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Millertime's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Millertime's rumours posts
30 Apr 2022 20:31:27
Finally the penny's dropped - I actually get it now. simply put, we are just not good enough at this level to be anything other than predictably inconsistent and more often than not, mediocre to middling. It's as simple as that.
Having endured another underwhelming 90+ minutes we were shown up by a Palace side who were more hungry, quicker to the ball and quicker in their heads.
Technically speaking, most of our players lack a killer first touch. Rarely do they receive the ball and spin in an instant beating their player. All too often, and I include JWP in this, they play the ball they way they are facing - safety first giving up any chance to break with pace and purpose.
We are what we are - a Championship squad with a lack of quality and depth.
In what is a pretty meaningless match, why on God's earth would you start with Shane Long (bless him) and Redmond (who I don't bless).
The good news is that we didn't turn them over by 3 or 4 goals and then get carried away by delusions that we are going to be my thing other than relegation candidates.
We need a massive overhaul.
1.) 01 May 2022 00:02:23
Poor sub-standardspectacle.The game swung in Crystal Palace’s favour in the second half following their astute substitutions which lifted their game.Patrick Viera was obviously aware that.Bednarek was having another nightmare game and sent on Zaha to capitalise on this weakness - AND HE DID. That is TWO ROOKIE COACHES who have DESTROYED US within TWO WEEKS of one another BOTH from teams BELOW us in the League at the time So where do we lay the blame next to deflect criticism? SAY NO MORE!
2.) 01 May 2022 00:56:31
Millertime and johnyst . two posters who I have enjoyed, two posters who, like me, love the club, try and post positive posts…and have finally had enough .
Today, there was no game plan, there was no structure, no tactics.
In PV we had a very clever manager, an outstanding ex player, a player that could read a game . versus Ralph . Ralph, the book! Ralph that fails to spot the basic
Of tweeks, the opponent substitutions,
Ralph ‘it was hard to accept the loss’ . why?
You were tactically inept…
It’s time that Southampton FC and RH parted company!
He has an overinflated opinion of himself… It’s a shame he’s not honest and accepts that he’s just not good enough for the Premier League
3.) 01 May 2022 03:32:11
Thanks for your support Rich and I’m sure Millertime will feel the same-it’s just a pity that all three of us have extended our hope and belief for some three years before finally succumbing to reality,
4.) 01 May 2022 05:38:01
Whilst mentioning the calibre of Patrick Viera - I for one would be very happy if he was considered by SFC for the top job at ST.MARY’S for next season. ( HERE’S HOPING)!
5.) 01 May 2022 09:34:22
The only time under Ralph the team has played well as a team, was the run of good results this season.
He pushed the wing backs up and combined each wing back with Stu and Moi. They played as a pair and combined to provide crosses, through balls and also switching play to the opposite wing.
The team yesterday was totally disjointed. The wing backs pushed up but just like the Burnley game, there was no support, or any options for them was random based on who might have wandered into that area. Tella, nice lad, but him and Redmond slow the play down.
Anyway, awful football, very poor game plan, poor player management, poor substitutions.
Why keep Redmond on and take Che off?
Ralph will be gone in the summer .
6.) 21 May 2022 17:22:37
What about these for transfers. Joe aribo and Calvin bassey rangers. Nick pope James tarkowski Burnley
08 Jan 2022 20:14:42
We never make it easy for ourselves do we!
Good result - always good to be in the hat and hopefully we can take the momentum into Tuesday's game against Brentford.
05 Jan 2022 09:15:15
Quite a bombshell to start the NY with - new owners and with that, raised expectations. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how this will affect the club. Early statements suggest "no revolution" and business as usual because we are a "well run club".
I am cautiously optimistic that we can expect more demands for on field performance from the hierarchy as this will affect their stated ambitions for company growth - they need Saints to be successful to enhance business profile elsewhere.
I just don't know - maybe we can become less of a selling club and hang on to our prized assets. Or maybe there will be little appreciable difference from the fans' perspective.
I would be interested to hear what people think.
1.) 05 Jan 2022 21:39:51
I’d hope this will lead to something of a second black box revolution, being sensible in the market and no more Osvaldo or Ramirez buys. We do seem to be leaning into a method we experimented with a while back, buying fringe players off the bigger clubs, but unlike Lemina and Hojbjerg we now are looking at Chelsea and City having pinched KWP from Spurs as well.
I can’t see us hammering away at our transfer fee record, however unlike Gao, who unfortunately seemed to have his hands tied by the Chinese government once he bought us, we will hopefully now get investment, even if it is ‘just’ a few £10m each window, as opposed to having to always sell to buy. Small, sensible acquisitions, maybe £20m for the odd player who will become a future star.
The squad is in a decent place, we have a loan to pay off but given Gao bought us for £200m a few years ago and we are now worth £100m + £78m in debts, and the owners have the money, we should be looking up as there is in effect money spare to invest into the club.
Hopefully one or two buys this window, and kick on in the summer. For now we look ok - given Burnley, Newcastle and Norwich have won 4 times between them this season I think 34 is probably the mark, so a few more wins and we’ll be okay, then from summer onwards hopefully a better outlook for the club and city as a whole.
I’m glad we haven’t been Newcastled, I’d rather someone who would like to grow the club organically rather than sportswashing it.
2.) 06 Jan 2022 12:01:03
I'm very excited by the takeover, it has to be said. To be the staple in a football club investment strategy that looks to echo what Red Bull has done is a very exciting prospect. It'll take some time to implement and a lot could change by the time the project gets to where the owners want it to be.
That being said, in the short term, I think we'll be more stable as a club. Having investors that will want to invest in the club and the first team, to ensure its success and PL status will put us in a better position. For example, I don't think these guys will go down the route of what we make in the transfer market will dictate what we can spend in the transfer market. If they feel like that club needs the investment of new players to improve year on year, I'm sure they will help us out.
As you mentioned, I think we'll still look to be a "selling" club. Whereby we'll use our black-box method to look to unearth gems, who we can buy and sell for a substantial profit. However, with the direction of modern football and the inflation of transfer prices, I do think that if the club feels like they could buy the next big thing for a hirer price than what we're used to paying, then they might well pay that. So we might just see our transfer record broken.
3.) 07 Jan 2022 07:35:25
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. What a fabulous result with the Club’s takeover and future prospects therein.As per SaintGGsy recent post I tend to absolve GAO for lack of investment as the Chinese Communist Government imposed severe restrictions on any funds leaving China.However it appears the SFC now has a much brighter future and with Ramus Andersen involved at the helm which may result iin Ralph’s overall responsibilities being diluted but allowing him more time to concentrate on fine tuning the Team to achieve better results.Failure in this respect and Ralph may well be looking over his shoulder in the direction of Brentford FC.!
31 Aug 2021 12:54:18
Deadline day and not a rumour posted!
Perhaps we've done all the incoming business or is there a rabbit to be pulled out of the hat?!
Still hoping for a GK and an attack minded central midfielder although I suspect that won't be before the January sales!
1.) 31 Aug 2021 21:00:54
Looks like we are done. Some good names still going around, McKennie, Minimino and Barclay. Any bets on Saints pulling something out of the hat late?
2.) 31 Aug 2021 23:01:42
I highly doubt it as I write at 11.01pm lol!
09 Aug 2021 20:14:54
The elephant in the room is Ralph. As I said last season, an immensely likeable man but tactically, the jury is still out. Bizarre substitutions at times, giving youngsters all of 3 or 4 mins to make an impression and that's not to mention playing people out of position.
Success for Ralph, the team and fans will be survival, a decent cup run (let's not mention the Leicester semi-final) and a squad which gain in confidence and this time next year look for a mid table plus position.
But please, let's get a keeper - everyone's saying it.
1.) 10 Aug 2021 16:34:55
I totally agree. Sometimes I feel he is a little out of his depth. Managing a club where he has NO support from his CEO or its owners must be soul destroying, so perhaps that's why he looks a little unsure.
Millertime's banter posts with other poster's replies to Millertime's banter posts
07 May 2022 17:07:16
It's all crumbling around Ralph with our own fans foreseeing the termination of his contract in the morning.
I'm almost past caring but I look at the table and realise we are not out of the woods.
40 points with 2 games to go - I'm no pundit but I have a feeling that is what we'll end up on.
If either Burnley or Leeds win 2 of their remaining games, (I think Leeds would need a draw as well) that would put us well under pressure.
So, looking back at my pre-season assessment, I would take 17th spot right now - how prophetic and to be honest, I'd take that now for next season.
A couple of beers and a curry is the only remedy for a depressing Saturday!
1.) 08 May 2022 03:04:15
Unfortunately this scenario has been heading towards us like a freight train for weeks. Huge holes in the defence with floundering ‘Calamity Jan (e) the main culprit week after week.Also whilst proven a decent attacking wing back he is suspect at defending Perraud needs specialist coaching to overcome some erratic decisions (although in his defence (Calamity Jan’s performances would not help him).Although half chances weren’t taken in this match by not using substitute attackers Che Adams and Nathan Tella lessened our chances of saving the game.
2.) 10 May 2022 09:16:41
The silence is deafening from SFC Board in response to supporters frustrations demonstrated at Brentford.Perhaps they are buying time in order to explore all avenues before publicly addressing Ralph Hassenhuttl’s future.
06 May 2022 19:58:27
Glass ceiling.
In the words of a senior member of the Board, the reality is that Southampton as a club hope to win 1 game in 3. Any more than that represents performance exceeding expectation.
At first glance that seems pretty uninspiring and lacking ambition. With a few draws thrown in however, it is not far off the mark and may in fact equate to a good season - top 10 finish and even knocking on a European place.
For ease of calculation, 12 wins and let's say 12 draws gets us to 48 points - this season, we've won just 9 and have 13 draws - 40 points with 3 to play.
So perhaps that Board member is talking straight - it's just a pity that we have a culture at the top which creates a glass ceiling - 10th spot and 48ish points equating to a good season.
So reality and pragmatism on the one hand, and on the other hand there's Leicester City. Great for football that they didn't throw the towel in .
Just a few end of season thoughts as we fizzle out to an underwhelming anticlimax!
25 Apr 2022 00:11:48
Rather than bang on again about another Forster howler, or wax lyrical about JWP's right peg, I'll pose a question.
Is there any club in the PL which has conceded more OGs than us - I mean, Salisu's today was unstoppable!
1.) 25 Apr 2022 02:49:50
Salisu is definitely not the player he was. I know for a fact he got back from London around 6am on match day, a couple of months back . and played awful.
He also was out in town this Saturday night; is that allowed the night before?
Maybe PL has gone to his head and pocket!
21 Apr 2022 21:59:44
Another woeful performance - disjointed and lacking any form of conviction.
Pope showed why he is such a better keeper than anything we've got at St Mary's.
Jay- Rod was more mobile than any of our front runners.
Romeu - how amazing was he to miss not one, but two gilt edged headers.
I don't know why we all so care so much when they don't put a shift in.
Oh well let's see if another of our old boys - Lallana, does for us at Brighton
1.) 22 Apr 2022 10:01:40
Here we go again same old same old. Defence very porous and a complete shambles. Mids a bit wooden and very average Forwards totally important. We need cut through at speed tactics with clinical finishers. Don’t hang your hat on Broja to perform-very subdued of late (an ideal period to be grooming Adam Armstrong during this period).
Perhaps a complete re-boot of players and manager may be required to capture the missing spirit and pride we were once renowned for. I guess the only logical explanation for introducing Redmond was hoping he would catch the eye and Jack up his transfer value.
With respect to Elyounoussis if he continues to go missing they will have to organise a search party. It was noticeable that Ralph and Bednarek both portrayed the same vacant anxious facial expression with lower jaw dropped and mouth wide open (like a couple of extras from ‘one flew over the cuckoos nest’.
It’s very disappointing to witness the lack of self pride and spirit once associated with the Saints team and perhaps a complete re-boot of players and management may be written in the stars if we are to break this ever revolving scenario and meaningful upgrades are adopted.
2.) 23 Apr 2022 13:10:45
Should read: ‘Forwards totallyi impotent
02 Apr 2022 18:26:39
At the risk of sounding like a broken record - how many more points is Forster going to cost us - there are keepers 6 inches shorter than him who are far more assertive in the air. His feet and brain are synched - slow.
And why no Stuart Armstrong from the start?
KW-P starts for England at RB yet plays LB?
Come on Ralph - sort yourself out.
1.) 03 Apr 2022 23:13:55
Latest rumours around Perraud not being happy and wanting out! Not surprising!
I think KWP is a great asset but I think he’s a better RB than Tino, so play KWP right back and Perraud left back. Plays his best football, is superb . and then gets dropped when Tino returns!
Redmond not happy .!oh well .
Finally Ralph has realised Djenepo and Walcott not good enough!
2.) 04 Apr 2022 03:45:02
Agree with both recent posts from Millertime& s/h rich.1. I thought Forsters bootlaces were tied together as he stood and looked skywards (like a young boy watching an aeroplane overhead) when one or two steps forward would have allowed him to claim or the very least to have punched with authority the cross that directly lead to Leeds goal. 2.Full backs as rich described are obviously our strongest pairing (why not employ Tino further forward which would allow interchangeable cover when either goes on a forward run)? 3.The no.1 goalkeeping position still needs addressing this Summer transfers.As said previously failure on Ralph’s behalf to correct some of these weaknesses could encourage competition for the top job from the likes of Brentford or Crystal Palace and Brighton!
11 Jan 2022 23:49:19
I make you right Ed and absolutely, Tino is a gem. Be great to keep Broja too!
11 Jan 2022 17:02:38
Thanks for this insight Ed. I was hoping that Dean Henderson might feature on your list, given there are rumours linking him with Saints, but I suspect there is little substance to it, more wishful thinking.
I must confess, I don’t know too much about most of the players you have listed which strikes me that in this window, we are unlikely to secure anyone who is a shoe in to the starting eleven. At best, we are looking at consolidating the squad and perhaps developing future talent.
This is where our problem is - we are not at the races when it comes to improving the starting lineup. We bring in players who do not offer much more than what we have already got. So in terms of quality on the park, the names might change but there is little prospect of improving the levels we are currently at. That is down to market forces i.e. we are not in the business of bringing in 30 million pound players or am I being glass half empty?!
{Ed002's Note - I would likely not hold your breath over Henderson. Dean Henderson (G) Manchester United want to keep DH but he wants guarantees with Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Spurs considering their options. Newcastle may offer an immediate solution. Common sense dictates keep Henderson but I suspect the club think otherwise. Perhaps a loan again, else another hostage being held by Manchester United.
As for your second point, traditionally Southampton have done well picking up lesser know players. The scouting system in England has also been very good over the years and the youngster picked up from Chelsea have worked out well.}
30 Dec 2021 20:51:47
Great point In the circumstances Norfolk Saint and a real tonic as we set up for Newcastle (Covid permitting).
However, not so sure on your assessment of Forster! He’s just as likely to cost us the game as he is win us the game. One top drawer save and one absolute howler which was fortuitously disallowed by Mr Taylor.
Hopefully, with a run of games his confidence and form will return but we desperately need a new GK.
31 Aug 2021 23:01:42
I highly doubt it as I write at 11.01pm lol!
13 Aug 2021 22:46:55
In answer to your question Pete - I’m calling 1-1. JWP pen and late equaliser. Early start in the morning but looking forward to it as never been to Goodison Park before.
Still time to get a keeper in and persuade the Ox to join us on loan.
19 May 2022 22:11:36
Heh Johnnyst - that brings back memories and I see the resemblance!
You are spot on about how much difference a coach can make - look at Eddie now - cult hero and I too was hoping that he would join us. I had him earmarked as a future England manager - he has a lot of similar traits as Southgate - calm and dignified (most of the time) and both respected and liked by the players. Not bad tactically either!
As for playing players out of position - I make you right. McCarthy’s best position is somewhere out in the car park yet he puts him between the sticks - why?
18 May 2022 20:56:03
Agree with all above but just answer this if you will - how many Saints players would get into a combined Newcastle/Saints team?
I can think of 3 maybe …and the Geordies are a mid-table squad.
I was mistaken about McCarthy - he’s actually even worse than I thought.
And for light entertainment here’s an adaptation to the new Scouser anthem to the Beatle’s tune of ‘I feel fine’…
Instead of “Jurgen said to me you know, we’ll win the Premier League, you know he said so……”
“Ralph he said to me, you know, we’ll finish seventeenth you know he said so….”
It amused me, but maybe I should get out more often!
Only one more miserable weekend of PL inaction to go…
21 Apr 2022 14:54:25
Funnily enough, so was I - half decent keeper (Isthmian League back in the day) and never went further because most of my weaknesses I recognise in Forster. I was considered a good shot stopper but lacked the command of the 6 yard box.
Odd thing to say perhaps, but Forster is probably too tall to be a truly great keeper whereas Pickford lacks a couple of inches. Somewhere in between and you will find the optimum height for supremacy on crosses and speed to get down low.
And in the modern game, two decent feet (as well as hands!)
Hoping for a win tonight - come on Saints!
19 Apr 2022 21:53:34
I don’t often disagree with you Rich or Norfolk Saint but I must on this occasion. Forster had a blinder against Arsenal - no question. He rolled back the years and looked the giant of a keeper he once was.
But, and it’s a big but, he needs to keep this form up. Arsenal aside, I cannot honestly recall when he was the difference between winning and losing. He lacks confidence in the air, flaps at crosses and doesn’t move his feet quickly enough. He is often slow getting down and his distribution is mostly poor.
The terrific stops he pulled off on Saturday were mostly above shoulder height - which is a strength of his.
I know you feel differently but I will stand by my opinion that neither Forster or McCarthy are PL standard. If however, Forster continues this form and it’s not just a one off performance, I will happily eat my hat, so to speak!
24 Mar 2022 00:46:05
Has it really got to this - that we should be proud of the boys because they tried hard, worked hard and pressed hard. All of that should be a given - anything less would be unacceptable.
I’m not proud of our performance against City - with a Danny Ings type finisher we may well have had a better result - the finishing was dire. The defending was abysmal - Jack Stephens was exposed for what he is - no where near good enough at this level.
Pride is not about finishing second unless you’ve truly left everything out there - our team have little clue what that even means. All of them far too gracious in defeat - I commented recently on the excessive hugging and kissing the opponents in the aftermath of defeat. Our season is over and unless there is a wholesale injection of new blood and vigour, we will have a difficult season ahead.