I thought that we were owed a decent performance today but, yet again, it is another home debacle with the usual problems with an defence that looks like the Keystone Kops and a midfield that is unable to create. I think everyone is of the consensus that the squad is poor but with the right acquisitions in the summer, the club should have improved and allowed the better players to develop further. Regarding Ralph's position as manager, I am afraid to say that I cannot take anything from the home performances in 2019 to suggest that he is not totally out of his depth. Radio Solent trotted out the old myth again that Rohl was the tactical genius behind last season's resurgence where , to my eyes, we seemed to get by with the motivation and energy from the performances. I don't feel there have been many instances where Ralphs reputation of "the Klopp of the Alps!" is at all justified. I am seeing players continually played out of position, a reluctance to play positive, attacking football, the insistence of zonal marking from corners and the continued ability to concede following our own set pieces. Some of the substitutions seem baffling too. If you look at things in a piecemeal, analytical fashion the only conclusion you can reach is that Hassenhutl is totally inept. The last two homes performances have convinced me that the squad do not believe in him with the first half performance this afternoon given the players the appearance of having no interest in the result. It is clear to me that Ralph has lost the faith of his players and , with the continued jostling of players in to unfamiliar positions, I can see why. I said after the 9-0 reversal against Leicester that he had to be sacked. It is staggering to see people on here posting that they trust in Ralph whereas the reality of the situation is that the results and performances have not radically improved from MP2. We have not won at home since April 2019 and this trend looks unlikely to be reversed. I am convinced this is going to happen but replacing the manager should only be one element of the root and branch changes that are required. Quite what Kat was thinking when selling to the Chinese is a mystery. , Ideally the club needs to bring in a Director of Football who knows what he is doing and appoint a manager with more technical ability. Come the January transfer window, I think we need to make the signing of a new defence a priority and then look to give the squad the overhaul come May which should have taken place this summer. The last two home matches have been a disgrace.
I dont want to see Cedric play for this club again after today. Leaving a match early is disgusting. Clearly not a team player.
Absolutely fine with trying this too, was just scared that we would get hammered with this many attackers.. but we get hammered all the time anyway so **** it why not. At least we might be entertained with this line up.
Can anyone give me a clue about KL's wealth ? No disrespect to anyone , but we have gone from 3 Billion to 500 Million .
Doesn't he have a calf issue? He may have just gone in to get treatment and keep it warm. I mean, I don't know but until I hear otherwise, I assume it was routine. Cedric said he was leaving, but he ALSO said that he was committed to helping the club until he left. Funny how people ignore the second part. News flash: Cedric leaving has been pretty much a done deal since the start if the season. Who here thinks we should have given Cedric a new contract this summer? No one.
I find it interesting that all season people have said its the defence fault, now it's down to the midfield. Has been a sudden shift on those opinions last couple of weeks. I'm not saying I disagree, I've thought for ages our midfield was ****.
That performance was just as bad as the Leicester game. Luckily we were playing a ****e team who couldn’t capitalise on it. Redmond, JWP and Stephens have had my unqualified support this season but gave up in the first half. Difficult to know how a team bereft of any confidence can turn the corner. They’ve forgotten how to tackle and move to find space. No one wants the ball and there are no apparent leaders on the pitch ( maybe not even off it). The only ones to emerge with any credit are the fans. But turn the corner we will.
I think if Pierre is playing well then it's not so much of an issue, but when he's not - and he's been horrid this season - then it really shows up how average the midfield is.
Yeah. The defense is decidedly shaky but I think we all knew that. But the midfield isn't giving them the help they need. Really thought PEH would have a big season but he has been awful. He's been better at left back. He looks like he's working hard, he just sucks suddenly. I think he can turn it around, but if he doesn't we are pretty much screwed. Ings has been contributing better defensive support than the midfield.
Watching the way Morgan calmly went about his work today was painful. Nothing special, just normal, tidy, lets-get-the-ball-moving Morgan. Compared to when Romeu received the ball in similar positions, with his body facing McCarthy and the ball just being returned straight back to the CBs. How I miss you, Morgan. Well, you and so many others.
Rumours on Facebook (I know,I know) that a meeting is taking place tonight with Ralph and the owners apparently.
I think the ****iness of the defence has diverted attention away from the paucity of talent in midfield. We do have attacking flair though - Ings, Djeneppo, Boufal, Redmond, plus Adams and Obafemi; we need to workout how to get combinations of these guys running at opponents.
Well, Mr Gao won't be there. He doesn't give 2 ****s .. Kat was there today but she isnt a decision maker.
Stephens was the only player showing any passion and holding others to account in that first half ... I thought he was going to flatten Bednarek at one point, the way he was going at him. Much more of a captain than JWP anyway.