If I remember rightly the dark spell where this started included heavy defeats to Liverpool and arsenal. The Liverpool one is almost par for the course but the arsenal one was a meek surrender. But in hindsight they were hitting peak form and we had two goalies injured and just threw in a 40 year old who had probably only had two training sessions.
Yes, they had faith. But it was a common complaint, at the time, that Ralph didn’t excel tactically. I was largely sat on the fence, I’ve always thought Ralph was a good manager and couldn’t think of an improvement. But for along time it just wasn’t working. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
The main difference between now and this time last season is squad depth and options from the bench. There were many comments about the lack of experience amongst our substitutes which were often made up of 6 or 7 academy players and so Ralph was severely restricted in his options to make telling substitutions during a match. I believe that he has learnt English football as well and is probably a better tactician about the pressing game and when to conserve energy during a match. We are also much better at breaking down teams that sit deeper at SMS now and Ralph must take credit there also.
You have every right to say it. Life provides so many let downs and disappointments, that it’s nice to keep the faith in something or someone, and be proved right for once.
Crashing back down to earth and back to standard Saints under Ralph. Not just losing, but getting absolutely thrashed. Where are all you happy clappers then? Care to change your vote?
