Match Day Thread The new rejuvenated Saints v Man City Saturday 2nd November 15:00

Ian, you talk about the manager and the players not performing how we all hoped they would but there is possibly a third element that is affecting performances. The coaching staff. If you look at our coaches, they are not exactly the most dynamic bunch. Without top class coaches players are not going to perform at their best.

We should keep the faith with Ralph, appoint high quality coaches and replace players that are either disruptive or unable to perform to the level the manager requires. That is going to take several seasons and we can but hope Ralph manages to keep is in the PL while all the changes are taking place.

Sacking the manager is the cheap, and in my opinion the crass option. It's also the most expensive in the long run.

 

You’re both right on your main points. I also feel another post discussion on the quality of our coaching staff is worth considering. The discussion over the quality of the players has been well rehearsed now, and the fact that Ralph’s own part in the recent performances has been recognised as not being at its best is bringing all reasons, I believe, together for this level of concern. If today we see some resistance, some assurance under pressure, some measured responses to the expected line of attack from City, then we can start to think that whatever has been going ‘wrong’ is being addressed. That is all I’m expecting today, a professional response to an excellent team which at least makes it more difficult for them to win. There is no reason not to expect this mild outcome but if we see a repeat of the first half in the Carabao Cup match, then the questions will get more intensive, I fear. So here’s hoping the second half of that match is what we begin with in terms of attitude and purpose and at least they (City) know they’ve been in a game. Then we can approach the Everton game with much more confidence.

 

Bit harsh. We've seen Romeu, Hojbjerg, Bertrand, Cedric, Bednarek, and even JWP pretty consistent until recently. Add Djenepo and a 'promising' Adams to that list you have the making of a decent mid table side.

People seem to have gained an amazingly high opinion of Tadic since he left and rightly so - his form has been impressive (maybe he's found his level...) but he was so often the target of the boo boys here. If you rate him that highly you have to add Boufal in to the current mix of 'decent' players in poor form

 

Well a miserable day so far being compounded by the weather.

Wet and windy and always rains in Manchester. At least we are good at playing in those conditions.

 

England lost the rugby, 4 fence panels came down i've had to fix. Part of the roof came off the shed I've had to fix in the rain. Day can only get better from here, right?

 

Regardless of what happens today (and I think we all know what will happen), we'll still be sitting with more points (one more point minimum) as compared to last season in these particular 11 fixtures.

(The comparative result for Sheff Utd away being a draw last season, as based on the average of out away results vs Fulham, Cardiff and Huddersfield.)

 

According to bet365 there's as much chance of us winning this 1-0 as there is of us losing it 8-0.

 

A good chance then?

 

50/1 if you fancy it.

200/1 for ten

Not gonna lie I'm tempted to have a couple of quid on that.

 

Asked the missus to get me a bottle of cider so I could have a drink while watching the match, and she comes back with this !! Tramp juice! Ahwel I'm gonna be off my nut later on....

 

Only 5%? Must have been watered down!

 

Did you send her out with instructions to get the worst bottle of cider possible

 

Well I thought common sense would kick in and shed come back with a bottle of something half decent , I wasnt expecting 3 litres of piss!

 

At least it should soften the blow for later on. Nice kitchen by the way.

 

I just tried it, actually not that bad.

 

I absolutely think he’s our best coach since Koeman, and probably better than Koeman.

Hope that helps!

 

All the best booze lists the price more prominently than the brand name.

 

Vestegaard?