would rather try to get George Weah's cousin in... Like you say, having Gabby around gave us a different dimension.
Anyway, I am not saying we could have done much better, but the fact we are not all raging that we couldn't is a worrying statement about the club. We are in a very bad place, owned by a totally ineffectual man. On the bright side, the board have pulled themselves together and are doing some good things to try to deal with. We have been dealt 2 9 unsuiteed and desperately need to bluff our way to win this hand...
Not sure how you can say we are owned by a totally ineffectual man? Do you know him? What I'm seeing are changes at the club he owns that I totally approve of.
Les,Ralph etc.
You are right. He was not first choice under Ralph. However, that is more down to injury and then his impending sale than anything else. Valery is not as good as Cedric (yet).
We now have a very shaky front line with a lack of depth behind it. If we have to play Ely in 3 games more this season then I, personally, will think of this window as a total disaster. I would rather try to get George Weah's cousin in... Like you say, having Gabby around gave us a different dimension.
Anyway, I am not saying we could have done much better, but the fact we are not all raging that we couldn't is a worrying statement about the club. We are in a very bad place, owned by a totally ineffectual man. On the bright side, the board have pulled themselves together and are doing some good things to try to deal with. We have been dealt 2 9 unsuiteed and desperately need to bluff our way to win this hand...
What evidence do you have of his involvement? What has he said? Where is the public statement he promised over a year ago?
I totally agree we have made positive changes. You only need to read any of my posts above to see that I can see positive changes - but we are owned by a failing businessman with no access to decent money. In my opinion the board is scrabbling about to make the best of this bad situation - and doing us proud at that - but I see not one positive in his ownership. Currently, if I owned the club I would be able to do as much as he is. Sadly, I am not even exaggerating.
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Oh, and I bet Ralph would have been happier had we brought in Che...
I believe I just think differently to you. Your last paragraph confuses me because younstart by saying people should be raging (some are) about the sundown and go on to point out we’re doing some good things. If we’re doing some good things, then we should be feeling ok about things. Not ecstatic, but ok.
I think you’ve overrated Cedric. I think he’s been poor for two seasons. Give me a young learner any day.
Gabbi? I’m one of his biggest fans, but down to how we play and how he was used, we got very little from him so hardly going to be a miss. We still have the same frontline we had before and a frontline that Ralph has gotten wins out of.
I am very thankful you were not allowed to get George Weah’s cousin In. Can’t you see that is exactly what we would have done before Ralph said we shouldn’t sign “just someone”?? I present you Guido Carrillo for 18m
Ely - what if we play him for 6 more games and Ralph gets him doing what he wants him to do? Ely has not been good at all, but I wouldn’t write him off while we have Ralph around.
Don’t be offended now, but it does read a little like you only want to see this as bad. It’s not great, but it’s not a disaster. It’s slow progression towards where our coach wants us and remember he said himself he wants to work with a smaller squad
Wait..l where did I say we didn't try? I am on the transfer thread, gauging the success of the window. We wanted a guy we did not get. This, surely, is not successful?I bet so too, but do you know if we tried or made an offer? It sounds to me like we made an enquiry and Birmingham said “no, he is not for sake”
What do we do then? You can’t but someone who is not for sale.
Flt, doesn't it get boring trying to personally goad me all the time? "Don't be offended". "You only want to see this as bad". These statements litter your posts and make an interesting debate unpleasant. If you don't understand what I mean, then please message me and we can discuss decent discussion etiquette without littering the board.
Clearly, you know I was joking anout George Weah's cousin. This was a joke. Glad to see you agree that Ely is bad now. Maybe he will get good, but I see little chance.
Just one point, in seriousness, to take out of your response - as we are pretty much in agreement (even though you don't seem to notice --> good progress, club right direction, window could have been better). I never said Cedric was amazing. I just said he is better than Valery. I do believe that - and I really like Valery. I think you are underrating Cedric. I guess this is the nature of opinion!