Agree that our bench/squad is littered with average players, and also that this is the main reason we have been so bad. But Ralph is making mistakes imo. Yes it wasn't a bizarre change, but considering JWP & Armstrong were pulling the strings and that we were having success by being aggressive and pressing - it wasn't wise to bring on a defensive mid for a striker.
On Diallo, unfortunately it does look like he's not ready yet, or at least not ready to be playing such an important role in the squad. He is young, in his first season in the PL (and a different country) and it's all happened during a pandemic which must have made it even harder and hes been thrown in because of Romeus injury and our lack of other players. I highly doubt he would be playing week in week out otherwise (as shown by his lack of appearances pre Romeus injury). His performances before his own injury were really good too, so there is a player in there. He just needs more time and probably not to be playing in the thick of things every week in a team that is really struggling. I also think what Ralph did with the subs made sense...clearly it didn't work, but tbh I doubt if he had made a different change it would have made much difference anyway. Who knows, but at least he tried mixing it up today with the team and subs earlier. Let's face it, we were losing games every week anyway, might as well try something different.
Are you surprised? In the main, the players work really hard but so often don't get the results they deserve. It drains you. Even as a fan, I feel drained as this season runs down. Let's just experiment and learn from the last six games and decide who is staying for next season. Big transfer window coming up!
You're right. That was a cheap pop at him for which I apologise Still don't understand why you'd come on to another teams forum after you've just won via a 90th min penalty though. Its ****ing patronising when the "bigger" teams do it, even worse when it's a spurs fan
Because you're seeing it as gloating or rubbing it in, for some reason, which I'm clearly not doing. I wanted to see if your fans agreed with my opinion on your fitness levels and it appears that a lot do.
For me it’s the same old issue.Quality. Take Hjoberg as the prime example- controlled the game. If our club had shown ambition he may still have been here. In many teams we play there’s a player or two that either was ours or was rumoured to join us, who would make a huge difference to our squad. Without a change of either owner or an injection of funds it’ll be rinse and repeat ad infinitum.
I honestly think the pandemic has had a huge effect on life (obvious I know) but that effect has also lulled us into the perception that life and football is kind of normal. It’s really not and for me it’s no surprise that footballers and managers should be affected negatively by it. So, I cannot really pass judgment on this unreal season.
Lemina is dogsh*t and about to get relegated. Elyounoussi has never had a good game for us either so not sure why he is instantly better than Walcott/Djenepo/redmond
Diallo seems to be getting worse every week, how long has Jankers got to wait before he gets another chance? He can’t play any worse than poor Diallo who is really struggling with every aspect of his game
We seriously need to find a buyer for the club this summer. Otherwise the only way things will change is if we listen to offers for any current players as none of them have exactly covered themselves in glory over the last 20 games. Most on here including myself, believe that Ralph is the best manager we have had in a while, but the same players have continued to flatter to deceive then continually under perform for manager after manager. I fear that the club won’t be sold, but then the only way the club would be able to support Ralph, is to have a much needed clearout, which won’t be easy as money will be tight for every club this summer. To be fair, it’s been shocking how virtually every player has lost form since the start of the year, and due to injuries early on in 2021 and lack of squad depth, the options are so limited. Yes Ralph has made many mistakes / strange decisions in this time, but clearly has very little faith in any of the younger players coming through except for Tella. If we go into the new season with a similar squad, we will be in big trouble as the last 20 league games have shown. Fingers crossed for big changes this off season.
Diallo, close, probably about the same. Diallo was class in his first few games but been dodgy of late but will undoubtedly have a bigger future at Saints than Lemina - he is 21. Jankewitz? We have no idea. The thing to remember is that the reason they are out on loan is because we needed to free up funds to bring in other players like KWP, Walcott & Salisu
Nah I think you’re “Lemina is a twat” is blinding you a bit from the fact he is a decent player, very good on his day. Agreed about needing to free his wages up for other areas. So back to the same common theme, we are skint and the owner is a ****