This is about it for me. I’m not convinced by him (incompetent is too harsh for me), but looks like the Board are backing him, so we should really.
A few games ago I was firmly convinced he couldn’t, and that he should go, preferably before the transfer window opened, so that his replacement would have a free hand to influence the choices. That period has obviously gone past, but there are signs, perhaps glimpses would be a better word, that things are changing. First of all, the decision making has improved.. Despite what seemed a tactical blunder yesterday in changing Boufal for Yoshida, at least it was reactive to the situation. Watford ended up with 3 out and out strikers so without Yoshida’s presence our defence wouldn’t have coped. We only had 2 defenders on the bench so replacing Cédric, once Bertrand had gone, simply wasn’t an option. Instead Pellegrino chose to play 3 at the back which , in hindsight, got the game won. Compare yesterday with the game at Vicarage Road, when the second half was a total contrast to the first once Troy Deeney appeared, and nothing was done to address Watford’s change of tactics until too late in the game. The substitutions in the Tottenham game were also all logical and effective. Secondly, there seems to be more energy in the squad. The work rate has improved throughout the 90 minutes, or at least, that is my completely subjective impression. Third, we have goals appearing from new areas, notably JWP, but yesterday Stephens broke his duck as well. Judging from the very brief highlights I saw yesterday it can’t be long until Cédric and Højbjerg score. I just hope that Carrillo doesn’t wait too long to get going, and scores consistently in the remaining games! Finally, that indefinable but very important factor, the team is playing for the manager. Whether it’s a reaction to Virgil’s toxic presence being gone, or the players finally grasping what Pellegrino wants, or some sort of Dunkirk spirit giving them all a new resolve, or a combination of all of them, it’s working. The fact that Redmond has finally been dropped may have something to do with it as well, but that is pure speculation! In summary then, the answer, somewhat surprisingly to myself, is yes, I think he might just pull it off!
I think he can..which is not the same as saying he will. Some of his decisions still baffle me, but then some of Koeman's decisions did too. I don't think he is the cause of our current difficulties - you can't keep selling your best players every summer and hope to get away with it indefinitely. Whether he can be the solution remains to be seen, but there is one quality he has in spades - the ability to maintain his dignity and composure under intense pressure. That can be far more valuable in a fight than swaggering belligerence usually is.
Good post Archers. Not convinced at all he can do the job; but we are stuck with him and he has put on an excellent front against all the adversity he has faced.
I think that it's unfortunate, but he is in the job a few years too early and I don't blame him for taking the opportunity of a position in the PL that he should never have been offered in the first place. There are signs that he is learning from his recent team selections (would like to see the same XI selected occasionally) and performances, but his game management is still questionable IMO. As Archers has said, he does handle himself with dignity and doesn't shirk tough questions. If he is to continue as Saints manager then I sincerely hope that he proves me wrong. And as ever, he and the team will get my full support during matches.
If we sack Pellegrino, which manager in his right mind would want to come here, unless it was as a stepping stone to a bigger club? Less than one season isn’t long enough to mold the team into your own brand. We have to start showing our managers more loyalty if we would like them to do the same to us.
I am not going to change my vote.but,there has been abit of progress imo.signs that the manager is learning. I would be very happy if he turns it around with us and becomes a success.much prefer thhat to him failing and getting sacked obviously. As others have said,the club are backing him.so should we
Less than one season is enough to see if someone is woefully out of their depth though imo. But it looks like he's here to stay so we'll have to get behind him. I don't really think fans have the right to expect loyalty from players managers either anyway tbh.
How do you define failure.. Is it worse than last season or is it being rele.... Sorry can't type the word. I went to Wembley where we gave up and to Old Trafford where we didn't. So some players have at times not fancied it. Home performances have in layman's terms been schizoid.. Often compounded by substitutions that have defeated any attempts at game management. MP seems to me to be a man who plans/prefers to win 1-0 rather than 3-1. It is not hard to predict this week will define our season. Have just bought tickets for Burnley. Let's hope we go there with good reason to believe..
I was looking at Burnley but it's a long trip for one day and not sure I can afford to stay up there.
If we do get relegated would we keep him? Sorry but I still think he is our worst manager of recent times including Pardew. I;d much rather have Nigel Adkins in charge if we slip back into the Championship!
To be honest I can't see him staying even if we do manage to escape the dreaded relegation. If you were to rate him in comparison to the other EPL managers where would he come? Think Saints present plight is a fair indication of this.
Before xmas I wanted us to either go on a run and push up the table or for him to continue failing miserably and be sacked. Neither have happened and the board are indecisive (possibly rightly so?). I don't think people want him to fail because they enjoy losing or want to be right, its because they want him replaced with a competent manager.
I don't want him to fail full stop, ideally he turns it right round for us and goes on to improve massively. Just cos I can't see it doesn't mean I don't want it to happen.
