Can you summarise LTL? I'm not a fan of Redmond in that position. With Ings and adams fit but Redmond starting it feels like a sign that all is not well, so I'd be keen to hear the thinking. Don't summarise the berks on social media bit, I've kind of got that sorted.
Pretty much everyone here said the match could have been anything except 0-0 and thats how it turned out. Well done to Leeds, 3 great finishes in the end to win the game. I like your manager, I like your football, I hope we batter you senseless next time.
Utterly baffled at anyone calling for Ralph to go. He is an amazing manager and we are completely skint, if he goes then there is only one direction this club will head IMO.
Providing our players don't implode, I think we will be well clear of the relegation zone by the end of the season. Our recent bad form has coincided with a very difficult run of games, with our last 8 of our last 10 league matches against teams in the top 10. The other two were Arsenal and Newcastle. We've lost 7 of those, drawing to West Ham and Chelsea, beating Liverpool. That run wasn't just tough in terms of opposition though, but also the schedule. We've had a mid-week game ahead of all those matches apart from the Leicester loss and the Chelsea draw. That has contributed to a lot of injuries, but as others have said, it's also very difficult for the players who are fit to keep up our intense pressing style when the games are so close to each other. I would imagine that fatigue is probably a big reason why we're falling away in the second half of games. Luckily, the schedule is starting to look a bit kinder in terms of both rest days and opposition. City is a mid-week game but otherwise we've pretty much got a week off between each game: Everton, Sheff Utd, Man City, Brighton, Burnley, West Brom, Palace. I'm optimistic of getting at least 9 points from that run, which should see us easily safe.
I have faith in the Saints board to do the right thing and they never got rid of Ralph last season when we were in a more perilous postion and out of the cups.
I started drinking early this morning myself, but you are on completely different sauce by the sounds of it!
He didn’t have a good game against Leeds, but he is a major scapegoat for many fans. He has actually done more in this run than Adams has for a long time so far with an assist and a crucial part in another goal in the three games he has lead the line. He is frustrating to watch at times though.
So, the thing with Adams and Redmond is interesting. Adams hasnt been great, but he scored v Uts and is got disallowed and he scored v Leeds, again disallowed. Small margins and all that. For me, Redmond isnt a striker, and isnt great at shooting. Adams and Ings for 12 games they clicked really well, so have proven they can do it. Not sure how they get back to that, but id be going with those two all day long. Perhaps Armstrong and Tella in behind them. Tella is pretty quick, direct and takes people on - I think he has a great future.
I like your second paragraph! On reading the first paragraph, I had a wry smile at some of the options you listed, particularly Gerrard. I'm glad that it seems you buried that one, can you honestly imagine him being here when all the time being linked with Liverhampton? I think that might be a deal breaker for a lot of us! Had me going there for a few seconds!!
I like Redders, but when he isn`t confident, he isn`t effective. Imagine you are a defender playing against him - if there is a 50-50 challenge then you know you`ll ease Redders off the ball, without Redders drawing a foul. If he`s running at you, you just need to stand him up, and he`ll stop and play the ball back because he doesn`t usually have the confidence to take you on. The Newcastle game did my head in - on a wet pitch and makeshift defence it was crying out for him to have the defenders turning and get to the by-line. The only time I recall it happening, Ings hit the post. Adams or Tella are better options at present IMO.
Leeds fans on Facebook complaining that Bed was fouling Struijk by trapping his arm preventing him from challenging Vest. The question is why was Struijks arm across Bed in the first place? Who was fouling who?