MAN CITY AT ST MARY'S

After Thursday's disappointing performance, the prospects for Sunday don't look good. I'm thinking HRH will be looking to change the line-up but that there are too many improvements available. Apparently he criticised McCarthy, Lemina and Long so maybe we will see Gunn, Hojberg and Gabbiadini (?) involved. We could do with Josh Sims back?

The vibes aren't telling me much.......although from the next 2 games against City and Chelsea I strangely have a feeling that Saints won't come away totally empty-handed. Not sure from which game, but think Saints may manage to take 1, 2 or even 3 points out of 6.

A terrible day..... both in the outcome of the game at St Mary's, and the wins for Cardiff, Burnley and Fulham...... and worst of all Hojberg's red card

Yeah pretty poor all round though went with low expectations and when saw the team sheet they went lower, defeat by 2 goals not a bad outcome if Hojberg had not got a red card. At least Ralph will know that the squad needs some serious changes and show that while he is a good manager he is not a miracle worker. To many of our squad simply are not good enough. Elouyoushi, Ward Prowse, Long, Austin Targett are not good enough. Add to that Cedric, Hoedt Davis and Gabbadini who are not even in the match day squad plus Lemina who in my view wants out and you see a major exodus could be on the cards. Reality is he will have to keep a few as there is no way we will bring 6 or 7 in during the transfer window but we desperately need a strong CH, a RB and  a striker.

Time for Gao to back Ralph, get rid of the disruptive elements Hoedt, Gabbadini and Cedric by all accounts plus think you add Lemina to that based on his atrocious displays in last 2 games. Replace those 4 and let Davis leave to Rangers, Forster to anyone who will take him, and Long and would be 7 out 4 in, reduces the size of the squad so allows youngsters an opportunity and can then at least have a fighting chance to then do a major overhaul in the summer.


Very few came out yesterday with any credit, Hojberg by far our best player until got the stupid red card but was borne out of frustration at lack of effort form his colleagues plus another one sided refereeing performance. Yes City were by far the better team (Sane, Foden, Jesus, Stones all on the bench which shows what a joke the Premiership is and shows what you can do if you have an owner willing to break the FPL rules), but the penalty was a key point as give we would have been at least level at half time. The tackle by Kompany was as bad as Hojberg but a yellow? Two footed lunge on WP in first half which was reckless didn't even get us a corner Following on from the awful display by Pawson on Thursday when again a penalty for us not given leads to their second goal and you do feel that referees seem to think they will get away with poor decisions against a team at the bottom.

Playing youngsters is something I  support but Ramsey is no way ready to play for the first team and certainly not against a side like City. We should have played Stephens or Bedanek at RB and played Yoshida, even though he isn't that good it would have been more solid with more experience.


Over the two home games


McCarthy 6 thought he could have done better with WH first and City third, suspect Gunn will play against Derby in cup. Keep in summer but Gunn to challenge next season.
Ramsey 5, looked very nervous but not surprising keep in summer but a loan move where he plays would be good.
Valeray 5, poor against WHam and looked tired, worth keeping in around squad but should be back up RB not first choice. Keep in summer
Yoshida 5 poor against WHam, will be released in summer and off on Asia cup duty so chance for Stephens to make a bid. Release in the summer
Bedanek 6 (WH) 5(MC) would like to see him at RB, lost Augero for the city third goal and does switch off but has time to improve keep in summer
Vestregard 6 did okay against WH presume rested for the City game, keep in summer
Stephens 5 doesn't look that mobile and would have tried him in midfield where he can use his footballing skills more, keep in summer
Targett 5,5 his limitations exposed in the last 2 games, no pace and loses his players far to easy, at fault for the first goal sell in the summer
Lemina 4, 3. Thought would show his potential when recalled, he couldn't care less and seems not to want to be here. Must not like the new training regime sell now therefore back the manager and sell if we get a decent price, if not let him stew in the U23s. He is worse that likes of Target as he has skills just an attitude.
Romeau 6,6 still not back at his best but better than most. Keep in summer
Ward Prowse 5 Ralph seemed to like his performance but he doesn't really have any great attributes. Keep for now as squad player then sell in summer.
Elouyshi 5 at least he did run against city but doesn't really add much, would rather have a ball winning midfield player, sell in summer
Austin 6 to his credit he worked more than I have seen before and lasted 70 minutes but to old and slow now fluffed a great chance against City, sell in summer
Ings 6 only played 65 minutes over the two games and that is our problem and why we must try and bring in a striker. Keep in summer
Long 4 just didn't work in either games as a sub, just jogged around, with his atrocious scoring record I would expect work rate, let go now and try Obefemi.
Armstrong 6 decent game against WH, looks a decent player for the money we paid, keep in summer

Thanks again Matty