I’m assuming we start with the same team but with Oriel in for Diallo Will be interesting to see how much difference he makes He may just provide that solid base to free up the playmakers Diallo played ok but he’s a very different player to Oriel and I can see either Diallo or Prowsey working well with Oriel but struggling a bit together
Do you think some fans are a bit blinkered by the 0-0 scoreline? I actually think the whole team is playing really well - consistently so - but some opponents will target key players and try to neutralise them. I don't count the first two games of the season because (as I said at the time) Ralph hadn't had the opportunity of properly preparing the team due to the later return and the international absences. Since we played Burnley (which Ralph had a whole week to prepare the team for), we have only lost 2 games - to M City and M Utd. No real shame. Walcott was neutralised against Fulham because when he got close to their penalty area, he was immediately surrounded by five Fulham players. I saw one or two occasions when he was free out wide and his decision making was maybe a bit questionable but his defensive efforts more than made up for it. This is our best season for many years and we have a bunch of decent players often playing out of their skin. If we can't enjoy this run, when will we?? Same team to day with Romeu back in midfield please.
I wouldn't set it up as a 4-4-2 (or 4-2-2-2), maybe more of a 4-3-3 instead - but assuming that Ings and Redmond aren't available to start (and Salisu won't), then they are the 11 names which jump out at me the most. I don't for one moment expect Ralph to change formation though - which I don't say as a negative, just an observation - and hence I don't see it happening.
I would suggest quite alot. If he has to watch through a screen he will not have a full appreciation of what is going on across the pitch. Also not able to encourage or yell at players.
I don't think he was off his game as you suggest, just that once in possession of the ball he was dealing with four or five immediate assailants. Agree that his distribution, as of many years, could have been better, but I was amazed at his defensive game, quite tenacious. He is not a replacement for Danny, neither was his arrival here intended to be signal that, but given time, as we have seen, he will get free kicks from 35 yds in and with JWP, that's just right. Shane could offer a similar role I feel, but let's hope both find the net again without VAR getting in the way!
Yeah, I mean we already knew it but from being at the Arsenal-Saints game the other week I realised just how much and how often Ralph communicates with the players during the game. I would hazard a guess that we would miss having our coach on the sideline more than a lot of the other teams would. Obviously most importantly, hope Mrs Ralph and Ralph are both okay.
Come on lads, do it for the gaffer! Not having Parker present didn`t upset Fulham, so hopefully the same for us tonight. I don`t think our performance (individually and collectively) against Fulham was as mediocre as some think. In contrast to the beginning of the season they competed and defended very well and in a disciplined way, as demonstrated by our two `goals` being caught offside. 2-1 Saints tonight!