My honest unbiased opinion on Joe Ralls (Penalty miss aside)

Firstly, I'd like to be fair and not make stuff up. I give credit to the TEAM that we have won 2 games with Ralls in the team.
We've only won 1 game without ralls...
However, when you look at the facts, we dominated Fulham at home. We had so much attacking intent and threat that we actually could have won by a couple more goals.

I'll be completely transparent and admit the act of posting this comes after his penalty miss, but it's simply the tip of the iceberg for me, he's been off it all season. He's had a couple "okay" games, but like others have pointed out he's certainly been a weak link.

I do NOT want us to sell him or keep him out of starting 11, but like others want him to earn his place and have somebody to compete with, possibly Arter instead of BOTH of them. Ralls could be that arter style player because frankly at the moment Ralls doesn't really have an identity. He seems to just...be there. I never particularly take much notice of his defensive work for us and I don't buy the "he does stuff you don't notice" excuse because tracking back is not a skill, everyone in our team tracks back and works hard. Ralls isn't whittingham, his passing is actually mediocre at best and his only attribute as far as passing goes is probably his corners (which let's be real, is also a generic floated cross which is the standard for any player). His shooting seems to threaten but never seems to go in in open play. And he may win some challenges both standing tackle and aerially, but certainly he doesn't stand out for that too.

We don't need him, it's sad but it's true.

I feel a bit guilty saying this now, hoping he doesn't read stuff like this. Everyone other than Warnock seems to think out midfield should be Arter, Gunnars & Camarasa. Ralls is probably the only player who consistently plays who hasn't really done anything this season. He's in the same boat as Decadova-Reid in that respect, but Warnock has dropped reid for his inconsistency...But has kept Ralls.

I really don't understand it.

As for the games we have won with Ralls in it, it's easy to say we may not have won without him, but to that I say we may have scored more too..who knows. Just think he lacks any creativty and intent. If he starts next week he has alot to prove. And as far as him possibly reading these negative posts about him, well hopefully it gives him a kick up the backside to develop an identity because he certainly hasn't got one yet.

Agree with almost all that you say. He's not a youngster anymore (25), to be honest I think he's just out of his depth in the Premier League. The only thing I disagree with about what you said is that I WOULD sell him. I don't think he's an intelligent player either, you never see him think or react quickly, never pull off that pass that no one expected... just too predictable.

Agree with the first two posts.

It’s not as if we don’t have options. Play Gunnar, Arter and Victor in the centre, Murphy and Hoilett wide and i’d argue that’s as good a midfield as many in the bottom 6 or 7 and certainly good enough to beat Southampton!!

After a loss fans tend to look for a player to blame and this season it seems to be Ralls. For me a bigger issue than Ralls is Manga at Right back and Patterson upfront. I have no concerns seeing Ralls in the starting line-up, he has a good engine and always makes himself available and does have a decent shot on him (not that we see it often).

I do agree he struggled earlier in the season which may have affected his confidence but that’s down to poor recruitment in the summer by Warnock who seemed to think Ralls could be the holding play – Odd.

Thought Ralls played well second half against Wolves as well. I didn’t see any of the West Ham game so no idea how he played but I wont knock anyone for taking a penalty.

I think most can make a case for him not to be in the starting 11, we have better players infront of him if the squad is used to its potential but unfortunately Warnock is to negative a manager for the majority of time to play it.

Personally I would leave Ralls out but I also have no issue with him being in the team.