Match Day Thread Saints vs Newcastle Saturday 7th March 3pm

I think there's quite a few poor teams in the league this season. It's a real shame we don't have the squad to take advantage, because imo great things would have been possible with this coach.

 

But maybe our indifferent form will allow us to keep him longer, thus keeping the hope for next season. And we all know what the hope does.

 

To be honest, I have enjoyed watching us since our miracle recovery earlier in the season, and am looking forward to games now more than I have done for ages. Not because I expect us to win, and certainly not because I expect us to be play consistently well for a full 90 minutes. But we are mostly entertaining to watch, results are impossible top predict, and after you've lost 9-0 at home the worst has already happened and there's nothing to fear.

We're only a two or three good signings away from being a good side again, so I hope we don't **** things up again next season. But we probably will.

 

Agreed. Having Ralph steer the ship is far more fun than the last three.
If we can hold on to him, and rehome some loanees, we will be in a better position.
Hope he signs before the season ends so we can celebrate it with him.

 

I think our manager is great and he continues to grow in status.
what happened with saints over the xmas period was totally incredible.
He is very likeable also and I think thats important too.

 

FFS, one in one out. Armstrong must have got concussed in training (unless he's been back to Glasgow during the week) because he finished the match on Saturday apparently ok.

 

Missing Armstrong is a blow. Is KWP back? I may have asked this already.

 

He got it when he was elbowed in the face by Cresswell after 2 minutes on Saturday, but he only started showing symptoms in the last day or so.

 

Oh right cheers. West Ham have done us over twice.

 

Up until January we had the fewest injuries I've known in a half season. Now, well its definitely evened out somewhat. Frustrating.

 

Nice to have some good news then!

 

I get the gist of your main point, my concern is that we have a squad which definitely needs an upgrade, but yet they have proved that they can produce some pretty good results, then throw in a performance like last weekend. That gets everyone nervous of course. My heart says we'll put that right v Newcastle, yet my head says perhaps not with our track record of generosity to poor teams at times. Once again though, emotion will take over until 5.00pm on Saturday!

 

.

 

. . .


Pretty sure

 

I was trying to be clever with some images but it proved to be beyond me. Had to delete it all .

 

I would tend to be a bit more balanced in my view. The main reason why we look better is because what came beforehand was generally so poor. Looking back, we lost the plot under Puel who could sometimes get the result he planned for but at the expense of entertainment. The subsequent appointments looked like the club wanted to be relegated. At least now the team is starting to play more positively albeit I think some of the bad habits have not entirely been ironed out. Tomorrow will be intriguing because of the fact neither Redmond nor Armstrong are playing. I have not been entirely convinced by Djenepo but have reached the conclusion that Boufal is too mercurial and unreliable. It will be a tough test tomorrow. If we get a result I think it will be a good indication of Ralph's ability as a coach. As things have progressed at home this season, I cannot say with confidence that there has been a significant improvement in the last 12 months. I am hoping that everything clicks into place against Newcastle and we see a visiting team put comprehensively to the sword. Saints fans at St Mary's have been patient this year and we deserve to see the lads put in shift and absolutely tonk someone.

 

Fingers crossed.

 

SO what do we think?

McCarthy
KWP Bednarek Stephens Bertrand
Djenepo JWP Hojbjerg Boufal
Ings Long


or does Ralph revert to back 3/5:

McCarthy
Stephens Bednarek Vestegaard
Valery JWp PEH Bertrand
Long Ings Djenepo