So, if we're a championship side AND did the double over you, what does that make you? Conceited, arrogant, in the relegation zone?
We can learn as much as we like. We've still got the same squad of players. In his short time here Ralph has come across to me as an excellent appointment, but he's not a magician. If any learning should have been done by now, in relation to these sorts of games, it is that we needed to strengthen in January. And the window before that. And the window before that. And the window before that... Alas, maybe this was finally the window that sends us down. But fingers crossed it doesn't come to that.
I think that the major criticism of Ralph is that he has not addressed the inability to win at home. This is really frustrating as a spectator but I feel that English football is probably more difficult than he imagined. We have been woeful at home for the best part of three seasons and it is disappointing that none of the three manager who replaced Puel who strted the rot have found an effective answer. I hated the style of football Puel produced yet the results were generally better than the other three managers achieved albeit he had a much better squad. The manager who Ralph reminds me of more than any other is Adkins. He has the same enthusiasm and will to succeed but unlike Nigel, the squad he has inherited does not have any characters who will roll their sleeves up. I don't think the players want to fail but I think they do not know how to win. Assuming we stay up, I can see only a handful of players remaining and envisage a root and branch re-appraisal of the playing staff where we recruit only players who have a desire to succeed as opposed to those journeymen looking for a fast buck. Letting Cedric and Davis go is probably an error. I think Davis was a leader. I cannot think of any of the current team of that ilk. Lets up the situation is addressed in the summer and that the club is ruthless in addressing those elements which have led to 3 years of under-achievement.
That's what good managers do and how TEAMS perform. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Fortunately, it's not about how much you spend or how much you pay, it's about having and executing a plan. You might not like the way we play, or who we are, but we're above you in the league. That may not last , but it's how it is at the moment. We're limited in what we do, have inferior players to everyone in the league, but it's how you perform in a game. Every game we're the underdog. Every game we give 100%. I'll take that.
Agreed but I would have liked to have thought Ralph would have been aware of this and selected a team which could have dealt with this. I know he was missing Ings and Obafemi but neither Long or Austin have pulled up trees this season and maybe Gallagher should have been given a chance at the start. The good thing about Ralph is that he has given youth a chance - maybe he should have been brave and selected the young Scot to lead the line? Disappointed that Ralph was outthought by Warnock for the second time in a matter of months.
What pressure? We were on the attack in the waning minutes. Most of the game really. Although tbf, that was due in large part to Cardiffs tactics rather than any brilliance on our part. There was no pressure on Stephens at all when he made that play. He had the ball with plenty of time and space. The pressure was because Stephen's gave the ball away in our own end straight to a Cardiff player in stride and that created an unexpected counter that left us scrambling and they got a lucky bounce. That is how they scored the goal. It's not why they won the game though, because the game is played over 90 minutes. The majority of which Elyounoussi was not even on the pitch and where Stephens was quite good and he even added a goal to boot.
Ralph can't do much about individual poor defending though Ian, but his decision making wasn't perfect today either admittedly
Luckily, relegation isn’t decided in February. But let’s be realistic, it was 2 **** sides at it today.
Yes that’s pretty much my point. Stephens may have made a mistake but I value his effort and intention. He has scored far more goals for Saints than Elyouniussi ever will and his striding out of defence and threading balls to the forwards was far more productive than anything our midfield could do. When Jack got the equaliser we should have dominated the final 4 minutes with a push for the winner but actually Cardiff ended up on the front foot and from where I was sat 2 pathetic, pointless fouls by a player I can’t believe we have spunked money on bloody well annoyed me. So yes I blame him a lot more than I do Stephens.
