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Match Day Thread Leeds United v Southampton 23/02/21, 6pm, Sky Sports

Discussion in 'Southampton' started by tomw24, Feb 20, 2021.

  1. Romsey_Saint

    Romsey_Saint Well-Known Member

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    Completely agree with this. What these matches of late has shown to me are:

    1. We have a general lack of depth in the squad;
    2. Injuries are contributing to lack of quality in the team selections;
    3. We are carrying a number of underperforming players which, at best, would otherwise be on the bench;
    4. Our style high-press relies on the out-field players having peak fitness levels, but we are relying on a small number of players to play every game.
    5. Players returning from injury need a number of games to get back to peak fitness to play the high press;
    6. Items 4 and 5 means we are struggling to compete over 90 mins, hence poor 2nd half performances;
    7. Ralph is struggling to find a balance in style/formation/game management to get us through 90 mins and protect early leads (18 points dropped from winning positions).

    Some of these issues will not be solved by the end if this season.

    I thought 8th to 12th at the start of the season, but think it might now be more 10th to 14th.

    Ralph has huge challenges, he has done well with the resources he has, but he has shown frailties is game management in terms of shutting down a game and countering tactical changes made by opponents after half-time. Needs to improve in those areas.
     
    #621
  2. Brixham Saint

    Brixham Saint Well-Known Member

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    I agree,but one big problem there, he will never get any financial backing from this current owner.
     
    #622
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  3. Schad

    Schad Well-Known Member

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    Especially against Leeds. Not like Bielsa's going to declare job done at 1-0 up, either.
     
    #623
  4. mowgli

    mowgli Well-Known Member

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    Those same critics of Ralph would be furious if he was sacked - they would be organising a GaoOut protest outside the stadium in no time at all. They just need someone to blame and he is the easiest target at the minute. The manager is actually there to take the blame for the players so it won't come as any surprise to him. The players need to respond because they owe Ralph for turning them into half decent players (injuries aside).
     
    #624
  5. Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc)

    Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc) Well-Known Member

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    This is 100% part of it - fans (people in general) always try and find someone or something specific to blame. It is much easier to say "the reason we are in trouble is X" rather than acknowledge the wide variety of factors that all contribute to performance over a season.
     
    #625
  6. Saints FC 76

    Saints FC 76 Well-Known Member

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    No exactly, so that’s why I don’t understand some fans wanting him out. If we bring in a different manager, they’re still not going to have any financial backing.
     
    #626
  7. Craig smith

    Craig smith Well-Known Member

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    I’ve asked this question on another site, “when was the last time Saints came from behind to go on and win the game”.? Thoughts are it could be Brighton....possibly, but yes for me it’s a real concern the moment we go behind in my mind that’s it we’ve lost, it’s going back to our old ways, we concede one, then sure enough another goes in soon after and we then look really shambolic and keep conceding,sure Leeds are an exciting team to watch and play some nice football but we cannot continue to play so poorly as we are doing.
    McCarthy for me should be saving goals 1,and 3 but more worrying is the Leeds player who scored the 2nd goal had the freedom of Leeds before he scored.
    I just feel we really lack any real leader on the pitch, a player that the rest really are **** scared of if you know what I mean. A Case,Hurlock,Mark Dennis etc.
     
    #627
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  8. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

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    Spot on, Ian.
     
    #628
  9. Number 1 Jasper

    Number 1 Jasper Well-Known Member

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    I think we will stay up , but unless Ralph gets assurances and real financial backing in the summer ( which he won't) he will walk and I wouldn't blame him .
     
    #629
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  10. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

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    This, this, this.
     
    #630

  11. Negative Creep

    Negative Creep Well-Known Member

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    I think generally on this forum, people are doing what Ronnie said, we all know we have many injuries, **** decisions etc. But so has most teams in the league. And we need to accept these and move on pretty quickly, as we cant afford for this to keep being an issue (the bad decisions that is).

    The injuries, Ralph needs to find a better solution for RB than Bedders, as it is clear is isnt working, and it is his job to sort that out. If that is playing someone else there, playing a back 3 with JWP or Moussa at RWB, who knows, im not paid to figure it out.

    But I do find this place strange that if people Q Ralph, there are many who get very defensive.

    Forget the 9-0's for a moment, it isnt great losing to 9 men Newcastle, and last night 2nd half was utterly dreadful.

    Liek others, I think it could get worse before it gets better, but right now it feels like we could be in a relegation battle, which would be a major concern.

    Now, I believe Ralph can get the players playing great again, like Wolves I thought we were pretty good, and other recent games too. Time will tell, but I really think this could go either way in terms of picking up or wallowing towards safety by the skin of our teeth.
     
    #631
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  12. Craig smith

    Craig smith Well-Known Member

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    Isn’t Bertrand a left back?
     
    #632
  13. Saints FC 76

    Saints FC 76 Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't blame him either. But I do feel like he will stay loyal/repay the faith we've shown in him after two real bad spells.

    He needs to think of his career too, because if he walks at the end of the season, he won't be anywhere near as attractive to other clubs as he was last summer. He might be better off giving us another season and trying to push us into the top half.
     
    #633
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  14. Number 1 Jasper

    Number 1 Jasper Well-Known Member

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    That's what I would like to happen , but being the pessimist I am ......
     
    #634
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  15. Negative Creep

    Negative Creep Well-Known Member

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    Yeah he is, Bedders for me Bednarak.
     
    #635
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  16. Archers Road

    Archers Road Urban Spaceman

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    Good job we’re not in a relegation battle, because we all know the drill then; sack the manager, get some football management equivalent of a bare knuckle brawler, mug a few results. Reward him with a contract in the summer, sack him in December when we’re 19th. Rinse and repeat. And all the time, the football is dire. This, surely, is why we want to keep faith in Ralph? At least he has a vision for how the game should be played, and a genuine desire to entertain the fans.

    9-0 though. Nine bloody nil. Twice.

    I’m going to watch the cricket before I leave for work
     
    #636
  17. Brinkworth Saint

    Brinkworth Saint Well-Known Member

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    The players cross the white line in each half, from that point on they need to get on with the job they're paid handsomely to do. Ralph cannot for me take the hit for heads dropping, yes he can encourage by whatever means but in the end as I've said before in these periods, the players need to return the faith he puts into them. It's ridiculous that despite all the VAR stuff, injuries etc, a bunch of highly paid people can't see for themselves what is happening before their very eyes. We've got some good players, some promising ones too, what we haven't got at present is the one who puts spine into a performance. To be fair we've not had one for a few seasons now.
     
    #637
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  18. 2 pennth

    2 pennth Well-Known Member

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    Morning guys, just a quickie.
    Thanks for the 3 points last night.
    Your problem is your manager, he blames everyone but himself for poor results always a sign of a poor manager.
    Onwards and upwards
     
    #638
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  19. Archers Road

    Archers Road Urban Spaceman

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    Your problem is you’re back in the PL for 5 minutes and you’re already giving it the Billy Big Bollocks. Feel free to **** right off mate.
     
    #639
  20. 2 pennth

    2 pennth Well-Known Member

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    We’re back where we belong on the subject of big bollocks, yes this is true I think it could be you that will be ******* right off if your not careful
    No offence intended
     
    #640
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